With five guards who averaged at least 8 points per game returning. September 2nd, 2008
With five guards who averaged at least 8 points per game returning.
It safe to say the Golden Eagles will remain a perimeter-oriented team. Jeremy Wise is the go-to guy, and he has become one of the premier players in Conference USA.
Hes a slasher/scorer who has an excellent mid-range game and draws a lot of fouls. In fact, Wise took the second-most free throws of anyone in the league. And thats an especially good thing when youre an 82 percent shooter from the line. Wise scored in double figures in 31 of USMs 33 games. When he draws too much attention from opposing defenses, hes a capable passer (4.3 apg).
R.L. Horton had a breakout freshman season. He proved to be a solid outside shooter (36.8 percent from 3-point range) who helped with the scoring load. He was second on the team in scoring and third among all C-USA freshmen. Horton hit the freshman wall, though, shooting just 33.8 percent overall (23 of 68) over the Golden Eagles last eight games. Still, he was the fourth USM freshman in the past three seasons to be named to the conferences all-freshman team.
Courtney Beasley rounds out the trio of starting guards. Hell be the only senior starter. Hes a physical guard who does his scoring at midrange and on the boards. Despite being only 6-3, Beasley averaged 4.5 rebounds per game. Hes a steadying influence for the Golden Eagles.
FRONTCOURT
SaiQuon Stone is listed on the USM roster as a guard, but at 6-6 and as the teams leading rebounder last season, it seems logical to list him in the frontcourt. Coach Larry Eustachy seemingly always has had teams on the smallish side, yet that never has kept them from rebounding well. Stone averaged 5.8 rebounds last season, and he turned it up to 7.6 over the last eight games.
The other starter up front will be 6-8 returnee Andre Stephens, the only starter taller than 6-6. He had a couple of double-doubles during conference play. If Stephens can provide more consistent production, it will make the Golden Eagles that much more difficult to defend.
The X-factor could be 7-foot Brazilian Gustavo Lino. The coaches were high on him entering last season, but he suffered a torn ACL in practice and was lost for the year. Hes not fully healthy yet, and the staff will bring him along slowly. However, word is he has worked extremely hard to rehab. The hope is hell be ready to contribute in a major way by the stretch run.
OFFENSE
USM is primarily a motion team. They may run some high-low because the coaches feel like the newcomers in the frontcourt are better passers than theyve had previously. The Golden Eagles are a patient offensive team, but that may have been more out of necessity while building depth. This team could push the ball more.
DEFENSE
Eustachy employs primarily man-to-man. With more experience on the roster, he may tinker with more full-court pressure and more halfcourt trapping, something the Golden Eagles used a bit and with some success – last season.
SHOES TO FILL
C Gjio Bain. Despite averaging just 17.9 minutes per game, the 7-footer averaged 4.8 rebounds and had a team-high 47 blocks. The shot-blocking role could be filled by Lino, but that may take a while.
MUST STEP UP
Wise. He considered entering the NBA Draft last season but returned for his junior season, saying he believes he can elevate himself to a first-round pick. This is his team. If he develops into first-round material, he will have pushed the Golden Eagles into the NCAA Tournament.
IMPACT NEWCOMER
G Rodney McCauley. There would seem to be more opportunity in the frontcourt, but the coaches like McCauleys game. If hes pushing the bevy of guards for time, it will only be a good thing.