Wednesday, November 12, 2008

11 Days of A-Sun Men's Basketball concludes with a look at the Stetson Hatters. In 2007-08, the Hatters entered the season picked ninth by the coaches and media but went 11-5 in the A-Sun and finished third, behind only Belmont and Jacksonville.

At 16-16 last year, Stetson finished at .500 for the first time since 2000-01, when the Hatters went 17-12 in Derek Waugh’s first season as head coach. The 11 conference victories is tied for the second most by any Stetson team since the institution joined the A-Sun for the 1986-87 season. The 1986-87 squad set the benchmark at 13 wins.

Last season, guard Garfield Blair was one of only three players in the conference to lead his team in both scoring and rebounding. Blair averaged 16.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg to lead the Hatters. Campbell’s Jonathan Rodriguez (20.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg) and Gardner-Webb’s Thomas Sanders (18.1 ppg, 10.8 rpg) were the only other two players to lead their team in both categories.

Coach Derek Waugh on the Hatters

Team Page

Roster

Schedule

2007-08 Statistics

SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy Stetson Media Relations)

The 2007-2008 Stetson Basketball season was one of great growth for a team that was coming off the 2006-07 campaign as the fourth youngest squad in the country. The Hatters won their first six home games of the year and extended their home win streak to 10 which was in the top 25 in the country. Overall, the team won 11 of 13 home games which put them in elite company in Edmunds Center history with the 3rd best record of all time. The Hatters came through their difficult pre-conference schedule with a good deal of confidence and started off the conference season at 4-1. They would finish with a mark of 11-5, which tied them for the second best conference record in school history. Along the way, the team received many accolades and dominated the conference on the defensive side of the ball. Garfield Blair was named second team all-conference and Fox Sports named Kris Thomas the defensive player of the year in the league. The Hatters led the league in fewest three point field goals allowed per game, were first in three point field goal defense, were first in overall field goal percentage defense and were second in the league in fewest points allowed per game. “Our primary goal last year was to be an improved defensive team and we were able to accomplish that. Our team’s effort was fantastic and hopefully they will be even quicker, stronger and more determined to defend this year.” says head coach Derek Waugh.

Last year’s one senior, J.J. Hirst, has moved on to graduate school in Rehabilitative Medicine. His leadership and all-out hustle will be missed. “When people tell me that we did not have any major losses from last year, I scoff at that notion,” says Waugh. “J.J. was a great teammate and he led by energetic example everyday. He was a great “glue” guy and those are hard to replace. From a team perspective, however, this is the most experienced group that I have had returning. Essentially, they have all been together for three years now and I hope that they continue the vast improvement that they made last year.”

Leading the way will be a quartet of seniors who all contribute in major ways for the program both on an off the floor. Eric Diaz, Garfield Blair, Kris Thomas and Tim Lang have been part of teams that have set four school records for winning streaks and have gone 23-7 in their last 30 home games. They have not, however, been able to reach the pinnacle of winning the Atlantic Sun Conference title. They will look to change that this year. Blair, who was in the top 10 in the league in scoring (16.1 ppg) and 14th in rebounding (5.7 rpg) last year has made tremendous strides as a player and already has scored over 1,000 points going into his senior year. “Gar has really worked hard at his strength and his shooting and has improved tremendously as a player since he arrived. He will be more of a marked man this year and he needs to improve his movement of the ball and his effort on the defensive end. As his minutes have gone up through his career, his defense has suffered, but we need him to get back to being a defensive presence like he was his freshman year”, says Waugh. “If he can do that, he has a shot to be one of the elite players in the A-Sun and help us win the league.”

Thomas, a native of Atlanta, enjoyed his best season as a Hatter last year as a junior. The 6’2 lightning quick guard was always matched up against the other team’s leading scorer and night in and night out, he, Mark Lohuis and Shawn Bowen consistently held the best offensive players in the league to very poor outputs. “Kris was fantastic defensively last year. At the same time, I think his role of defensive stopper also took some pressure off of his offense and he was much more efficient. His play was a major factor in us winning 16 games last year” says Waugh. “I expect him to pick up where he left off, and again lead us on the defensive end similar to how Kobe Bryant led the Olympic team in Beijing.” Going into his senior year, Thomas has scored 680 career points and registered 98 steals.

Diaz and Lang both present difficult match-ups for opponents because of their size and ability to shoot the ball. Diaz has made his reputation as a big shot taker and big shot maker during his time at Stetson. While only standing 6’6, his girth and toughness allow him to battle bigger opponents on the boards and at the same time, his ability to shoot the ball forces bigger opponents away from the basket. “I think that losing Eric with a broken nose two years ago really hurt us in the conference season. He brings great energy and is good for about three or four big plays during a season that win games. I hope that he will stay healthy all year and I think he is on the brink of his best season in the program.” Diaz, who was used in a sixth man role last year, averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.5 rpg. He shot 32% from the 3 point arc. Lang, a product of Australia, is a great high post weapon. At 6’9 with a long reach, he can score on the block and also really stretch a defense with his deft three point touch. He also provides a valuable inside defensive presence with his ability to take a charge or block a shot. “I think that Tim will have a breakout year. He is lighter, stronger, quicker and more confident. He works so hard that I hope all of our players follow his lead. I think he also has a bright future in professional basketball.” says Waugh. Lang led the team shooting 38% from the 3 point line in 2007-08.

Although the team boasts four seniors, the rest of the squad is also well seasoned. Manning the point guard spot will be a pair of juniors, Brandon Williams and Alvin “A.J.” Smith. Smith made a transition last year from off-guard to point and got better and better as the season went on both as a player and a leader. He was second on the team in scoring at 11.4 ppg and also dished out a team high 80 assists. “A.J. was already an elite defender, but his offensive game made great strides in terms of its efficiency. He scored a lot of big baskets for us and I think the year under his belt at the point will mean that he hits the ground running this year. I also see him being more of a creator this year for others” says Waugh. “I would not trade him for any other point guard in the league.” A Miami product, Williams averaged 12.1 minutes per game last year coming off the bench at the lead guard spot. Williams and Smith complimented each other well and will more than likely do the same thing this year. “Brandon made some very big shots last year and was a steadying influence on the team. Defensively, he improved as much as any player I have seen in my 13 years of coaching. He can be even more valuable for us if he brings his deft shooting ability to the table this year.”

At the off-guard spot, the Hatters are very deep. Thomas, junior Mark Lohuis and sophomore Shawn Bowen form a formidable trio. After leading the league in three point percentage as a freshman, Lohuis, a product of Chuck Lowendick’s Vero Beach program, had another good year last year. He averaged 6.2 ppg and made a team high 53 3-pointers. He is also very valuable in bringing to the court his extreme toughness. “Mark is one of my favorite players because he is so consistent. He has a dockworkers toughness and combines it with a fine shooting stroke. While not quite as quick as some of his matchups, he is still a great defender because he is physical and he tries so hard”, says Waugh. The Hatters will probably rely even more on Lohuis this year to stretch defenses. Bowen primarily backed up Thomas last year and is bigger, stronger and more experienced. He appeared in 31 games averaging 7.5 minutes per contest. “Shawn was great defensively last year and really accepted his role and helped us win. After another year from coming off his injury (broken neck) and adjusting to college basketball, I look for him to be much improved offensively this year. He should be a lot more comfortable and confident” says Waugh.

The other returning forwards are junior, Sheldon “Reece” Oliver, and sophomore, Olivier Dupiton. Oliver, an Orlando native, had a very solid sophomore season and has improved greatly in his two years in the program. The 6’5 junior, who averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg, is probably the Hatters best pure post scorer who utilizes quickness and superior footwork to his advantage against taller players. He was among the conference leaders in offensive rebounds all season. He has put on 12 pounds of muscle since his arrival at Stetson and is looking for a breakout year. “Reece is a guy who can give other teams match-up problems because he is so good around the basket and I think he will take the step in his game to be able to really defend the perimeter. That makes him very versatile” says Waugh. Oliver started 26 of 32 games during his sophomore season. Dupiton is coming off a year that saw him continue to progress from his freshman knee injury. He appeared in 26 games and led the team in rebounds per minute. “Olivier is starting to show signs of his former self in terms of his quickness and hops. He has done a nice job shedding about 10 pounds this summer and I think he just needs more practice and playing time to regain his form. I have very high hopes for him, especially defensively…he is one of the most imposing players in our league” says Waugh. Further bolstering the Hatters frontline is Graeme Radford, another native of Victoria Australia, and the final returner from last year’s team. The 6’10 sophomore gained 18 pounds in just one year and has improved his bench press over 100 pounds. “Graeme has a chance to be one of the best defensive players in our league and is getting better offensively. He is one of the rare players who is too hard on himself and generally he needs to just relax and let his abilities take over. I think when his confidence catches up with his body, he will be very good for us this year and in the future.” Radford appeared in 17 games last year and the Hatters were 13-4 those games.

The Hatters also have three new additions to the team this year in Cam Carden, J.R. Weston and Ridge Graham. Carden, from Pinellas Park Florida, is an excellent shooter and passer who can most likely play two positions for the Hatters. He is the all-time leading three point shooter in Pinellas County where he played for his father, Alan Carden. “Cam is very skilled; the key to his playing time will be getting stronger and a bit quicker so that he can defend at this team’s level. We are very pleased with his work ethic” says Waugh. Weston is a second generation Hatter following in the footsteps of his father, Randy. He was second in the state of Ohio in scoring as a senior in high school and is Ridgedale High School’s all-time leading scorer. The 6’5 sharpshooter is also the cousin of former Stetson standout, Gabe McMillen (2003-2007). “J.R. is coming off two broken feet which hampered his conditioning a bit, but he is working himself back into shape nicely. He works on his game constantly and can really shoot the ball. He also came in fairly strong and has a good shot to make a contribution to our success this year” says Waugh. Graham, from Martin County Florida, is a slashing 6’5 swingman who is very versatile and also rebounds the ball very well. He led Martin County High School to an Elite Eight appearance, led the Treasure Coast in scoring and rebounding and was named 5A All-State. “We would like for Ridge to pick up where Garfield and E.J. Gordon left off before him. That is a tall order but he has the physical tools to post, shoot, drive and rebound and I believe the potential is there. He has a bright future with us” says Waugh. Graham will redshirt in his freshman campaign.

THE SCHEDULE

This season’s pre-conference schedule is challenging. The Hatters again play the University of Florida, the University of Miami and Florida State University on their home courts. In addition, the Hatters also play at the University of Texas and University of Missouri on the road, along with Bethune-Cookman and Savannah State at home. The conference season schedule this year will return to 20 games with a double round robin format.

“Overall, we are judged by how we play within the conference. We will need to improve upon last year’s performance as now we will be more the hunted than the hunter. Our team has come back to campus with a very positive attitude and a very business-like approach to the matters at hand… I like that. I think that the biggest key for us this year is to rebound the ball better and take care of our assist-turnover ratio better. If we can do those things, I like our chances”, says Waugh. Lipscomb will again host the conference tournament in Nashville. This marks the sixth straight year that the tournament will be held in the state of Tennessee. “Last year people slept on us a bit and we took advantage of that. I do not think that will be the case this year. However, this is a very mature group that handles their business better than any team I have had and I look forward to challenge of trying to take Stetson to its first ever NCAA tournament.”

11 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 29 - Belmont
Oct. 30 - Campbell
Oct. 31 - ETSU
Nov.  3 - FGCU
Nov.  4 - Jacksonville
Nov.  5 - Kennesaw State
Nov.  6 - Lipscomb
Nov.  7 - Mercer
Nov. 10 - UNF
Nov. 11 - USC Upstate
Nov. 12 - Stetson