Broyles leads new-look Dukes

2003-'04 roster features two returning starters, many new faces

Call it a rebuilding year. Call it a team with little experience. Call it a fresh squad playing a different style of basketball. Whichever way one looks at it, this year's men's basketball team has more new faces than usual and plenty of question marks surrounding it.

The man in charge of guiding the young team is Sherman Dillard, in his seventh year as JMU's coach. The JMU alumnus ('78) knows it will be a long year ahead for his talented, but young, squad.

"I have high hopes for this team, but it's important for us not to make excuses because we have a young team," Dillard said. "A major chunk of this team departed last year, and there are a lot of unknowns — but I'm looking forward to a good year."

Only two starters return from last year's 13-17 team, which managed to win just four road games. Senior forward/guard Dwayne Broyles, the team's lone captain, is the top returnee, along with senior point guard Chris Williams, a three-year starter in the backcourt.

The two seniors are the only team members with significant game experience, as 10 freshmen and sophomores — including seven who have yet to appear in an NCAA Division I contest — form an uncertain supporting cast.

Junior guard Daniel Freeman also returns to the Dukes' lineup, despite currently being injured. Freeman had stomach surgery about three weeks ago and could be out up to four weeks, according to Dillard. The rest of the roster virtually is a list of unknowns, which Dillard said may play to his team's advantage.

"It's not where we are in November, it's where we are in March that will make the difference for us," he said.

Two preseason exhibition games produced favorable results for the Dukes, as Broyles led the way with 23 points in a 5-point victory over Czech Select Nov. 3. In JMU's game last Thursday against the EA Sports Southeast All-Stars, Broyles had another solid game, contributing 33 points and nine rebounds to an 87-75 victory.

Highlights of the Dukes' 27-game schedule are renewals with in-state foes the University of Virginia and Virginia Military Institute, as well as a home contest with West Virginia University. The team opens with three consecutive home games and then will play seven straight games on the road, where Dillard's Dukes have seen limited success in recent years.

Compared with last year's squad, which relied heavily on consistent point production from the graduated guard David Fanning ('03), a "scoring-by-committee" approach will characterize this group, according to Dillard. In practices and scrimmages, Broyles has emerged as the go-to guy, but contributions from several of the newcomers are imperative if JMU hopes to disprove its preseason prediction of eighth out of 10 teams in the Colonial Athletic Association.

"I don't think I have to shoot the ball 25 times a game in order for us to be successful," Broyles said. "I think we can get something from everybody.

"I definitely feel that this team can compete at a high level in this league. At this point in my career, a lot of people are dependent on me … I'm obligated to really help this team win this year."

Injuries already have limited the contributions from three players who should provide necessary depth in the backcourt. Freeman, red-shirt sophomore guard Todd Moret and red-shirt freshman guard Ulrich Kossekpa all sat out the team's first scrimmage, but hope to be healthy by the start of the season. None of the three players were dressed out for the exhibition game last Thursday against EA Sports.

"My two biggest concerns right now are Todd [Moret] and Ulrich [Kossekpa]," Dillard said in a Nov. 6 media conference. "They have worked diligently during rehabilitation trying to get ready for this year; however, they're both very limited right now."

Kossekpa has some scar tissue leftover from knee surgery, which has restricted his range of motion and strength, but Dillard is optimistic that both wing players will be ready to go when the regular season gets underway.

Five true freshmen hope to make an impact on this year's Dukes straight out of high school. After losing frontcourt stalwarts Ian Caskill ('03) and Kenny Whitehead ('03), two forwards and two centers will be counted on to patrol the paint. Freshmen Chris Cathlin, Cavell Johnson, Eddie Greene-Long and Ryan Brimley all are at least 6-feet-7-inches tall, and fellow freshman Ray Barbosa will see time at both point and shooting guard.

"The bottom line is you have to lace them up and go out and play," Dillard said. "When you start putting pressure on a 17- and 18-year-old kid, I don't think you get the end result that you're looking for … it doesn't become fun anymore."

Saying the point guard and center positions are the most difficult roles for young players to adjust to, Dillard commended his freshmen for readily handling the steep learning curve that comes with playing college basketball.

"I've had to be more patient than I've ever been in my years as a head coach in teaching and working with these young guys," Dillard said. "I refuse to give them that excuse that they're young."

Make no mistake about it, Broyles and Williams must lead the team — both on and off the court — if it wants to be competitive in a league as deep as the CAA.

"I think there's a great deal of pressure [on Broyles and Williams]," Dillard said of his two senior leaders. "I think they need to show the way for these guys in everything they do — how they behave on and off the court, how they conduct themselves in practices, how they handle adverse situations and how they respond to me as a coach. They've done a good job in that regard so far."

While the second-leading scorer in JMU history (Dillard) admits he will have to be patient for this group to grow and develop. Dillard said he is ready to throw the younger players into the fire come time for CAA competition.

"I expect them to compete, be scrappy, and let it all hang out on the floor," Dillard said. "Games will be won on the court, and I think our conference will be a dogfight this year."

JMU will meet UVa. for the first time in 20 years Dec. 16, when the Dukes travel to Charlottesville.

Broyles and red-shirt sophomore forward David Cooper especially are excited about going up against the Cavaliers, an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.

"I'm really looking forward to playing against UVa.; we played pickup with them a lot this summer and they were cocky," Broyles said.

Cooper said, "They (UVa.) didn't seem too enthused to play us. I'm looking forward to facing the challenge, and I think our freshmen are ready to play them, too."

Cooper said he thinks the talent and enthusiasm he has seen so far helps make up for the minimal experience and numerous newcomers to the team.

"The outlook for this year is to win games, and we have a whole bunch of new faces," Cooper said.

In the scrimmage against Czech Select, Dillard frequently went to a three-guard lineup that may become familiar this season. Broyles' versatility in playing three positions may allow Williams to slide to the shooting guard position with Barbosa assuming some of the point guard duties. Once Freeman, Moret and Kossepka return from their respective injuries, a variety of lineups emphasizing the Dukes' improved speed and athleticism could be implemented.

"I'm still trying to decide on a rotation and, hopefully, we can get that done in the next week … and you'll see more consistent play out of us," Dillard said Nov. 6. "Hopefully, on Nov. 22, we'll be very, very solid as a basketball team."

Dillard cited Cooper's versatility and sophomore guard John Naparlo emerging as a preseason surprise as key contributors to this team.

"David Cooper has some ball-handling ability, can shoot from the perimeter and has the quickness [to play small forward,] yet we can play him inside because he has the toughness and the bouncing ability," Dillard said. "He's a very active player who plays with a great deal of passion, and brings a level of emotion to practices and games."

Broyles wasn't shy about his expectations for the 2003-'04 Dukes. The senior captain wants nothing more than to end his JMU career with an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

"I definitely want to experience the 'big dance' this year," said Broyles, adding that he thinks his team has a realistic shot at winning the CAA tournament.

JMU's will open its season when it tips off with a home contest against Furman University, Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.