By Joel Welser
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Mid-American Conference
2008-09: 19-14, 11-5
2008-09 postseason: NIT
Coach: Louis Orr (32-31 at
Was last year a fluke or has Coach Louis Orr truly turned around the
Key Losses: G Darryl Clements, F Nate Miller, G Brian Moten
Key Newcomers:
Darryl Clements, Nate Miller and Brian Moten were the team’s top three scorers and all averaged over 30 minutes per game. That means the Falcons need some help in the backcourt and fast. Darion Goins is the logical choice to step in and immediately contribute. The 6-3 transfer from
Backcourt:
The only starting guard, and the only guard who saw any significant playing time last year, returning is Joe Jakubowski. While Clements, Miller and Moten were getting all the accolades for winning the MAC and leading this team to a conference title, it was Jakubowski who was setting them all up. He dished out 3.5 assists per game and kept the turnovers relatively low. Now the 6-2 junior will need to emerge as the team’s leader and find new scoring threats. Yet, Jakubowski can score himself as well. He tallied 7.7 points per game last year, but connected on over 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. If he has to, Jakubowski can take over the bulk of the scoring load on the perimeter.
Frontcourt:
Yet the true strength of this group lies in the interior. Otis Polk, a 6-9 center, started all 33 games last year and averaged 6.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Marc Larson, another 6-9 center, could be just as good if he can stay healthy. Larson only saw action in 18 games last year before going down with an injury. Obviously the Falcons recovered nicely without him, but those two seniors can start next to each other and be extremely effective if Coach Orr slows down the tempo and makes sure the big guys get their touches. Senior Erik Marshall was forced into more playing time when Larson went down and did a fine job. At 6-7, he is not as big as Larson or Polk and he will not block as many shots, but he will do the dirty work around the basket.
Who to Watch:
Chris Knight is beaming with potential if he can stay healthy and out of trouble. When he was healthy as a freshman during the 2007-2008 campaign, Knight averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. If the athletic small forward can do that again, the Falcons have found their go-to-guy. Last year, in 24 games, he only averaged 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds and only played 16.4 minutes per contest. Knight has to be back at full strength and become a leader on and off the floor if this group wants compete for another MAC title.
Final Projection:
The pieces are there for
Projected Post-season Tournament: none
Projected Starting Five:
Joe Jakubowski, Junior, Guard, 7.7 points per game
Darion Goins, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Chris Knight, Junior, Forward, 6.2 points per game
Marc Larson, Senior, Center, 3.5 points per game
Otis Polk, Senior, Center, 6.1 points per game
