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SWAC MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:
- Grambling State
- Texas Southern
- Southern
- Jackson State
- Alcorn State
- Alabama State
- Prairie View A&M
- Bethune Cookman
- Alabama A&M
- Arkansas Pine Bluff
- Florida A&M
- Mississippi Valley State
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-SWAC 1ST TEAM
-Kintavious Dozier – Grambling State (Offensive Player of the Year)
-TJ Madlock – Alabama State
-Tidjiane Dioumassi – Southern
-Shannon Grant – Jackson State
-Chad Moodie – Alabama A&M
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-SWAC 2ND TEAM
-Grayson Carter – Texas Southern
-CJ Hines – Alabama State
-Kenny Hunter – Texas Southern (Defensive Player of the Year)
-Ubong Okon – Alabama State
-Lorenzo Downey – Alabama A&M
COMMENTS FROM DAVID GRIGGS:
-Grambling State went for the double last year with their 1st place finish in the regular season and then winning the conference tournament to secure the Automatic Bid. They went on to win their First Four game against Montana State before falling to National Runner-Up Purdue in the Round of 64. Expectations are high again this year with two starters who averaged double figures last year returning to the lineup in Kintavious Dozier and Antwan Burnett. Chilaydrien Newton also returns to the lineup after missing all of last year with injuries and is expected to contribute this year as well. They appear to be balanced, and if they can develop some depth they should once again be at or near the top of the SWAC.
-Texas Southern is another team to watch as Coach Johnny Jones’s team finished last year on an 8-1 run before losing to Grambling in the SWAC Championship game. They are looking to replace PJ Henry, who was arguably their best player a year ago. They do appear to be in a bit of a rebuilding period, but they have some experience returning in the frontcourt with Grayson Carter, and should have a fair amount of depth once they get their rotation set.
-Southern was red-hot in the first half of conference play, but struggled down the stretch losing five of their last seven games. With only five players back from last year’s team, there seem to be more questions than answers. DaMariee Jones was a standout player in NAIA last year averaging close to 16ppg/8rpg, so he should be able to contribute right away. Michael Jacobs had a big year last year in JUCO and is another newcomer to watch.
-Jackson State appears to be starting over. All five starters from last year’s team are gone. They have added some standout JUCO players and will be looking at them to contribute this year.
-Alcorn State is another team that lost its entire starting lineup from a year ago. They were strong in the second half of conference play last year with a 2nd place finish, but will now need to rebuild. Like a lot of teams, they will be relying heavily on transfers to rebuild their roster.
-Alabama State is a bit of an oddity in the sense that they are returning four of their top players from a year ago. The problem is that this team really was not all that good a year ago, and while you never want to overlook experience, you wonder if a team that lost 9 of its last 11 will benefit much from it. Having said that, they have two really good players in TJ Madlock/CJ Hines, and appear to be adding some transfers that could really contribute. We could see the Hornets take a big step forward this year.
-Prairie View A&M ended last season with a 7-game losing streak. They do not return a whole lot from that team, and that may be a good thing. Bryon Smith has had some good years as head coach and there is reason to think he can build up success again, but with so many new players it is hard to know what to make of them.
-Coach Reggie Theus has increased Bethune-Cookman’s win total in each of the three years he has been there, but with just one starter back from last season continuing that improvement will be a huge challenge. The addition of grad transfer Gianni Hunt from Cal State Northridge should be big for them, and Reggie Ward returns after averaging just under 10ppg a year ago, but Cookman does appear to be in rebuild mode this season.
-Alabama A&M had a nice postseason run to the CIT semifinals a year ago. They also return Chad Moodie, who appears to be one of the up-and-coming stars in the conference and gives AAMU a lot of strength in the post. This is a transfer-heavy roster, and I think it is a team that could exceed expectations. I do not think they will win the league, but I could see them doing much better than 9th and could end up surprising some people.
-Arkansas Pine Bluff is another team that has to replace its entire roster. It could be a long year for the Golden Lions.
-Florida A&M first year Coach Patrick Crarey II has his work cut out for him. He is also tasked with rebuilding the roster as just one starter returns. It could be a very long season for the Rattlers.
-Mississippi Valley State, with their 1-30 record, won the HoopsHD Centenary Award last year. ..and it was well deserved. While they may not repeat as the worst team in nation again this year, I still think they will be much closer to the bottom than the top. George Ivory was 6-57 as head coach so wins will be few and far between.