The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Sports

WPU Men's Basketball Head Coach Jose Rebimbas

Walking off the court during last year's loss in the Elite Eight of the Division III NCAA Championship, William Paterson University Head Coach Jose Rebimbas remembers being filled with disappointment and heartache.

"I was very disappointed for our three quality seniors," the coach of 12 years said. "The championship was within our grasp; I just felt terrible."

This year, the WPU men's basketball team looks to repeat the success of last year, except this season they hope to bring the national title home to the hills of Wayne. Last season, the team went 23-8, and was 11-2 at home.

The lofty expectations of the team were elevated even more with recent prognosticators predicting major success. The Pioneers were ranked seventh in the d3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 Poll, and were also picked ninth in the Preseason Street & Smith's Top 10 Poll.

Coach Rebimbas, who was named the 2006 National Association of Basketball Coaches Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, doesn't think the added pressure will negatively affect his team.

"We welcome the notoriety and the challenge of meeting the expectations," Rebimbas said. "We're a target now; everyone's game against us will be their national championship. But we do have the ability to compete for a national title."

The Pioneers are led by Luis Martinez, a senior forward. Martinez, named Preseason Second Team All-America by Street & Smith, averaged 15.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last year.

"His versatility is what makes him great," Rebimbas said. "He can shoot the three, go inside and score; he's well-rounded."

Junior guards Joey Spiegel and Jason Cameron also return to help lead the team's high powered offensive attack. Spiegel averaged 10.5 points and 2.5 assists last year, while Cameron scored 8.6 points and brought down three rebounds last season. But perhaps the key to the Pioneer attack is sophomore guard Tim Lucas. The team went 12-1 when Lucas started, and the guard led the team in steals with 39.

Returning seniors for the team, other than Martinez, are guard John Torbick, forward Samir Sanu and guard Jeff Palmer. All four are looking to end their careers at WPU with the elusive national title.

For the Pioneers to take home the championship, the team must continue to improve upon the successes of last year. Last season the team out-rebounded its opponents by 6.1 boards a game. The team also held opponents to a stingy .387 field goal percentage, and allowed only 61.3 points per game. However, one area the Pioneers must improve on are turnovers. The team averaged 18.3 a game, compared to forcing 17.6 turnovers for their opponents.

It looks to be an exciting year for the Pioneers. National championship aspirations are high, and despite the teams' off-season awards and high rankings, Rebimbas remains focused on the team's goal.

"The accolades are great," Rebimbas said. "But we want the national title."

The team opens up its season in the Rose City Classic, a tournament played at Drew University, on Nov. 17. The Pioneers first home game is Nov. 21 at 8 p.m., against New York City Tech.

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