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Men's Basketball
2008-09 Season Preview
Optimism and enthusiasm is evident when talking about the 2008-09 D’Youville College men’s basketball team. In his eighth season at the helm, Brian Miller likes his team’s chances to improve this year. “With four returning starters and another solid group of recruits, our goal is to win the NEAC and go to the NCAA’s. The guys saw what our women did last year (winning the conference and advancing to the NCAA Tournament), and it has motivated us to do the same. We want to hang another banner up in the gym!”
Last season, D’Youville was an exciting team to watch. The Spartans led NEAC in points per game (76.0), but second from the bottom in points allowed per game (80.5). After opening last season 1-9, D’Youville closed the campaign 7-8, with two of those losses coming in overtime.
Miller says it was just part of group’s learning curve, “I really think we began to turn the corner last year and we were playing our best basketball at the end of the season. We had a large number of new players and it just took some time for everyone to learn the system and, more importantly, believe in what we were trying to do. Once we had some success in the league the guys began to see how good we could really be.”
The Spartans will look to their three senior captains: Charles Walker (Buffalo, NY/NCCC), Tom Kowalski (Cheektowaga, NY/JFK), and Matt Baker (Perry, NY/ECC) for points, rebounds, and leadership
Walker will again be the centerpiece of the D’Youville offense. The 6-3 forward averaged 20.7 points per game, second among NEAC players, and was a NEAC First-Team selection.
"Charles is one of the best players I have ever had here at D’Youville. Once he understood what he needed to do to help us win his game really took off. If we need him to score, he can score. If we need him to pass, he will pass. He is a winner and it’s no secret he will be a key component to our success this year,” Miller says of Walker.
Baker, a 6-3 forward, was third in the NEAC in rebounds per game (8.4), sixth in field-goal percentage (.503) averaged 8.7 points a game, and says Miller, “…is a hustle player and provides a tough physical presence around the basket.” Kowalski is a third-year captain who missed considerable time last season, but is a proven forward capable of producing double-digit points and rebounds every time he plays.
Miller also cites junior center Marvin Butler (Washington, DC/New School for Enterprise), as a player whose continued development makes the Spartans formidable in the front court. Butler was eighth in the NEAC in rebounding (6.3), seventh in field-goal percentage (.482), and states Miller, “truly has worked very hard and become one of the top NEAC big men. He has improved every year and gives great effort each time he steps on the floor.”
Returning guards Daniel Glover (Angola, NY/Lake Shore), Renard Walker (Poughkeepsie, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes), and Jordan Taylor (Warrenton, VA/Liberty) will provide depth and experience in the back court.
Five highly touted newcomers will be looked to for immediate contributions. Shane Canahai (North Tonawanda, NY/Starpoint) played last season at NCCC, and freshman Greg Osika (Depew, NY/Depew), a fourth-team All-Western New York performer, are in Miller’s words “….going to be counted on a lot this season. I’m excited to finally have (Canahai) in the lineup, and Osika is scrappy with a tremendous feel for the game.”
Romair Parrett (Buffalo, NY) also a transfer from NCCC, join freshman James Davis (Oakfield, NY/Oakfield-Alabama), and Louis Megna (Buffalo, NY/Hutch-Tech) in the front court. Miller describes this group as “…court savvy, extremely athletic, and will surprise a lot of people.”
While D’Youville is much improved this season, so is the rest of the NEAC. Miller knows this and wants his team to know as well. “Anyone in this league has the ability to win each and every night. Every game is important. Getting home court (for the NEAC Tournament) will be a priority in the regular season.”
Highlighting the non-conference schedule is the Ad Pro Team Sports Challenge, hosted by D’Youville, November 21-22, and home non-conference meetings with St. John Fisher (November 18th), Fredonia State (November 25th), and Buffalo State (January 27th) in their first-ever appearance in the College Center Gym.
