2000-01 Mules Basketball Preview

For Don Doucette's 2000-01 Mules' squad to challenge for a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title this season, a quintet of newcomers will need to be major contributors.

Four junior college transfers and a freshman make up Doucette's recruiting class and at least two, and as many as three, of the newcomers could be in the starting lineup, as just two starters return from last season's 16-11 squad.

The biggest spots to fill for the Mules will be that of center Raymond Hugley, a first-team all-MIAA and all-region selection, and forward Roland Fowler. Hugley led the conference in blocked shots (60) and the team in rebounding (8.0 avg.) and was CMSU's second-leading scorer (15.8 ppg). Fowler averaged 9.1 points and 7.2 rebounds. Also gone from last year's squad are playmakers Chris Glasper and Brennan Scanlon, who averaged 3.5 and 4.4 assists, respectively.

Seniors Daryl Greene and Sean Price are the Mules' returning starters and they figure to provide the bulk of the team's offensive firepower. Greene, who is slated to be at point guard, led the team with a 15.9 scoring average and was in double figures for 19 of CMSU's 28 games, with a scoring high of 39 points last season. Price was third on the squad in scoring with a 15.1 average, while hitting a team-high 86 three-pointers that tied the school record and led the MIAA.

Senior swing man Mike Middleton returns for his fourth season after averaging 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds a year ago. He started just four games as a junior, but is expected to be in the starting lineup this season.

The newcomers projected to start are Chris McSwain and Ryan Williams. McSwain averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds for a San Jacinto College (Texas) team that was 30-5 last season. He also was second on the squad in blocked shots with 40. Williams was the second-leading scorer (14.2 ppg) and rebounder (5.9 avg.) for Seminole State College (Okla.), which was 16-14 last year.

B.J. Jefferson and Cliff Murkey were teammates at East Central College (Mo.) last season. Jefferson averaged 4.6 steals and 4.3 assists at point guard to go with a 9.0 scoring average, while Murkey averaged 16.0 points and 6.8 rebounds.

Phil Gettinger has the distinction of being the Mules' only true freshman and the tallest player on the team at 6' 9". Last season at Warrenton (Mo.) High School, he averaged 18.0 points and 15.0 rebounds.

Sophomore Blair Thompson, who saw limited duty last season, and red-shirt freshmen Anders Snyder and James Collins round out the Mules' squad.