Graduated starter Ryan Evanochko had impressive stats but didn’t have the supporting cast in the backcourt to bring things together at crunch time.  

The GB coaching staff went out and got some guards who should be able to fill the bill.  The question is will they be ready for this season.  This is a year when UWGB faces three Big Ten opponents for the first time; Ohio State , Michigan State and Wisconsin are arguably the top teams in the conference.  

Ask head coach Tod Kowalczyk in September and he says “it looks like point guard by committee.”  To turn the corner in a big way someone will have to emerge as a leader on the court.   

Kansas City native Rahmon Fletcher was an all stater in Missouri .  He’s a rocket quick, 5-10 high scorer.  Creighton transfer D’Angelo Jackson is another speedster who is coming off a long rehab foot injury.  At this time he may be best suited as a two guard.  He’ll be eligible at the end of the fall semester.  6-3 combo guard, Bryquis Perrine is considered more of a shooting guard but might surprise everyone with his ability to play the point.  He needs to add weight and muscle to handle the college game.  A native of Mexico , Edgar Segura, has a high basketball IQ.  How fast can he make the adjustment to the speed of the game on this level?

Returning shooting guard Troy Cotton is a shoe-in for court time after a number of lights out scoring nights last season.  

In the front court UWGB has some solid proven talent.  6-9 junior Mike Schachtner was the team’s most consistent scoring punch last season.  According to Kowalczyk the Somerset , Wisconsin native has added muscle and developed “more skill to score off the dribble.”   Ryan Tillema, the former two time all stater from Randolph missed six weeks last season because of mono.  The NCAA refused a medical redshirt so the 6-8 sharpshooter played at less than full strength for half the year.  He’s gained 20 pounds since the end of 06-07.

All conference defensive player Terry Evans is the most athletic of the front court players.  The 6-5 leaper has a tendency to gamble on defense.  It’s made for record setting steals but at times it may have hurt team defensive efforts.  Evans is a one man highlight reel and if he continues to develop he will be a match up nightmare in the Horizon League.  

Kowalczyk calls 6-9 sophomore Randy Berry “the best post defender and rebounder on the team.”  Although 20 pounds lighter than senior Tevah Morris and sophomore Pat Nelson – Berry looks like the favorite to start at center.  Either way it ends up the Nix have some beef and fouls to give at the center position.  

Depending on injuries and other developments you could see two redshirts.  Incoming freshman J.J. Henley of Chicago Lincoln Park is one of them.  He’s 6-7 and still growing.  Henley is quick and physical.   

One other factor in the potential success of the Phoenix this season is the new Kress Center .  A facility that offers the team one of the top practice facilities in the Midwest .  For state basketball fans the Kress compares to Marquette ’s Al McGuire Center.  Kowalczyk describes the Kress as “an unbelievable special facility.”  While the coaches moved into their new offices this summer they get control of the new practice gym October 1^st.  Midnight Madness is scheduled for the Kress Center ’s arena next door to the practice facility.  

Footnotes:  

While Valparaiso University has been added to the Horizon League -- Kowalczyk would like to see two more teams added.  .  It would ease scheduling issues and provide fans with quality games.  The Nix coach says Butler with five of the team’s top six players back should be considered the team to beat in conference play GB has one scholarship available during the November signing period.  Expect them to sign a skilled (long) small forward or a skilled perimeter power forward.  An oral commitment could come soon.  The coaches are putting a lot of leg work in on the 09-10 recruiting class.  

Walk-on Eric Van Cleave, a transfer from Minnesota State , is eligible and could see some minutes in the backcourt.  He was a three time all conference player at Reedsburg High School .  

UWGB is the only Horizon League team to reach the semi finals of the conference tournament the last four years running. 

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