The Observer, November 18, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11
Seniors lead men's basketball into tonight's tournament
Strong senior leadership, talented underclassmen, and a beneficial schedule look like they could be the right elements of success for the Case men's basketball team during its 2005-2006 campaign.
Coach Sean McDonnell is looking for his five seniors to be good leaders and hopes that their game experience will help the Spartans as they open their season with the first ever Case Alumni Association Tip-Off Tournament. Case opens up with Penn State-Altoona at 8 p.m., while Adrian and Bethany face off in the preceding game at 6 p.m.. The winners will play in the championship game of the tournament on Saturday at 4 p.m., while the consolation game will be played at 2 p.m..
Leading the way for the Spartans this season will be senior forward Carson Oren. Oren was a first team All-UAA selection last season. Oren's combination of an inside and outside game helped him to average 18.3 points per game last season.
"Carson is really important for us. He's our best player and a team leader," said McDonnell. "Everything points to him having a terrific senior season."
Leading the way for the Spartan backcourt is senior guard Funso Lafe. Lafe, an honorable mention All-UAA selection last season, averaged nearly 14 points per game with his ability to attack the rim and finish for Case last season.
"Funso's another hard worker and has committed himself to become a better player inside and outside of practice. We hope his work ethic is contagious," said McDonnell.
Senior guards Rich Mullen and Andrew Impastato will provide senior leadership and additional depth in the backcourt for Case. Mullen is the Spartans' best outside shooter, as he connected on 46 shots from behind the arc last year. Impastato will likely run the point for the Spartans and provides McDonnell with a coach on the court.
Helping to shore up the front court are senior Buck Bommer and sophomore Mason Conrad. Bommer will provide the Spartans with some depth at center as he will likely back up Conrad. Conrad was another All-UAA performer last year for Case, averaging 11.3 points per game in his rookie season.
Juniors Matt Canaan, Chris Hill, and Quinton Mathis also will play key roles for the Spartans. Canaan averaged 8.7 points per game for Case as he started in 23 of the team's 25 games. Hill and Mathis also provide speed and defensive help for the Spartan backcourt.
Five freshmen also are on the Spartans' roster and will provide some energy to the team coming off the bench.
"We're hoping for great things this season," said McDonnell. "Carson, Buck, Rich, Andrew, and Funso have stuck it out. We've also got a great schedule with 16 of our 25 games being at home. There's some really great things going on this season and we hope people will come and support our guys."
Other than the Tip-Off Tournament, events that McDonnell is excited about include the Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament and Throwback Weekend. Case will host its Throwback Weekend on Feb. 3 and 5 as the men's and women's teams will be wearing jerseys to commemorate Mather College, Western Reserve University, and Case Institute of Technology.
As for a recent poll that had the Spartans finishing last in the UAA, McDonnell hopes to prove the doubters wrong.
"We, the players and coaches, must prove them wrong," he said. "We must move on from our past, and I think that poll is more indicative of our past than the present. We're excited to be part of the UAA and playing against the best teams in the country. It's a challenge that we like. With our senior talent, front court depth, and schedule, we really can do some good things this year."
It seems like the ingredients are right and McDonnell hopes to be the chef with the recipe for success.
