New Coach Gives Hope to Men's Basketball

Sky Hook: Everybody's attention turns to the hoop as junior Brian Buchanan shoots in practice yesterday. (photo by Lea Morganstern)

In his first year as men's head basketball coach, Mike Cavey is looking to turn around a team that went 2-22 last season.

"I feel like we can definitely compete this season. We are returning almost everyone from last year, senior James [Knight] is back with us and we have three talented first-years also," Cavey said.

According to Cavey, the ultimate goal of the team is to finish in the top four of the conference and host a first round conference game. The first goal of the season is to win their first game and their first home game.

To accomplish this, Oberlin is going to look to senior Maurice Elrod, who averaged 15.8 points per game/ 4.1 rebounds, and junior Brian Buchanan, who averaged 8.9 ppg/6 rebounds a year ago, to lead the team this year.

"[Elrod] was honorable mention all conference last year, but quite possibly could have been the best player in the conference. It takes wins to get noticed and receive the recognition you deserve," Cavey said, "and [Buchanan] has flashes of greatness. When he learns to put it all together he will be able to dominate."

After taking last season off, Knight will return to the Yeomen for the 2000-2001 season.

Knight is another dominating presence on the court for Oberlin.

"James is explosive sometimes. You never know when he's going to dunk over someone like he did in the last scrimmage," first year Cameron Leverett said.

Returning upperclassman for Oberlin include senior Jordan Kaltman and juniors Ric Pierce and Alonzo Crowder.

A host of sophomores are also returning to the Yeomen for the upcoming season. Guards Zach Pretzer and Djordje Eremic pose a threat from beyond the arch, as does Elrod. All three hit 30 percent or better from long range last year. Jon MacDonald, Justin Perkins and Steffon Thomas round out the sophomore class.

Three first-years join the Yeomen for the upcoming season. Leverett, Julius Hill and Ben Alschuler are all better than Cavey had anticipated. "All three have proven that they are ready to compete at this level and I plan to look to all of then to contribute throughout the season," he said.

The starting lineup will see the Yeomen run a three guard, two post set. On the wings will be Elrod and Knight with Leverett at point. 6'7" MacDonald and 6'8" Buchanan battle down low for the Yeomen.

"This is a new style of Oberlin basketball," Leverett said. "We are going to run with the ball and keep the game uptempo. We're going to make teams run with us if they want to play."

Most likely, the man first off the bench will be Pretzer, followed by Eremic at wing and Pierce in the post.

Oberlin opens their season on the road this weekend in the Adrian College Tournament. Their first home game is Saturday Dec. 2.