Mules Men's Basketball Preview: Experience leads the way

Experience. When senior captain Tim Murray was asked what the Mules biggest strength will be this year, he was quick to answer with experience. The Mules return all but one player from last year's squad, which finished 10-15 overall and 8-10 in the Centennial, missing the playoffs by only one game. The Mules are hoping their experience will provide the biggest missing aspect from last year's team: consistency. Last year's season was a compilation of ups and downs, of winning streaks and losing streaks. "We need to have a shorter memory" said Murray, and senior captain Darrel Roth agreed, saying the Mules need to "persevere and never get down on themselves." If the Mules can avoid the losing streaks that plagued them last year, this years squad should be in the mix for a playoff spot in an extremely competitive Centennial Conference. Leading the Mules will be one of the Conferences, perhaps one of the nations, most experienced backcourts. Running the show will be senior captain Chris MacIntosh, who in his fourth year as a starter should be one of the Conferences top assist-men and one of the areas elite point guards. At off-guard, the Mules return their top scorer from last year in senior Mike Bernardini, who averaged 13.6 points a game. Roth will also see starting minutes at the wing position, as his three-point shooting ability should help spread opposing defenses. Junior Brian Frankoski should see plenty of action as well in the backcourt, and with his length and ability in the open-court. Frankowski is one of the "X" factors heading into the season for the Mules. Rounding out the backcourt will most likely be sophomore Dave Gwyn and freshman Justin Greenstone.

Along the frontline, the Mules will boast one of the biggest, baddest, and most talented groups in the conference. Leading the way up front will be junior Pete Barnes, who at 6'9 should be one of the premier post players in the Conference. Last season Barnes averaged about 6 points and 6 rebounds per game, and the Mules need Barnes to develop into a dominant presence down low. Supporting Barnes in the front court will be the combination of Junior Obi Nwizugo and freshman Spenser Liddic. Nwizugo presents match up problems for many teams, which allowed him to average 9 points and 5 rebounds per game last year. Liddic, a 6'5 smooth playing southpaw is reminiscent of NBA player Troy Murphy and should be an immediate contributor for the Mules around the basket. Starting at small forward will be Junior Ryan Foster, who was second on the team last year with 11.8 points per game. At 6'5, Foster possesses the ability to shoot over smaller defenders, which he will see virtually every game, and he led the Mules last season with 41 three-pointers. Off the bench, the Mules will look towards senior captain Tim Murray for a vital post defender, rebounding presence, and hustle inside. Sophomore Even Tozer, whose smooth and smart play earned him a start last season, should also see significant time for the Mules.

The Mules have the ability to be both a high-scoring offense as well as a tough defensive team. With the shooting of Bernardini, Roth, and Foster, combined with the post play of Barnes and Nwizugo, the Mules should be a difficult team to defend. Turnovers, poor shot selection, and an at times stagnant offense hurt the Mules on the scoreboard last season. Hopefully an extra year of experience will eliminate those weaknesses this year. Defensively the Mules have four players who registered over 10 blocks last season, led by Barnes with 31. From a rebounding aspect, the Mules should be a dominant team on the boards, with 5 players who averaged 4 rebounds a game.

If the Mules can add consistency to their vast arsenal of team abilities, they should expect to be a serious contender for a Conference playoff spot. The biggest tests for the Mules will be both Gettysburg and Ursinus, ranked #11 and #12 by D3hoop.com. The Mules open up this weekend with the Scotty Wood Tournament, hosting Hunter in the first round Friday at 8:00. The Mules begin conference play December 3 against Haverford.