Next season is a very important one for St. John's University. The Red Storm made significant progress this season under head coach Norm Roberts. So the expectations have been upgraded for next season for the Big East Conference school.
Roberts has done a nice job in adding some more quality talent and also adding character players as well. With the terrible news of Rob Thomas' injury hitting the program this week, it will be very important that the class of 2007 produce some meaningful results next season.
A player that doesn't come in with the same fanfare as will Justin Burrell and Malik Boothe is Michael Cavataio, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound swingman from St. Francis Prep High School in Fresh Meadows, New York.
Mike vastly improved his game over past season at St. Francis Prep. He is surprisingly athletic and does a terrific job in making himself available to passes inside the paint.
Cavataio does a solid job in cutting off picks and getting into the lane to drain short jumpers. He will need to use screens and picks to give himself an opportunity to score with his soft shooting touch.
Playing with a Malik Boothe is certainly an advantage. Boothe is an extremely unselfish player and a smart player. Boothe's skills will help free up Mike's ability to score.
BRIAN TOWEY'S VIEW ON MIKE CAVATAIO'S INDIVIDUAL GAME: Mike is a spindly forward with a long, live body. He'll slash, attack the rim, and is extremely active on the glass. He's a fundamentally sound player who can have an affect on a game with his rebounding, shot blocking, or passing.