MBB: USA South Conference

[SU97]

Starting to craft my preseason picks for the USASAC. I figured I'd head over to the NCWC site, seeing that they are now winning everything this fall...  but I did find this article, which I thought was cool:  http://annex.ncwc.edu/athletics/news/2007-08/spotlights/9sudler.htm  

[SU97]

any word on these guys?  where did they transfer from, etc.?

20 Craig McCargo So. G 5-7 160 South Boston, Va. Halifax Co.
22 Joshua Russell So. G 6-3 190 Suffolk, Va. Lakeland
30 Kenny Reid So. F 6-3 200 Suffolk, Va. Lakeland
33 Thomas Whinnett Jr. F 6-6 220 Liverpool, England Lakenheath
40 Marko Hamlin Jr. C-F 6-7 210 Arlington, Va. Wakefield

picked 4th... D-I transfers. I'm thinking that reports of CNU's demise were greatly exaggerated.

[CNU85]

SU97,

It's a crap shoot at best. From what I could find with limited search efforts, most of those guys didn't even pay last year. The ODU kid played in 1 game and if I remember correctly, that was 2 years ago. Couple all the new faces with the new offense being introduced, and you have too many unanswered questions at this point. 4th may be a good place to guess in the preseason.

[narch]

sure would be nice if the ncwc roster were available online...averett, too...we're a week away from the season starting...

[narch]

Here is my preseason poll

1. Averett - I guess we'll have to assume that everyone important returned since there is no roster on the website...

2.  Methodist - i think the monarchs might surprise some folks this season and i wouldn't be surprised a bit if they won the title...or they could finish in 6th place

3. CNU - this IS cnu...i just don't see them finishing worse than 3rd...ever

4. N.C. Wesleyan - ditto what i said for averett, although i just don't believe in them like the coaches do - this was a talented team last year that finished sub .500 - in fact, they are eternally talented...yet they haven't really been a legit contender since 2002-03

5. Shenandoah - if onyie and johns can stay healthy, this team could push for a title despite finishing in last place last year...the trio of lawrence, onyie and johns are as dangerous as any in the conference - i really like their coaching, too - if onyie and johns can't stay healthy, this team is doomed to a 6th place finish

6. Greensboro - this is a team that is simply replacing too much - they lost 6 players (4 with remaining eligibility) and the poty, who was the most important guy on the roster - nicholson is very good, as is zamuel...those two might be able to carry gc - among the 5 transfers are 2 big men who were formerly d2 players (sharpe and Mavoungou) - they could win it all if they can come together

7. Ferrum - they lost 3 of their top 4 scorers...from a next to last place team

overall, i think this conference is as strong on paper as it has ever been...1-6 should be very good (with good health)...i'm anxious for the season to start - go monarchs!

[SU97]

4. N.C. Wesleyan - ditto what i said for averett, although i just don't believe in them like the coaches do - this was a talented team last year that finished sub .500 - in fact, they are eternally talented...yet they haven't really been a legit contender since 2002-03

WOW Narch - you stole my entire post for NCWC verbatim.

[narch]

WOW Narch - you stole my entire post for NCWC verbatim.

you and i have seen a lot of usasac/dixie hoops over the years, my friend, and we've seen a lot of talented ncwc teams under perform...maybe this will be the year they reach their potential, but i'm not holding my breath

[SU97]

WOW Narch - you stole my entire post for NCWC verbatim.

you and i have seen a lot of usasac/dixie hoops over the years, my friend, and we've seen a lot of talented ncwc teams under perform...maybe this will be the year they reach their potential, but i'm not holding my breath

so true, so true...

[SU97]

My pre-preseason picks:

1.  Shenandoah:   
Homer pick... check. 
Bias... check.
Last place in 2007... check.
15 beers playing a part in your pick process... priceless.

2.  CNU:   
Blasingame is still the best big man in the conference.  At the end of last year CNU85 indicated that Blasingame may have missed his window of opportunity.  But with 5 transfers, it looks to me like CJ reloaded and is ready to compete.  The backcourt now has a chance to be very good: I really liked Barton last year (lit us up) and if (assuming) the kid from ODU steps in at point... Lewis and Riley will need to be replaced, if any of those big men transfers can play, then I think we see CNU doing what GC pulled off last year.   

3.  Averett: 
Amazing year in 2007.  A great run, overcoming injuries and a lowly loss to SU... I can't quite put my finger on it, but I don't see the regular season championship running through danville. Last year was such an amazing feat that I think it's overshadowing the fact they have so much talent returning... weird. 

4.  Greensboro: 
After last season I tabbed them to take it all this year.  But now after looking at the roster, I'm left wondering.  With #30 not returning (POTY), I just wonder what they have underneath.  They crushed the boards against us...   

5.  Methodist:
Would have been ranked higher, but the Dragan, my favorite player of the decade has now graduated.  This knocked 'em back to 5th.  Seriously, last year's youth and strong schedule could equate to experience and some close wins... maybe more. 

6.  NCWC: 
As Narch said: no roster yet... I think we will know more early in the season, as they have VWC, Guilford and RandyMac on the schedule...  They could easily push for the title... but no new info, so I'll just retype what I typed up for last years' summary: I never know know what to think of this squad. They always have talent, hell two years ago there wasn't a more dangerous combo in the conference than Hall and Arrington.  Hall again showed that he can pretty much do what he wants during the conference tournament, but how they ended up in 6th place is beyond me.  They look promising for next year, only losing one starter to graduation and Hall will be a senior.

7.  Ferrum: 
Beat SU last year, but who didn't.  Only lost one senior.

[CNU85]

1.  Shenandoah:   
Homer pick... check. 
Bias... check.
Last place in 2007... check.
15 beers playing a part in your pick process... priceless.

Priceless!! +1

[SU97]

Truth is, I figure why not go all the way and put the hornets at the top. If you are going to root for the home team, you might as well put it out there to win...

[SU97]

Thoughts on SU this year:

They are a team in that middle void that probably could be better than their preseason ranking of 6th.  But there are a lot of variables...  JLawrence and OnyieO are solid underneath.  When healthy last year they could compete with most teams we faced.  Time will tell if OnyieO can tough out a full season, but I'm very hopeful for both the hornets big men to have outstanding senior campaigns.  The small forward position is anybody's guess.  Moktar led SU in conference play last year averaging 19 points a game, plus he was always good for 6 boards, so someone will need to step up and fill that void. Not sure who that will be, but I hope it is someone with a little better shot selection from 3pt:  Moktar only hit 15 3balls in 12 games (during conference play). As I mentioned at the end of last year, the guard slots will need to be filled if this team is going to have any chance of making a solid run.  Stevie Johns looks to be back, but he's always been a bit of an enigma.  He was a very solid contributer off the bench in his freshman year and I always thought he showed a lot of potential early on, but he's fallen on injury woes recently.  His sophmore year he follwed up with a good year from a young guy - put in solid numbers, but he needs to increase that average of 12 ppg for him to live up to his billing. With all his injury time you have to wonder if he's someone you can look to in the clutch. SU has historically leaned heavily on it's guards to score points, so I wonder how that plays in Coach Harris' eyes.  I hope Johns  pulls through and becomes someone who the hornets can rely on.  But - it looks like the coaching staff went out and brought in 5 freshman guards and two frosh SF's who may also be able to play the 2guard...  Add returners Adams (PG - 12.4 ppg and 98 assists), Cook, Carr and Bentley and SOMEONE out of those 11 guys should be able to shoot from outside the arch.  Which is what the hornets need to be able to do to at least be able to compete.  Someone needs to give JLawrence and OnyieO some space to work with down low. 

As a team, the issue SU needs to address is their dismal free throw shooting.  If they can ever get that under control (.608 avg last year) they might have a chance to stay close late in the game.  They really didn't have a handle on it last year. Hopefully they will continue to improve their defense (yes, I realize that the terms "defense" and "Shenandoah" are not usually associated with each other in the friendly confines of Shingleton Gym) as they have the last two years.   

In reality, I think the hornets could finish as high as third, setting up a decent opportunity for the conference tournament. Once you get to tournament play...  well, you never know. 

[CNU85]

Nice analysis SU97,

As far as CNU is concerned - I have zero analysis to provide. There are too many changes in faces and offensive schemes. All I can predict is that before most games I can be found across the street at Schooners downing some beer and eating nachos or Souvlaki!! That way, the basketball games will be "happy times"!! 

[CNU85]

Just got my season tickets! Can't wait for a very interesting year. Time to start ramping up on the hoops board. CNU has 2 football games left - both are away. Playoffs don't look promising. 2 road wins for the football team, a nice 7-3 record with a toughy schedule........and then hoops time!

Va Wesleyan on the clock - ugh, what a way to start the season! Good way to find out how well the pre-season prepared the team!

[SU97]

Just got my season tickets! Can't wait for a very interesting year. Time to start ramping up on the hoops board. CNU has 2 football games left - both are away. Playoffs don't look promising. 2 road wins for the football team, a nice 7-3 record with a toughy schedule........and then hoops time!

Va Wesleyan on the clock - ugh, what a way to start the season! Good way to find out how well the pre-season prepared the team!

Finally...  I've had enough wing-t for this year...

CNU85 - I like your schedule.  It's a nice mix of NCAA tourney squads and some not-so-NCAA tourney squads.  You guys should know a lot with VWC and SUNY-York in the first two games.... OUCH! After that it looks to be a bit easier.  But still:

VWC:   2007 NCAA runners-up
SUNY-YORK:   2007 NCAA Tourney
Trinity (non-lateral):   2007 NESCAC Champ and NCAA Tourney
NJCU:  19-10 in 2007 conf. runner-up

Not bad.