The University of New Hampshire
men’s basketball team has set its sights high for the upcoming 201112 campaign. After earning the No. 7 seed in the America East Championships and falling to second-seeded and eventual conference champion Boston University in the quarterfinals, head coach Bill Herrion returns nine letterwinners from last year’s squad, as the Wildcats look primed for a run at their first conference title in program history. New Hampshire (12-18, 6-10) put together another successful season despite a plethora of injuries, finishing its third straight season with double-digit victories and ranking 18th nationally in scoring defense by holding opponents to 60.9 points per game. After losing several of their top offensive contributors to injury, the ‘Cats made a living off stingy defense last season, but the squad should see welcomed improvement on offense in 2011-12. The Wildcat backcourt will be the team’s backbone, as senior captain Alvin Abreu (Lynn, Mass.) returns to the squad for his fifth and final season donning the blue and white. After playing in just two games last year because of a season-ending knee injury, Abreu looks to pick up right where he left off in 200910 when he was named to the All-Conference Second Team. It was during that season he started in all 30 games, posting 14.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, leading the Wildcats to their second straight semifinal appearance in the America East Tournament. Fellow senior guard Ryan Herrion (Dover, N.H.) will also look
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
to contribute in the backcourt this season. The captain appeared in 17 games off the bench for the ‘Cats last season, tallying seven assists and averaging 3.6 minutes per game. Junior captain Chandler Rhoads
SENIOR GUARD
ALVIN ABREU
(Berryville, Va.) hopes to build on a breakout 2010-11 season in which he collected America East All-Defensive Team honors and started in all 30 games. The versatile guard was equally impressive offensively, leading the team in assists (85) and ranking second in points (273). The Wildcats also welcome back a pair of sophomore guards in Jordon Bronner (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) and Scott Morris (Walkersville, Md.), who both look to build on successful freshman campaigns. Bronner returns for his second year as floor general after starting in 15 of 30 games last season. He finished the 2010-11 campaign on a strong note by ranking second on the team in assists (65) and steals (17) on his way to earning AllRookie Team honors. As for Morris, he will add depth and provide UNH with some versatility off the bench with his sharp shooting from long range. Aside from their veteran leadership, the Wildcats also welcome freshmen Garrett Jones (Chicago, Ill.) and Tommy McDonnell (Durham, N.H.) into the fold, as the pair looks to crack the rotation and make an immediate impact this season. Jones comes to UNH after polishing off his senior campaign at Evanston Township averaging 14 points and five assists per game, leading the squad to an 18-11 record on its way to winning the CSLSouth Conference Championship. The McDonald’s All-American nominee also picked up All-Conference honors during his junior and senior years. McDonnell recently finished his prep year at Bridgton Academy averaging seven points, four rebounds and two steals per game. In the three years prior, McDonnell was a standout at Oyster River High School, posting 18 points and five boards per contest during his senior year. He also collected team MVP and Foster’s Daily Democrat
2011-12 NEW HAMPSHIRE BASKETBALL