2008 Woodie Awards
Jaspers rank 19 in Mid-Major Top 25
Eduardo Gurrero
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: Sports
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As the Jaspers prepare themselves for what could be another memorable season, they should be happy to know that they once again are among the best Mid Major schools in the country. The team is currently ranked 19th in the Mid Major Top 25. Long time Mid Major powerhouse Gonzaga is once again ranked No. 1 in the polls.
After last year's magical run to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament, which included an upset of former No. 1 Florida, many observers question whether the team can repeat last year's performance. Many credit this to the loss of the school's all-time leading scorer Luis Flores to the NBA. Add to that the fact that teams like Iona and Niagara, which is ranked No. 23 among the Mid Major Top 25, have gotten stronger; this season could be tougher for the Jaspers. Remember that Niagara lost an extremely close game to Manhattan in last year's MAAC Tournament, a game that could fuel them this season. Iona returns after dealing with the problems of former Syracuse transfer DeShaun Williams and a case of a 'me first' mentality among their players.
Despite the loss of Flores, the Jaspers may have added enough new firepower to go along with returning players like Peter Mulligan and Mike Konovelchick, both selections to the Preseason All-MAAC team. Jeff Xavier from St. Raphael Academy is a proven scorer. In his junior year, he had averages of 28.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 4.4 steals. CJ Anderson, who attended two high schools in Ohio, averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game on a team that featured 10 NCAA Division I signees. Another CJ on the team will be CJ Lee. Lee averaged 22.3 points, five assists, five rebounds, and five steals per game as a junior. Last season he was named First Team All-State. The last of the new crop of freshman is Arturo Dubois from the well-respected Rice High School. Dubois averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks a game last season while leading Rice to the CHSAA Semi-Finals.
Other players who should look to have bigger seasons include starting point guard Jason Wingate. After being the backcourt mate to Luis Flores, Wingate must now look to lead what seems like a more balanced offense, despite not having that one key star. Back up guard Kenny Minor will also help Wingate carry the load in terms of leading the offense. One sleeper player that the team may have is Guy Ngarndi from Africa. Ngarndi was a McDonald's All-American nominee while he was in Western High in Kentucky.
Outside of their MAAC schedule, the Jaspers have to face a number of quality teams. They will once again take on UW-Milwaukee, the team they faced in their ESPN Bracket Buster game. They also have two games against NCAA monsters Arizona and NC State, both on the road. The games could serve as a learning experience for the young Jaspers, giving them the chance to play against hostile crowds and against NCAA Tournament bound teams.
After last year's magical run to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament, which included an upset of former No. 1 Florida, many observers question whether the team can repeat last year's performance. Many credit this to the loss of the school's all-time leading scorer Luis Flores to the NBA. Add to that the fact that teams like Iona and Niagara, which is ranked No. 23 among the Mid Major Top 25, have gotten stronger; this season could be tougher for the Jaspers. Remember that Niagara lost an extremely close game to Manhattan in last year's MAAC Tournament, a game that could fuel them this season. Iona returns after dealing with the problems of former Syracuse transfer DeShaun Williams and a case of a 'me first' mentality among their players.
Despite the loss of Flores, the Jaspers may have added enough new firepower to go along with returning players like Peter Mulligan and Mike Konovelchick, both selections to the Preseason All-MAAC team. Jeff Xavier from St. Raphael Academy is a proven scorer. In his junior year, he had averages of 28.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 4.4 steals. CJ Anderson, who attended two high schools in Ohio, averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game on a team that featured 10 NCAA Division I signees. Another CJ on the team will be CJ Lee. Lee averaged 22.3 points, five assists, five rebounds, and five steals per game as a junior. Last season he was named First Team All-State. The last of the new crop of freshman is Arturo Dubois from the well-respected Rice High School. Dubois averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks a game last season while leading Rice to the CHSAA Semi-Finals.
Other players who should look to have bigger seasons include starting point guard Jason Wingate. After being the backcourt mate to Luis Flores, Wingate must now look to lead what seems like a more balanced offense, despite not having that one key star. Back up guard Kenny Minor will also help Wingate carry the load in terms of leading the offense. One sleeper player that the team may have is Guy Ngarndi from Africa. Ngarndi was a McDonald's All-American nominee while he was in Western High in Kentucky.
Outside of their MAAC schedule, the Jaspers have to face a number of quality teams. They will once again take on UW-Milwaukee, the team they faced in their ESPN Bracket Buster game. They also have two games against NCAA monsters Arizona and NC State, both on the road. The games could serve as a learning experience for the young Jaspers, giving them the chance to play against hostile crowds and against NCAA Tournament bound teams.