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#130 Wisconsin Green
Bay Phoenix
Horizon League
2004-05: 17-11, 10-6,
2nd
2004-05 postseason:
none
By
Joel Welser
It took until
January 20th for the Phoenix to lose to a team that
wouldn’t end up in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately for Coach
Tod Kowalczyk, UWGB lost five of their last six games and need
to turn around that bad taste left in their mouth during the
offseason. That shouldn’t be too difficult with possibly the
best recruiting class ever heading to Green Bay.
Who’s Out:
That great recruiting class will have some big shoes to fill
with three departing guards. Matt Rohde, Javier Mediburu and
Brandon Morris combined to average 33.0 points and 11.1 assists
per game. Their departures will leave a gaping hole in the UWGB
backcourt. Also heading out as transfers are roleplayers Tyler
Koenig and Daniel Munday. Koenig averaged 16.2 minutes per game,
averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 boards. Last year’s leading scorer
Benito Flores failed in an attempt to receive another year of
eligibility. The forward averaged 13.4 points per game last
season and will not be returning to Green Bay.
Who’s In:
Ontario McKee, Simon Farine and
Cordero Barkley will all compete for minutes in the backcourt.
McKee, a combo guard, could be starting from day one. Power
forward Ryan Tillema is the big signing for the class. The 6-8,
Randolph, Wisconsin native earned first team all-state honors
last season. Forwards Randy Berry, Aswan Minatee and Mike
Schachtner will offer depth to the frontcourt. Minatee, a JuCo
transfer, has big game experience, but needs to work on his
outside shot. Forward Terry Evans redshirted last season and is
expected to make an immediate impact and fight for a starting
gig.
Who to Watch:
Josh Lawrence is the leading scorer
of those returning, but the most pressure will be on Ryan
Evanochko. As a sophomore last year, the point guard started
eight games and was generally the first player off the bench
when he didn’t get the starting nod. The 6-2, 200 pound Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania native averaged 6.2 points and 1.3 assists
per game last season. Evanochko should get the first shot at the
starting point guard role. Even if that doesn’t work out, or a
newcomer takes over the job, Evanochko should be starting at the
two guard.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Dropping to 3rd in the
Horizon won’t be too bad for the Phoenix. They have reloaded
very nicely with the recruiting class and the future is looking
very bright under the other Coach K. If the freshmen can make a
splash on the shores of Lake Michigan this year, a trip to the
post season is very feasible.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting
Five:
Ryan Evanochko,
Junior, Guard, 6.2 points per game
Ontario McKee,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Terry Evans,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Josh Lawrence,
Junior, Forward, 10.9 points per game
Tevah Morris,
Sophomore, Center, 2.3 points per game
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