Nic Has Enough Talent, But Defense Is A Concern

The North Idaho College men’s basketball team is bigger, stronger, faster, taller, jumps higher and shoots with more accuracy than last year’s team.

But will NIC be better?

“Because we have better athletes doesn’t mean we’re a better team,” second-year coach Hugh Watson warned as NIC prepared for its season-opener against Lethbridge, of Alberta, at 1 p.m. Saturday in Christianson Gym.

According to Watson, NIC’s roster includes an NBA prospect, possibly the best JC point guard in the nation and a player who had his high school uniform retired.

Watson’s bench is stocked with players being recruited by mid-major colleges, a near-7-footer and a high-profile recruit from Chicago.

“Offensively we’re much better,” said Watson, whose team was 30-5 and was fourth at the national tournament last season. “In the early period we’re going to have to outscore people.”

Let’s put some names with Watson’s assertions.

The NBA prospect is 6-5 freshman wing Johnny Goodman, from Chattanooga, Tenn.

“He can handle the ball, score outside, takes it to the bucket with authority, dunk over you,” Watson said. “He’s probably our best athlete.”

Point guard Nathaniel Bailey, a transfer from Odessa (Texas) College and one of three Cardinals from Science Hill High in Johnson City, Tenn., is listed as a third-team JC All-American by one publication. Watson said schools such as USC, DePaul, Cincinnati, Texas and Georgia are looking at Bailey.

Jovann Johnson had his uniform retired after being a four-year starter at Science Hill. Despite standing just 6-2, Johnson can play inside or outside.

He passed the SAT late, so Watson expects he’ll only play one season at NIC.

“He can score against anybody in the league,” Watson said.

Two returners, center Steven Ryan and wing Travis Houston, are on the first unit but will be challenged to remain starters.

Ryan emerged as an inside force late last season and has since made considerable improvement, Watson said. “He won our 3-point shooting contest during Midnight Madness.”

Eihab Al-Arorey, who is 6-11 or 7 feet tall, depending on who is holding the tape, is currently ineligible. The 265-pound native of Kuwait is working on his GED to become eligible.

The hard-working Houston has worked on his perimeter shooting. Though just 6-1, Houston operated effectively on the interior last season.

Others to watch include athletic 6-6 wing Brad Fields, backup point guard Joe Clay and guard Nick Irvin, the last of a long line of Chicago-based Irvin brothers who have played in college and/or in the NBA.

After early problems, Irvin has improved his academic standing, Watson said. The next battle for Irvin, brother of former Idaho Vandal Lance Irvin, is with his waistline.

“He has the talent to help us, and I think he’s getting focused,” Watson said. “His weight has ballooned, so he’s on a strict diet.”

Former Kellogg Wildcat Casey Fisher will be counted on as a reserve forward with a good shooting touch. Watson’s son, Gabe, should see time in the backcourt.

“The biggest difference from last year is defense,” Watson said. “We’re nowhere near as tough defensively.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE MEN’S ROSTER No. Name Year Pos. Ht. Hometown 3 Brad Fields Fr. 6-6 G/F Johnson City, Tenn. 4 Jovann Johnson Fr. 6-2 G/F Johnson City, Tenn. 5 Nathaniel Bailey Soph. 5-10 PG Johnson City, Tenn. 10 Johnny Goodman Fr. 6-5 G/F Chattanooga, Tenn. 11 Matt Zimmerman Fr. 6-3 G Boise, Idaho 12 Ryan Brosseau Soph. 6-0 G Lewistown, Mont. 14 Travis Houston Soph. 6-1 G Columbia, Tenn. 20 Joe Clay Fr. 6-0 G Eminence, Kent. 21 Nick Irvin Fr. 6-1 G Chicago, Ill. 30 Gabe Watson Soph. 6-3 G Coeur d’Alene 33 Casey Fisher Fr. 6-7 F Kellogg 34 Eihab Al-Arorey Fr. 7-0 C Chicago, Ill. 44 Steven Ryan Soph. 6-10 F/C Baton Rouge, La.

SCHEDULE All times Pacific Date Opponent Time Nov. 1 vs. Lethbridge 1 p.m. Nov. 7 Aquinas, Tenn., at Kentucky Shootout 5 p.m Nov. 8 Hiwassee, Tenn., at Kentucky Shootout 3 p.m. Nov. 28-29 CdA Resort Tourney TBA Dec. 3 vs. Yakima 7 p.m. Dec. 6 vs. Ricks 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Spokane 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Utah Valley 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Salt Lake 6:30 p.m. Dec. 28-30 at Clackamas Christmas Tournament TBA Jan. 8 vs. Snow 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. Dixie 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Southern Idaho 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Treasure Valley 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. Colorado Northwestern 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. Eastern Utah 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 vs. Salt Lake 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Utah Valley 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Dixie 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Snow 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Spokane 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 vs. Treasure Valley 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Southern Idaho 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Eastern Utah 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Colorado Northwestern 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Ricks 6:30 p.m. March 5-7 Region 18 Tourney (Site of women’s champ) March 17-21 National Tourney (Hutchinson, Kan.)