Tuesday, October 12, 1999
New era begins at Miami
Big losses equal big questions
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Losing Wally Szczerbiak is tough. Losing Damon Frierson is tough. But losing both Szczerbiak and Frierson, that's tougher than tough.
But that's what Miami University, coming off a 24-8 record and a Sweet 16 appearance, faces. Miami returns eight players, but because two of the best players in school history are gone, it's like the RedHawks are starting from scratch when practice begins Friday with Midnight Madness.
Szczerbiak, Frierson and John Estick accounted for 68 percent of Miami's scoring and 56 percent of the rebounding.
But the impact of the loss of Szczerbiak, the No. 2 scorer in school history, and Frierson, the No. 5 scorer, goes well beyond that.
“They were so good for so long,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said. “I'm still worried about off-the-court things. They were good players, good students, good people. They loved to play. They weren't normal guys. They loved to practice. They came early. They never had bad practices.
“You have to look at all that before you even get to the box score.”
As far as the box score goes, Szczerbiak led Miami in scoring at 24.2 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. Frierson was second at 13.0 points. Both played nearly every minute of every game.
Here are some of the questions facing Miami:
• With Frierson and Szczerbiak gone, who is likely to be Miami's impact player?
The leading candidate is Jason Stewart. Stewart, a 6-foot-5 senior, is a great three-point shooter — he was the difference in the upset of Utah in the NCAA Tournament — and he's athletic by Mid-American Conference standards.
The problem is he tore a tendon in his shooting hand and won't play at least until the Nov.21 opener at Temple.
• Who will be the starters?
Coles will commit only to two players — point guard Rob Mestas and off guard Anthony Taylor — but Stewart will be in there at small forward when he's healthy. Jason Grunkemeyer is one of the better players, although he may come off the bench to give the RedHawks a scor ing boost when they need it.
Inside, Mike Ensminger and Refiloe Lethunya are the most experienced players.
• Is Mestas healthy?
He had a fourth knee surgery this summer to “clean up” the damage done when he injured it last year against Tennessee. He should be near 100 percent when the season begins.
Mestas is key. He's the leading returning scorer at 6.9 points a game and turned the ball over only once every 18 minutes.
• Who might surprise people?
Coles expects big things from Taylor. Coles said he's the best conditioned athlete he's ever coached.
Taylor averaged 12.3 points a game as a sophomore. He battled injuries last year and slipped all the way to 3.9 per game.
• Will any new guys help?
Brian Edwards will. Edwards, a 6-8, 237-pound redshirt sophomore, has practiced with the RedHawks for two years. He's athletic and strong. Miami desperately needs someone to score inside.
• How's the non-conference schedule?
Brutal. The RedHawks open at Temple. They also go to Tennessee and Dayton and play Notre Dame and Xavier at home.
“It's a killer schedule,” Coles said. “Miami's always played the tough non-league schedule in the MAC. As a coach, I've got to challenge players. It helps us get better.”
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