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LOCATION: Oxford, OH
CONFERENCE: Mid-American (East)
LAST SEASON: 24-8 (.750)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-3 (1st)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 3/2
NICKNAME: RedHawks
COLORS: Red & White
HOMECOURT: Millett Hall (9,200)
COACH: Charlie Coles (Miami '65)
record at school 62-29 (3 years)
career record 154-113 (9 years)
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ASSISTANTS: James Whitford (Wisconsin '94)
Jermaine Henderson (Miami '97)
Frankie Smith (Eastern Kentucky '88)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 23-21-21-17-24
RPI (last 5 years) 49-76-71-116-19
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in NCAA Sweet 16.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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Last year's success won't help Miami (Ohio) this season. Sure, the RedHawks had a magical season, bringing national awareness to the program during a ride to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Miami upended a pair of higher-seeded foes (Washington and Utah) to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. Miami finished the season ranked No. 20 in the USA Today/ESPN poll with a school-best RPI of Nov. 19. But the Wally and Damon Show ended with a loss to Kentucky in the Midwest Regional semifinals, leaving the RedHawks with some questions and some serious holes to fill. All-American forward Wally Szczerbiak, a first-round NBA draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, is gone. So is guard Damon Frierson, the school's No. 5 all-time leading scorer. Center John Estick, who played a vital role in the RedHawks' March success, is gone too. "Oh yeah, what happened to our program last March is something you really can't measure," veteran coach Charlie Coles said. "It was a terrific moment for our players, our alumni, our fans and our school.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B+ BENCH/DEPTH B
FRONTCOURT C INTANGIBLES B+
Although a return to the Sweet 16 isn't likely, the RedHawks won't fall completely off the map. In fact, they'll remain good enough to be a factor in a crowded MAC East picture that also includes strong entries from Kent, Akron, Bowling Green and Marshall. The conference gets better every year. "Ordinarily, I wouldn't worry much about this season," Coles said. "But from May on, I've worried a lot about our situation. You can have a decent team in our league this year and not get anywhere. It's going to be as tough a situation as ever, but that's our challenge. "We've faced this before when Devin Davis and Ira Newble left us a few years ago. We're ready for the task in front of us." Miami should be outstanding on defense. The offense will have to recover after losing Wally Szczerbiak and Damon Frierson. The team overall is much more athletic. "The guys who left us were not speed demons at all," Coles said. "We've got some strength and quickness on the perimeter, which is going to be a concern for a lot of our opponents." |
"But it's over. We can't carry the momentum of that amazing two weeks into the upcoming year." Szczerbiak is irreplaceable. The 6-8 forward led the Mid-American Conference in scoring (24.2), finished second in rebounding (6.5) and was listed in the top 15 in nine of the 12 league categories. He was chosen first-team All-American on four teams and second team on three others, and he was third in the John Wooden Player of the Year voting. His career ended with a string of 38 consecutive double-figure scoring games and his 1,847 career points is second at Miami to Ron Harper's 2,377. Frierson (13.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) joined Szczerbiak on the All-MAC first team. Estick (8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg) was the best field-goal percentage shooter (.545). The RedHawks also lost 6-11 center Jay Locklier (0.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg), who transferred after his sophomore year to Washington State. "Contrary to what people think, Miami was not a one-man team," Coles said. "The losses of Damon and John are big ones as well." Miami does have two returning starters 5-11 senior point guard Rob Mestas (6.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.4 assists) and 6-5 senior wing player Jason Stewart (6.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Mestas went through a fourth knee operation this summer and, Coles hopes, will be completely healthy. An honorable mention All-MAC pick, Mestas was the unsung hero for the RedHawks despite playing on an injured knee that never had time to fully heal. He is Miami's best defensive player. As the point guard, he had only 50 turnovers in 908 minutes played, an incredible average of one per every 18-plus minutes. "Rob is one of the top players in our league," Coles said. "If his knee is fully recovered this year, he will be an even better ball player for us." Senior Anthony Taylor (3.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Jason Grunkemeyer (3.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg) are the leading candidates to take Frierson's place at the shooting guard position. Last year Taylor, 6-1, was slowed by a foot injury and his numbers dropped significantly from a sophomore season when he averaged 12.4 points and 2.9 rebounds. Coles likes the idea of having Taylor and Mestas, two physical players, side-by-side in the backcourt. "They can defend and take the ball to the hole," he said. "You have to respect their perimeter shooting, too." The 6-5 Grunkemeyer, a transfer from Ohio, enters his second season with the RedHawks. He is a proven shooter, who despite missing some playing time last year with a concussion and back spasms, led the team in three-point shooting (.510). He also made the Academic All-MAC team with a 3.31 GPA in physical education. "Grunk knows how to play the game," Coles said. "We just need to keep him healthy." Also returning is 6-1 sophomore Ben Helmers (0.5 ppg, 0.2 rpg), who appeared in only 13 games. Freshman Matt Jameson (Newport Harbor HS/Newport Beach, Calif.) is a 6-1 true point guard who could be counted on to give Mestas a breather. Jameson, the Newport-Mesa District Player of the Year, averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists. He was a late signee in August. "With Jay Locklier's decision to transfer in June, we had another scholarship to use," Coles said. "After surveying our roster for this season, we felt it was in our best interest to bring in a point guard." Doug Williams is a versatile 6-6 freshman (Piketon HS/Ohio) who can play any of the perimeter positions. Williams (21.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg) was ranked as one of Ohio's Top 15 prospects by the HoopScoop scouting service. Miami's other recruit, 6-5 Larry Drake (Madison HS/Groveport, Ohio) failed to meet NCAA freshman eligibility requirements. Drake averaged 20.9 points and was an All-Ohio second team player. "The year away from basketball should be beneficial to him academically," Coles said. Stewart is the likely starter at small forward. A streaky shooter, Stewart's hot hand produced instant offense against Utah when he connected on three three-point shots in 87 seconds. He has to become more of a consistent scoring threat. Miami has competition for playing time at power forward and center. The RedHawks' most athletic inside player is 6-8 senior Refiloe Lethunya (2.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg). Lethunya started 10 games but didn't have the type of season Coles anticipated. "We know Refiloe can help our program," Coles said. "He's an active player and we're going to need his athleticism this year." Lethunya, 6-6, 249-pound junior Mike Ensminger (0.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and 6-10, 248-pound junior Rich Allendorf (0.5 ppg, 0.9 rpg) combined last season for just 111 points. Obviously, there is a concern about inside scoring. Ensminger doesn't put up eye-popping statistics but is a valuable performer nevertheless. If the RedHawks need someone to grab a rebound, set a pick or make a defensive stop, he's the guy. Ensminger also made the MAC academic team with a 3.74 GPA in political science. Coles is predicting some success for Allendorf, who has scoring ability. The long-awaited debut of 6-7, 230-pound sophomore Brian Edwards finally happens this season. Edwards was academically ineligible in 1997-98 then redshirted last season. "Brian Edwards also has a lot of ability," Coles said. "He possesses a lot of moves, although they're not all legal. We need to get those out of his playbook." Freshman Bryan Reed is a 6-6 forward (North HS/Terre Haute, Ind.) who averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in high school. Miami already has a leg up on next year's recruiting class with the addition of Michigan State transfer Doug Davis (1.9 ppg, 0.5 rpg). The 6-3 Davis was Michigan State's backup point guard the last two seasons behind Mateen Cleaves. "There's no question he can help our team," Coles said.
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