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Alford sizing up recruiting options

By Jeremy Fowler
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

After watching his new team for the first time in his new practice facility, University of New Mexico coach Steve Alford wouldn't mind adding another new dimension.

More size.

"That's the first priority," Alford said. "That's not easy close to April. One area of concern is that center position."

This is no longer the Big Ten, where Alford's former Iowa teams had Big Ten resources to land a big seven-footer.

Not that it can't happen at UNM, but only two Lobos - 6-foot-9 sophomore Daniel Faris and the 6-11 but underdeveloped redshirt freshman, Derek Oestreicher - can fill the gap near the basket these days.

The rest of the lineup plays out like Buckingham Palace: plenty of guards.

But after a positive workout, Alford said his team has more upside than last season's 4-12 Mountain West Conference record would indicate.

Rising senior guards J.R. Giddens and Tony Danridge are athletic and talented, Alford said, but otherwise it's too early to dissect the entire team.

"All the guys worked hard and were good listeners," Alford said. "They were fun to coach. There's a lot of transition going on in March, so how hard they've worked is more important."

With a 10-man roster that includes four seniors, Alford can begin branding his program with this offseason's recruiting.

The departure of Jeffrey Henfield last week could give Alford up to four scholarships, depending on if rising sophomore David Kanyinda receives a scholarship for the 2007-08 season.

It's rumored one of Alford's three 2007 commitments to Iowa, 6-5 guard Jake Kelly from Carmel, Ind., will join Alford's new team.

There's always the junior college route to find a sizable forward for the April signing period.

Recruiting will pick up once the Final Four concludes, Alford said.

"The three commitments to Iowa, I'm sure they are going through some things," Alford said. "There are definite possibilities with guys we've been actively recruiting, but the last thing I want to do is fill all four spots just to fill all four. If it doesn't make sense, we can hold one or two to give to the 2008 class."

Both of McKay's high school recruits - Phoenix-area guards Ty Abbott and Mickey McConnell - have escaped their letters of intent to play for UNM. Alford said Abbott, who is being recruited by Vanderbilt and Washington State, is "somebody to make contact with."

A 7-foot Iowa commitment from the 2008 class, junior Beas Hamga out of Decatur, Ill., could follow Alford and assistant coach Craig Neal. The other 2008 commitment, 6-5 Matt Gatens of Iowa City, will reportedly stay in Iowa.

Assistants: Craig Neal is the only solidified assistant on Alford's staff, but that should change quickly.

Alford said he plans to speak with two of his other Iowa assistants, Tim Buckley and Billy Garrett, but he's also talking with some West Coast coaches. Alford expects to cement his assistant lineup in time for active recruiting.