Rebounding was a major weakness in 2005-06. Last night the rebounders looked solid. SUU out-rebounded Lakehead 45-30, and the big men — especially Tate Sorenson — were getting to all the right spots.

Marcus Carson, who I have mentioned a couple of times is one of the best athletes on the team, looked especially impressive. He has the potential to be a really good player with the possibility of time at the two or three.

Brad Kanis got off to a slow start, but he really can plug up the middle. Those long arms really change shots, which we witnessed on a couple of occassions last night. One in particular stands out, with a blocked shot so emphatic the Lakehead player was practically driven through the Centrum Arena floor.

On the down side, the Bill Evans said at the coaches' luncheon on Monday that the team doesn't have the outside shooting that led the nation in 3-point shooting last year. I think we saw that last night. Outside of Steve Barnes, Nurudeen Adepoju and David Marek there really isn't a lot out there. SUU has a lot more athleticism and I think the T-Birds will need to be more of a slashing team.

On the plus side, when a defense holds any team to 30 points and goes that hard for 40 minutes despite a 40-plus (and eventually 60-plus) point lead, you know you've got a hard-working group of guys.

SUU will have one more exhibition game, this one coming Saturday night against old Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Mesa State. Check back here Sunday morning for more observations.

— RJ