Did you catch the first piece of our 2014-15 MBB Preview on the guards? We continue our preview today with a look at the forwards.
Small Forward
Tomasz Gielo (6’9″, 220, Sr) is the Flames’ top returning scorer from a season ago. Gielo averaged 10.9 points while shooting over 40% from 3. Tomasz also averaged 6 rebounds per game to lead the club in 2013-14. “I thought Tomasz had a very consistent and high-level season but he also had room for improvement,” said head coach Dale Layer. Layer will rely on Tomasz’s leadership and scoring ability this season.
Coach Layer recently announced wing Theo Johnson (6’7″, 205, Jr) had received a waiver from the NCAA and will be eligible this season. Johnson, who has been described as “the team’s top defender,” transferred to Liberty from the College of Charleston. In his 2 seasons with the Cougars, Johnson played in 63 games while averaging 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Expect Theo to make a big impact this season.
Ezra Talbert (6’8″, 190, Fr) is the highest rated freshman in the Flames’ class of incoming recruits. Talbert, who originally committed to Creighton, is a versatile big man. He shot 36% from 3-point range during his high school career and can play either forward spot. “He really runs, has great skill and I love his versatility,” Layer described Ezra. “He has good size and we can move him around. He’s probably a matchup problem for most people.” Talbert has missed most of the preseason with a back injury, but was recently able to return to practice.
Power Forward
Liberty’s final returnee is Drew Smith (6’9″, 220, Sr). He finished his junior season averaging 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 62% from the field. Smith really turned it on during conference play though as he scored in double figures 12 of 17 conference games while averaging nearly 12 points per game during the late season stretch. Layer says, “Drew continues to improve, he can knock down midrange jumpers and continues to expand his game.” The high-flying senior is most known for his highlight reel which has landed him on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays a few times in his career.
Smith will be counted on during his senior campaign
David Andoh (6’7″, 220, Jr) is another transfer whom the Flames’ really like. Andoh spent his freshman season at San Jose State before transferring to Merritt College. At San Jose State, he averaged 2.3 points and 2 rebounds per game. At Merritt, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Andoh has good face-up skills, runs the floor, and “has played really well” according to Coach Layer. While he won’t start, he is expected to play starter’s minutes.
Post
Transfer James Johnson (6’10”, 245, RSr) will be the Flames’ starter in the post to begin the season. Johnson began his college career at Virginia where he saw playing time in just 6 games. He then transferred to San Diego State where he played in 30 games with the Aztecs. He averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds last year with SDSU. “He was just never able to play extended minutes at Virginia or San Diego State,” Layer explains. “He’ll certainly get that opportunity here. He’s a versatile four or five that can bang inside or step off the block and shoot midrange. He’s going to really, really help us.”
One guy who has turned some heads during training camp is true freshman Evan Maxwell (6’10”, 245, Fr). The coaching staff believes his best basketball is ahead of him. Layer says, “He’s going to help us. I don’t know how much, or when, or whatever. We thought he was a guy we could redshirt, and now he’s playing himself into where we can’t redshirt him.”
Outlook
Of these 7 players, 5 of them are upperclassmen. Led by returning starters Gielo and Smith, the frontcourt will be the Flames strength this season. Still, questions remain. How will Gielo handle the pressure of being the #1 option? Can Smith be a consistent, high-level performer for the entire season? What types of numbers should we expect from James Johnson who has career averages of less than 2 points and 2 rebounds per game? How these questions are answered, will determine the level of success the 2014-15 Flames achieve.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2014-15 men’s basketball team as we continue our countdown to tipoff.
