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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Many factors determine how successful a college basketball team might be in a given season. First, and foremost, is the level of talent on a roster. Secondly, and nearly as important in some cases, is team chemistry that develops. Last, but not least, is good fortune. Each program needs it - whether it be an injury-free year, a lucky shot that goes through the hoop in a crucial game, etc. - to be in position to win a championship. As the 2006-07 campaign approaches, Northern Kentucky University features a roster loaded with talent and experience. Three starters return from last season’s 17-11 team that narrowly missed earning a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Norse also welcome in a talented group of newcomers, including three Division I transfers. Dave Bezold enters his third season as NKU’s head coach looking at a roster filled with plenty of size, experience and talent. It figures to be the Norse’s first legitimate contender for the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship since the 2002-03 season, when NKU captured the GLVC Tournament title at Evansville, Ind. “At the moment, we have a group of players who have tremendous individual talent,” Bezold said, “but the challenge is to combine those talents, find the right chemistry and eventually become a very good team. That takes some time, regardless of a team’s talent level. “You also have to be a little lucky, avoid injuries and win your home games to challenge for a conference championship - especially in our league. But I really like the depth and athletic ability we have, and it’s going to be an interesting season.” Bezold’s newcomers include James Cripe, a 7-foot, 255-pound center who played at the University of Dayton the past three years. Cripe is the tallest player in Norse history and is expected to provide NKU with rebounding, scoring and interior defense. Cripe averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds last season in 24 games for Dayton. He scored a career-high 14 points last November as Dayton posted a road upset at Cincinnati. “With his size, James is going to help us inside,” Bezold said. “He can also step out and make shots from the perimeter.”
Another key newcomer is senior guard Steven Wright, a transfer from Bowling Green State who played his prep basketball at Dayton Colonel White High School. Wright, an outstanding backcourt performer with great leaping ability, averaged 11.4 points per game at Bowling Green last season. “Steven gives us a new dimension in our backcourt with his ability to score off the dribble, and he can flat-out jump like no guard we’ve had since I have been at NKU,” Bezold said. “He is going to make an immediate impact, and the fans are really going to like the way he plays. I think Steven has a chance to be one of the top players in our conference.” The third Division I transfer on the roster is 6-5 guard/forward Anthony Teague, a long-range shooting specialist who played briefly at New Mexico. Teague scored 10 points against Ole Miss last season while at New Mexico. As a standout junior college player at Dodge City (Kan.), Teague averaged 17.3 ppg during the 2004-05 season. “Anthony
can shoot it with anybody when he’s on, and he is going to
be a factor for us,” Bezold said. Jefferson, one of the top players in the state of Virginia as a senior in high school, is an outstanding athlete who can go to the basket or shoot from the outside. “Darral is very strong inside, and he is going to be a presence in the post. He can also run the floor and defend,” Bezold said. “David Jefferson has a lot of ability, and we are really pleased to have him. He is going to be an outstanding player.” And don’t forget the returning veterans on the roster. Senior swingman Kevin Schappell averaged 11.2 ppg last season en route to earning honorable mention All-GLVC accolades. A tireless worker, Schappell led NKU in 3-pointers made with 43. He also connected on a team-leading 82.1 percent of his free throws and was Cripe’s teammate at Loveland High School. “Kevin did a fine job for us last year, and he’s a great worker and competitor,” Bezold said. “His experience is going to be very important for us. He had some great games last season, and his outside shooting is going to be a key for us if defenses try to sag back on our post players.” Also returning is sophomore point guard Billy Finnell, who averaged 8.6 ppg last season and was named GLVC Freshman of the Year. Finnell also dished out a team-leading 123 assists. Junior forward Vincent Humphrey (8.0 ppg) started 24 times last season and emerged as a consistent player. Humphrey made 76.9 percent of his free throws and averaged 21 minutes per game. “Billy and Vince both had outstanding seasons for us, and they should be even better this year,” Bezold said. “Billy is very good at penetrating the defense and either dishing the ball to a teammate or going strong to the basket. Vince is a really solid player who does a little of everything, and he is a good outside shooter who is going to be a key for us.”
Junior forward Harrison Morton averaged 5.4 ppg last season and could be primed for a big year. Morton scorched eventual regional champion Southern Illinois at Edwardsville for 26 points in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament. “Harrison is such a great athlete who creates a lot of problems for defenses because he can go by big people off the dribble or hit the outside jumper, or he can post up smaller guards,” Bezold said. “He was great against SIUE in that GLVC Tournament game, and we hope he does more of that this year.” Junior guard Mark Hawkins returns after averaging 5.7 ppg last season. Hawkins is another 3-point threat with unlimited range. A year ago, he was 38-for-94 from 3-point land. Junior post player Travis Rasso is one of the team’s most improved players and could make an impact. The former Boone County High School standout enjoyed a fine summer at the Deveroes League in Cincinnati. “Mark single-handedly won a couple of games for us last year with his outside shooting, and he really improved a great deal from his freshman year,” Bezold said. “Travis has a chance to be a strong contributor for this program, and he worked very hard during the offseason on his conditioning. His game has really improved.” Sophomore guard David McFarland started 21 games and emerged as a solid defensive player for the Norse. McFarland is also a good passer who makes good decisions. Sophomore point guard Scott Bibbins averaged 3.3 ppg and returns. Sophomore guard Mike Kimmey is another backcourt player who could see action this season. “Scotty and Mike both can help us, and we are going to have a lot of competition for playing time,” Bezold said. "David is an excellent defender and a good passer, and he plays with a lot of intensity." And speaking of competition, the GLVC will provide plenty this season. Bezold said as many as 10 teams could challenge the GLVC championship this season. “You have to go back a while to find this many really good teams in the GLVC in one season, and it’s going to be the best league in the country,” Bezold said. “The recruiting classes in the GLVC for this season were incredible, and the talent in this league is going to make every game a challenge. If you can win the GLVC title this year, you definitely will have a shot at a national championship.” NKU plays Cincinnati and Xavier in exhibitions before starting the regular season Nov. 17 against Ferris State in the first round of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic. The Norse will also meet Wayne (Mich.) State on Nov. 18, giving NKU two early-season games against the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. “It’s a tough way to start the season, but we want to know how we stack up against good teams in our region,” Bezold said, referring to the GLIAC. “We will know in a hurry where we need to improve because those two teams are very solid.” NKU opens GLVC play Nov. 21 at Bellarmine. Defending regional champion Southern Illinois at Edwardsville visits Regents Hall on Dec. 2. |
