Franklin graduation 2012
Badin graduation 2012
Carroll graduation 2012
miami redhawks
Coach proud of overachievers who took team to NCAA tournament
Coles praises his seniors, but might go with a quicker lineup next year.
Monday, March 19, 2007
SPOKANE, Wash. — Charlie Coles believes his Miami University basketball team had a good number of overachievers this season, a campaign that ended Friday in the NCAA tournament.
The RedHawks nearly knocked off third-seeded Oregon before suffering a 58-56 defeat at Spokane Arena, but Coles was happy with the fact that Miami was even here at all.
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"I'm a pessimist when it comes to winning games," said Coles, whose squad got off to a 5-10 start. "We had some things we couldn't do this year, but the kids made up for it with a big heart. I think we ended up being one of the better defensive teams in the country."
Consistent, punishing defense powered MU to an 18-15 record and the Mid-American Conference tournament championship, with the RedHawks giving up just 57.4 points per game.
Coles said his three departing seniors — Nathan Peavy, Doug Penno and Monty St. Clair — won't be easily replaced. Peavy finished with 1,081 career points, while Penno earned his place in MU history by banking in the last-second trey that beat Akron in the MAC tourney title game.
"That was some of the best leadership I've ever had as a coach," Coles said. "Those three guys set our course straight. We'll have to get back some of that leadership."
Junior forward Tim Pollitz, sophomore guard Michael Bramos and freshman guard Alex Moosmann will be returning starters in 2007-08, and Miami figures to have a somewhat different, more guard-oriented look next year.
Coles said the RedHawks may use two point guards next year. He's got 6-foot-2 guard Kenny Hayes from Cincinnati State (and Northmont High School) as one of three incoming recruits — 6-7 forwards Dwight McCombs of Chicago and Nick Winbush of Shaker Heights are the others. And Coles noted that he's still looking for another guard on the recruiting trail.
Coles said Pollitz will benefit from a faster pace next season.
"I've never seen a kid shoot percentages like he does (57.4 percent from the floor this year)," Coles said. "He's amazing."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.
