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June 30th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Wisconsin
Green Bay Phoenix
Overall Rank:
#132
Conference
Rank: #3 Horizon
2005-06:
15-16, 8-8, 3rd (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Last
season was expected to be a small rebuilding year for
Wisconsin Green Bay.
And it was a pleasant surprise for the Phoenix when a rebuilding
year turned into a reloading year. With only one departure and
a group of newcomers that can compete for minutes, Tod
Kowalczyk’s squad is deep and ready to make a run in the
Horizon. A huge group of second year players in the program
have had a year of adjustment time and expectations are
rightfully high on the shores of Lake Michigan. Forwards Mike
Schachtner and Ryan Tillema started at least 30 games as
freshmen and their development will be a big key as to whether
or not the Phoenix can make an NCAA run.
Who’s Out:
Simon Farine has opted to transfer after one season in Green
Bay. The guard averaged 8.9 minutes in 27 contests and leaves
the backcourt depth a little slim.
Who’s In:
Yet, that
depth will be taken over by a couple of newcomers. Troy Cotton
is a flat out shooter. He can move without the ball and find
the open shot without much of a problem. Combo guard Chase
Sukut can fill in minutes at both guard spots. A coach’s son,
he spent some time at Sheridan Community College in Wyoming
before heading east. Sukut can shoot and handle the ball and
has the ability to do whatever is needed at UWGB. Redshirt
freshmen Randy Berry won’t put up big numbers, but the 6-9
forward can do the dirty work on the glass and on the defensive
end.
Who to Watch:
Ryan
Evanochko has developed into a solid floor leader. If he can
continue to improve for his senior season, the Phoenix will be
in good hands. Last season the 6-2 point guard averaged 15.8
points and 5.2 assists. UWGB could go 13 deep quite easily this
season, but it probably won’t reduce the minutes of Evanochko
very much. Evanochko averaged 36.5 minutes per game last season
and tiring down the stretch is a concern. If newcomer Sukut can
fill some of those minutes, it would go a long way for allowing
the team to make a late run. Fellow backcourt upperclassman
Ryan Werch is a decent shooter, but tends to turn the ball over
too much. He will battle for minutes at the two, but a
turnaround season for Werch would mean the Phoenix would have an
experienced shooting guard on the floor. In the frontcourt,
keep an eye on Josh Lawrence. He had a slow start last season,
but the senior took great strides in his scoring and overall
play as the season progressed. Another step up like that and
the 6-7 Ashton, Illinois product could be an all-conference
caliber player.
Final
Projection:
UWGB is a little
frontcourt heavy. It worked out alright last year, but the
three ball wasn’t a major threat from anybody. This year
forwards like Aswan Minatee, Schachtner, Tillema, Lawrence and
Evans should see fewer minutes as newcomers Cotton, Sukut and
sophomore Cordero Barkley fill the long range shooting role and
knock a forward to the bench. Barkley was forced into action as
a freshman due to that lack of perimeter depth. The playing
time has helped and he should be ready to contribute more this
season. A 3rd place finish would be disappointing
for this squad, but the Horizon League will be extremely
competitive this year with the decline of Wisconsin Milwaukee
and the stronger squads sported by most other teams. A surprise
or two from the newcomers and roleplayers is the difference
between a first place finish and a third place finish. By the
time the season starts the Packers should be 2-6 and the whole
city should be wearing green, white and a touch of red, instead
of the #4 jersey.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Ryan Evanochko,
Senior, Guard, 15.8 points per game
Terry Evans,
Junior, Guard, 7.8 points per game
Josh Lawrence,
Senior, Forward, 9.2 points per game
Mike Schachtner,
Sophomore, Forward, 10.3 points per game
Ryan Tillema,
Sophomore, Forward, 8.7 points per game
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