On the Rebound

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Going in to the 2004-05 season, Susquehanna University head
coach Frank Marcinek knew that he had one of the most inexperienced teams of his tenure
as Crusader head coach.
One challenging year later, Marcinek’s squad is even more youthful and untested than
his team from a year ago, but he feels much better about where his team stands as it prepares
to open its 2005-06 season in the annual Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament at O.W.
Houts Gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 18.
Just five letterwinners return from last year’s squad, and only one player on the entire
roster (junior guard Chad Lauer) has more than one full season in the program.
“We have won in the past with good guard play, and I feel as though we have addressed
our needs in the back court,” said Marcinek, who enters his 17th season as the winningest
coach in program history with a 219-182 record. “The potential for this group of players to
grow is very good. We have good chemistry, and the pieces seem to be fitting better.”
BACKCOURT
Lauer (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) is the lone returnee to have played in all 24
games last season, averaging 7.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while connecting on a
team-high 40 three-pointers. One of the better defenders on the squad, Lauer paced the
team with 30 steals and will be used both at his regular shooting guard position as well as
at the point.
Freshman Andy Gaebel (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) transferred to Susquehanna after
attempting to walk on at Division I Duquesne. He is Bellefonte’s second all-time leading
scorer with 1,428 points and is expected to play a major role in the Crusader backcourt.
Sophomore Moose Marshall (Pottsville, PA/Nativity BVM) played in 22 games for the
Crusaders last season and averaged 2.1 points per game while recording 17 steals to rank
fourth on the team despite averaging just 11.8 minutes per game.
Other players who should see time in the backcourt include sophomore Kyle Laird
(Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan), freshman Todd DeNapoli (Dunellen, NJ/Dunellen), freshman
Bernie Layton (Sayre, PA/Sayre), freshman Zac Smith (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin),
freshman Chad Cohle (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin), freshman Matt McDevitt
(Ridley Park, PA/Ridley) and junior Mike Cavallo (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter’s).
FRONTCOURT
With the loss of 1,000-point scorer Bubba Mills to graduation and the transfer of Commonwealth
Conference Rookie of the Year Mike Malko to Ramapo, the Crusaders will rebuild
up front around senior center Matt Effler (Rye Brook, NY/Blind Brook).
Effler started nine of the final 10 games and finished with averages of 6.4 points and 4.6
rebounds per game. As a starter, Effler averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and
recorded a pair of double-doubles.
Sophomore Sean Ulichny (Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham) transferred to
Susquehanna after playing at New England College last year where he averaged 3.8 points
and 1.7 rebounds in 23 games.
Sophomore Brad Okonak (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) has been slowed in preseason by
injury but is expected to provide some outside shooting for the Crusaders after averaging
3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season.
Sophomore Nick Gogel (Whippany, NJ/Whippany Park) along with freshmen Josh Fidler
(Paxinos, PA/Southern Columbia) and Sam Thomas (Endicott, NY/Seton Catholic Central)
are also expected to contribute in the frontcourt for the Crusaders.