Basketball Conditioning Notebook

By: Jonathan Ramos / Asst. Sports Director
During the 2007-08 season, the Golden Panthers were the only team with a 7’0 foot player on the roster in the Sun-Belt conference. After another 260-pound addition, size figures to once again be the strength for FIU.

Freshman Freddy Asprilla gives the Golden Panthers three players over 6-foot-10 on the scale, which includes 7-foot incumbent center Russell Hicks. And head coach Segio Rouco wants to use them both at the same time.

“We’re planning on playing Freddy and Russell together,” Rouco said. “As long as they can get up and down the floor.”
With the advantage in size, along with the new additions to the team, Rouco likes the versatility his team will have.

“We can either go small, or we can go really big, you know with the addition of Freddy, Russell being a proven player in this league, the progress of Nikola [Gacesa], who I think is going to be a very good player in the Sun Belt, and the maturity of Cedric [Essola]. We would be silly if we do not use our size,” he said.

POSITION CHANGE

Though Tremayne Russell played point guard in high school, and was thrust into action during his freshmen season with the Golden Panthers, the sophomore out of South Dade High will be moved to the shooting guard position.

“We’re moving Tremayne to the off-guard, I think he’s a natural athlete and scorer, and I think he does well when you let him go and not let him run the team,” Rouco said.

Russell committed 82 turnovers in 29 games last season and struggled to remain in Rouco’s rotation.

“We had to play Tremayne there but I don’t think that was his natural position, and god bless him he did the best he could,” Rouco said.
The added depth at point guard has allowed Russell to move positions. Transfer Josue Soto and junior College pickup Harley Fuller are newcomers who are expected to handle the point guard spot.

Nick Taylor, who gained valuable experience last season, also will factor in.

“We also have Nick Taylor, who is the only guy we had on our team with a plus assist to turnover ratio, so he’s looking to be one of the three guys,” Rouco said.

LESS THAN
A MONTH AWAY

The Golden Panthers play their first exhibition contest vs. Nova Southeastern at FIU Arena on Thursday, Nov. 6. The game will be the lone pre-season game this season, and will be broadcasted live on WRGP, FIU student radio.