"The Second Five"

(photo Cornell Daily Sun)

Pictured above, Cornell's Adam Wire, a 6'6" junior leads the charge in 2009-2010 with the Big Red's "second five" unit.

Newman Nation is going to love its reserves next season.

Several of these players could start and even star for other Ivy League teams. Their delegation as reserve players for Cornell during 2009-2010, however, is due to the Big Red's return of all five starters (Alex Tyler, Jeff Foote, Ryan Wittman, Geoff Reeves and Louis Dale) from last season's repeat Ivy League Championship squad.

It is the incredible depth at every position area which makes Cornell an overwhelming favorite to three-peat as Ivy League Champion in 2009-2010.

Here is a glimpse of what the Big Red could bring off the bench as their "second five" in '09-'10...

"The Second Five"

Chris Wroblewski (6'1" So.) Point Guard-The 2008-2009 Ivy League Rookie of the Year averaged 6.7 points, 2.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds for the Big Red a year ago while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 45 percent from 3-point range. After New Year's, Wroblewski broke into double figure scoring seven times, all in a reserve capacity, including three of the last four Ivy games. Capable of playing either guard position, Wroblewski can hit jumpers from the perimeter, create his own shot off the dribble, and set-up his teammates. He is also an underrated defender.

Max Groebe (6'4" RS Jr.) Shooting Guard-When Ryan Wittman and Louis Dale take breaks, Cornell will not losing a step in scoring punch with Groebe on the floor. But in addition to scoring, he is physically strong for a guard and capable of defending and rebounding against forwards. A transfer from UMass, he played in 19 games for the Minutemen during 2007-2008 (averaged 2.1 points playing 5.5 minutes per game), but had his season shortened when he missed the last six games of the season due to personal reasons. When on the floor, he showed the ability to score quickly in limited playing time, including scoring 5 points in just 15 minutes against Northern Illinois on November 10, 5 points in 8 minutes against Boston University on December 29 and then exploding for 11 points in 10 minutes against Central Connecticut State on December 22. Prior to to attending UMass, Groebe attended Krop High School in Miami, Florida. As a senior he was First-team All-Miami-Dade while averaging 22.3 points along with 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He turned down scholarship opportunities at Georgetown, Miami (Fl), and South Florida, among numerous other Division I programs before selecting UMass during the early signing period. In a glimpse of what is in store for next season, he scored 21 points in Cornell's 2008-2009 public intersquad Red-White scrimmage, leading all scorers.

Mark Coury (6'9" RS Sr.) Center-Coury is a transfer from the University of Kentucky with great size at 240 lbs. He is known as a physical, aggressive and hardworking blue collar post player. During 2007-2008 with the Wildcats, he started 29 games. While not as physically gifted as some of his teammates, he was a "coach's favorite" because of his determination and grit at the start of each game. He averaged 10.7 minutes per game while producing 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Make no mistake about it, Coury can play and contrary to some reports published in several Ivy League student newspapers, Coury was a scholarship player at Kentucky. During 2007-2008, he put up 13 points and 10 rebounds on November 7 against Central Arkansas, 6 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes against San Diego on December 29, and 9 points and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes against #13 Vanderbilt on January 12 before a CBS televised audience. He also recorded 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block in just 6 minutes against South Carolina on March 5, a 71-63 win by Kentucky.

Adam Wire (6'6" Jr.) Forward-A high energy player off the bench, Wire is listed at 222 lbs. on the roster, but is head to toe the toughest player in the Ivy League. During 2008-2009, he averaged roughly 3.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 15 minutes per game off the bench while shooting 55% from the floor. A nose for the ball, Wire led Cornell in steals and was ranked 3rd in the Ivy League despite playing a reserve role. Some of his better games came against Cornell's high profile nonconference opponents, including 6 rebounds and 2 steals at Saint Joseph’s, 8 rebounds and 4 steals at Minnesota, and 5 rebounds and 3 steals at Indiana.

Forward-As the 10th player, take your pick from several talented options. Cornell could go big with 6'8" senior Pete Reynolds, 6'9" junior Aaron Osgood or 6'11" senior Marc Van Burck. Additionally, Cornell could also call on the athletic sharpshooter, 6'5" sophomore Alex Hill (9/20 on 3-PTs). Then there is also an option with heralded 6'6" freshman Errick Peck or the 6'5" senior leaper in Andre Wilkins.

Four freshman round out the roster with Eitan Chemerinski (6'9"), Josh Figini (6'8"), Peter McMillan (6'7") and Miles Asafo-Adjei (6'1").