Quick Facts: 2009 Record: 13-17 (6-10 America East)
Letterwinners Returning: 9
Starters Returning: 3
Newcomers: 5
Head Coach: Bill Herrion (6th season)/ 295-259 career record
As he prepares to enter his sixth season as the head coach
of the University of New Hampshire men's basketball program, Bill Herrion has
perhaps the most talented team of his tenure. The Wildcats return three
starters, including the three top scorers, and nine letterwinners from a team
that went 13-17 (6-10 America East) and advanced to the semifinals of the
America East Championship for the second consecutive season.
With so much experience throughout the roster, Herrion knows
that this team has the ability to compete with anyone in the America East. In
order to build the momentum heading into the conference portion of the
schedule, the sixth-year head coach as emphasized the importance of getting off
to a strong start this season.
"We have got to play better earlier in the year," Herrion
said. "We have to be successful with our non-conference schedule, so when we
get into January and we get into conference play, we have our head above water."
One of the keys to building momentum prior to the conference
season is utilizing the experience that exists throughout the roster. With four
seniors who have seen extensive playing time in critical games throughout their
career, the New Hampshire head coach believes this group will understand what
it takes to win.
"We finally have depth," emphasized Herrion. "We have
numbers. We have 14 players in the program. So, I think having a full complement
of players and having a full team is going to be a real advantage for us this
year."
In senior guards Alvin Abreu and Tyrone Conley, the Wildcats
have one of the most experienced and talented backcourts in the America East
conference. Both possess the ability to score the basketball and also create
open looks for teammates.
"I think that both these guys came in as freshman and have
started basically every game," the sixth-year head coach pointed out. "Both
kids were on the All-Rookie team their freshman year and have really developed
as players. We are expecting both of them to finish their college careers on a
positive note. Alvin was a Second Team All-Conference guy last year and has already
scored over 1,100 points in his career at UNH. Tyrone Conley will go over 1,000
points this year. So, we need them to play like seniors and be our guys this
year."
While he has been overshadowed by the exploits of Abreu and
Conley, senior center Dane DiLiegro provides New Hampshire with an outstanding
toughness and competitiveness in the post. It's this inside/outside balance
that Herrion believes will be essential for this team to reach its lofty goals.
"To win championships, you need a balance. You need good perimeter
players, which we have, and you need an inside game. His (DiLiegro) offensive
game has really improved since his freshman year and throughout his career. He
is a great rebounder. He has a very good chance this year, if he has a great
year on the glass, to become the all-time leading career rebounder in UNH basketball
history. When you combine an experienced senior inside, with two experienced
senior guards, you have a chance to have a very good team."
There is a strong sense of confidence surrounding this team.
With an outstanding backcourt, complimented by one of the best rebounders in
the America East conference, this squad has the pieces to be one of the top
teams in the America East. As Herrion mentioned, if this group can build
momentum during the non-conference portion of its schedule, it could be a dark
horse contender during the conference season.