T h e C o w l 3? f ‘ Established in 1935 Vol LVI No 11 Providence College • Providence, Rhode Island December 10,1991 The 1991-1992 Winter Sports Preview Winter Sports Preview Staff John Raposo Sports Editor Beth Albertim Assistant Sports Editor Steve McCorry Assistant Sports Editor Chip Scutari Sports Columnist Rusty Newell Sports Writer Scott Pianowski Contributing Writer Terry Brennan Sports Writer Tim Evangeliou Graphics Editor Karen Collopy Copy Editor Mike Saucier Copy Editor Subscription Rate $10.00per year by mail-Student subscrip­ tion inducted in Tuition fee. Published each week of school during the academic year and one summer editionin June by Providence College, Riser A ve. and Eatofc Street, Provi­ dence, Rl 02918. Second Class Pottage paid at Providence, R1 Slavin Center P. O. Box 2518,8t£-$214. The views of 77k Corel do not necessarily represent th* views of Providence College. Postmaster send address changes to The C o a l as Congratulations to Tracy Lis who broke the school career scoring record (1,960) with a 45 point effort vs. Bowling Green ^ ™ | 7 -7 — 'X , ' t V ,J __ r\ 2 The Cowl — December9,1991 Slm/T I TT1 ~t. < 1 11 ^IWriPinmi VvR'XvXvXvXvw&x-Xv.vXvx^xg^&w.v^.;.:*:^ . / NBsiBisgjgiisxsxxxm siTOSite Early Season KO's Leave the Black-and-White Black-and- Blue forward in high school and theoff-guard, will prove Backing up Smith at the cause of his post defense," to be a valuable asset as the small forward position will by John Raposo knownforhisdefensiveplay, Barnes said earlier this sea­ season progresses. A relent-' be 6'8” junior Tony Turner son. Sports Editor has made a nice switch to the point as the freshman had 15 less defender and a gravity- and 6'7” senior Fred Though hobbled by an As the PC hoopsters pts. and only one turnover in defying dunker, Floyd, last Campbell. Turner, a perime­ ankle injury, Bragg has stumble through the infant Saturday's win over Holy season's Mr. Hustle Award ter player who can shoot the played some significant stages of their long season, Cross. winner, prefers the wide- three pointer, has improved minutes in the early season. most of Rick Barnes' presea­ Heading out the Friars' open, running game, which his defense from his first two Against Holy Cross, Bragg son concerns have come to point guard corps is fellow better suits his abilities. seasons. Campbell, a selfless appeared to be at 100% as he reality. Turnover problems, freshman Matt Alosa. With all the questions and rebounder who was last scored 16 points, while haul­ punctuated by inconsistent Though Alosa's lack of speed problems plaguing the year's Unsung Hero, will be ing down 12 boards. What play at the point; a low may limit his minutes as a Friars' guard situation, PC used primarily as a defen­ Marques gives the Friars is a (43.1%) field goal percentage; sive stopper. leader on and off the court. and poor half-court team At the power forward Entering his senior season defense are the reasons be­ position, the Friars showcase with the school's all-time hind a subpar 3-4 start, their worst start in years. In short, if a coach's task is to, para- ihrasing a line from Samuel {ohnson, find it brick, and leave it marble, then Barnes is still chiseling away at the stone. For any basketball team, college or pro, the key ingre­ dient for any success is reli­ able and consistent play at the point guard position. People spoke volumes of UNLV's dominating inside presence of Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon last year, but it was over for the Run­ Michael Smith has begun to live up to his preseason ning Rebels when point billing guard Greg Anthony fouled an interesting contrast; a leading field goal percentage out in the semifinals. a e r of unlimited ability (580), Bragg needs to regain Through the first seven a streak a passivity and his health or the Friars risk games for the Friars, the as­ another with limited skills being out-rebounded to sist-turnover ratio for their and a heart of no equal. smaller opponents like point guards - Trent Forbes, A healthy Marques Bragg will be needed to secure post­ Many, including several Brown. Ira Bowman and Matt Alosa- season play scouts who have appeared at Barnes has moved his tal­ hasbeen a dismal48-48. Few freshman, his smooth stroke will rely on its strong front the Civic Center this year, ented 6'9" sophomore, teams can win when every and understanding of the court game. At forward, the believe that Troy Brown is Dickey Simpkins, to the cen­ one of their assists is matched game provide Barnes with a team's glaring strength, the ter position. Simpkins' with a turnover. solid backup for Bowman Friars enjoy wealth in num­ dominating offensive skills "Our two biggest prob­ and Forbes. bers, although divvying up with anyone in the country,' provide the Friars with an lems this year have been pro­ In every game but one this playing time is a chore in Barnes added. Blessed with opportunity to put the big tecting the ball and shooting season, the Friars' leading itself for Barnes. At the small a sculptured physique and man on the perimeter as well the ball," said Barnes. "In scorer has come from theoff- forward, Michael Smith's speed, Brown reminds many as the low post. If Simpkins, the half-court, we've done a guard position. What with intense and improving play of a young Otis Thorpe, who like Brown, can overcome his lot of things you can not do if the explosive Rpb Phelps, the has forced Barnes to aban­ was also accused of playing bouts with passivity, then he you're going to be a good long range bombs of Kenny don his initial desire of us- passive in his days in Black- could emerge as one of the college basketball team." McDonald and the running inbg a wing player here. and-White. IfBrown can find Big East's best big men. Sub­ When the season began, style of Corey Hoyd, it's no Though Smith may have the fire necessary to elevate bing in for Dickey will be Barnes figured to be secure wonder. Phelps (see story trouble guarding smaller and his game, teams will not be 6'8" senior Marvin Saddler, with Forbes at the point. on page 4), PC's leading quicker perimeter oppo­ able to rest when Marques who emerged as a threat in Forbes, tutored under the scorer with 16.6 a game, has nents, the sophomore's play goes to the bench. last year's UCONN game. Friars' previous two points showed flashes of brilliance against Maryland and Holy After a Friar win last sea­ With the logjam at the for­ ards, Eric Murdock and in the early games. The Cross leaves Barnes with no son, Coach Barnes com­ ward position, Saddler's Srlton Screen, has been Brooklyn native needs only choice. A fierce rebounder mented that, "Marques minutes may dwindle. plagued by his penchant for to work on his shot selection in the style of Marques Bragg, Bragg played like a warrior With only seven games the costly turnovers. Tal­ and restraining his energy to Smith's ability to run the floor torugnt." A warrior. There's played, the Friars do have ented and slippery, the root become one of the Big East's and his enthusiasm have in­ a perfect description. After time on their side. The ques­ of the 6'1” junior's problem is best. With Kenny McDonald jected the Friars with life at two seasons in which Bragg tions which confront the his desire to make the so- spelling Phelps or playing the small forward position. learned the system, the 6'8” Friars are many. Can Bow­ called pretty play, while dis­ alongside his bombing mate, "Michael has to work on wer forward blossomed man handle the point? Will carding the safe passes. In the Friars will receive instant his post defense," com­ Et season. In fact, Barnes the Friars, who were out- Forbes' shoes has stepped offense. A smart passer, mented Barnes. "He will considers Bragg's contribu­ rebounded by Brown and 6'4” freshman Ira Bowman. McDonald has made a name probably never look pretty, tion at the end of last season Holy Cross, be able to re­ In this age of exhaustive re­ with his ability to cut leads but he will get the job done. to be more important than bound with the likes of Seton cruiting and evaluations. with a streak of treys. He's strong and aggressive Eric Murdock's. "Our big- Hall and Georgetown? Can Bowman has to be classified Corey Floyd, with his and he runs the court as well t loss would would've Simpkins and Brown shed as a sleeper. Bowman, a small ability to play both the point as anyone." Kn losing Marques, be­ PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS have not lost their confi­ 1992 HEN’S BASKETBALL STATISTICS RECORD: 3- 4, 0- 0 THE BIG EAST dence. "IFs as confident as any team I've ever had," -FG (IKL 3PT)- --3 PT FG .......FREE THROWS ........ REBOUNOS FRIARS GPGS M O - A T T PCT MD-ATT P CT MD-ATT PCT OFF DEF TOT AVG A TO BLK STL PF-D MIM-AVG PTS AVG Barnes stated. "Deep down, they really believe they're ROB PHE L P S 7- 7 311- 110 3 4 . 5 11- 4 4 2 5 .