Marist musings for 2009-10

I had an opportunity to discuss next year's team at some length with my source inside the Marist athletics department. There were a number of interesting things that came about regarding next year's team. This is good food for thought when predicting what next year's team will look like:

* The biggest player to watch is Casiem Drummond, although his performance won't be the most fascinating part. My source mentioned that Drummond's success in the MAAC will be in large part due to how the officials treat him. Drummond is a superior athlete, one that the MAAC has rarely seen, if ever. If the officials call a lot of ticky-tack fouls because of his size and his ability to out-muscle people, he could find himself in foul trouble. Theoretically, Drummond should own the MAAC because there is no one near his size with his Big East background. If Ryan Rossiter is allowed to flop and Drummond picks up the charge, he could see more time on the bench than anyone on staff anticipates.

* The starting lineup is far from set in stone. There are any number of possibilites, especially when it comes to Daye Kaba. He has not be officially listed as either a No. 2 or a No. 3, so it's quite possible match-ups dictate what position he will play. It's obvious that will be the case for much of the team for most of the year. I have predicted he starts at the No. 3 spot, but it's also possible he plays the No. 2 guard position and Dorvell Carter and Rob Johnson occupy the No. 3 and No. 4 spots.

* Don't be surprised if Sam Prescott is in the starting rotation. That is just me guessing, but from everything I've heard about him, he should be a star in the MAAC. It also helps that he's been working out with the team all summer, and I also saw him helping out Martin and his assistans at the Marist camp two weeks ago. My source says that Prescott, "could be the most athletic recruit we've ever brought in at that position." Tyrone Weekes can get credit for bringing Prescott on board. He has Philly ties and saw flashes of greatness from Prescott when he was still coming off the bench and averaging four ppg in high school. Before he signed with Marist, Niagara and Joe Mihalich showed considerable interest. ESPN also regards Prescott as an outstanding prospect, giving him a score of 85. Alex Vouyoukas received a 40 from ESPN when he was recruited here.

* Although a freshman or Kaba could start at the No. 2, don't write off Dejaun Goodwin just yet. He's been in the gym all summer working on his game, and there's still the possibility that he starts. Don't rule it out just yet...

* As far as Jared Jordan goes, odds are he will not stay in the States if he does not make an NBA roster. He's looking to go back to Europe, and since his window of opportunity for playing in the NBA is closing, he will try and make more money in Europe than staying in the NBDL. He's currently wasting away on the Golden State Warriors' Summer-League roster. He did not dress last night and averaged just seven minutes in the two previous games.

* Regarding the new recruit, most of you know it's Menelik Watson. That said, the signing is not official yet. The NCAA paperwork has not been totally completed, and until it is, I am waiting for Marist to break the news. There have been NCAA issues with paperwork here recently that have not gone in Marist's favor. Louie McCroskey missing the first three games of the 2007-2008 season and David Devezin losing his final year of eligibility come to mind. When the paperwork is completed and Chuck Martin decides the time is right to announce it, you all will know. As far as contacting him, that is not possible. The people at Marist that issue the official press releases would also be the same people with his contact information. They will not relinquish that information if he has not been officially signed yet.