Team looks for new leaders

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

Last summer, members of the men's basketball team spent a lot of time together.

As a result of 6 a.m. workouts and 6 p.m. pick-up games, the team grew close as a unit and a better Boiler team was evident — with an Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Tournament as proof.

Now, after losing the core of the team to graduation, the Boilers find themselves in a different situation. However the Boilers aren't looking to fill the shoes of Brian Cardinal, Jaraan Cornell, Mike Robinson, Chad Kerkoff and Greg McQuay, but rather just fill the positions.

"When you lose five guys that have had such an integral part in our play over the past four years, then you've got to get a new cohesiveness and new camaraderie," said assistant coach Jay Price.

Step one for the Boilers is the same step one they had last year. Establishing team unity through vigorous summer workouts.

"I think that by the fact that they are together all summer, they're getting up early, they're running, they're lifting weights, and they're playing every night; I think that they're developing that camaraderie," said Price. "I think that they saw that last year it paid off and they liked the feeling of being in the final eight and they would like to take one more step."

One more step last season would have had the Boilers in the Final Four for the first time since 1980.

Now, with a slightly different look as far as leadership goes, Price said, he expects a guy, like returning starter Carson Cunningham, to step up and assume more of a leadership role this season.

"He's a lone senior; he's a point guard and it's his last chance," Price said. "He needs to make things happen.

"He's a good leader, he has very good work ethic and for him to go to where he wants to go, he's going to have to lead this team."

Cunningham, who is recovering from off-season knee surgery, said he will step up as a leader next season as needed.

"I don't mind being the leader," Cunningham said. "If I'm the guy that has to step up and be vocal in the locker room, then I will."

Price said that Cunningham, despite the lack of mobility from the surgery, has already been a guy that is leading by example.

"If he didn't have his knee surgery, he'd be in here playing every day," Price said. "He's still in working out and shooting everyday.

"We need him to be both the leader by example, which he's always been, and also to be a little more vocal and make the things happen that a senior should do."

With the loss of big men, Cardinal and McQuay, Price said that for the Boilers to be successful, centers John Allison and Adam Wetzel need to step up as well.