Checking out NIU hoops

Ricardo Patton's second NIU team made its 2008-09 debut on Sunday afternoon against Freed-Hardeman, an NAIA outfit that made a 1,000-mile round-trip on the bus from Henderson, Tenn., in order to give the Huskies a game.

NIU trailed 40-34 at the break before rallying for an 84-72 triumph before 300 or 400 fans at NIU's Convocation Center.

Since the Huskies have just five players back from last year's 6-22 team -- and seven guys made their NIU debut on Sunday -- it's probably not fair to stick the guys with lasting labels. But, hey, the media sees what it sees. Here are three quick sketches of players who'll matter this year:

F Lee Fisher: This redshirt freshman from Thornridge is 6-foot-5 and listed as a guard, but he's a power forward all the way. If anybody remembers Donnell "D-Train" Thomas, Fisher has a chance to be a left-handed version of him. He had 10 rebounds by halftime and finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. His ability to bang in the paint (and his relative inability to shoot) can be seen in his 8-for-13 effort from the free-throw line.

Said Patton: "He's just a guy that can go get rebounds that other players can't get to."

C Sean Kowal: The 6-foot-11 Colorado transfer sat out last year and he has some rust to shed. Freed-Hardeman's post players (Zack Frey and Tyler Jennings) combined for 27 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Not all of those came against Kowal, of course, who posted 8 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes. He has at least one back-to-the-basket move over each shoulder and spotted a cutter nicely for a layup, but he committed 4 turnovers and fouled out.

Said Patton: "Kowal's going to be fine. We're lucky to have Sean Kowal."

G Mike DiNunno: This true freshman likely would have started, but he tweaked his knee in practice. Instead, the Lake Park/Von Steuben combo guard played a team-high 31 minutes off the bench and made it clear why he was recruited. Basically, the Roselle resident can shoot it from anywhere, whether stationary or on the move, and creates for his teammates as well.

After a slow start from the field, DiNunno drilled 6 of 13 3-pointers en route to a game-high 20 points. He also handed out a game-high 5 assists, but committed a game-high 6 turnovers.

Said Patton: "He's got a wealth of confidence. His teammates have got confidence in him, too."

LW