Guest abovetherim Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 http://www.theexaminer.com/npps/story.cfm?ID=1969LU men's hoop team will have better product on the court The Bottom Line By Chad Cooper, Sports Editor The basketball season is getting oh so closer and I am ever so excited. The Lamar men’s basketball team saw its fair share of ups and downs last season, both on and off the court. After suspensions and so forth, the Cards did make a run in the Southland Conference tournament defeating Sam Houston State in the first round 99-98 before losing to Northwestern State 78-65 in the semifinals. Despite all the off-court problems, first year coach Steve Roccaforte managed to hold the team in place during adversity. “I thought we managed this team as well it could be managed and we did everything we could to make a run at the NCAA Tournament,†said Roccaforte. “We had every opportunity to mismanage this team. Right before we went on that win streak, it looked gloom and doom and the only people that were pushing the players were people like me, corny and cheesy. I think I could have been better at micro-managing the team. When you bring in good players and good coaches, you have to let them do just that and I think I am much better at that now and more relaxed.â€I drank the kool-aid last season especially when I heard that a 7-footer was coming to Lamar. I heard all about how legit this player was, and the he was good enough to step on the NBA hardwood one day. Then came media day last year when the local media is invited to interview the coaches and players and boy was I ever wrong about this gentle giant. He was a clown. I knew it the second I interviewed him, but I wanted to see him on the court before I made my final conclusion. After seeing him play, it solidified my original thinking. He had the potential but just wasn’t mature enough to put forth 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time. He made B.J. McClendon look good. No more clowns on this year’s team. The players who weren’t supposed to be there and didn’t contribute anything on the court aren’t there anymore. No, the Lamar men’s basketball isn’t going to the Final Four but I have a much better feeling this year after media day and watching these guys practice. Four starters return and there are some legit new guys on board including former Kountze stud Ashton Hall. You know why the Cards are going to be a lot better this season? Because Lamar Sanders said so. Yep, he told me and I believe every word out of that young man’s mouth. Why? Sanders was the new kid on the block last season averaging 12.2 points and a league-leading 9.8 rebounds per night. He also recorded the school’s first-ever triple-double. He started every game and averaged the most minutes. “We had trouble last year getting everyone on the practice floor and getting everyone on the same page but this year there’s it’s different,†said Sanders. “We aren’t having any setbacks or any off-court worries. We are going to be so much more up tempo so it’s going to be more exciting not only for us, but for the fans.â€Sanders is one of three seniors with Darren “D-Hop†Hopkins and Currye Todd. “I want to make sure everyone on the court has their best interest,†said Sanders. “I want to lead this team in every way I can and make sure they are doing everything right both on and off the court.â€I remember writing in this same column last year telling fans lookout for Sanders and Hopkins. Aside from Hall, I have two more again this year — point guard Kenny Dawkins and forward Justin Nabors, both transfers.Dawkins is tiny, 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, but can flat out fly up and down the court. The junior transferred from Arizona Western College where he averaged 17 points, 4.5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game last season leading the team to a 27-6 record and was named to the NJCAA All-American second team and was named conference player of the year.Nabors (6-6, 215) hails from Dawkins hometown (Holly Springs, Miss.) and comes over from Northwest Mississippi Community College, the same school Sanders transferred from last season. Nabors averaged 16.1 points and grabbed 11.2 boards per game and was named Region XXIII Co-Player of the year and honorable mention NJCAA All-American.Depth is no problem this year, especially at the guard position with Hopkins, Dawkins, Matt Barrow, Shane Mahoney and Brandon McThay. There is some concern regarding size but the Southland Conference isn’t known for giants. Newcomer Jay Brown (6-7, 235) arrives from Los Angeles Community College after averaging 17.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Coy Custer (6-10, 260) will get minutes this year after a redshirt season in 2006. Junior Lawrence Nwevo (6-8, 270) also returns to the front court and Tristan Worrell (6-7, 250) transfers over from Angelina College with Hall. Worrell prepped at Fort Bend Bush near Houston then played for Guy Davis at Angelina where he averaged 10.8 points per game. “I truly believe we are about four to six weeks ahead of where we were last year,†said Roccaforte. “It’s an amazing feeling that the system is in place and everyone knows the direction we are heading. We are about where we were at the second exhibition game this time last year.â€So why should the fans believe that this year’s Cardinals are going to be winners? “The players care and want to play championship basketball,†said Roccaforte. “Everyone is on the same page and we all know what the goals are. It’s like going to play for the Oakland Raiders and knowing that owner Al Davis has a commitment to excellence so you are expected to go to the Super Bowl each year. If you play for the New York Yankees, you know what you are expected to do and I feel the same way here. We are trying to get back to where Lamar basketball was when Billy Tubbs and Pat Foster were here. I know that and our players know that now.â€
KFDM COOP Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 When i talked to ROC at the station last week he's very excited.
Guest abovetherim Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 One thing about Chad Cooper, we don't always see eye to eye on things but the man knows his basketball and I'm not too proud to post anything from anyone.
oldtimer3 Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 the team looked really good last night. It was amazing to actually see some athletes out on the floor that could get up down the floor, jump and actually look like they wanted to be there. Roc has done an amzing job getting these guys in here, I hope that people get out and support these guys. As a basketball guy I would love to be able to go out and actually see a good college game.
Guest coachacola Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 This team should be a whole lot better. Last year they started the season with Matthew Barrow playing at 75% and out of position, Murray started the first 5 or 10 games before getting demoted then leaving the team, James Davis was out of shape and had attitude problems, and Coach Roc was a rookie head coach. Lamar ended the season starting 4 guards and was basically out-shooting the other teams. Last year's loss in their first exhibition game was an omen, so if Lamar gets two blowout wins in their exhibition games this year then they'll have a great season.
shorttexas1 Posted October 18, 2007 Report Posted October 18, 2007 I met the giant from last year, he came to my house and hung out. He is a good guy but his maturaty level was very questionable... The kid came here out of shape and to give Roc props... he left looking like a basketball player... He was thin and looked real lean... Props to coach Roc and his staff.... But with his new body and great potential the kid could not see that Roc weas hard on him because he wanted him to be a leader and wanted him to grow up... Roc demanded alot from this player and got little, but how can you keep a 7 footer with potentential and a descent game off the court. I was critical of Roc for playing him last year but I do understand. Roc reminds me of an ol' ball coach with his discipline and shrap edge.... But he runs a new flare kind of game which I think could win kids to the program... My advice to coach Roc is to be careful of bad seeds and only recruit discipline kids... I think Roc could turn this program to the right direction!
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