Men's Basketball Preview - Part 3: UW-Green Bay
Oct. 25, 2005
Head coach Tod Kowalczyk and the Phoenix will aim for their third straight winning campaign in 2005-06, but will do so armed with one of the youngest rosters in program history. The Green Bay roster includes seven freshmen, two sophomores and three juniors, but no seniors after losing four starters including the team's first all-conference duo in five years.
The cupboard is far from bare with a Top 25-ranked homegrown recruiting class that includes five former Wisconsin prep stars. What the Phoenix may lack in experience, the newcomers will make up for in athletic ability and depth.
For three straight years, Kowalczyk and the Phoenix have outperformed preseason predictions for the team, culminating in last season's second-place league finish - Green Bay's best since 1996. Consecutive 17-11 seasons have marked the first time the Phoenix achieved back-to-back winning seasons in six years.
A young, talented Phoenix squad continues the program's rebirth, rising toward a third straight winning season for the first time in a decade.
RETURNING STARTER
Josh Lawrence (6-7, Jr., F) was one of only two Phoenix players to start all 28 games last season. The highly skilled forward is the team's leading returning scorer (10.9 ppg) and rebounder (4.4 rpg). He has also posted a 39.4 career shooting percentage from behind the three-point arc.
A second-team preseason All-Horizon League selection, Lawrence brings the most accomplished collegiate resume of the returning players and will be counted on for scoring and leadership.
THE RESERVES
Ryan Evanochko (6-2, Jr., G) saw action in all 28 games last season, logging major court time as an early-season starter, playing the full 40 minutes in four games before the holiday break.
Evanochko was a key component in last year's deep Phoenix backcourt, giving him an edge in what is shaping up to be a heated competition for playing time at the guard spots this year.
Tevah Morris (6-9, So., F) remains the largest man on the roster. He improved his skill level measurably during his freshman season, playing in all 28 games.
Ryan Werch (6-2, So., G) aims to take advantage of increased court time with the graduation of three starting guards last season. Werch enters his second full year in Green Bay as the team's top returning outside shooter.
Terry Evans (6-5, Fr., F) played in six games before being sidelined for the season to rehabilitate a prior knee injury. He returns to the lineup fully cleared to contribute as an explosive athlete with a knack for offensive rebounding.
THE NEWCOMERS
Cordero Barkley (6-5, Fr., G/F, Racine, Wis.) led his prep team to the Division 2 state title, earning second-team all-state honors in the process. Barkley's length and quickness could make him a matchup problem on both ends of the court for Phoenix foes.
Randy Berry (6-9, Fr., F, Plover, Wis.) was a third-team all-state selection for Almond-Bancroft High School. Berry is a hard-nosed rebounder with a knack for scoring inside.
Tim Dearlove (6-2, Fr. G, Martinsville, Ind.) averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds from his guard spot for Martinsville. He also shot over 53 percent from the field as a combo guard.
Simon Farine (6-3, Fr., G, Toronto, Ontario) was rated the top point guard prospect in Canada and will have an opportunity to earn playing time in a wide-open competition for minutes at the top of the key.
Junior college transfer Aswan Minatee (6-5, Jr., F, Newark, N.J.) will step into the Phoenix rotation from the start. Minatee is a solid 230-pound interior player hailing from the powerhouse St. Benedict's high school program in New Jersey.
Mike Schachtner (6-9, Fr., F, Somerset, Wis.) earned fourth-team all-state honors as rising prep star. Schachtner is a multitalented big man with offensive skills facing or back to the basket.
Ryan Tillema (6-8, Fr., F, Randolph, Wis.) is a first-team all-state pick and the first player in Wisconsin history to win four state titles in his high school career. Tillema brings a smooth three-point touch and a solid handle for a big man and should figure into the rotation for the Phoenix early on.
THE COACHES
New to Kowalczyk's coaching staff is former Marquette star Brian Wardle. Wardle comes to UW-Green Bay from the coaching staff of his alma mater. Also aiding the Phoenix bench will be student assistant coach Benito Flores, fresh off his all-league season in the paint for the Phoenix.
THE RESCH CENTER
The 9,877-seat home of the Phoenix is the Resch Center across from historic Lambeau Field. UW-Green Bay begins its fourth year playing in the facility in 2005-06.
Year one of Green Bay Basketball at the Resch Center in 2002-03 saw a 45 percent increase in attendance that ranked among the top 20 crowd boosts in major college basketball. Resch Center attendance has increased each year of the Tod Kowalczyk era, including the second-largest home crowd in UW-Green Bay history (8,072) that witnessed the 76-72 win over Sweet 16-bound UW-Milwaukee Jan. 29, 2005.
THE 2005-06 SCHEDULE
Four of the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 teams appear on the daunting Phoenix schedule. The slate is highlighted by a Dec. 21 home date with preseason top-five pick and Final Four qualifier Michigan State out of the Big Ten Conference.
The non-conference home schedule also features a third straight marquee home court matchup in ESPN's Bracket Buster Saturday, Feb. 18 and the 13th annual Oneida Casino Holiday Classic Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29-30.
The season opens with a pair of exhibition games against regional rivals. UW-Green Bay will face nearby Ripon College for the first time Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Resch Center. UW-Stout will travel to Titletown Wednesday, Nov. 9 for their first-ever meeting with the Phoenix.
The regular season tips off Nov. 13 at the 2005 Black Coaches Association Classic in Seattle, Wash. The tournament is hosted by the University of Washington at the Bank of America Arena Nov. 13-15, 2005. The host Huskies boast a 22-game home court win streak, the nation's fourth longest, heading into the event. Joining the Phoenix and Huskies in the three-day event will be Miami (Fla.), Air Force, UNC Greensboro, Morgan State, UT-Arlington and Northern Arizona. The Nov. 13 season opener against UNC Greensboro ties the earliest start in UW-Green Bay history.
A road date at Central Michigan Monday, Nov. 21 precedes the regular season home opener Saturday, Nov. 29 against North Dakota State at the Resch Center.
A re-match of last season's nationally televised ESPN Bracket Buster game is set for Saturday afternoon, Dec. 3 at Illinois State. The annual matchup with Wisconsin takes place Wednesday, Dec. 7 with the Badgers coming off an NCAA tournament Elite Eight run. Montana State will come to Green Bay Saturday, Dec. 10 to start a stretch of five home games over a six-game span, followed by Eastern Michigan facing the Phoenix at the Resch Center Wednesday, Dec. 14. Michigan State's visit is set for Wednesday, Dec. 21.
The Oneida Casino Holiday Classic features 2001 Classic champion the UC Irvine, as well as Northern Michigan, Arkansas-Monticello and the host Phoenix. UC Irvine faces UAM in the tip-off game Thursday, Dec. 29 with UW-Green Bay and regional rival NMU in the nightcap. The second-round matchups Friday, Dec. 30 have been predetermined, with Northern Michigan taking on UAM followed by UW-Green Bay versus UC Irvine.
The Horizon League schedule begins its double round-robin format Saturday, Dec. 17 when UW-Green Bay travels to UW-Milwaukee to open league play. The conference season closes with three of the last four games at home for the Phoenix during the month of February.
The Horizon League tournament gets underway with first-round games being played on campus sites Tuesday, February 28. The league tournament format continues with the top seed slated to host the quarterfinals and semifinals Friday and Saturday, March 3-4. The highest remaining seed will host the championship game live on ESPN Tuesday, March 7.
Story provided by UW-Green Bay Office of Sports Information
