Cornell is coming off of two consecutive Ivy titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. With the return of five starters and seven of the team's top eight players from a year ago, Cornell is a no-brainer choice for the favorite to win the Ivy League this season.But what Ivy League basketball observers might not know about the Big Red is Cornell's newly acquired depth on the bench. With the addition of two immediate impact transfers and five freshmen, Cornell becomes even deeper and more dangerous than a year ago. Below is a brief overlook of Cornell's 2009-2010 depth chart.
CENTER
Jeff Foote, a two-time All-Ivy League selection and the reigning league Defensive Player of the Year returns to anchor the paint with his long frame, but this time around, the athletic seven-footer enters the season even stronger at 265 lbs. (up from 245 lbs. a year ago).
A year ago when Foote was taking rests off the floor, Cornell was forced to use a pair of undersized 6'7" forwards in the middle-- either Alex Tyler or the now graduated, Brian Kreefer. But with this year's addition of 6'9" 245 lb. Kentucky transfer, Mark Coury, Cornell not only adds much needed size and Division I experience to the reserve center position, but adds a back-up with a reputation for high energy and mixing it up under the glass. His work ethic was so impressive that two different Kentucky coaches praised him.
Cornell also has added insurance in the paint with 6'9" junior Aaron Osgood, who is now finally practicing health.
POWER FORWARD
Tyler will once again start as Cornell's "Mr. Blue Collar" power forward. At 245 lbs. Tyler likes to throw his body around like a wrecking ball in the paint and does all of the squad's dirty work. If Cornell wants to go "bigger"-- the Big Red might play Coury at power forward alongside Foote for a twin-tower look. But Cornell's depth at the "4" goes far beyond Tyler and Coury.
Junior Adam Wire is a jack-of-all-trades forward and brings defense and toughness with his good sized 6'6"/220 lb. body. Newly acquired added depth comes with freshman Josh Figini, who at 6'9" 200 lbs. brings a diverse perimeter skill set for a "4-man." His 6'6" classmate, Errick Peck, possesses athleticism, energy and leaping ability, giving Cornell yet another interesting option up front. Cornell can also gives looks at steady veterans Pete Reynolds (6'8" Sr.), Jon Jaques (6'7" Sr.), and Andre Wilkins (6'5" Sr.), or newcomer Eitan Chemerinski (6'8" Fr.).
SMALL FORWARD (WING)/SHOOTING GUARD
Possibly Cornell's deepest positions, the Big Red will start at small forward the three-time All-Ivy selection, Ryan Wittman. Wittman is the prototype Division I small forward who can score off the dribble or from the perimeter. He is also a vastly improved defender. He will be backed up by a committee of talented wings who will fill double-time as shooting guards.
Geoff Reeves, a 6'4" senior returns as the starting shooting guard and should continue to fill that role by reasons of seniority and experience. The athletic and sharpshooting Reeves could also see time behind Wittman as a small forward.
Another new added luxury to the roster, sharing minutes with Reeves and Wittman at the shooting guard and small forward, will be 6'4" scorer, Max Groebe, a transfer via UMass. Groebe, like Coury, is an All-Ivy caliber talent.
Beyond the terrific trio of Wittman, Reeves and Groebe, Cornell can utilize the services of talented 6'5" sniping sophomore, Alex Hill or call on 6'7" freshman, Pete McMillan. Hill could be a future star in the league.
POINT GUARD
So many options for Cornell at the point. The position is locked down by three-time All-Ivy selection, 5'11" Louis Dale and reigning Rookie of the Year, 6'1" sophomore, Chris Wroblewski.
Dale is arguably the Ivy's top talent.
Because of his strong defense and scoring ability off the ball, Wroblewksi can also be utilized as a shooting guard in situations where Cornell wants a pair of "ball handlers" on the floor. But no surprises here, the starting point job is Dale's. Wroblewski may seem less time in the backcourt due to the arrival of Groebe and the renewed health of Dale.
A new third option at point guard is 6'2" freshman, Miles Asafo-Adjei, who is being billed as an ultra athletic speedster who is strong enough on the defensive end to command almost immediate playing time.
A year ago when Foote was taking rests off the floor, Cornell was forced to use a pair of undersized 6'7" forwards in the middle-- either Alex Tyler or the now graduated, Brian Kreefer. But with this year's addition of 6'9" 245 lb. Kentucky transfer, Mark Coury, Cornell not only adds much needed size and Division I experience to the reserve center position, but adds a back-up with a reputation for high energy and mixing it up under the glass. His work ethic was so impressive that two different Kentucky coaches praised him.
Cornell also has added insurance in the paint with 6'9" junior Aaron Osgood, who is now finally practicing health.
POWER FORWARD
Tyler will once again start as Cornell's "Mr. Blue Collar" power forward. At 245 lbs. Tyler likes to throw his body around like a wrecking ball in the paint and does all of the squad's dirty work. If Cornell wants to go "bigger"-- the Big Red might play Coury at power forward alongside Foote for a twin-tower look. But Cornell's depth at the "4" goes far beyond Tyler and Coury.
Junior Adam Wire is a jack-of-all-trades forward and brings defense and toughness with his good sized 6'6"/220 lb. body. Newly acquired added depth comes with freshman Josh Figini, who at 6'9" 200 lbs. brings a diverse perimeter skill set for a "4-man." His 6'6" classmate, Errick Peck, possesses athleticism, energy and leaping ability, giving Cornell yet another interesting option up front. Cornell can also gives looks at steady veterans Pete Reynolds (6'8" Sr.), Jon Jaques (6'7" Sr.), and Andre Wilkins (6'5" Sr.), or newcomer Eitan Chemerinski (6'8" Fr.).
SMALL FORWARD (WING)/SHOOTING GUARD
Possibly Cornell's deepest positions, the Big Red will start at small forward the three-time All-Ivy selection, Ryan Wittman. Wittman is the prototype Division I small forward who can score off the dribble or from the perimeter. He is also a vastly improved defender. He will be backed up by a committee of talented wings who will fill double-time as shooting guards.
Geoff Reeves, a 6'4" senior returns as the starting shooting guard and should continue to fill that role by reasons of seniority and experience. The athletic and sharpshooting Reeves could also see time behind Wittman as a small forward.
Another new added luxury to the roster, sharing minutes with Reeves and Wittman at the shooting guard and small forward, will be 6'4" scorer, Max Groebe, a transfer via UMass. Groebe, like Coury, is an All-Ivy caliber talent.
Beyond the terrific trio of Wittman, Reeves and Groebe, Cornell can utilize the services of talented 6'5" sniping sophomore, Alex Hill or call on 6'7" freshman, Pete McMillan. Hill could be a future star in the league.
POINT GUARD
So many options for Cornell at the point. The position is locked down by three-time All-Ivy selection, 5'11" Louis Dale and reigning Rookie of the Year, 6'1" sophomore, Chris Wroblewski.
Dale is arguably the Ivy's top talent.
Because of his strong defense and scoring ability off the ball, Wroblewksi can also be utilized as a shooting guard in situations where Cornell wants a pair of "ball handlers" on the floor. But no surprises here, the starting point job is Dale's. Wroblewski may seem less time in the backcourt due to the arrival of Groebe and the renewed health of Dale.
A new third option at point guard is 6'2" freshman, Miles Asafo-Adjei, who is being billed as an ultra athletic speedster who is strong enough on the defensive end to command almost immediate playing time.
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