NIU Red Riot

According to ChicagoHoops.com, NIU Men’s Basketball has received its third 2008 verbal commitment from Bryan Hall today.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/hallniu.html

“ Hall, a 6-2 point guard, is known for his all-around strong play on the basketball court. Hall is a player who finishes everything in transition! He is also a superb defensive talent who excels on-the-ball, and actively uses his length to clog passing lanes.

Hall noted to ChicagoHoops.com that the coaching staff, potential to play right away, style of play, and the fact that Northern Illinois felt like a great overall fit all factored in his decision to select NIU. Hall also mentions Whitney Young head coach Tyrone Slaughter as playing a central role in guiding him through the recruiting process. An excellent student, Hall excels both in the classroom, where he sports a 3.4 grade point average, as well as on the basketball court. “

Some thoughts on last Friday’s (Oct. 26th) Huskie Hoopla event.

Michael Hart will be starting at center. Without a doubt he is the strongest and biggest player we have available to play. He’s very athletic. They had him posting up in drills and he was pushing people around. He also won the slam dunk contest.

I like Sean Kowal (the transfer from Colorado), he’s a good short to mid-range shooter. Good rebounder.

Jarvis Nichols came in second place in the slam dunk contest. I see him starting at shooting guard. He’s a good shooter as well.

Cody Yelder is the best point guard we have, but i’m still sure Paradise will start because he’s the senior and has the experience. But Cody will see significant playing time. He’s quick, aggressive at taking the ball to the hoop, good shooter, and he’s got mad hops.

Those are the four players that stood out most to me.

I think Shaun Logan will start at power forward with Egan Grafel backing him up.

I’m still waiting for Ben Rand to go back to his 2005 form where he looked like he was gonna be a good player for us. I think that knee injury really screwed him up. Even though he’s a senior i’m not sure he’s gonna start.

IMO, Najul Ervin didn’t play well. He doesn’t seem like a good ball handler. I don’t know if he didn’t take the scrimmage seriously or what.

Sean Smith (the JUCO from Indiana) didn’t stand out much. I don’t think i saw him do much of anything.

Bristan Kelly lost weight, he looks a lot thinner now. I don’t know if Coach wanted him to do that or what. I liked that he had the beef on him last year so he could push people around more.

I like Lee Fisher and Jake Anderson. I see Jake backing up Jarvis Nichols at SG.

My starting five prediction:

Center - Michael Hart
P. Forward - Shaun Logan
S. Forward - ? No one really stood out who would play this spot, maybe Lee Fisher
S. Guard - Jarvis Nichols
P. Guard - Ryan Paradise

As for the Women’s team, all those newcomers look really good. Even though this team has a lot of new incoming players, they all look like they’re gonna be good players now and in future years. I like M. Adams (Boilingbrook), that girl is aggressive and a strong rebounder.

Information taken from Joe College Blog.

Breaking down the 2007-08 Men’s roster:

SENIORS:
G Ryan Paradise - 10.1 ppg in 2006-07
G/F Zach Pancratz - 8.9 ppg (medical redshirt; left shoulder surgery)
F Shaun Logan - 7.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg
G/F Ben Rand - 4.9 ppg
F Egan Grafel - 1.8 ppg
F Michael Hart - Walk-on averaged 7.7 ppg at Div. III Carthage in 2005-06

JUNIORS:
F Sean Smith - 13.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Vincennes JC in 2006-07
G Jarvis Nichols - Redshirt last year (dropped to walk-on this year)

SOPHOMORES:
G Cody Yelder - 9.8 ppg, 1.9 apg
F Bristan Kelley - 2.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg
F Najul Ervin - 4.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg at Kankakee CC in 2006-07
C Sean Kowal - Colorado transfer (0.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg) must sit out this year
G Richard Oruche - 0.8 ppg (walk-on)

FRESHMEN:
G Jake Anderson - Non-qualifier last year; should be big contributor
G Jeremy Landers - Strong scorer and on-ball defender
F Darrius Gaters - Redshirted last year
G Michael Patton - Legit point-guard candidate (walk-on)
C Michael Fakuade - Von Steuben walk-on played in Public League all-star game
F Lee Fisher - Thornridge walk-on averaged 13.4 ppg and 12.1 rpg