Friday, October 12, 2001
Offense must step up for Miami
By Ian Duthie
Enquirer Contributor
Recent history portrays Miami as a basketball team that won with stingy defense rather than a flashy offense.
Defense is a primary reason Miami has reached the Mid-American Conference championship game a record five straight years. Still, Miami has only won once to earn the automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
The RedHawks need to improve on an offense that shot 44 percent from the field last season, scoring 60.5 points per game to their opponents' 58.4.
Head coach Charlie Coles foresees a more exciting offensive team this season that continues to stand out on defense.
Whom will Miami look to for scoring?
Miami returns 65 percent of its scoring from last season, including three starters who were among the top four scorers. Coles says this is the best group of returning starters since Wally Szczerbiak's senior season, when Miami reached the 1999 Sweet 16.
The main offensive threat is second-team all-MAC power forward Alex Shorts, the RedHawks' top scorer last season (15.7 ppg). Coles said the 6-8 Shorts has the ability to be the league's top scorer.
Starters Doug Davis and Juby Johnson also return.
Davis, a senior guard, battled injuries during the regular season in 2000-01 before averaging 13.8 ppg in the MAC Tournament. Davis, who will switch between point and shooting guard, will have to fill the 3-point-shooting void left by Jason Grunkemeyer.
Johnson (6.6 ppg) was named to the MAC's all-freshman team and started 29 of the RedHawks' 33 games. Coles is expecting a bigger contribution from the athletic sophomore at both ends of the court.
Which newcomers can make an impact?
Speedster Chester Mason will get his chance after sitting out last season as a partial qualifier. The point guard will be a key in pushing the offense in transition. As a senior in high school, he averaged a triple-double (25 ppg, 13 rpg and 11 apg.) and was named USA Today's Ohio player of the year.
Freshman forward Danny Horace should add excitement with his ability to play above the rim.
Which players could have breakout years?
After two seasons on the bench, senior power forward Brian Edwards should get major minutes. Coles points to Edwards as one of his all-time favorite players and a difference maker for the success of the team.
Reserve Bryan Reed adds stability to the front court with his ability to score from the outside.
Sophomore forward Eugene Seals is considered the team's most athletic player; at 6-6, he led the team in blocked shots last season (12). His minutes will increase with the departure of Mike Ensminger and Rich Allendorf in the front court.
How good is this team?
The RedHawks will be tested with what Coles calls the most difficult schedule in his six years at Oxford. Miami opens against two teams that made postseason tournaments last season, UNC Wilmington (NIT) and George Mason (NCAA).
Other nonleague opponents who reached the NCAA Tournament will include Xavier, Notre Dame, Boston College and USC.
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Offense must step up for Miami
