by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
If there is a glaring weakness heading into the 2007-08 UNM men's basketball season, it's the lack of depth and experience in the post.
And even though the Lobos recruited a couple of players with potential to fill the gap, chances are it will take some time to develop that talent.
Because of that, a lot will be asked of junior center Daniel Faris. He is the lone big man on the team with experience playing Division I. So, Faris will have a big load on his shoulders, at least to start the season.
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Faris said he knows what the situation is, and that he's more than ready for the challenge.
"I've got to lead our bigs and show them how it's done," he said. "They've been in (junior college), so they're not new to the college game, but they haven't played D-I as much as I have. So, I've go to be able to lead them and show them how to do things on and off the court."
Looking at his numbers from last year, Faris did not have the most outstanding season. The 6-foot-9-inch post averaged 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, playing in all 32 games.
However, he came along strong toward the end of the season, starting four of the last six games. He showed flashes of talent as the season progressed, but he also made the mistakes expected of a younger player.
But Faris has had a productive offseason and averaged 12.8 points and 8 rebounds per game when UNM traveled to the Bahamas to take on club teams over the summer.
Now that he has two full years under his belt, Faris said he is expecting to have a much more productive year.
"I'm not a sophomore anymore - I'm not a young guy," he said. "I've got to be a leader on this team. Hopefully, I can lead by my play and take care of these
young guys."
His play will have to be solid while Monquel Pegues and Johnnie Harris - the two transfer post players - adjust to the Division I level.
Pegues is a 6-foot-10-inch transfer from Cape Fear Community College out of North Carolina. Harris, 6-feet-8-inches, transferred from Chipola College in
Florida.
UNM head coach Steve Alford said he likes the potential his post players have, but there will be a learning curve for Pegues and Harris, meaning size might be a worry throughout the season.
"Size will be my biggest concern going into just about every week," Alford said. "We don't have a lot of it. That's just part of it."
Because the Lobos don't have the numbers they would like in the post, he said they might run more four-guard lineups than usual.
While Pegues and Harris come along, Faris will have to step up his play, not only because of his size, but because of his experience, Alford said.
"That's all part of becoming an upperclassman," he said. "Your upperclassmen have that pressure on them, because they've played these games before. That leadership falls on the shoulders of guys like Daniel. He's done a very good job to date, and we're going to have to have him continue to do a good job."
