Bloomsburg Men's Basketball Preview

Chemistry. It is an aspect that is often overlooked when putting together a team, but new head coach John Sanow believes it will be the key component to a successful season. "We need to get our new guys acclimated with the guys that have been here in the past", said Sanow. "We must develop a belief and trust in each other, because a team that is together can accomplish special things."

Sanow, who comes to Bloomsburg after serving as a long-time assistant, most recently at Vermont, brings a new attitude and optimism to the program. Sanow feels with a strong nucleus of returning players and a solid group of newcomers this team can return to the top of the PSAC again.

"The strength of our team is our depth," added Sanow. "We have some quality individuals at every position. We're looking for each of those guys to make an impact and a contribution on this team." In addition, the Huskies will also have a very experienced roster that is loaded with upper classmen.

FRONTCOURT

Returning to the Huskies this year will be senior all-conference selections, Billy Bryan and Matt Jefferson. Jefferson, a first-team selection, and Bryan, a second-team selection, both ranked in the top 20 in the PSAC in scoring and rebounding last season and will be the Huskies main threats again this season.

Senior Brian Holsey, one of the Huskies top shot blockers from a year ago, returns as well as juniors Ernest Cherry and Jeremiah Long. Cherry is a tough defender who played a key role last year until an injury ended his season. Long saw significant time at center last year and has improved his game over the summer.

Other returnees include Bryson Mills and Jaren Burdine. Mills is working hard to improve his game and will look to contribute as well. Burdine, returns after sitting out the 2005-06 season and will also look to be a presence in the front court.

Newcomers Niko Traykov, Marko Vucajnk, and John Allen will also make an impact in the frontcourt. Traykov, a transfer from St. Francis (NY) and Vucajnk, a 6-11 transfer from Marist, will bring some Division I experience to the team.

BACKCOURT

Point guard Andrew Jerry will be a key to the Huskies success. Jerry played in only four games last season before coming down with an ankle injury, but is back to full health this year. He has excellent ball-handling skills and will make everyone around him better.

Also returning will be Mike Cheatle, who emerged as the Huskies main threat from the outside last season. Cheatle already ranks seventh all-time in three-pointers made (106) at Bloomsburg after just two seasons. Buddy Rose, who was one of the Huskies top scorers a year ago, returns as well. Two transfers, Nick Jones, from St. Francis (NY) and Jon DeJesus, from Lackawanna College, will also join the backcourt this year and will make a difference right away.

OVERALL

"Our goal is to get better with every practice and with every game. If we do that, we feel by the end of the year we will be in position to get into the PSAC playoffs," said Sanow. "The PSAC East should be wide open. Several of the top teams lost their best players so a lot of teams have a chance to make the playoffs. We feel if we come together as a group and continue to improve offensively and defensively then we will have a good chance of being one of those top four teams. Once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen."

In order to prepare for the PSAC East games, the Huskies will have some tough non-conference games against teams such as Seton Hill and Pitt-Johnstown, as well as some difficult PSAC West games against Shippensburg and Edinboro. Last season, both Edinboro and Shippensburg advanced to the NCAA Tournament, while Pitt-Johnstown finished with 21 wins.

"I'm very excited," said Sanow when asked about beginning his first year as head coach. "It's a great opportunity for me at Bloomsburg. I'm really looking forward to getting the season started."