INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST

MEN'S BASKETBALL

2008-2009 SEASON OUTLOOK

Season Outlook

The Grenadiers return ten players and all five starters from last season’s team that finished first in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC). Wiley Brown will also begin his second season as head coach for the men’s basketball program.

During his first year at the helm of the program, Brown led the Grenadiers to a 24-9 overall season record and an impressive 9-0 undefeated conference record which earned the team a spot in the final NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll. Brown also guided his team to both a KIAC regular-season title and a KIAC tournament championship which earned his squad a bid to the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship in Point Lookout, Mo.

With a strong nucleus returning, and the addition of some height to the roster, the team once again could be a strong contender to repeat their conference championship, earning another bid to the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Returning Players

Key players returning for the Grenadiers this season are 6’3” junior Craig Bryant (12.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG), 6’1” sophomore Jazzmarr Ferguson (11.6 PPG, 4.0 APG), 6’2” junior DeJon Gary (7.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG), 6’ 1” junior Carlos Mitchell (12.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG), 6’9” junior Charlie Gonzalez (6.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and 6’8” junior Jeremy Holland (8.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG).

Other key players who saw considerable playing time last season are 6’2” junior Alex Gravelle, 6’2” sophomore Clay Ryan, 5’10” sophomore Josh Lowery and 6’5” senior Jason Harris.

Bryant, Gary and Mitchell were all named KIAC All-Conference last season for their outstanding play. Bryant was named NAIA All-American Honorable Mention and also earned the respect of the league by being voted KIAC Player of the Year.

Brown believes his returners will continue their hard work started from last season. “One thing I really admire about our guys coming back is that they are always hungry. That hunger combined with their effort and intelligence on the court will make them better prepared this season for the pro-style offensive system we like to run,” Brown said.

Fresh Faces

Coach Brown and his assistant coaching staff feel that they are bringing in another exciting recruiting class this season to compliment the scope of talent returning. IU Southeast welcomes four new faces who will be suiting up this season for the Grenadiers.

Newcomers include 6’7” forward James Tompkins (Georgetown College), 6’6” center James Murry (Pleasure Ridge Park High School), 6’2” guard Mike Woodson (Lambuth University) and 6’2” freshman Kevin Slaughter (Georgetown College).

Brown has a good feeling about this incoming class. “Obviously and most notably our newcomers bring some additional height to our roster,” said Brown. “Their individual games also progress our style of play and will complement our core very well.”

Keys to Success

Brown would like to see this team be more aggressive and physical in every facet of the game this season. “I want our guys beating out our opponents and playing more physically. We have worked on our conditioning all off-season, and this year it is time we show more on the court,” said Brown.

After such a successful season last year the team knows that they need to take their game to the next level, “Last season we had a lot to prove. We can’t sit back this year and believe that last year’s efforts will provide a similar outcome. We are going to have to play harder to ensure our successes as our opponents are now much familiar with our style of play,” said Brown.

With all five starters returning from last season and with a strong supporting cast, IU Southeast should look to be a contender for a repeat KIAC Championship. Coach Brown is optimistic about this year’s team, “We have great all-around young men on this team. That makes my job as a coach much easier. I am really looking forward to another successful basketball season.”

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