Work Samples 2009-10 LIU Brooklyn Basketball Media Guide | Page 12

Season Outlook
Forwards The Blackbirds lost a pair of starters in the frontcourt from a squad that ranked second in the league in rebounding margin. Ron Manigault, a versatile forward who ranked second in the league in rebounding and also shared ball-handling duties, and Adomaitis, a 69 center, were stalwarts in the frontcourt the last two seasons and will be replaced by a group of talented, but young forwards. Boyd, the reigning league rookie of the year, was the top candidate to slide into the starting lineup after averaging 10.5 points and averaging 6.4 boards as a freshman. He worked in the offseason on expanding his offensive game before being shut down with health concerns. His return is questionable, but should he return healthy his presence will be a big boost to the Blackbirds. Sophomore Arnold Mayorga heads into the season as a likely candidate to assume a larger role in the forward rotation. The 6-7 athlete appeared in 28 games as a rookie, but has made vast improvements in his game in the offseason. A strong rebounder, he is also capable of knocking down the outside shot. “Julian has potential to be an all-league, player of they year type performer, but we’re hoping things work out for Julian – more so for his health – and if he comes back we’re going to have a very good team,” Ferry said. “We’re expecting great things out of Arnold. He’s a very ski lled player and we’re going to play him at the four and ?ve to use his versatility.” Redshirt freshmen Miguel Bocachica and Booker Hucks will add to the frontcourt rotation after getting acclimated to the college game last year. Both stand 6-foot-5, but bring different qualities to the court. Bocachica is a dangerous outside shooter, while Hucks is an athlete that can get to the basket. “They will both have the chance to contribute in the frontcourt where we are thin,” Ferry said. “They’re going to have ups and downs as they get game experience, but we will need them to step up and play more like sophomores.” Freshmen Jamal Olasawere and Kenny Onyechi have the coaches excited by their potential and should also be able to step in and contribute right away as freshmen. Olasawere is similar to Manigault in that he is an athletic player that can attack the basket from the wing and will ?ght for rebounds. The 6-7 Onyechi has the look of a more traditional post player and will give LIU a strong presence under the basket. A physically gifted player, he is a solid rebounder and can ?nish down low. “We’re looking for both of them to really emerge as freshmen,” Ferry said. “I think they will be signi?cantly better as the season goes on, but once they click I think our team will become very good.” Junior Milos Nikolic is an intriguing walk-on for the Blackbirds. A 610 forward, he played two seasons at the City College of San Francisco, the same school that produced Manigault, and will give the frontline added size and depth. Schedule The Blackbirds face a competitive schedule with a mix of NCAA tournament-tested teams and teams on the rise that should prepare Ferry’s squad for the wide-open NEC race. The season tips off with a trip to visit local-rival St. John’s on Nov. 13 and the home schedule opens the following week with a visit from Navy on Nov. 21. Long Island will be tested by 17 road games, which includes trips to Seton Hall and Bethune-Cookman. There is also a spot in the Dr Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., where LIU will join a ?eld that includes 2009 NCAA participants Morgan State and Chattanooga, as well as Eastern Kentucky which is coming off an 18-win season. The conference schedule opens on Dec. 3 with a visit from Bryant. Although the Bulldogs don’t become full NEC members until 201213, both contests this season will count as league games. Following a six-game non-conference stretch, the league schedule resumes in earnest on Jan. 7 with a visit from defending league champion Robert Morris. LIU will have a pair of televised games this year, with the annual “Battle of Brooklyn” against St. Francis (N.Y.) airing on MSG on Feb. 6. The Feb. 25 game at Central Connecticut State will also be televised on MSG. “Our schedule is going to be very challenging,” Ferry said. “Road trips to St. John’s and Seton Hall and the Chattanooga trip with two NCAA tournament teams will give us a sense of where we’re at and what we need to work on. We will focus on improving every day and keep a sense of what the big picture is. The ultimate goal is winning a Northeast Conference championship.” The top eight teams will qualify for the conference tournament, which tips off on March 4 at the campus of the four highest seeded teams and will conclude with the league’s automatic NCAA bid on the line on March 10 in the NEC Championship. Kyle Johnson

2009-10 Long Island University Basketball

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Long Island Blackbirds • 2009-10 Basketball • www.liuathletics.com