MAAC report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

With just one senior on the roster last season, Rider basketball was all about growing up.

Coach Don Harnum, replacing four starters from a team that underachieved, went with youth and ended up with a better conference record and a 16-14 mark overall, his second winning mark in three years.

The biggest reason for the surprising finish was sophomore Mario Porter, who made the All-Freshman team in his first year, and was dominant in his second season, avoiding a sophomore slump by becoming one of the league's top forwards.

The Broncs used a three guard lineup, as sophomores Michael Crawford and R.J Wicks and freshman Mike Wilson all fared well in the starting lineup, with each having their moments. Freshman Alwyn Curtis was also a fabulous addition off the bench, while sophomore Mike Scott often led the team in scoring.

Rider beat St. Peter's 73-58 in opening-round action of the MAAC tournament, but lost to eventual champion Iona, 64-59, giving a good account of itself to end the season.

A glance at 2001

At guard, Rider will be set for the next two years. Ditto for power forward, where Porter has quietly become one of the top fours in the MAAC. Besides maturity and that special chemistry it takes to build a champion, the Broncs lone need will be at center, and Long Beach State transfer Ian Milley may be the answer.

The Coach

Harnum comes off as brash at times, but he has produced two out of three winning season for Broncs Zoo enthusiasts. He has won 46 games in three seasons, and may fully reap the benefits of giving his young players a trial by fire next season.

Who'll Be Back

Crawford returns at the point, and will have a valuable backup in Curtis. Shooting guards Wicks, Wilson, and Scott are interchangeable, while little used Bobby Lynch and Maurice Bailey also return. In the post, Porter is the main option, and will be backed up by Brandon Wahlmann and Alexander Iseghohi. In the middle, 6-foot-10 Robert Reed, who wasn't used much as a freshman, could get the call.

Who's Gone

Two-year starter Jonathan McClark leaves, meaning someone will have to step up to take some heat off Porter inside.

Key Newcomers

Ian Milley, a 6-foot-11, 250 pound transfer from Long Beach State, is the likely answer inside, while redshirt Howard Williams (6-4, 210) should see some time on the court.