Green Bay Phoenix
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #112
Conference Rank: #2 Horizon
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It was a long offseason for Green Bay, but when all is said and done, this is a talented team that can win the Horizon League. Keifer Sykes and Alec Brown are the superstars. Sykes, a junior point guard, led the team with 15.9 points and 4.3 assists last season. He is also an improving three-point shooter, which is something this group desperately needs. Speaking of shooting, Brown is not bad either for a 7-1 center. Overall, Brown is a very good scorer from everywhere on the floor. His size also makes him a fine defender and a rebounder. With Sykes and Brown manning, arguably, the two most important positions on the court, the Phoenix are in good shape as far as reaching another postseason tournament.
2012-13 Record: 18-16, 10-6
2012-13 Postseason: CIT
Coach: Brian Wardle
Coach Record: 47-49 at Green Bay, 47-49 overall
Who’s Out:
The frontcourt does lose little used Nick Arenz and the team’s third best scorer and rebounder, Brennan Cougill, but it is the losses on the perimeter that will have a greater effect on the Phoenix. Kam Cerroni and Sultan Muhammad only averaged 5.8 points per game apiece, but both were good shooters who helped create space for Sykes to attack the basket or Brown to score in the paint. The early departure of Cole Stefan has hurt the backcourt depth even more.
Who’s In:
Stefan would have competed for the starting shooting guard position with a couple of the newcomers, but now Green Bay will have to depend heavily on freshmen. Tevin Findlay is a 6-4 combo guard who has suddenly found a starting job his to lose. Findlay may not consistently knock down three-pointers right out of the gate, but he is a capable scorer and a solid passer and rebounder. Even if he is not the answer to the three-point shooting problems, he can do other things. Turner Botz, a big 6-6 wing, is another option to hit the long ball. The last of the incoming freshmen is Kenneth Lowe, a 6-7 forward. He will have time to develop his game under some very good forwards. Those talented forwards include Alfonzo McKinnie, a transfer from Eastern Illinois. McKinnie averaged 10.2 points and 7.0 rebounds with the Panthers two years ago and spent last season on the Phoenix sideline. Vincent Garrett is headed to Green Bay as well, but it remains to be seen if the former Rutgers guard will be eligible to play immediately. If he is, the backcourt will suddenly have a lot more experience and a lot more options for Coach Wardle to work with.
Who to Watch:
While the backcourt looks for a shooting guard and some depth, Green Bay will work through Brown and his mates in the frontcourt. Jordan Fouse, a 6-7 small forward, had an amazing freshman campaign and could join Sykes and Brown as superstars of the team. Fouse averaged just 6.8 points per game and was not terribly consistent with his mid-range jumper as a freshman, but even when he is not scoring, Fouse is doing plenty to help his team win. On top of his team high 7.9 rebounds, Fouse averaged 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks. One would call him a glue guy, but glue guys tend not to put up numbers like that. Greg Mays will likely move into the starting power forward spot after being a part-time starter a year ago. The 6-9 junior is another tough rebounder who can play some defense and do a bit of scoring in the paint. Daniel Turner gives the team an experienced option off of the bench.
Final Projection:
The difference between a good season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament will come down to the backcourt. Sykes is a great player, but he needs some help. Carrington Love is not the shooter Green Bay is looking for, but he did show promise during his freshman campaign. Josh Humphrey could emerge as a shooter off of the bench after very limited action over the last two years. But it is also feasible that Green Bay does not have to find a shooter to fill the shooting guard spot. Sykes and Brown are good enough shooters and they will get some help, even if it is off of the bench, from players like Botz and Findlay.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Keifer Sykes, Junior, Guard, 15.9 points per game
Tevin Findlay, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Jordan Fouse, Sophomore, Forward, 6.8 points per game
Greg Mays, Junior, Forward, 6.5 points per game
Alec Brown, Senior, Center, 14.1 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 66.1 (211th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.0 (78, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.8 (140, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.1 (95, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.8 (304, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: N/A
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.1 (21, 2)
Rebound Margin: 4.5 (45, 1)
Assists Per Game: 13.4 (124, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.4 (189, 6)
Madness 2014 NBA Draft Rankings:
#55 Alec Brown
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