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New Hampshire (1-1, only win v UMass Boston)
#332 in KenPom
Deciding to move on from Bill Herrion after eighteen years at the helm, which was a respectable, but fruitless tenure following no America East regular season or conference tournament championships, New Hampshire made a somewhat splashy hire last offseason bringing over Nathan Davis from Bucknell.#332 in KenPom
Although Davis’ last four seasons at Bucknell did not impress (40-70 overall record), his first three seasons yielded two Patriot League tournament championships and two Patriot League Coach of the Year honors. For those who remember, both of Bucknell’s NCAA tournament appearances under Davis were competitive, single-digit point defeats against West Virginia and Michigan State.
The biggest change from the Herrion-Davis transition is Davis’ instant installation of pace of play. Davis’ first season at UNH was solid: 16-15 overall (7-9 in conference play) and in the AE conference UNH lost in the semifinals to a juggernaut Vermont team by only six points.
However, this year’s squad is taking a massive hit in talent and experience w/ two-way star and America East POY Charles O. Daniels graduating and third-team selection Ahmad Robinson transferring to Mercer. Stretch big Jaxson Baker (who hit 6 threes against us last year) also graduated, so there's a ton of turnover in this year's squad.
Personally, I think New Hampshire is the worst team in the conference as just three players from last year’s rotation return.
Out of their returners,Trey Woodyard is a low usage, but efficient interior scorer and has arguably the highest BBIQ on the offensive end, shoots well from three, but has been critiqued by Coach Davis for being too passive, at times.
Junior Rex Sunderland’s size, strength and awareness makes him one of UNH’s better defensive guards but he was not an offensive factor earlier in his career. However, he's had a nice start so far (8p, 5r, 6a, 36.4 3P%) as a balanced guard who can chip in a bit w/ scoring.
Amongst their transfers, I’ve seen Dylan Saunders play live. He’s a transfer from Iona and is a 6’8 stretch forward who has had a really good start for the Wildcats. Grad transfer Emmanuel Okpomo started his career at Wake Forest and played sparingly throughout three seasons at Temple. At 6’9 225, he’s got some bounce and defense to his game, but he’s been a non-factor on offense. Okpomo will compete with Brewster Academy graduate and top-300 three-star freshman Caleb Middleton, who stayed home at New Hampshire, although he was offered by Iowa and DePaul. Freshmen Jon O’Neill and Antoni Siewruk are two 6’9+ players who got run against UMass.
Amongst their other transfers, 6’3 guard Anthony McComb III was a late-rotation guy at Bowling Green, but is starting at New Hampshire but has impressed so far (16.5p, 55.6 3P%). Starting his career at Southeastern Louisiana, 6’3 junior Sami Pissis (16.5p, 8.0r, 5a, 4 TO) is a big JUCO point guard who rebounds well for his size, can play a physical game and is willing to score from anywhere in the halfcourt. He had an impressive debut against UMass (20 points, 6 rebounds).
Like Sacred Heart, New Hampshire has good size for a mid-major program and they will try to run their pace to keep it close at the start. However, it’s another cupcake and unfortunately, UNH does not have anywhere near the talent of last year’s team and they aren't close to Sacred Heart's level.
