Colonial Offseason News Update
by Matt Amis
Delaware
No news is good news for the Hens, who are looking at the addition-by-subtraction approach, and returning four starters from last year’s squad. Picked to finish fourth in the conference by CAA coaches, Delaware will reunite the up tempo backcourt of Mike Ames and Mike Slattery.
Ames was the Hens leading scorer as a junior in 2002-03 when he averaged 14.0 points per game and hit a team-high 73 three-pointers. Slattery, a Verizon Academic All-American nominee, ranked third on the team with 10.9 points per game a year ago and led the CAA with 6.2 assists per game, a mark that ranked him 18th in NCAA Division I.
Drexel
A couple of Dragons and former Dragons saw some action this off-season. Former center, and two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year Robert Battle, got drafted in the third round of the USBL Draft. Also, Drexel head coach James “Bruiser” Flint was selected as a court coach for the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Trials.
George Mason
Some serious publicity bells have been ringing at GMU this summer. The Patriots are a runaway favorite to win the conference, according to CAA coaches AND the squad is ranked No. 13 on the some of the Mid-Major Polls.
The reason? GMU added highly-touted recruits Gabe Norwood and Makan Konate, as well as a 6-9, 220-pound JuCo power forward Kevin Mickens.
In other news, George Mason had a representative in the 2003 Tournament of the Americas Olympic Qualifying event in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Former Patriot Jesse Young (1999-2003) saw consistent action on the court as a member of the Canadian National Team, eh?
Hofstra
After a tumultuous 2003 season that saw Pride players miss 103 combined games due to injury or suspension, Hofstra is mostly looking forward to starting with a clean slate.
But while most of the problems surrounded the senior class, it forced Hofstra’s younger player into leadership roles, where they flourished. In turn, the Pride have big plans for senior Danny Walker, and junior forward Kenny Adelke – a player, who to many, will emerge this year as one of the top mid-major players in the nation.
James Madison
All was quiet on the JMU front this off-season, as the team prepares to reload for another CAA tournament run. Top JMU returnees include 6-foot-6 senior swingman Dwayne Broyles and 6-2 senior point guard Chris Williams. Team captain Broyles averaged 10.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season along with Williams, who has been a point guard starter for the Dukes since midway through his freshman year — look to avenge a disappointing 2003 campaign.
Old Dominion
This week on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” it’s the ODU Monarchs, who spent some time touring London this off-season, while getting a technological boost in their state of the art facility.
The Monarchs successfully completed their tour of London by going 4-0 on the trip. ODU defeated London United twice, 89-82, 91-65,Thames Valley, 84-73 and Lakenheath, 97-51.
Just last week, ODU teamed with Verizon Wireless to launch “Coach’s Corner,” a tech breakthrough allowing fans to receive up-to-the-minute news directly from the Monarchs via text messaging on their Verizon Wireless phones.
“Coach’s Corner” provides the latest team news, including score updates, breaking news, post-game quotes and notes, interactive games, and promotions.
Towson
The Tigers continued the rebuilding phase this off-season, following a dismal last-place finish last year. With the signings of Trevan Jackson and Mike Green though, head coach Michael Hunt has bolstered Towson’s backcourt, giving some hope to Towson’s not-so-distant future. Hunt also appointed a new staff, including assistant coaches Lamont Franklin, Stephen Miss and Luke Strege.
UNC-Wilmington
The two-time defending CAA champs and Cinderella hopefuls Seahawks also cracked one of the Mid-Major polls, coming in at No. 23. The Seahawks return the bulk of their roster, but must replace nearly 69 percent of the scoring and 44 percent of the rebounding – due, in large part to the departure of prolific scorer Brett Blizzard.
But the Hawks like their newest recruits, including a 6-9 inside threat Dejan Grkovic, the team’s first ever recruit from Canada.
Virginia Commonwealth
The Rams are picked by CAA coaches to finish third this year, but they could easily challenge for an NCAA Tournament berth. The team returns senior guard Domonic Jones, one of the CAA’s best last season; along with Troy Godwin and last year’s freshman sensation Nick George.
The potent Rams lineup has drawn national attention. The VCU-UNC Wilmington men’s basketball game on Saturday, February 7, 2004, will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. It will be the first national telecast from the four-year-old facility, the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
William & Mary
First year head coach Tony Shaver and his staff have their work cut out, as they take over a program that lost four starters from last season. However, returning is one of the top players in the Colonial Athletic Association in senior forward Adam Hess.
Some interesting position battles have already begun with the Tribe. An open guard spot is up for grams, as junior Reid Markham and sophomore Taylor Mokris have both played well at the position.
New to the team is walk-on freshman Adam Trumbower, a 6-2 guard, and former teammate of Duke star J.J. Redick
