With 420 career wins in 22 seasons as a head coach, Edinboro University's Greg Walcavich knows a thing or two about winning. He's led his Fighting Scots to six straight winning seasons, and the 2004-05 campaign bears plenty of promise.
A combination of seven returning letterwinners and five newcomers with impressive resumes, leave hope for improvement on last year's 14-14 finish. Despite the .500 record, Edinboro went 8-4 in PSAC West action to finish second. That marked the fourth straight year the Fighting Scots were either first or second.
In recent years Walcavich has cautioned that the Fighting Scots would be a work in progress, looking nothing in November like they would in January. While that is likely the case this year, as well, Walcavich feels it's imperative to get off to a good start. A year ago Edinboro went 4-9 out of the gates before winning 10 of 11 contests.
"We have to be good early with the schedule that we have," cautioned Walcavich. "Not only with so many road games, but with so many good teams. We have to be good early to win. If we're just pretty good, we're going to dig ourselves a hole.
Edinboro begins the season with six out of nine games on the road, with two of those teams -- Virginia Union and Gannon - NCAA playoff teams. "It's conceivable that you can play well and not win," Walcavich surmised. "When that happens two or three times in a season, players have a tendency to think something's wrong. How the group can handle challenges and adversity then becomes an issue. We open the season at West Virginia Wesleyan. Our second game is against Virginia Union, a team that lost in the regional semifinals by one point on a three-pointer with three seconds left. They return their whole group. When you have that coming out of the shoot, you can play well and lose, and nothing can be wrong."
Walcavich is hoping his 2004-05 Fighting Scots has both the talent and experience to avoid such pitfalls. Three starters are back, along with four other letterwinners, and three of the newcomers are transfers with plenty of collegiate experience.
"I think we have a good group," Walcavich pointed out. "We have what I hope is an effective group of veteran guys and new guys. We have seven players back, and at some point or another, five have started. We have two guys who have been all-conference. With Jakim Donaldson and Rob Sims we have the makings of a good returning nucleus. But just because you're back doesn't mean you're better."
The key obviously will be how quickly this group melds together. In addition, Walcavich noted that players will have to adapt to roles. The players who exhibit those virtues as a group will take the floor. "Time will tell who will become the best group," admitted Walcavich. "Going into it we have a good mix of players. We have talent, but we're not incredibly talented. We have the talent to succeed if we play well enough together. We have enough size and quickness, but then again we're not overly quick or big. We'll see how guys accept roles. It's not that difficult to define the five or six best players, but it is to get five or six players who play together and accept roles. That's part of the team-building process."
In recent years the Scots have relied on rebounding and defense to win. It has not been a team blessed with outstanding shooters. A year ago that was one of the downfalls of the team, as Edinboro held opponents to 40.0 percent from the floor, 65.6 ppg. and had a plus 6.3 rebounding edge. But the Scots shot a meager 39.5 percent from the field and averaged 66.8 ppg.
"I would hope that we are able to shoot the ball more accurately than we have the last two years," stressed Walcavich. "We've had two seasons where we've had to be incredibly good on the glass and defensively to succeed. But we haven't been able to make baskets, inside or outside. The influx of new players should help. I'm always concerned with our ability to shoot the ball. We just have not had a collection of terrific offensive basketball players for a few years now."
With the likes of California(Pa.) and Indiana(Pa.) residing in the PSAC West, there figures to be plenty of competition. Walcavich feels its time to get back to the top of the division, however. "We finished second last year. In the end maybe you reach some satisfaction with that, but I don't think any of us did. We expect more. That's a blessing and a curse. At this point the group has demonstrated the hunger and work ethic required to lead into the type of effort we'll need later."
Walcavich will choose two starters from among four frontcourt players. No doubt Jakim Donaldson will be one of them. The 6'8", 200 lb. senior just continues to improve, and there's no reason that trend won't continue this year. In 2003-04 he earned first team All-PSAC West honors for the second straight year after once again averaging a double-double. Donaldson led the Scots both in scoring (14.8 ppg.) and rebounding (11.5 rpg.). He ended as the leading rebounder in the PSAC and was second in Division II. In addition, he shot 51.5 percent from the floor while blocking 62 shots.
Donaldson enters his final season ranking ninth in career rebounds with 694 and fifth in career blocked shots with 133. In addition, he stands 31st in career scoring with 850 points He was recently named a Street & Smith's preseason honorable mention All-American. Not bad for a walk-on who virtually no one wanted four years ago.
The other frontcourt returnee is Arvin Kotrri, a former transfer from Kutztown who was in his first season as a Fighting Scot a year ago. The 6'8", 235 lb. senior is a talented performer who had his ups and downs last year. Kotrri averaged 6.8 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. with 19 blocked shots, but shot just 42.8 percent from the floor.
"Both Jakim and Arvin have progressed from where they were last year," Walcavich pointed out. "Their experience and increased skill level will be keys for us."
Given his background, much will likely be expected of Daren Tielsch. But the 6'7", 235 lb. junior will no doubt have some rust on his game after playing just one game a year ago at Robert Morris and sitting out the entire 2002-03 campaign after transferring from Penn State. A former all-state selection as a prepster at Montour(Pa.) High School, Tielsch averaged 4.0 ppg. and 3.4 rpg. in 2001-02 for the Nittany Lions, playing in 28 games with nine starts. "Daren is far more accomplished because of his age and experience," stated Walcavich. "He's a very skilled offensive basketball player who can score inside and outside, and is a good passer. He learned to play as a perimeter player."
Freshman Ryan McLemore may need some seasoning, but Walcavich likes what he's seen. "Ryan is a very raw offensive player but appears to have the heart and athletic ability to succeed. He's shown signs he can be a good defender and an adequate rebounder."
McLemore is a thin 6'7", 191 lb. forward who sat out last year after graduating from St. Peter Chanel(OH) High School. He was an honorable mention all-state selection as a senior after leading St. Peter Chanel to the Ohio Final Four in Division III.
The depth is definitely there in the backcourt, so much so that Walcavich intends to employ a three-guard lineup. Sorting out the numerous contenders for those three spots may not be as easy. One thing is certain - Walcavich looks for better guard play than a year ago.
"We have five guys on the roster who have started for a team somewhere as a point guard," added Walcavich. "I'm not positive if that's the strongest attribute of any of the five."
For starters there's Rob Sims, a senior who has worked hard to erase the memories of last year's frustrating season. The 6'3" Sims averaged 14.4 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. while earning second team All-PSAC West accolades. In addition, he had 59 assists and a team-leading 29 steals. However, that was a drop from 17.0 ppg. as a sophomore, and after shooting 42.0 percent from the flooer Sims shot a dismal 35.1 percent a year ago, including 30.5 percent on three-pointers (36 of 118). He has shot better than 80 percent from the line both years.
"Sims has been a point guard in the past," noted Walcavich. "I anticipate he'll find a way to get on the court."
The Grabill brothers, Dan and Tom, also return. Dan, a 5'10" junior, started all 28 games last year, averaging 8.2 ppg. while leading the Scots with 65 assists and 45 three-pointers in 124 attempts. The PSAC West Rookie of the Year in 2001-02, he sat out the next season and struggled at times to overcome the layoff. He set a school record as a freshman, shooting 52.3 percent on three-pointers, but last year he shot just 36.3 percent.
"Dan Grabill has played as a point guard for a couple years," Walcavich commented. "I'm not positive that's what's best for him."
Tom Grabill is a diminutive 5'8" sophomore who played in 27 games last year. He only averaged 2.0 ppg. but handled himself well as a freshman. "Tommy came off the bench and played the point last year," noted Walcavich. "He's better than he was a year ago."
Returnees Will Winegarner and Joe Cephas will compete for time at the two wing spots. Winegarner is a powerful 6'2", 225 lb. senior who joined the Fighting Scots last January and appeared in 13 games, averaging 7.3 ppg. and 3.5 rpg. At 6'5" Cephas would usually be considered a frontcourt player, but his thin build and outside skills place him with the guards. The junior averaged 1.3 ppg. in 12 games.
"Both have played here, and will have every opportunity to get on the court," emphasized Walcavich.
The group of returnees will no doubt be pushed by three newcomers, two of whom already have two years of collegiate experience under their belts. Torry Mitchell is a 5'10" junior who will be thrown into the mix at point guard after playing two seasons at nearby Mercyhurst. After averaging 14.1 ppg. and making 70 of 177 three-pointers as a freshman while starting 26 games, Mitchell slumped to 6.3 ppg. a year ago with 40 trifectas in 115 attempts.
"Torry Mitchell is a new guy who has played at both guard spots. I think he'll be a positive contributor," predicted Walcavich.
Chris Ravello played two seasons at Division I Canisius before transferring this summer. Recognized as a strong defensive player for the Griffs, the 6'3" junior sat out last season after averaging 4.1 ppg. in 2002-03. "Chris doesn't figure in the mix at point guard, but he is as good or better a shooter than any of the other guys."
Joining McLemore as the lone freshmen on the team is Devon Knight. Though just 5'8", he's a talented performer who led Penn Hills High School to the AAAA state championship last spring. The Indians finished with a 24-6 record with Knight at the point. He was a second team All-WPIAL choice.
"Devon was the starting point guard for the AAAA state champion," noted Walcavich. "I think he's somebody who'll play."
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