For the UNM men's basketball program, the recent presence of a legitimate inside threat has been few and far between.
Since current rising NBA star Kenny Thomas departed the Lobo program in 1998, UNM has seen promising post players swiftly fall off the radar screen. Names like Patrick Dennehy, R.T. Guinn, Malcolm Battles, Mustapha Diagne and Chad Bell were all promising young post players, but never made an impact on Lobo Basketball.
This year, the Lobos' inside problems might be solved. UNM will unveil a slew of mobile, all-around big men anchored by two young bruisers in the middle, 6-foot, 8-inch, 260 pound freshman Justin Benson and lone returning center David Chiotti (6'9", 240).
Although Chiotti is only a sophomore, he is well aware of the rich passion for winning at UNM and knows what his predecessors have given to the Lobos. He also knows what he has to do to return this team to the top.
When asked about previous standout Lobo post players, including Kenny Thomas, Chiotti responded: "Those are the leaders of New Mexico basketball. I think of how they helped their teams to have successful seasons. I want to try to be like them and help get this team to the tournament."
Unlike last year, head coach Ritchie McKay will call on four, possibly five players who easily clear 6-feet, 7-inches, a privilege that will dramatically change the look of the Lobos. With the facelift in the frontcourt, come higher expectations in the immediate future.
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"Our team goal is to win the Mountain West," Chiotti said. "This is what this city needs and that is what we are capable of doing. That is going to come from hard work that starts now."
The real challenge on the court will be producing quality minutes from inexperienced players. The three new post players have yet to suit up in The Pit, therefore, Chiotti needs to emerge as a leader in only his second year of Division I basketball. Last year, he proved that he could play on the D-I level against bigger and stronger competition. This year, he not only has to have a stronger, more refined game, he must also teach the newcomers the ropes in order to achieve team success.
In high school, Chiotti was the team's captain his junior and senior season.
"I was a captain in high school so I do know what is expected," Chiotti said. "Hey, I'm not going to be the captain of the team or anything, but I have to be out there and be a leader. Show people how to work hard and do whatever coach wants. Just get everyone on the same track and work for the same thing, that is to win and get to the tournament."
Chiotti is doing his part, seemingly ready to accept the challenge. This off season, he is putting in countless hours of running, lifting weights and working on his jumper, not to mention the fact he is working alongside youngsters in UNM basketball camps and attending summer classes.
"I know I'm going to be called on to play a bigger role this year," Chiotti said. "I'm going to be in a lot better shape than I was last year so I can be a bigger part of the team."
Chiotti is an unselfish team player, quick to give credit to his new teammates and big men. He realizes he can't win the war by himself; he will need to rely on his counterparts to attain team goals.
"Danny Granger and Billy Feeney are very versatile big men," Chiotti said. "They can play the three, four, or five spot on the floor. It is going to be a lot of different matchups and we can put a lot of different teams on the floor. We could start three 6-foot 9-inch guys, one at the three, one at the four and one at the five. Benson has shown a lot of good post moves and is real strong inside. He should be a great help."
Not only does Chiotti stress the fondness he has for his new teammates, but he also stresses the importance of playing together and having teammates to share the pressure.
"Our team this year is going to be a real team," Chiotti said. "We are all ready to contribute. My role won't be so hard because we have a lot of great players. I'm not going to be the only big man to take the role and all the pressure on me. The pressure is going to balanced throughout the team but I'm ready to take any role given to me."
This year, the big men will provide a welcome change for fans seeking some kind of inside presence. The foursome will provide a strong inside game to hold down the paint combined with a soft touch and mobility in and around the basket.
"All our big men are capable of stepping outside and knocking down the open jumper, they can dribble and penetrate," Chiotti said. "We are more mobile and our athleticism is the biggest difference from last year."
Without any other experience in the front court, Chiotti will get the responsibility of holding down the paint and harnessing the team's wealth of new talent. This young man has his head square on his shoulders, with a thirst for victory. With his leadership and progressing talent, the Lobo frontcourt will be a pleasant change from year's past. It is a change that Lobo fans have been waiting for since the departure of Kenny Thomas.
