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Rowland The X-Factor For Lions' Success

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: November 17, 2007

ST. LEO - He's quick, agile, long-armed and able to leap over and around just about anyone he faces.

Athletically, Kyle Rowland is about as good as it gets in Division II basketball, but there's one defender he hasn't beat up until this season.

Himself.
Saint Leo coach Mike Madagan has tried everything to breed confidence in the 6-foot-7 junior forward. Finally, comfortable in his surroundings, Rowland is starting to believe, and plans to be more aggressive and leave the overly unselfish ways behind.

It might be the one piece that has been missing in Saint Leo's quest to get to the top of the Sunshine State Conference.

"For us, I believe the X-factor is Kyle. How well he performs on a consistent basis," Madagan said. "I'm not trying to say the only way we're going to win is with Kyle. My point is, we're a good team. He can make us a great team."

"Confidence is probably the biggest thing with me. Even all summer, I would tell myself to sort-of be fearless," Rowland said. "Individually, I think, and Coach thinks that we have two or three people that could be conference player of the year. That's big for me. I expect I could be one of them."

For the most part, the personality of the Lions in years past has been much like Rowland - quiet, introverted and lacking the outspoken element that most good teams have. Last season it produced only a 13-15 record. That figures to change this season, thanks to the maturing of Saint Leo's younger players and the addition of others.

"We have people that lead by example, but we have no one that takes over the huddle," said forward Jordan Prais, the 2006-07 SSC Freshman of the Year. "I think as soon as that comes about, that will raise our intensity."

Prais led Saint Leo with 11.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game a season ago, and has added some muscle to his 6-foot-7 frame. Sophomore point-guard Quentin Cullop also is entering his second year as a starter.

Division I transfer Dusty Driggs, an Indiana high school standout guard, has provided a much-needed presence behind the 3-point line, draining 13 in Saint Leo's two exhibition games. Last season, the Lions were last in the SSC in 3-pointers made.

Senior forward George Eshesimua and guard Jonathan Banks are the captains and will provide leadership, but the only question remaining is where the inspiration and energy will come from.

With an offense that appears to be among the best in the conference, and a defense that looks improved due to a long offseason of hard work, Madagan is setting the bar high for a team that has him more excited than any other in his tenure at Saint Leo.

"I will tell you right now, you can print it, you can say whatever you want. If we do not finish third or better in the league, I think we've had a disappointing season," Madagan said. "I believe we have the talent, I believe we have the versatility, I believe we have the depth, I believe we have all the parts in place to be able to win in this league."

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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