ATLANTIC SUN MEDIA DAY PRESEASON COACHES POLL:
- Queens
- North Alabama
- Eastern Kentucky
- FGCU
- Austin Peay
- Jacksonville
- Lipscomb
- Central Arkansas
- Stetson
- Bellarmine
- North Florida
- West Georgia
ATLANTIC SUN MEDIA DAY PRESEASON MEDIA POLL:
- North Alabama
- Eastern Kentucky
- Queens
- FGCU
- Lipscomb
- Jacksonville
- Austin Peay
- Stetson
- North Florida
- Bellarmine
- Central Arkansas
- West Georgia
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-ASUN TEAM:
-Chris Ashby – Queens
-Corneilous Williams – North Alabama
-Tate McCubbin – Austin Peay
-Camren Hunter – Central Arkansas
-Montavious Myrick – Eastern Kentucky
-Chris Arias – Jacksonville
-Charlie Williams – Lipscomb
-Donte Bacchus – North Alabama
-Jamie Phillips Jr. – Stetson
-Shelton Williams-Dryden – West Georgia
COMMENTS FROM DAVID:
-North Alabama was a fantastic story last year. For a program that had struggled ever since transitioning up to D-1 and had no real basketball history or culture, they absolutely exploded last year and won 24 total games. They were packing their arena, tied for 1st place in the conference, nearly made the NCAA Tournament, and then earned an NIT bid. This year they are in a bit of a reset mode as they are tasked with replacing four starters, but the expectations are still high. Kedar Bodie was a standout player at the JUCO level last year and is someone who could make an immediate impact. Dallas Howell and Corneilous Williams also saw key minutes, so they should be able to be big-time contributors this year as well.
-Eastern Kentucky had a stretch late in the year where they won eight straight games, but for most of the year they struggled more than what you would expect. Turner Buttry and Jackson Holt both return and make up an experienced and talented backcourt. Both are also very solid outside shooters. Juan Cranford Jr. transfers in from Saint Francis where he put up some pretty impressive numbers, so he should be a contributor as well. Amarr Knox is another solid transfer who averaged over 14ppg on an Alabama State team that made the NCAA Tournament last year. All in all, I really like this EKU roster and think they can win the league this year.
-Queens has been a super-fun program to follow since they began transitioning up to D-1. They won 20 games last year and have high expectations for this season. Chris Ashby returns for his final year of eligibility after averaging just under 13ppg last year and is a very solid outside shooter. Yoav Berman had a solid year is a freshman and is also a superb outside shooter: he should be able to contribute in a big way this season. As always, Queens should be a lot of fun to watch this year.
-FGCU was a modest 18-15 last year, but started to catch fire down the stretch, winning five of their last six before losing in the conference tournament. Unfortunately just one starter returns from that team and the roster seems to be lacking in guys with a whole lot of proven D-1 experience. The expectations are still reasonably high, but it could be a long year for the Eagles.
-Kevin Carroll takes over the coaching duties at Lipscomb. They had a great season last year where they won 25 games, which included winning the conference tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The problem is that so much of that team is gone that it is like an entirely new team this year. Their roster is lacking in D-1 experience and it could be a long season for them.
-Jacksonville is another team that is having to completely rebuild after experiencing some success a season ago. Chris Arias had a solid freshman season and is a fantastic outside shooter. Given how much players tend to improve between their freshman and sophomore years he will likely be the player they depend on the most this year, but he certainly cannot do it all alone: some of the returners who saw limited minutes will have to step up this year.
-Austin Peay had an unremarkable season last year, but they were showing signs of life down the stretch and I kind of like them this year. If nothing else I think they will be very much improved with three starters returning including Tate McCubbin, who was a double-figure scorer last year and earned preseason honors this year. They have also added a few guys who put up solid numbers in JUCO or D-2 last year.
-A couple years ago Stetson won 22 games and was a great story given how they had been able to build themselves up. Last year, they won just eight games, and with the roster turning over again it is looking like it could be another long year for the Hatters. Jamie Phillips Jr. is the lone returning starter and while they have a couple of impressive-looking freshmen and JUCO players joining the roster, it remains to be seen if they can step into D-1 and contribute right away.
-After two solid years in their first two years of transitioning, Bellarmine has completely fallen apart. They won just five total games a season ago, and Doug Davenport takes over for his father (long-time successful head coach Scott Davenport). He has his work cut out for him. Jack Karasinski is a solid player and shooter, but he will need some help. A lot of guys who do not have a lot of D-1 experience will have to step up.
-North Florida is having to replace their entire starting lineup. While I do not expect them to be very good this year, I am expecting them to be a little better than next-to-last. Alex Vargo put up big numbers in JUCO last year and should be a player they can rely on this season. Devin Hines put up decent numbers at Lafayette a year ago and as a grad transfer gives them some experience. They have at least a couple of pieces and should be able to win a few games.
-West Georgia is in their second transitional year, and that is never an easy place to be. They won just six games a year ago, and while three starters are back everyone is pretty much expecting them to struggle again this year.
