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Date Posted: 11:01:25 03/08/05 Tue
Author: J.J.
Subject: What Might Have Been: Many Key Players Will Be Returning
In reply to: J.J. 's message, "I'm sick" on 22:22:15 03/03/05 Thu

March 8, 2005
By TOM YANTZ, Courant Staff Writer

Holding a seven-point lead with three minutes left, those on the Central Connecticut side naturally started to think a bit about the next game. And if things went well, maybe even a berth in the NCAA Tournament. All that vanished Thursday night when Monmouth defeated Central 54-53 in a Northeast Conference tournament quarterfinal.

"It would have been exciting to see what would have happened," coach Howie Dickenman said. "We would have had great confidence, hopefully for two more games in the tournament."

The Blue Devils can only dream about what might have occurred.

They simply made too many mistakes, such as fouling on a three-point shot, failing to beat a full-court press, not stopping Marques Alston's field goal with 1.4 seconds to go and missing six of 11 free throws. The most damaging miss was Lenny Jefferson's on the front end of a one-and-one with 12.5 seconds to play.

"They know how to win a little bit better than we know how to win," Dickenman said of the Hawks.

This was the theme of Central's 12-16 season. At times, the Blue Devils played like a very good team. They won at Santa Clara, which had defeated North Carolina, shot 75 percent in the first half against Fairleigh Dickinson Jan. 10 and led Monmouth 32-18 at halftime.

But then there was the Central team that lost an 18-point lead at St. Francis (Pa.) and shot 18.9 percent in the second half in a loss to Samford.

Central was 1-5 in games decided by less than four points. The Blue Devils shot 46.5 percent in the first half and 42.4 in the second, while opponents were 45.9 and 48.9. Their lack of frontcourt height and bulk often was exposed late in games.

They had to rely on three-pointers much more this season. They took an average of 18 a game and made 6.6, both highs during Dickenman's nine seasons at Central.

"There were times we relied too much on the three," he said.

And when 6-4 starting power forward Obie Nwadike was out because of a sprained left ankle, 6-3 guard Javier Mojica or 6-2 guard DeMario Anderson had to defend a power forward.

The team's field-goal percentage defense was 47.4 - the worst in Dickenman's tenure. "The most disappointing aspect of the season was our defense," he said.

Such were the ingredients of a 12-16 season.

Still, Dickenman is encouraged. Anderson, who scored 32 points against Quinnipiac last Monday and led the team in scoring at 14.1 a game, looks to have the ability to be an NEC first- or second-team player next season. Freshmen point guard Tristan Blackwood (5.2 points), who started every game, and freshman forward Jason Hickenbottom (4.4) will be better. Hickenbottom excelled off the bench against Monmouth with nine points and stout defense.

Other core players returning are Nwadike (11.2, 7.5 rebounds), Jefferson (10.2 points), Mojica (9.9) and guard Justin Chiera (7.0).

Central looks solid on the perimeter next season. Six-foot-7 recruit Chris Winters (St. Thomas More-Montville) can hit the three and play guard and forward.

With the departure of senior center Rich Pittman (9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds), Central needs inside production from one or more players to help Nwadike. The top candidates are 6-11 Ingo Beaudet, who played scant minutes this season; 7-3 redshirt Jermaine Middleton and recruit Rob Robinson from The Winchendon School in Massachuetts.

"We lost the title game to Monmouth last year and twice by one point to them this year," Anderson said. "We came up short this year. We know we've got good players and that we're close to having a real good team."

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[> [> Re: What Might Have Been: Many Key Players Will Be Returning -- SuperSenior, 22:21:15 03/10/05 Thu

It was a crushing loss, but I don't think we were capable of winning three straight games anyway. We were just too inconsistent. Pittman needed to step up and provide inside scoring, but he came up lame. Although, I am very excited for next year. This team could be even better than the team who made the conference championship last year.

Blackwood is extremely talented and could have a breakout year next year (similar to Demario). Hickenbottom will continue to get better and is a great spark off the bench (along with Chiera and Mojica). In the second half of the season Lenny really stepped up his game. I am anxious to see a full season like that from him. We also have two big men with another year of experience (Middleton and Ingo).

PG: Blackwood
SG: Jefferson
SF: Anderson
PF: Obie
C: We have numerous guys who could step in and fill this role, whether it be Robinson, Ingo, Middleton, or Sobers if he ever can get healthy.

If Blackwood doesn't at least slightly improve next year we could see a shift to a bigger lineup, which is what I feel Howie is most comfortable with.

PG: Lenny
SG: Demario
SF: Obie
PF: Robinson
C: Ingo, Middleton, or Sobers

I have no clue how good Robinson is, but he was getting looks from St. Joseph's, Stanford, and West Virginia. Even if he is a completely raw offensive player, we can still use his defense. The same goes for Ingo, Middleton, or Sobers. With Lenny, Demario, and Obie we have 3 scorers, which is all we really need. Especiallly if we play good defense.

These lineups are all poor guestimations, but that's the fun of it. Anybody have any lineups they'd like to see?


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