Felician Athletics - 11/14/06 - Men's Basketball Confident Despite New Faces

The Felician College men's basketball team has no returning starters, and the members of the current roster started just 11 games in 2005-06. So it was no secret where head coach Del Harrison's top priority lay in the first month of practice.

"We're working on team chemisty," said Harrison, in his second season. "The guys need to get more familiar with the system we have in place. Everyone is trying to adjust to new roles, and they have to get a feel for what's going on. The sooner they understand what we as coaches want them to do on the floor, the sooner we'll get better."

Harrison assumed control of the program last year after four seasons as a Felician assistant, and guided the Golden Falcons to 13 victories and a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoff berth with a fifth-place finish. He does not expect the inexperience to stand in the way of another postseason run.

"I'm excited about the season," Harrison said. "We're going to look play faster and with more intensity than last year; we just have to make sure we sustain it. If we play hard and play together, we should look to be in contention for a playoff spot."

BACKCOURT: Junior college transfer Derrell Thomas looks to have an edge for the starting point guard position. Competition is pierce for the shooting guard spot, with transfers Richard Fegins and Jason Romer and freshman Nijel Robinson in the mix.

FRONTCOURT: The situation is more stable for the Golden Falcons closer to the basket, as seniors Sydir Mitchell (27 GP, 7.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and James Jones (26 GP, 4.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and junior Jason James (20 GP, 1.5 ppg) all return at forward. Junior college transfer Romel Benoit and redshirt freshman James Harper will push for time as well.

"Part of our recruiting strategy is to bring in guys that are interchangeable," Harrison, said. "I don't classify my players in the realm of guards and forwards -- we just have good basketball players, guys that can do different things on the floor. Most of the guys we list at guard can play the 1, 2, and 3 (positions), and most of the forwards can play the 2, 3, and 4."

Six-foot-10 senior Michael Pierrot (27 GP, 10.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 bpg), the CACC's second-leading shot-blocker a year ago, will be asked to play a larger role at center. The versatile Mitchell will also see time on the low block.