A Gael preview

quidveritas at the WCC Board writes about this season's St. Mary's squad:

"The Back Court:

Without question Emmett Narr (SO – 6.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 3.9 apg) is the most experienced and most reliable player on the team. Who will join him in the back court? Your guess is as good as mine. Junior Jack Biebel (1.3 mpg)? Probably not. Transfer Joe Rahon (9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.2 apg at Boston College)? Probably your starter at the 2 spot.

After those two we are looking at three freshman guards. This inexperienced crew may have some talent. Undoubtedly some of them will see big minutes. Undoubtedly, their inexperience will translate to things that will not be positive in Maraga. Lets take a look at this bunch:

Tanner Krebs (6'6" Wing) (15.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg AIS) is part of the St. Mary’s pipeline to Oz and thereabouts. He posted some nice numbers at the Australian Institute of Sport last year. Video of this kid is limited. His physical development is good, athleticism is fair, effort on the court has to get an A+. Probably a very coach-able player by the looks of things. He sees himself as a shooting guard but doubt he has the lateral movement to keep up with the more athletic American Players at that position. 

Stefan Gonzalez (6'2" point guard – Idaho Player of the Year); (20 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4 apg, 2 spg). A very accurate jump shooter with a quick release. Deadly when open. He leans forward into his shot and his release point is actually in front of his body. Got a feeling this will have to change or WCC defenders will be taking advantage of this kid. Hard to assess his athleticism based on the video I watched. 

Franklin Porter (6'4" wing??). Porter is a Portland kid that spent his senior year at a NH finishing school where he averaged 3.9 ppg and 1.8 rpg. He is not all that athletic but displays good patience and fundamentals on the floor. I don’t see him playing at the 2 spot and I don’t see him pushing Krebs for playing time any time soon. Given Bennett’s propensity to play 6 or 7 deep, Porter isn’t going to see the floor very often. 

The Front Court:

No one is going to fill the shoes of the Departed Brad Waldow. St. Mary's will enter a new era with a very different look in its post play. My favorite of this bunch is Dane Pineau (3.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg) he has potential to develop into a very serviceable big man. He will be joined by sophomore Jock Landale (6'11 2.1ppg, 0.9 rpg) and a trio of freshmen: 

Evan Fitzner (6'10" – HS statistics at Francis Parker oddly not available), This young man looks absolutely fantastic when playing against undersized competition. He is not afraid to put the ball on the floor – which is not to say his ball handling is something out of the ordinary. He is not all that athletic and it is very difficult to assess his skill level based on what I saw. This looks like a project player to me. Don’t expect to see him on the floor next year.

Jordan Hunter (6'10" 17.5 ppg, 14.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 4.1 blocks per game) This kid has some hops – a legitimate shot blocker. They tend to call a much looser game in Sydney (Australia) than he will see in the WCC. Down under he plays out of control and tends to get away with it. Unless things change a great deal, he will pick up fouls at a prodigious rate in the WCC on both ends of the floor. Just the same a very good prospect that will likely see many opportunities for floor time. How much time he actually spends on the floor will be another matter. 

Kyle Clark (6'6" 19 ppg, 11 rpg) is yet another addition from the land of Oz. He is advertised as a “stretch 4". Average athleticism – hard to assess his defensive prowess based on what I saw. Apparently he scores a great deal from beyond the arc. This guy reminds me of Delli in many ways – but much better looking and seems to be a more personable guy as well. I can see Bennett using Clark as the “designated 3 point shooter” as he has utilized many others in the past. Clark is probably not starter material at this point in time but will see limited minutes. 

“Inexperience” is the by word here. Big men take longer to develop than perimeter players in the WCC – especially on the defensive end of the floor. Expect considerable playing opportunities for all of these guys as foul trouble will create many opportunities for the bench. 

Coaching:

Randy Bennett is the only coach outside of Mark Few to win the WCC in . . . forever. Just the same, Bennett is no miracle worker. If he has talent he tends to get a good deal out of that talent. This year, the bite of sanctions has made its impact. With one returning starter, no transfers of any note and a passel of Freshmen, it should be an interesting year in Maraga. There is some serious potential on this roster. How long will it take for that potential to be realized in the question that remains to be answered. Expect to see a very different looking St. Marys team with its eye on the future. Bennett will have to suffer through the inconsistent play of his talented freshmen come what may. I suspect he will be focused a great deal more on teaching the game and player development than has been the case in recent years.

PREDICTED FINISH: 7th"