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LOCATION: Davidson, NC
CONFERENCE: Southern (North Division)
LAST SEASON: 16-11 (.593)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 11-5 (2nd)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 1/4
NICKNAME: Wildcats
COLORS: Black & Red
HOMECOURT: Belk Arena (5,700)
COACH: Bob McKillop (Hofstra '72)
record at school 154-131 (10 years)
career record 154-131 (10 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Mike Kelly (St. Joseph's-Maine '93)
Matt Matheny (Davidson '93)
Jason Zimmerman (Davidson '94)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 15-25-18-20-16
RPI (last 5 years) 204-79-110-93-143
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference quarterfinal.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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There are some things you can always count on: The cost of living going up. Traffic jams in major cities. Rain in Seattle. Somewhere among that list, you can add the Davidson Wildcats being a contender in the Southern Conference. Year in and year out, Wildcats Coach Bob McKillop does perhaps the best job in the league at avoiding the dreaded "R" word as in rebuilding. Davidson has averaged nearly 20 wins over the last six seasons, including three North Division titles in the last four years. McKillop recruits meticulously to fit his system. He relies on heady and versatile players, as well as his overseas connections, to keep the Wildcats primed for success. Davidson will be entering the 1999-2000 season minus several key performers most notably point guard Ali Ton (8.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 190 assists, 71 steals), the conference's assists leader last season, and forward Ben Ebong (11.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .526 field-goal percentage). No matter, the Wildcat machine will find a way to keep rolling. "To be successful, there are three major challenges this team must face and solve," McKillop said. "First, can the seniors respond and be leaders in our program? Second, will our bench be able to become experienced at a quick rate? Third, how effectively will the point guards be in replacing Ali Ton?"
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B BENCH/DEPTH B-
FRONTCOURT A- INTANGIBLES A
The Wildcats appear to have most of their bases covered heading into the 1999-2000 season. They have ability to score inside and out, an excellent group of rebounders and defenders, a selfless attitude and an excellent bench coach and motivator in Bob McKillop. What's missing from last season, however, is Ali Ton, who was McKillop's coach on the floor. The spotlight will be shining in Michael Bree's eyes from the start this season. If he is able to step up and have a big year running the show, Davidson should be considered the SoCon's best team. The Wildcats and Appalachian State appear to be setting the stage for a mammoth war to see who is the king of the North Division. The Mountaineers wrestled the title away from Davidson last season after the Wildcats had finished in the top spot the three previous years. In the process, the two teams have developed the best basketball rivalry in the SoCon. The return of player-of-the-year candidate Tyson Patterson at the point for the Mountaineers is the reason Davidson may be the favorite to finish as runner-up in the division for the second straight year. |
The cornerstone of this year's Davidson team will be 6-7 senior forward Landry Kosmalski (13.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 32 assists, 23 steals, 18 blocks, .529 FG), the Wildcats' scoring and rebounding leader last season. Kosmalski is a definite SoCon Player-of-the-Year candidate after finishing second in the league in rebounding and sixth in scoring in 1998-99. Kosmalski bounced back last year after a subpar sophomore season brought on, in part, by a series of nagging injuries. He is a good shooter, both around the basket and from the perimeter. He ranked eighth in the conference last season in field-goal percentage and made 20-of-52 (.385) three-point shots. Kosmalski struggled last season at the free-throw line and at one point last season was making less than 50 percent of his attempts. He worked tirelessly to raise his percentage during the year and wound up shooting almost 60 percent (.586). Kosmalski is complemented offensively by 6-3 senior guard Davor Halbauer (10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 47 assists, 28 steals, .355 3 PT), who made 59-of-166 three-point shots and ranked fourth in the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.19). Halbauer, a native of Croatia, is no one-trick pony. He is also adept at putting the ball on the floor and slashing to the basket. He can also handle the ball well enough to take over at the point. Center Stephen Marshall (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, .522 FG, .417 3 PT, .821 FT), a 6-8 senior, is a big man with an excellent shooting touch. He also has the bulk (235 pounds) to mix things up inside. At times, Marshall has been unstoppable, such as when he scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 68-54 win at Chattanooga last season. He will have to find a way this season to be more of a presence on a consistent basis. Small forward Emeka Erege (7.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 38 assists, 21 steals, 11 blocks, .482 FG, .381 3 PT). a 6-4 junior, has the ability to impact a game in a multitude of ways. He bounced back in solid fashion last season after suffering a broken leg midway through his freshman year. Erege can shoot inside and from the perimeter, rebound and is an excellent defender. He started 24-of-27 games last season but lost some minutes on the front line because of the presence of Ebong and 6-9 Chadd Holmes (7.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Ereke's point and rebound totals should rise this season. Erege is truly an international presence on a team full of foreign influence. He was born in Nigeria, raised in Germany, and played his high school basketball at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, N.Y. Long Island Lutheran is also the school at which McKillop coached before he came to Davidson more than a decade ago. Michael Bree (4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 46 assists, 24 steals, .370 3 PT), a 6-0 sophomore, served a one-year apprenticeship under Ton at the point and now will get his chance to direct the show. Bree, a native of Ireland, is a good ballhandler with excellent quickness. He can also knock down open shots from the perimeter. Bree played in all 27 of Davidson's game last season and made two starts when Ton was injured. He's a much better shooter than Ton, but he committed more turnovers (47) than assists last season, not good for a point guard. New Mexico State transfer Fernando Tonella, a 6-0 sophomore, should also see minutes at the point. Tonella averaged 1.3 points per game in limited action at New Mexico State two seasons ago. As a high school senior, he averaged 16.0 points, 8.2 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. If Bree and Tonella falter at the point, McKillop always has the option of using Halbauer there and moving either 6-3 senior Jeff Bergmann (4.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .339 3 PT) or 6-4 sophomore Brian Turner (3.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, .333 3 PT) into the starting lineup. Bergmann increased his playing time last season by becoming a better defensive player. He is a three-point threat who is also quick off the dribble. Turner has tremendous potential and is Davidson's most athletic player since Brandon Williams, who was a standout for the Wildcats in the mid-'90s. Turner is a good leaper and outside shooter. He had a tendency as a freshman to make mental mistakes. Until he eliminates that trend, Turner will probably serve McKillop as a spark plug off the bench. Also hunting for playing time in the backcourt this season will be 6-3 freshman Wayne Bernard (Horizon Christian HS/Poway, Calif.) and 6-1 freshman walk-on Peter Anderer (Regis HS/New York, N.Y.). Bernard averaged 14.3 points and 6.0 rebounds last season. McKillop has a group of reserves in the frontcourt who are largely untested. Martin Ides (1.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg), a 7-2 sophomore, played in 14 games last season. The left-hander has a nice hook shot and overall shooting touch. At 280 pounds, however, he is a lumberer. Ides is still considered a project but will be called upon to take up space in the lane when Davidson faces bigger opponents. Chris Pearson (Dellam Secondary/Cottingham, England), a 6-9 freshman, was redshirted last season. While sitting, Pearson managed to grow two inches. He is a raw talent who did not start playing basketball until he was 12 years old. Jason Dickens (Sal Pointe HS/Tucson, Ariz.), a 6-8 freshman, could play significant minutes this season. He was a first-team all-state player last year and graduated from the same high school as Tonella. He scored 45 points in a state tournament semifinal, tying a record first established by Mike Bibby. A late addition to the Wildcats' roster is 6-10 freshman Michael Lusakveno (Our Savior New American HS/Centereach, N.Y.). Lusakveno, originally from Zaire, has size and is a good shooter and slasher for a big man. He reminds many in the Davidson camp of former Wildcat standout Narcisse Ewodo.
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