Nobody will describe next year's UNBC Northern Timberwolves as undersized.
On Friday, the local men's basketball team announced the commitment of six-foot-four guard/forward Charles Barton to the program. Barton becomes the third off-season addition who will need an extra long uniform. The other towering newcomers are six-foot-10 post player Kevan Madsen -- who will return after a season missed due to academic ineligibility -- and six-foot-six forward Gabe Aubertin.
Last season, the Timberwolves were skilled but small. Ultimately, their lack of size in the paint was a major factor in their inability to defend the provincial and national championships they claimed in 2009-10.
UNBC head coach Todd Jordan has every right to be a little giddy about the altitude he has added to the team.
"I've been pretty fortunate," he said. "The thing is, we've gotten bigger but it's not like I'm just bringing in big bodies that are just big bodies. They can all play. I'm hoping that we'll still be able to play the up-tempo style we've been playing and we'll just be a little bigger doing it."
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