THE 2011-12 BOBCATS WON'T LACK EXPERIENCE

With the graduation of five seniors from last year, many people might expect the 2011-12 version of the Frostburg State University men's basketball team to be young and in a rebuilding mode. However, the Bobcats boast another large roster highlighted by eight returning players, including three starters. FSU will also add nine talented newcomers into the mix.

Senior Maurice Williams and Bradley Nunn have been chosen as team captains and 13th-year head coach Webb Hatch is optimistic about his squad as it heads into its second year as a member of the Capital Athletic Conference.

“We would love to send our five seniors off with a berth in the NCAA Tournament,” stated coach Hatch. “Despite losing five seniors from last year, we aren't in a rebuilding mode and the team knows that we can compete for a CAC Title.”

Frostburg finished last season second in the league in rebounding (38.2) and fifth in scoring (71.1), but will need to improve on its shooting percentage (40.9) if it wants to make a run at the league championship.

“We have the potential to be a quicker team with better depth than last year,” added Hatch when talking about the versatility of his 17-man roster. “We have also improved on our shooting this year with our returning core of players and the nine new guys.”

Williams and Nunn headline another five-member senior class this season. Both players are excellent leaders, committed to the team and are hard workers. Together, they started 39 games a year ago and combined to score nearly 16 points per game.

Williams returns as the second leading scorer on the roster this year after totaling 291 points. He came on strong late in the season averaging 17.1 ppg over the final seven games, including a season-high 30 against York (Pa.). Williams is also an excellent rebounder and should improve on his 4.8 rpg average from a year ago.

Nunn is one of the best defenders and rebounders on the roster and the coaching staff expects him to contribute more on the offensive end during his final season. A true workhorse, Nunn returns as the leading rebounder from a year ago (5.0 rpg), including a team-high 50 boards on the offensive end. The second-chance opportunities should lead to more of an offensive presence this year.

A pair of newcomers should have an immediate impact and play an important role in the success of the Bobcats this season. Junior Kwambina Coker and freshman Jabari Kamau bring added scoring and rebounding potential to a roster laden with returning players. Coker is the tallest member of the team at 6'6'' and is in excellent shape heading into the season opener. Meanwhile, Kamau brings a high energy level to every practice and is an athletic player and great rebounder. The duo should help decrease the scoring load from Williams and Nunn.

Not to be overlooked this year, junior DeSean Antoine is a versatile player that has the talent and ability to play multiple positions. He is in prime position for a breakout season after a strong finish to 2010-11. Antoine appeared in 11 games, but started six of the final seven down stretch. He averaged 19.8 points over the final six contests, including a season-high 31 in a win over Stevenson. Despite his limited number of games, he finished second on the team in scoring (12.3), second in three-pointers made (19) and third in assists (28).

Arguably the most improved player over the last couple of years is senior Troy Dockett. He had another good preseason, improving on his defensive skills, and enters the season as the potential starting two guard. Dockett started nine games a year ago, averaged 7.1 points per contest and made 15 three-pointers.

Ladi Odunlami and Justin Redfield round out the five seniors on this year's roster. Odunlami is one of the strongest players on the team and is a very good defender and rebounder while Redfield is a solid contributor off the bench. They combined to play in 13 games last year and should compete for more playing time this year.

Jordan Zang, the only sophomore on the roster, and junior Brian Biscoe add depth to their forward and guard positions. Zang appeared in three games and is the second tallest member of the team at 6'5'', while Biscoe scored eight points in five games and is a reserve point guard.

The seven remaining newcomers, including six freshmen, provide talent and depth to every position on the court.

Freshmen David Patrick and Bobby Bates are both point guards, but have drastically different styles. Patrick is the taller of the two guards at 6'1'' and is a physically stronger style of point guard. Bates is very quick and adds an elusive style to his game. He is very unselfish and is a good shooter. Both players are very comfortable with the ball in their hands and their different skill sets provide a nice compliment to one another. Bates was a First Team All-Anne Arundel County selection as a senior.

Freshman forward Justin Armstrong is the only left-handed player on the roster. He is a solid wing player that can shoot the ball effectively and has adjusted well to the college game. As a senior, Armstrong was selected as a Baltimore County All-Star.

Guard/forward Tyler Logan is a highly-recruited freshman that fits coach Hatch's system perfectly. He is a very complete and versatile player than can shoot, defend and run the floor. Logan was named to the 2011 Prince George's County 4A Team by the Washington Post.

Freshman guard/forward Larry Ennels, II, is a very long player with a wide wing span. He should see time as he becomes more comfortable with the college game. Ennels was named Towson High School's Most Valuable Player in 2011 and earned two scholastic athlete awards for his work in the classroom.

Freshman guard/forward Shawn Henson has a lot of natural ability and will see more playing time as he adjusts to the college game. Henson is a three-time team MVP at Polytech High School.

Junior Tyrone Wheeler is a very athletic guard/forward and has been the biggest surprise of the preseason. Having not played competitively for several years, he is adjusting to the college game and could be a contributor as the season progresses.

Schedule
Despite the daunting task of competing in the ever-tough Capital Athletic Conference, the Bobcats will face a brutal non-conference slate as well.

The Bobcats jump right in the fire from the season's opening tipoff as they will have to defend their 2010 title at the seventh annual Pride of Maryland Tournament. The yearly tournament features a battle between the state's nine Division III schools. FSU knocked off No. 11 ranked St. Mary's to earn the crown last season. Frostburg opens the season and POMT with McDaniel on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Prior to the holiday break, the Bobcats will battle non-conference opponents Catholic (21-9), Bethany (21-8) and Penn State Altoona (4-21). Catholic advanced to the ECAC South Regional Championship while Bethany won the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament Title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

In late December, Frostburg travels south to the Hampden-Sydney Tournament before facing Eastern Mennonite (22-5) on January 9 in its final non-conference game of the season. EMU won the ODAC regular-season title a year ago.

The CAC will once again be tough to navigate. Reigning league-champion St. Mary's enters the season ranked No. 15 in the country. Wesley (18-11) and York (17-9) round out the top three in last year's standings while Mary Washington (16-10) and Hood (13-13) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Rounding out the CAC are Marymount (6-19), who should again be very competitive, followed by Stevenson (6-19) and Salisbury (12-15) who both have new head coaches.