Patriot League report

SportsLine.com Report
June 11, 2000

The Red Raiders, in Emmett Davis' second season, were the ultimate middle-of-the-road team in the Patriot League and backed that up by finishing in fourth place, winning one tournament game and bowing out in the semifinals.

Colgate (13-16, 4-8) lived and died with the performances of sophomore forwards Pat Campolieta (14.3 ppg) and Jordan Harris (14.2 ppg). The Red Raiders, with center Pat Diamond as the only senior on the roster, went through growing pains in the backcourt.

But freshman Dave Hardy and sophomores Jim Detmer and Devin Tuohey showed they can develop into fine players in the league.

Diamond, at just 6-6, gave Colgate a great effort in the pivot, but the efficiency dropped off when Davis went to the bench to give Diamond a rest. That's a concern for next season.

A glance at 2001

What Red Raiders fans saw this winter is pretty much what they'll get next season, unless there's another Adonal Foyle in waiting. Colgate again will be one of the smaller teams in the league and will have to rely on defense and the scoring of Campolieta and Harris.

"Our guys have to dedicate themselves to improving their skills. Probably the most important thing is for our players to improve their strength and quickness. It's important to move forward.

"We had a lot of young guys who had to grow up in a hurry this season. Hopefully, that will pay dividends."

The coach

Emmett Davis has gained the respect of everyone in the conference in just two seasons. He's made the trip to Hamilton, N.Y. tough. And not just because of the two-lane highway to the upstate New York hamlet, but because the Red Raiders are a tough out at home. As Colgate matures in the backcourt and strengthens its center play, it will be in position to beat anyone in the league.

Who'll be back

All-league first teamer Pat Campolieta and second-teamer Jordan Harris return as the league's best 1-2 punch. Campolieta loves working within a few feet of the basket. Harris is a slasher who also locks up defensively on the other team's best offensive threat. Devin Tuohey and Dave Hardy will battle at point guard, though the athletic Hardy could move over to shooting guard. Keep an eye out for swingman Marquis Green, who scored 21 in a win over Harvard. With a little confidence, guard Jim Detmer can be one of the league's top 3-point threats.

Who's gone

Pat Diamond leaves a huge gap at center despite being just 6-6. He did a lot of the dirty work, which freed up Campolieta to score 14 per game. Diamond never backed down from playing the league's best centers. One of Davis' major projects in the off-season is finding a replacement not only on the court but in the locker room.

Key newcomers

Colgate signed six players for the upcoming season, including 6-7 power forward Howard Blue from Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C. Blue averaged 16.3 points and 9.7 rebounds and was named honorable mention All-America by the USA Today.

The Red Raiders also signed 6-5 guard Josh Humphrey (Cleveland, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy), 6-9 center Peter Kyte (Kansas City/Phillips Exeter Academy/Pembroke Hill HS), 6-3 guard Casey Langel (Moorestown, N.J./Lawrenceville School/Moorestown HS), 6-2 shooting guard Mark Linebaugh (Annville, Penn./Annville-Cleona HS) and 6-8 forward Matt Shirley (Grantsville, Kan./Jefferson West HS).