CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Listen as Cedarville University head men’s basketball coach Pat Estepp previews the 2009-10 campaign on Yellow Jacket Insider.
Estepp will sit down each week with sports information director Mark Womack to provide an inside look at the program, recap recent contests, and look ahead to upcoming opponents on Yellow Jacket Insider.
[LISTEN to head coach Pat Estepp preview the season on Yellow Jacket Insider]
The experience the Yellow Jackets enjoyed last winter will be a hard act to follow, but Estepp comes into his second season as head coach vowing his program will give it their best shot.
Cedarville is pre-season ranked #15 in NAIA Division II and begins the schedule on Nov. 6 against NAIA Division I #14 Cumberlands (Ky.) at the Rio Grande Classic. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.
Nine letter winners and four starters return from a 27-4 squad that authored a long list of accomplishments. Among them was a #1 ranking, a share of the American Mideast Conference title, and a return trip to the NAIA Division II National Tournament.
"We haven’t talked about last year," stated Estepp. "This is a different team and a different season. However, the one thing these guys do remember is that we lost in the first round at Branson and they desire to change that.
"One strength of this team is the senior leadership on and off the court. That’s why all five will serve as captains and their desire is that we honor God in all we do."
The quintet of seniors starts with 6-foot-6 post player and All-AMC honoree Ricardo Alliman. He is poised for his finest season ever after averaging 11.1 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds last winter. Fellow Jamaican Christopher Walker also brings his athletic ability and defensive prowess back to the line-up.
Long-range shooting guard Chris Beals is one of the top three-point specialists in school history and will surpass 1,000 career points. Forward Brandon Sok and point guard Haddon Anderson will again provide ample assistance off the bench.
A group of experienced juniors increases the depth led by All-AMC guard Matt Harner, who paced the squad in scoring at 12.2 points per outing. Derrick Hannon is back to contribute at the point, Adam Riehle is in his third season as a key reserve, and Kenny Reep returns to the front line after taking a year off.
"I am very pleased with our returning players," Estepp said. "They have been serious about improving in every area of their game. We will be solid throughout the line-up."
Sophomore guard Daniel Kohavi will be seeking more court time. A list of newcomers featuring Austin Foote, Brian Hecker, Daniel Hickman, Mike Mapple, and Micah Pfalzgraf are expected to provide a notable contribution.
The talent has not gone unnoticed by the coaches. Estepp remarked, "I’ve been here ten years and this is the best depth from 1-to-15 that I’ve seen at Cedarville. It makes us better in practice and will help us in the long run."
While the Yellow Jackets expect to be a strong defensive unit again after leading the country in field goal percentage defense last year (.379), they plan to pick up the pace offensively. More depth on the perimeter will aid the cause.
The schedule is noticeably demanding. Non-conference assignments include contests with NAIA Division II #3 Bethel (Ind.) as well as Division I #14 Cumberlands (Ky.). The 16-game American Mideast Conference slate features two games with #6 Walsh as well as home-and-home series with Mount Vernon Nazarene, Northwestern Ohio, Shawnee State, and Wilberforce.