2005-2006 Men's Basketball Season Preview

After last season’s successful 22-9 season, the Patriots are looking forward to another year of winning tradition. With the loss of the top three scorers from last year in Jake Elder, Terico Smothers, and Pat Deveney, Coach Don Butcher is relying on the returning players as well as the newcomers to fill those big shoes. “I thought we had a good season last year. We reached the national tournament and got beat by a very good LSU-Shreveport team. I thought we came really close to reaching our potential last year. That being said, it will be very difficult replacing a third team All-American and All Conference in Pat Deveney, a first team All-Conference in Terico Smothers, and an honorable mention All-Conference in Jake Elder.”

This season should prove to be very successful for the Patriots with the returning and recruited talent. Coach Butcher stated, “I am looking forward to the upcoming season. We have five seniors who give us quality experience. They have shown tremendous leadership so far and must continue to do so for us to have the success we are striving to achieve. We also have six new players to the team and two others that redshirted for us last year, so we are going to have to learn how to play with each other. Total dedication and commitment from all 13 guys could make for an exciting upcoming season.”

Patrick Cureton, who started every game he played in last season is one of the seniors who will be expected to highly contribute to this year’s team. Pierre Darden returns to UC this year and joins Jermaine Love, the 4 th leading scorer from last year’s team. Korey Moore will look to fill Jake Elder’s shoes in the point position, along with Christian (Chris) Simmons at the forward position. Junior Ryan Williams is the only other returning player for this year’s squad.

As for newcomers, this team has plenty, especially in the junior class. Sam Brown from Cleveland, TX “is very quick with the ball. He will have a great chance to be a big contributor.” Chris Clapp, a redshirt from last year, is also a junior and he hails from Maryville, TN. Chris “has excellent skills and really understands how to help the team.” Darnell Howell of Chicago has excellent shooting ability from long range, which will be good in replacing Terico Smothers, who always could be counted on for three points. Christopher (Chris) Simmons, the last of the juniors, comes from Saint Louis and brings with him height and defensive pressure. He will be looked to as a force in the post position.

As for freshman, Luke Fitzgerald a redshirt from Cleveland, OH “plays very physical and is a good low post presence.” Stephon Grove from Mobile, AL is a guard with “toughness and shooting ability.” Aaron Cash comes to the Patriots from Brodhead, KY and according to Coach Butcher, “Aaron will have a chance to play major minutes as a freshman.”

The theme for this year’s team is “Winners Train, Losers Complain.” Coach Butcher said, “True winners and competitors never make excuses. They go out and work as hard as they can every day and give it 100%. Our goal this season is to be the hardest working team. We never want to be able to say that our opponent outworked us in a game.” As for other goals, the Patriots want to be the best defensive and rebounding team in the conference, which will hopefully lead them to a conference championship and give berth to another national tournament appearance.

2004-2005 Season Preview