Patriot League report

SportsLine.com Report
June 11, 2000

A glance at 2001

The Midshipmen figure to be a unanimous preseason pick to rule the 2000-2001 Patriot League season. Forward Chris Williams most likely will be the league's preseason player of the year. Unless the Mids have someone stashed away at the Navy Prep School, center will be a position of concern with Mike Cunningham the only returning veteran. But DeVoe should be able to compensate with a deep group of power forwards. Navy could start an all-senior lineup next year and experience goes a long way in this league.

The Coach

Don DeVoe is expected to return for his ninth season, though he's been at odds with the league office over a number of matters. DeVoe (142-86) said the league has to get an eighth member to strengthen the conference and, to that end, the Patriot League officially added American University as the eighth full member on April 27.

The Midshipmen lose assistant coach Mark Alarie, who decided to return to the business world after only a year in the coaching ranks.

Who'll be Back

Small forward Chris Williams (15.2 ppg) and power forward Robert Reeder (7.5 ppg) combined for 12 rebounds a game and will anchor the frontcourt. The backcourt returns, too, with point guard Reggie Skipworth and John Williams, a 6-5 defensive stopper. All four will be seniors.

The bench will still include all-rookie team members guard Jason Jeanpierre and forward Scott Long, guard Demond Shepard and center Mike Cunningham. Guard Jehiel Lewis should make an impact after missing most of the season with a variety of injuries. Forward Francis Ebong has the talent to become a major factor, and Kyle Barker showed he can be an outside threat.

The Mids' roster next season should also include incoming freshman power forward Mike Higgins (6-8, 215), considered one of the best players in Utah. The Mids also got a verbal commitment from 6-3 Ronaje Bethea of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J.

Who's Gone

Navy loses 6-8 senior captain Sitapha Savane. Savane averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.9 blocks, which was third best in the country. Jeremy Toton, a 6-6 swingman, was injured for the first half of the season and is the only other graduating senior.