Canisius Men's Basketball Preview

Well here we are again at the start of another College Basketball season. Some say hey I don't pay attention till March when the conference tournaments start and then the big tournament. Well I say start early. Watch the entire year, sure you'll see lazy effort and big collapses in the 2nd half, well you will if your a Griff fan, but you'll see some great stuff too. But the second year of the Tom Parrotta era begins 11/13 at 7:30 at the KAC against Colgate. So what should you expect from the team year.

Frank Turner

This year will all depend on the play of Frank Turner, the returning Co Freshman of the Year in the MAAC. He is the engine that runs the offense for Canisius. He only had 11.9 points a game last year but what is more important is he also had167 assists. Turner has a presence on the floor. He is young and will make young mistakes, but he'll make more good plays then bad. If he stays healthy, and he played every game last year, this team will have a chance in every game.

Youth Movement

This years Canisius team is stocked with 7 freshman. Tom Parrotta is not taking any time on putting his own stamp on the team and shedding Mike McDonald players. Though many have graduated or transferred especially 3 important players last year, Chuck Harris, Darnell Wilson and Corey Herring. Whose Canisius legacy will be they never beat Niagara. Which to Canisius Fans, is a big stain. Along with that McDonald players were known for major 2nd half collapses and no real tournament success. They haven't real success since Darren Fenn was the man in the middle. But with half the team Freshman, expect some growing pains.

Lack of Leadership

The loss of 3 key seniors, will also leave a void at the leadership role on this team. Frank Turner is being groomed as the leader of this squad, but he is only a sophomore so that might be a bit much for a young kid, on a very young team. They only have one Senior and that is the Polish Rifle Pawel Malesa. Who is a decent bench player and the guy you go to when you need the 3 pointer. He was shooting almost 35% behind the arc last year. Plus there are only 2 Juniors, the Phantom of the KAC, Shaun James, who was pretty decent last year and Willie Hassell who is a Junior College transfer. Malesa and James were strictly bench players last year and I don't see why they aren't this year either. The leaders on this team will be found out this year and for future years.

Overall Look of the Team

Well the thing I like about this team is its getting bigger. For years, I've been wanting more size. Canisius has been getting killed inside by any team with any semblance of size. But the constant theme of this year, is youth. There is a obvious youth movement, and these players will have to learn Parrotta's system, so the beginning of the season maybe rough, but its all building for the long term. This isn't a major program where you have to worry about young guys leaving to go pro, so you have 2-3 years to teach kids.

Season Highlights

The big game this year is the 12/22 game against old pal John Beilein and West Virginia at HSBC. But why is it at 4pm on a Saturday?

After a home opener, they have a 5 game roadie, with games against Penn St, Navy, LIU, Buffalo and St Bonaventure. Ok the last two can barely be called a road trip. But its a good early stretch to see how this team will come together.

The games against Niagara at home on 1-18 and to end the regular season at Niagara on 3-2.

Season Prediction

With the rough early schedule and young team. I don't see any improvement on last years below average record. But I am excited at the future of the squad and by January/February we could be see some exciting basketball. Just in time for the tournament. But I don't see a magical run in the MAAC tournament in Albany this year.

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