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 Thursday, March 8, 2001
They might be giants
By Marc Connolly
ABC Sports Online
Every tournament needs a Bryce Drew. That one-man wrecking crew from a small school that metamorphoses from a regional behemoth into a national Superman over one, sometimes two, glorious weekends in March. Often times, the only chance an unknown squad has from the something-something Valley Conference is for their BMOC to go off against a team that plays most of its games on ESPN.
It happens every year, and this March Madness stretch should be no different. With the Big Boys just starting their conference tourneys, here's a look at five players who you might know a little better next week if there's magic in the air.
|  | | Iona's Nakiea Miller, MVP of the MAAC tournament, cuts a piece of the net after the Gaels beat Canisius for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. |
Nakiea Miller, Iona:
Anyone who watched the MAAC title game had to be inspired by the play of Iona's 6-foot-10 senior center. His soft touch in the lane was on display with a 9-for-11 shooting exhibition for 24 points to go along with a commanding 15 boards, three blocks and two steals in the Gaels' 74-67 win over Canisius on Monday night. It's what he's been doing all year for the 22-10 Gaels, leading them in scoring (15 ppg), rebounding (8.7) and blocks (3.0).
After two stellar performances off the bench as a freshman against Syracuse and last year versus Maryland in the Big Dance, the pride of Stratford, Conn. will be looking for his first victory in NCAA Tournament play. If he can live up to his reputation as one of the nation's premier swat masters and his guards get the 67.1 percent shooter the touches he's used to getting, Jeff Ruland's gritty squad from New Rochelle, N.Y., could cause headaches for some high seed in the first round.
George Evans, George Mason:
The ultimate veteran, and I mean that literally and figuratively. At 30 years old, he might be the only player in the tournament that Dickie V can't say, "The kid's got talent!" about. His late start in the college basketball world was due to a seven-year stint in the army, which included a tour of duty in the Gulf War. The 6-foot-7 forward has made up for lost time on the hardwood over the past four years, leading the 18-11 Patriots to two Colonial Athletic Association titles and subsequent trips to the Dance.
After ranking among the league's top five in points (18.4 ppg), rebounds (7.7), steals (2.0) and blocked shots (1.5), Evans was named the CAA Player of the Year for the third straight season and the Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in the past three seasons. His array of skills puts him in unique company as one of just four players in NCAA history to record more than 200 steals, assists and blocked shots for a career, joining former Kansas star Danny Manning, former La Salle standout Lionel Simmons and current Duke All-American Shane Battier.
His coach, Jim Larranaga, compares his game to that of Portland Trailblazer Gary Trent, since Evans can man the 4-spot despite his size. With George Mason slated to be one of the lowest seeds in the tournament, Larranaga will desperately rely on Evans' low-post moves, deft passing and quick hands on defense to give his upstart squad a chance to shock the world in the first round.
Michael Menser, Indiana State:
The Sycamores had one of the best small-school players in the nation last year with Nate Green, and certainly do once again in their pint-sized point guard. Though 5-foot-11, 165 pounds isn't the ideal size a coach wants in a player -- even at the high school level -- Menser possesses every other conceivable trait one would want in a point guard. From shooting the three (85-214, 39.7 percent) to running the offense with precision to unselfishly dishing the ball (5.4 assists per game) from all angles to turning the ball over next to never, the senior floor leader is the main reason why ISU is going back to the Big Dance.
Called "The Little Warrior" by his coach Royce Waltman, Menser's most eye-popping statistic is his 4.2/1 assist-to-turnover ratio that leads the nation. He'll be counted on particularly for his grace under pressure and to set up high-scoring forward Matt Renn when the Sycamores start NCAA Tourney play, most likely against a No. 4 or 5 seed. No matter who Indiana State lands in the first-round, it's safe to say that they'll be in good hands.
|  | | Gonzaga's Casey Calvary is one of this year's small school guys with big prospects. |
Casey Calvary, Gonzaga:
Mr. Can Do Everything for the Zags is the most high-profile of any of the small-conference stars. After gaining national acclaim in March the past two years as part of Gonzaga's Cinderella runs, the offense ran through Calvary this year with floor general Matt Santangelo and shooting guard Richie Frahm gone. Despite endless double teams, the 6-foot-8, 235-pound center responded with 19 points per game while leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots to earn second-team All-America honors from ESPN.com.
The West Coast Conference Player of the Year has pro prospect written all over him, as he can dominate in the paint at both ends with power (see shattered backboard against New Mexico earlier this season) yet beat a zone with a three (24-62, 38.7 percent). As long as his latest partners-in-crime -- point guard Dan Dickau and forward Blake Stepp -- make life easier for Calvary down low with stellar play, Gonzaga has an excellent shot to return to the Sweet 16. And that's regardless of what happens on Selection Sunday.
Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky:
No matter who draws the 24-6 Hilltoppers, it's doubtful they'll have a big man that can outmuscle this 7-foot-1, 285-pound junior inside the paint. The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year averages a double-double with 16.8 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game. He ranks among the nation's best in blocked shots (3.0 bpg) and double-doubles (18). He nearly registered a triple-double the hard way earlier this year against Tennessee State when he 12 points, 21 boards and 9 blocks.
Marcus is on a roll coming into the Dance, too, after posting three consecutive double-doubles in the Sun Belt Conference tourney, including a dominating 20-point, 18-rebound performance in Western Kentucky's 66-54 victory over South Alabama. Most encouraging for head coach Henry Felton is that Marcus went 25-for-31 from the charity stripe in the conference tourney after hovering around 60 percent from the line all season.
Kyle Hill, the sharp-shooting guard from Eastern Illinois, will be profiled on ABC Sports Online later this week. Check back on Friday.
Marc Connolly is a senior writer for ABC Sports Online.
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 Iona's Nakiea Miller gets the ball inside for the jam.
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George Evans corrals the rebound and puts it back for a score.
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George Evans makes a steal and takes it the distance for a layup.
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Bradley's Eddie Cage misses the open layup and Michael Menser drains the 3-pointer on the other end.
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Gonzaga's Dan Dickau finds Casey Calvary in the lane for two.
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Center Chris Marcus fights off three defenders for a Western Kentucky slam.
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Chris Marcus shows his dominance inside as he pulls down the rebound and scores the putback.
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