Besides a one-year blip during the 2007-08 season Wagner hasn’t had a record above .500 in Northeast Conference since 2004-05 season. The Seahawks have had just two winning seasons since 2002-03. But Dan Hurley is doing his best to change all that.
The commitment of 2012 forward Eric Fanning to Wagner on Monday continues a strong uptick in recruiting. (Highlight videos are here and here.)
The 2011 recruiting class already has some impressive talent for the NEC, which consistently is in the lower third of Division I conferences. Eugene McCrory, Mario Moody and Marcus Burton should all be able to help Wagner and support leading returning scorer Tyler Murray (16.9 PPG last season).
Moody and international recruit Hugo Naurais (who played last year in the U18 European Championship with France) should help complement Orlando Parker and Naofall Folahan as the four players develop together in the front court.
The Seahawks can definitely use the help after finishing last season dead last in the NEC in defensive free throw rate and offensive rebounding. Wagner also finished ninth in defensive rebounding, so the need for a big man to step in and contribute is quite pronounced. After finishing sixth in the conference last season, Wagner will also have to find a third scoring option behind Murray and sophomore Latif Rivers – the numbers suggest it could be Parker. But there’s definitely a chance for the young team to improve and possibly even put up a fight in conference next season.
Hurley will have to keep pounding the pavement, but it looks like players are starting to realize that things are starting to change on Staten Island.
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