No. 23 Men's Basketball Kicks Off 2011-12 Tonight vs. St. John's: Game Will Air Live on SNY
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (October 25, 2011) - The C.W. Post men's basketball season kicks off tonight as the Pioneers travel to St. John's for an exhibition game against Division I St. John's. The game will be played at 7 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, and will be carried live on SNY.
The game will be broadcast by SNY as a production of the newly-created St. John's Television Network (STJ-TV), and will feature Tony Luftman, "The Voice of STJ-TV," bringing fans all of the action from courtside.
Here is an early look at the 2011-12 season:
Chris Casey's first season at C.W. Post was a successful one as he led the Pioneers to an East Coast Conference Championship and an appearance in the NCAA East Regional. The season was not without its challenges, as the Pioneers began the season with a 4-6 record but rebounded to post a 17-4 slate the rest of the way, finishing 21-10 overall and 16-5 in the ECC. It was the third NCAA appearance in the last four years for a C.W. Post squad that seems to have made its return to regional prominence. The Pioneers once again have their sights set on a return trip to the NCAA's, while also defending their conference championship.
RETURNERS
Casey returns six lettermen, including three starters; most notably Stefan Bonneau (Middletown, N.Y.). Bonneau led the team and the conference in scoring last season, and the Pioneers will need a repeat this year. Bonneau is a very efficient scorer, and he finds a variety of ways to put up points, whether it be long-range shooting, driving to the basket, or taking advantage of getting to the free throw line. He will also look to increase his leadership role on the court this season.
Another key returnee is Tobin Carberry (Hamden, Conn.) who averaged double figures last season and returns primed for another solid season. He will again play mostly on the perimeter, and he rebounds his position very well. As with Bonneau, Casey is looking for scoring as well as increased leadership from his junior guard.
Returning for his sophomore season is Vaughn Allen (Mount Vernon, N.Y.), who had a excellent stretch of games towards the end of the year last season, keying the Pioneers' run into the ECC Championships as well as into the NCAA's. Allen had a good summer and has improved his game, and will look to continue to factor in around the basket, as well as adding a new dimension to his game by increasing his shooting range as well as handling the ball.
Adding depth will be sophomore Amir Tarif (New York, N.Y.) and Tyreak Johnson (Bronx, N.Y.). Tarif will continue to improve and will make bigger contributions to the front court this year, while Johnson could make and impact at one of the guard spots if he can get healthy.
NEWCOMERS
Casey expects contributions from several newcomers. Two DI transfers will have a chance to make their presence felt at the guard position, filling in for senior guard Billy Butler (Floral Park, N.Y.) who is likely out for the season with an ACL tear suffered in summer workouts. Vince Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J.) comes from Central Connecticut, and is a scorer and a good shooter who can play multiple guard positions including running the point. Terry Coleman (Newburgh, N.Y.) transfers from Portland State and will also see time at guard. He is a quick player and a dangerous long-range shooting threat, and will contribute as a point guard as well as an off guard.
Two freshmen will make an immediate impact in the frontcourt. Both Charles McCann (Springfield Gardens, N.Y.) and Tyuan Williams (Newark, N.J.) come from very solid high school programs, as McCann played at St. Mary's and Williams attended the powerhouse St. Anthony's in New Jersey. McCann can score around the basket and defend multiple positions while Williams has the capability to score as well as very good rebounding ability.
Three walk-ons will also look for time. Junior Jon Schofield (Peekskill, N.Y.) is a hard worker who will look to contribute at one of the guard spots. Junior Cullen Whye (Moorestown, N.J.) is a tough front court player and a physical rebounder. Freshman Chris Tavantzis (East Elmhurst, N.Y.) is a local product from Queens who will add depth at forward.
C.W. Post certainly has a daunting early-season schedule, taking on five NE-10 teams and four CACC squads. The Pioneers open the season with exhibition games against St. John's on Oct. 25 and UConn on Nov. 4. C.W. Post opens its regular season as it travels to Albany for the Saint Rose Tip-Off tournament, playing Saint Anselm and host Saint Rose. On the slate in mid-November is last year's NCAA East Regional champion Bloomfield College. December matchups are highlighted by Long Island rival Adelphi and traditional East Region power LeMoyne.
The addition of the University of District Columbia to the ECC bumps the conference to nine teams, meaning the schools will play each other twice, as opposed to last year's three-game scheduling. The Pioneers open conference play on Dec. 7 at Northern Boulevard foe NYIT, but have almost a month-long break until their next conference meeting at the Pratt Recreation Center against Bridgeport on Jan. 4.
With such a rigorous schedule in place, it is certain that the Pioneers will have some challenges to overcome, but Casey believes that any struggles early on will have his team primed to play their best basketball come January when conference play opens in full swing.