By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

The first exposure to college basketball for half of Miami's newest recruiting class has been anything but painless.

While guards Chad Troyer and Lawrence Ross have been daily participants in practice, twin forward-guards Eric and Tim Pollitz are another story, coach Charlie Coles said Thursday.

Eric could miss as many as eight weeks with a dislocated shoulder, which includes a slight fracture. Tim was showing symptoms of mononucleosis.

"Eric won't have surgery, so that's probably good news," Coles said. "Both those guys were doing well. One thing about the injury bug and the sickness bug - it never bypasses us."

The 6-foot-5 Pollitzes, who led Ottawa-Glandorf to the Ohio Division II state championship last season, were expected to fortify the frontcourt and backcourt.

With the development of Troyer and Ross and the addition of walk-on and former Purcell Marian star Jaime Cooper, the guard corps hopefully won't suffer as much.

Troyer was enjoying the most early success. The 6-foot-4 Seattle native, whose father Michael was a runner-up for Indiana's Mr. Basketball before playing at the University of Washington, signed with Miami in the early signing period. He went on to average 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists at Seattle Prep.

"He's going to be in our playing group for sure," Coles said. "He's a good player. There are things he's got to get better at, but he's a good passer and a good shooter. He knows how to play, and he's a pretty tough kid. He competes. He wants to be a good player, and when you want to be a good player and you've got some things going for you, watch out."

Said Troyer: "It's more fast-paced, but I think I've adjusted pretty well. Basically, overall, you've got to adjust. When you get to the college level, everybody's bigger and faster and stronger."

Coles didn't see any traces of "deer-in-the-headlights" looks on Troyer, he added.

"He's got great, great confidence," Coles said.

"I feel like I've adjusted," said Troyer, who played with and against college players during open gyms at home this summer. "That definitely helped me make the adjustment. I feel pretty confident. I don't feel like I'm in over my head."

Ross, a 6-3 product of Battle Creek (Mich.) Central High School, averaged 17.9 points, nine rebounds, four assists and 4.5 steals while leading the Bearcats to a district championship last season.

"He's coming along," Coles said. "He's doing better. He started off slow, but with each practice, he's getting better. He's quick. He's got a chance to be a good defensive player. He came here as an offensive player, but you've got to play on both ends."

The 6-3 Cooper, who is doing post-graduate work, joined the basketball team a year after completing his Miami football career.

While playing with Xavier senior Keith Jackson, Cooper averaged 18 points, five assists and five rebounds to help Purcell Marian reach the 2000 Division II state championship game as a senior.