Lamar Notes, Quotes
by Sports Xchange
--Lamar lost three of its final four, undoing an 11-game winning streak. The slide cost the Cardinals a 20-win season and the No. 1 seed in the Southland Tournament. Lamar exited in the first round, losing to seven-seed and eventual champion Texas-Arlington.
STRENGTHS: Even without Nabors, G Kenny Dawkins has conference MVP potential. That definitely will be tested as most of the players who started alongside him last season are gone. Dawkins led the team in scoring and assists, can hit the outside shots and roll through defenses. Most importantly, he can pick up the level of his teammates' play.
There are a couple of other strong suits. Nabors' loss and the last of Lamar Sanders' eligibility means the Cardinals can't bang inside as they have over the past two seasons. But F Jay Brown and F Tristan Worrell have been lauded for their potential. Brown, in particular, showed great flashes of talent at times last season. At others, he almost was non-existent. If one of them puts together a consistent season, Lamar still can make a run at the division.
WEAKNESSES: The loss of five different players with extensive starting experience -- including Nabors -- is tough to overcome. Three top 3-point sharpshooters are gone, and Dawkins and G Brandon McThay are the only experienced long-range threats remaining. Losing F Lamar Sanders is going to be a hurdle unto itself, even before Nabors went down. While Sanders didn't jump statistically last season, the team towed the line behind him. The other problems now include experienced depth, with the team reeling a little from Nabors' loss.
LAST YEAR: 19-11 overall; 13-3 Southland Conference; lost to Texas-Arlington in the Southland Tournament first round.
HEAD COACH: Steve Roccaforte (career, 34-28); third year at Lamar (34-28).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "His leadership and work ethic (are) going to be sorely missed. He was the heart and soul of our team for two years and he helped bring excitement back to the program." -- Lamar coach Steve Roccaforte on the loss of F Lamar Sanders.
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