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Wednesday, November 15, 2000

Q&A offers answers to Islanders questions
Inspired play of Hicks, Johnson plus big-name matchups highlight program's second year
By Matt Young and Mark Zuckerman
Caller-Times
Q: What's the best reason to go watch a men's basketball game this year?
   A: Two words: Michael Hicks. The 6-foot-5 senior is legitimately one of the top college players in the country. The independent player of the year last season, he averaged 22.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game (he would have been among the nation's top 25 in both categories if not for A&M-Corpus Christi's provisional NCAA status).
   Stats, though, mean nothing to Hicks, one of the most humble players you'll ever meet. He cares only about helping his team win, and is determined to leave an impressive legacy with this program upon graduating. He alone is worth the price of admission at Memorial Coliseum.
   Q: And the best reason to watch a women's game?
   A: While the women's team doesn't have a star the likes of Hicks, it does have a solid nucleus of players that could play at most any Division I university.
   Detra Johnson, who led the team in scoring last season, is a pure scorer and isn't afraid to put up shots from anywhere on the court.
   Jean Clark is more of an all-around player who punishes opponents with a tough post-up game and controls the lane with her shot-blocking skills. She would have been tied for 17th nationally in blocks if not for the Islanders' provisional status.
   Q: Will there be any must-see games at the coliseum this year?
   A: It depends on your definition of "must-see." Cleveland State comes to town, and coach Rollie Massimino is probably worth seeing, even if Rollie's team doesn't compare to his 1985 Villanova miracle workers.
   Winthrop, which comes to town with Cleveland State for the Islander Classic, will probably be the best team to play at the coliseum. Who's Winthrop? Hey, the Eagles have made the NCAA Tournament the last two years.
   On the women's side, Oklahoma State is the biggest-name home opponent. The Cowgirls finished ninth in the Big 12 last season, but they still play in the Big 12.
   Q: Speaking of the coliseum, should we still bring blankets and parkas when we go watch these games?
   A: Well, there will still be ice under the court, and the coliseum is still an ancient building. In other words, hot chocolate might not be such a bad idea either.
   Q: Are there any breakthrough wins possible for either team?
   A: The men's team faces a big test Dec. 7-18. That's when the Islanders go on the road to face well-known teams Valparaiso, Texas and Texas Tech. A win over any of the three would probably at least get a mention on "SportsCenter," which we would term a "breakthrough."
   The women's team won't have to wait that long. It plays SMU, the only tournament team on its schedule, Nov. 21 in Dallas. A win over a team that's been to the tournament six times in the past seven years would not only be huge, but shocking.
   Q: All right, so how many games will they win this year?
   A: OK, don't hold us to these predictions, but both teams return for Year Two with more experience and more talent than last season's squads.
   The men's team does face a tougher schedule than a year ago, but if the Islanders can improve on their dismal 3-10 road record from last season, and if they can beat the teams they are supposed to at home, they are good enough to finish 17-11.
   The women's team is better than last year's 14-12 team. The Islanders have enough talent to finish at least 17-10. Some of the players are talking about a 20-win season. That may be a bit much to expect from a second-year program.


Staff writer Matt Young can be reached at 886-3702 or by e-mail at youngm@caller.com. Staff writer Mark Zuckerman can be reached at 886-3747 or by e-mail at zuckermanm@caller.com

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