MAC report

SportsLine Report
June 14, 2000

A glance at 2001

Ohio loses just three players from a team that finished 20-13, but two of those players accounted for over 50 percent of the Bobcats' points.

Sanjay Adell (16.1 ppg) and Shaun Stonerook (15.7 ppg) both graduated, leaving the Bobcats with a youthful look as the 2000-01 season approaches.

Sophomore Brandon Hunter, a 6-7 forward who had an outstanding freshman season, will be asked to spell Stonerook down low. Hunter averaged 11.3 points a year ago, but will be counted on more for his rebounding.

With 3-point marksman Dustin Ford and swingman Steve Esterkamp returning, the Bobcats should make a run at the MAC East title.

The coach

Jim Hunter has become a mainstay in the MAC with 11 seasons and 185 victories under his belt as head coach of Ohio. Hunter enters the season just 10 wins shy of 500 career victories.

Who'll be back

Esterkamp and Hunter, who were jointly honored with the Most Promising award at the team banquet, are the key returners for Ohio.

Ford and Anthony Jones will be key performers at the guard spots, while Patrick Flomo and Shaun McVicker, both bangers, should contribute underneath.

Who's gone

Adell could light it up, but Stonebrook will be the toughest player for Hunter to replace. Stonerook finished second in the nation in rebounding at 11.7 per game and routinely took on the toughest defensive assignment.

The only other player to leave is backup point guard Corey Reed, who averaged 2.6 assists.

Key newcomers

• F Alex Liatsos (6-7, 220, Jr.): A native of Cyprus, Liatsos spent the last two seasons at Olney Central Community College where he averaged 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.
• F Kevin Shorter (6-8, 215, Fr.): The long, athletic Shorter played his prep career at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Mich. He was rated the fifth-best forward in Michigan by Prep Spotlight.