Oct. 31, 2006
SEASON OUTLOOK
With three NCAA Tournament berths including two Sweet Sixteen appearances and two Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, Alaska Nanook coach Frank Ostanik and his staff have built a winning program and established Fairbanks on the college basketball map.
In 2006, the Nanooks will face a daunting rebuilding effort that would make the average coach squeamish. Alaska returns only one starter and just two players who played more than fifteen minutes a game, a fact which will certainly present a major challenge for the Nanooks. In an effort to smooth the transition, Ostanik and his staff, headed by assistant coach Rich Mendoza, have recruited a collection of talented players with both experience and youth.
"While this is a season of transition, I also feel we have a great opportunity to continue the unprecedented success we have enjoyed over the last four years," Ostanik said. "The GNAC is as tough a league as there is in the country night in and night out and a lot is at stake every time we play a conference game."
BACKCOURT
The Nanooks only starter back from last season, junior Kenny Barker, will be the main topic of opposition scouting reports. The 6-3, 210-pound guard solidified himself as one of the GNAC's best wings by averaging 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season. Barker finished the season on a tear averaging 17.1 points over the final 10 games. Now Ostanik needs to get that kind of production out of the San Diego native for a whole season.
"He's a tremendous worker on the court and in the weight room and has shown improvement every year," Ostanik said. "For us to be successful this year, Kenny will have to take on an even bigger role. I don't believe anybody we play has a player who plays harder or is tougher."
Joining Barker in the back court will be Barry Barnes.
Barnes, a junior college transfer from Long Beach City College, will be asked to be the top point guard for the Nanooks this year. The diminutive 5'8", 160-pound point guard should play big minutes for Alaska. Ostanik expects Barnes to take a leadership role on a young team and add a defensive presence to the top of the Nanook press that will allow the team to pressure in its accustomed style.
"Barry will be the primary playmaker for us this season," Ostanik said. "He's lightning quick with a great combination of skill and feel for the game. We have great confidence in his ability and leadership on and off the floor."
Besides Barker, junior guard Mike Titus is the only other returner with significant experience. The 6-2, 185-pound Titus was the first wing off the bench last season and averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. Titus, dubbed by Ostanik as the team's best returning defender, will be expected to contribute more this year and should compete for a starting spot after recovering from shoulder surgery in May.
Another newcomer in the backcourt will be 6-3, 185-pound two-guard Jordan Hayter. Hayter, who prepped at Hidden Valley (OR) High School, will also be asked to have an immediate impact. Ostanik says the 2006 Oregon AAA Player of the Year brings a toughness, skill level, and IQ on the basketball floor that surpasses the average freshman.
Two redshirt freshmen, Tyrome Flowers and Evan Skinner, will also see their first playing time as Nanooks this season.
At 6-5, 190 pounds, Flowers should compete for time immediately and add depth on the wing. Ostanik hopes his versatility and skill will make him a solid contributor this year. Skinner is a 6-4 200-pound guard with the ability to play forward, too. A tough competitor who knows how to play and has a knack for making plays, Skinner will also be asked to have an impact as well.
"Evan is a very smart, tricky player with a great feel for the game and knack for making plays that will win games," Ostanik said.
FRONTCOURT
A Division I transfer from Texas State, Jushay Rockett will be expected to help alleviate the loss of size and scoring from last year in his one season as a Nanook. A multitalented player with an incredible combination of athleticism and strength, the 6-5, 239-pounder can play almost any position on the floor. Simply put, Rockett should be a match up nightmare for opposing teams.
"He's one of the most talented players I have ever had the pleasure to coach. Not only is he going to be a great scorer but he is an incredible defender and rebounder," Ostanik said. "Jushay will have to be a beast for us to be as good as we hope to."
Looking to finally step on the floor and contribute will be redshirt sophomore Colin Matteson. At 6-7, Matteson is the tallest Nanook and the junior college transfer worked hard to develop himself physically last year. He should compete for a starting position right away.
"Colin has good size and skill. He's a very good shooter with good range, which makes him a tough cover for opposing big men," Ostanik said. "He needs to continue to get stronger, be a more physical player and a better rebounder."
Forward Bryan Hamey, a redshirt junior, brings great shooting ability and range to the team. The 6-4 Juneau native, who has two brothers that played college basketball, should compete for minutes at forward.
Two other freshmen will be asked to contribute immediately in the frontcourt. Martez Christian, a 6-5, 205-pounder, hails from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas and has good basketball instincts, according to Ostanik. Kevin Atkins, like Barnes and Rockett a native of Long Beach, California, is 6-6, 200 pounds and is a quick learner. While a bit undersized for the frontcourt, both Christian and Atkins have great athleticism and instincts for the game.
REDSHIRTS
Two newcomers will spend the 2006-2007 campaign with Alaska as redshirts before hitting the hardwood next season. Mike Anderson, a 6-7 255 pound post from Dimond High School in Anchorage, AK, and Keven Campbell, a 6-foot point guard from Edison High School in Stockton, CA, will both practice with the Nanooks this season.
THE SCHEDULE
With one of the most difficult schedules in recent memory, Alaska will be competing in not one elite tournament but two. Besides having to deal with the task of three games against DI competition at the always difficult BP Top of The World Classic, the Nanooks will travel to Orlando, FL to take part in the Disney's Division II Tip-Off Classic. The Classic will afford the Nanooks an opportunity to play three games against some of the nation's top DII programs.
"This is a tremendous honor and an example of how our program has become viewed nationally," Ostanik said. "They're not going to invite programs who aren't nationally competitive.
The Nanooks will also play tough Division II competition at the Glacier Classic in Fairbanks and in the University of Alaska Anchorage's AT&T Alascom Jamboree. Throw in the always difficult GNAC slate and you can see why this year's schedule should pose a challenge to the Nanooks.
"Our pre-conference schedule is as difficult as I have ever seen it," Ostanik said, "But that's okay, that's what we want. I felt last year's schedule was one of the toughest we had played in the last five years. This year's schedule will be even tougher."
"Our players need to come ready to compete every time they step on the floor."
