Donnie Marsh "Wide Open" about the 2002-03 season
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Carlos Morban will be the leading returnee in the backcourt, leading the Sun Belt Conference in steals with 87. |
he FIU men's basketball team and head coach Donnie Marsh
aren't quite sure what they will see when the season opens on
November 23 in the FIU Tip-Off Classic. "It's wide open,
we have five spots available," Marsh told the team. "Last
year, some guys didn't have to compete for their jobs and this
time they will have to. I want to create an atmosphere of competitiveness
every day."
The Returnees
What Marsh does know is that three of his top returnees have had
knee surgery in the off-season and that he will need his newcomers
to play big minutes. Seniors Rodrigo Viegas (ACL and meniscus)
and Fab Fisher (meniscus) will be out until at least December,
while sophomore Carlos Morban (knee) should be ready for
the start of the season. "That's a blow," said Marsh.
"The way we are looking at it is that it will be a shot in
the arm come conference time."
The main returnee will be all-conference selection and the leading scorer and rebounder on the team, forward Taurance Johnson. The 6-9 sophomore averaged 14.7 points per game and 6.2 boards. He is also a weapon on the defensive end, with 55 blocked shots, good for third in the conference. Marsh knows he is vital to the team's success.
"Taurance is a talented individual and has stepped up in big games. His whole game needs to rise to a more physical level. If he is going to be successful for us, he needs to be a more consistent player."
Viegas was right behind Johnson last year, averaging 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. The forward led the team, grabbing 119 defensive rebounds, and his 76 assists were second on the team. Marsh said his loss will be felt on the stat sheet and in the locker room.
"It will be tough without him. He is a leader on this team and will be missed the first part of the season."
One player that will see more playing time down low is forward/center Nikola Novakovic. The 6-9 senior averaged 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last year. Novakovic then represented FIU in an Ecuador summer program with other area players. "Our most improved player in the off-season was Novakovic," said Marsh. "He worked hard all summer in the weight room and is showing more patience in the post."
Carlos Fernandez is the fourth senior on the squad and started the Sun Belt Tournament game against North Texas. Fernandez averaged over 50-percent from the field last year. Marsh thinks he can play a significant role.
"Carlos has started some big games for us and has experience. I definitely see him playing an important role this upcoming season."
In the backcourt, Morban will be the leading returnee averaging ten points per game and 3.1 assists. The sophomore also led the Sun Belt Conference in steals by 34 with 87 on the year. "Carlos is bigger and stronger, which will help him finish more shots," said Marsh.
Fisher averaged 21.7 minutes last season, playing in every
game with two starts. The senior was on his way to breaking the
most consecutive games played record, until the injury. Marsh
is hoping he can help the team come conference time.
"He has more experience than anyone in the league and will
fight for time at the point guard position."
Sophomore David Luber is another player looking for time at point guard. Luber played in 19 games, dishing out 11 assists. Marsh is looking for competition out of the point guards.
"Competition has a way of sharpening everybody. Luber will be in that mix."
Slavcho Slavtchev is the main outside shooter hitting
26 three-point field goals. His 39.4 percent three-point average
was best on the team for players with more than five attempts.
"Slavcho is our best shooter," said Marsh. "He
needs to get better on the defensive side of the ball to be a
complete player."
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Rodrigo Viegas will be missed the first part of the season, but will be back for the conference season. Viegas averaged 13.4 points in the 2001-02 campaign. |
The four additions are all junior college transfers. Forward Eulis Baez [Southeastern (IA) CC] is a junior college All-American and was named to the top sixty junior college sophomore team by Basketball Times. Baez averaged 14.6 points per game and 9.5 rebounds last year.
Guard Junior Matias [Southeastern (IA) CC] was a teammate of Baez on the Dominican National team where Marsh scouted both players. Matias averaged 10.4 points and 3.3 rebounds at Southeastern.
Belco Bamba (Cincinnati State CC) is a 6-9 center/forward who came in late in the recruiting season. His is a physical player and should give the team more second-chance opportunities.
Guard Kevin Harvey (Mitchell (CT) College) is another possibility at the point guard position. Harvey averaged 12 points and six assists at Mitchell College and was named to the Region 21 all-tournament team his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Marsh feels the newcomers will have a big impact on the team this season. "Junior brings toughness to the team and brings an attitude that won't let his team lose. Eulis is very versatile and certainly has a chance to start for this team right away. Belco is a type of player who is contagious. He will bang down low and that gives confidence to the other frontcourt players. Kevin is extremely athletic and can shoot from the perimeter. All four will see time, including three that could start."
The Schedule
The schedule again finds the Golden Panthers facing tough road
opponents, as they will take on the likes of Princeton, Massachusetts,
DePaul and Washington. FIU will host the Tip-Off Classic and New
Years Classic, as well as George Washington, before conference
play begins.
"We have a home and home series with George Washington, playing them at home this season. Beating Princeton last year was a confidence builder for our players and we will have a bigger challenge on the road this season."
The conference schedule boasts two postseason teams from a year ago, as Western Kentucky made the NCAA Tournament and Louisiana-Lafayette went to the NIT.
"The league speaks for itself, with Western Kentucky being the preseason favorite. We went to Bowling Green last year and lost by two, so that was encouraging for the coaches and players. We want to take care of business at home, but I expect us to be a better road team this year."
As Marsh continues building his program, he feels this season could be a turning point that has Golden Panther fans excited when November comes around.
"Our theme this year is turning the corner. I like the
chemistry of the team right now. They are mature guys who worked
hard over the summer. The newcomers see the hard work of the older
players and that has an effect. The coaches are excited and I
look for us to make some noise in the league this year."
