It was windy in Charleston, Ill., yesterday. And cold. Colder than the thermometers read on the Eastern Illinois campus. Eastern Illinois’
Domercant may be
on his way to NBAThe Panthers guard is the
Probable starters
nation's sixth-leading scorerBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.com
That 28 degrees? It felt more like 18. Winter is officially a day away.
When: Today, 8 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Hawaii
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
TV: Live, KFVE-TV
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: uhathletics.hawaii.edu
But the weather doesn't matter to Henry Domercant. He's always known how to light up a gym.
EIU's 6-foot-4 senior guard packed his 25.6-point scoring average along with his shorts this week. He plans to test Hawaii's defense tonight with his inside-outside game, a versatility that allowed Panther coach Rick Samuels to play Domercant at small forward last season and move him back to his natural spot at shooting guard this year.
Yet it hasn't mattered where Domercant has played. He has scored. And scored.
Domercant is on track to become the 26th player in Division I history to reach 2,600 points. Last season's Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year needs just 603 points to get there.
Having scored a school-record 817 points as a junior and with 205 in eight games this season, it appears a solid bet that he'll right next to Joe Dumars -- the last player to score 2,600 points.
It's part of the reason Domercant returned to EIU this season, changing his mind on the very last day that he could pull out of last June's NBA Draft. The economics major had some unfinished business, including wanting to help the Panthers to a 20-win season.
At 3-5, the Panthers have some work to do. But their schedule has been tough, with three of their six road games against ranked teams -- No. 7 Florida, No. 13 Marquette and No. 14 Illinois -- all resulting in losses.
"It's been a nice nonconference schedule for us," said Domercant, who ranks sixth nationally in scoring. "It should prepare us for the games we have ahead. Hopefully we'll maintain some confidence, even though we have a losing record.
"We need to learn from it and build on what we learn."
Domercant signed early out of North High School in Naperville, Ill. It's about a 200-mile drive, mostly on I-57, from his hometown to EIU. He was getting offers from mid-major schools -- the likes of Ball State and Indiana State -- but wanted to stay close to family, friends and his church work.
Domercant had an all-star senior year as North won the conference, reached the Class AA Tournament Sweet Sixteen and "If he hadn't signed early, we wouldn't have gotten him," Samuels said. "He's a great kid and has really worked hard to be where he's at today. We knew he was going to be a good player anyway, but he has made himself into a great player.
"He's a tireless worker. I wouldn't classify him as a great athlete. He's solid (200 pounds), uses his body well. And he knows how to use our offense."
Domercant is already the school's all-time leading scorer (1,997) and likely will become just the 11th player to finish among the NCAA top five scorers three consecutive years. The All-America honorable mention finished second last year with a 26.4 average and No. 4 as a sophomore with 22.8 ppg.
He credits his teammates with his success within EIU's motion offense.
"My teammates look for me, they take pride in screening and getting me open," said Domercant, who led the Panthers in rebounding and steals last season. "My coach always says that it takes three people to score, the guy who sets the screen, the passer and the shooter.
"My teammates have shown a lot of unselfishness. My role on the team is to score and I try not to pass up any opportunities because they show a lot of confidence in me even when things aren't going well."
If things go well, Domercant will be drafted this June. His dream team is the Chicago Bulls.
"He'll be playing next year for a lot of money," Samuels predicted. "He's a catch-and-shoot player, he can create his own shots, get to the free-throw line.
"They ask if he can play the point. No. But I look at the NBA and see a lot of guys who can't make jump shots. He can make jump shots, whether he's guarded or open. Plus he's a great person. He will be a credit to anybody's franchise."
Domercant does a bounce-pass compliment right back.
"Coach promised me that he would help make me the best player I could be," Domercant said. "I think he has definitely fulfilled his promise. I have no complaints."
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Probable starters
EASTERN ILLINOIS (3-5)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G H.Domercant (Sr.) 6-4 25.6 6.4 2.8 G J.R.Reynolds (Sr.) 6-4 12.5 2.9 1.4 G C.Lewis (Sr.) 6-2 8.1 4.1 3.3 F J.Mackinson (Jr.) 6-8 9.5 3.9 1.0 C J.Thompson (Sr.) 6-11 3.1 2.6 1.6
HAWAII (2-1)
Ht. Pts. Reb. Ast. G C.English (Jr.) 6-5 16.0 5.0 4.0 G M.Campbell (Sr.) 6-4 3.3 2.0 5.8 F V.Peciukas (So.) 6-6 4.7 2.7 1.3 F P.Martin (Jr.) 6-8 12.3 2.3 0.6 C H.Shimonovich (Jr.) 6-10 12.0 6.7 2.0 Notes: The first game of the Adidas Festival pits New Orleans (6-2) against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (4-4) at 6 p.m. The Privateers are coached by Monte Towe, the point guard on N.C. State's 1974 NCAA championship team. ... The series between Hawaii and EIU is tied at 1. The Rainbows won 68-65 in 1983, while the Panthers won 73-72 in 1998. ... Hawaii has won 14 consecutive home games, the longest streak in the WAC. The Rainbows are coming off a 60-49 loss at San Diego State, the first time in three seasons they have not scored at least 50 points. ... UH coach Riley Wallace is in his 16th season (243-205). ... EIU coach Rick Samuels is in his 23rd year (331-313), the third-longest stay among active coaches at one school.
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