Green Bay Phoenix
2014-2015 Overall Rank: #84
Conference Rank: #2 Horizon
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Green Bay had an amazing 2013 campaign, heading into the postseason with a 24-5 record. Their losses came against Wisconsin, Harvard, Eastern Michigan, Valparaiso and Milwaukee. Most of those are not bad losses. However, the Phoenix lost to Milwaukee once again in the Horizon League tournament. While there was an outside shot at an at-large NCAA berth, Green Bay had to settle for the NIT. They ended up as a four seed in that tournament and lost their home game to Belmont.
2013-14 Record: 24-7, 14-2
2013-14 Postseason: CIT
Coach: Brian Wardle
Coach Record: 71-55 at Green Bay, 71-55 overall
Who’s Out:
Alec Brown is an absolutely massive loss for the Phoenix. The 7-1 center could have gone to the NBA early, but opted to return to Green Bay for his senior year. On the year he averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. He ended up getting taken 50th overall in the draft. Losing a player of his size and scoring prowess will force this team to play differently. Vince Garrett was a part-time starter during his only year in the program after playing at Rutgers. He averaged 6.3 points per game. Role player Lamin Fulton is the only other departure.
Who’s In:
Coach Brian Wardle went out and picked up junior college transfer Henry Uwadiae to help replace Brown. Uwadiae, a 6-11 sophomore, will never be a scorer like Brown, but he is a tough rebounder and a solid defender and that is what this team is all about. Neither Daeshon Francis nor Khalil Small will be asked to do much this year, but both are capable guards who will attempt to crack the regular rotation as freshmen. Francis is an explosive combo guard who adds even more toughness on defense. Small’s defensive effort could get him into the rotation as well. He is also a versatile scorer and could provide an offensive spark off of the bench.
Who to Watch:
As if Keifer Sykes did not do enough last season, he may have to do more now. The senior guard averaged 20.3 points per game and dished out 4.9 assists. Sykes is a good enough outside shooter to keep the opposition honest, but Sykes does most of his damage by attacking the basket. He went to the free-throw line an impressive 232 times, nearly twice as much as Brown. Carrington Love was a part-time starter in 2013-2014 and could step into a full-time starting role now. He is the team’s most prolific returning outside shooter on the team, making 34 three-pointers, but he does need to boost his shooting percentage to take that next step. Jordan Fouse, a 6-7 wing, is a versatile player who can handle the ball and hit the glass. He is not a big time scorer, but has potential in that regard if he can knock down some mid-range jumpers. Those three could all play over 30 minutes per game and Sykes may eclipse 35 per game, so there are not too many minutes to go around on the perimeter. Tevin Findlay can give Green Bay another ball handler and the sophomore will be much more dangerous once he develops an offensive game.
Final Projection:
The frontcourt is not bare despite the absence of Brown. Greg Mays is a bruiser in the paint who averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. He was overshadowed by Brown a year ago, on so many levels, but he is ready to emerge as the team’s secondary scoring threat. The play of Kenneth Lowe and Alfonzo McKinnie could very well be the difference between another Horizon title and a disappointing setback. Lowe, a 6-8 sophomore, showed plenty of potential as a freshman, averaging 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. McKinnie missed nearly all of last season with an injury. The 6-8 senior is the big man who can stretch the defense like Brown has done and he will be a key piece of this team. Without Brown, Green Bay may not be as good on either end of the court, but there is still enough talent here to win the conference.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Keifer Sykes, Senior, Guard, 20.3 points per game
Carrington Love, Junior, Guard, 7.9 points per game
Jordan Fouse, Junior, Guard, 6.5 points per game
Greg Mays, Senior, Forward, 10.3 points per game
Kenneth Lowe, Sophomore, Forward, 4.2 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.3 (76th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.5 (46, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.4 (31, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.4 (14, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.8 (310, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.4 (NR)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.3 (161, 9)
Rebound Margin: 3.2 (76, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.3 (30, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.7 (214, 5)
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