Conference Preview: Conference USA

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Chad

CONFERENCE USA

Although it would be highly unlikely for Conference USA to put more than one team into the 2018 NCAA Tournament, the level of play and competition in the conference could make this a very fun season to watch.  Middle Tennessee, which has won the last two automatic bids, must recover from losing 2 of their best 3 players from last season.  Although the Blue Raiders will still be right in the mix, up to five other teams enter the season with legitimate NCAA aspirations.

UAB is the pick to win the conference, thanks to the return of Nick Norton and “The Mayor of Blockingham” William Lee.  However, UTEP should be right in the picture after an amazing second half turnaround last season and the addition of SMU transfer Keith Frazier.  Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee and Marshall could all contend, along with Western Kentucky, a team whose offseason (thanks to Mitchell Robinson) seemed more like a soap opera than a basketball program.  CUSA may once again be a one bid league, but whoever that one team is will make someone very nervous in March, as the conference has advanced a team to the Round of 32 each of the last three years.

Predicted Order of Finish

  1. UAB – Despite huge hopes last season, the Blazers season fell apart in their very first game when star point guard Nick Norton went down for the season with an ACL tear.  He is back this year, and joined by a pair of the best frontcourt players in the league, William Lee and Chris Cokley.  With their leader back, UAB has the pieces to win the league crown and return to the NCAA Tournament.
  2. UTEP – The Miners apparently played two different seasons last year, starting off a dismal 2-13, before turning red hot to end the year on a 13-4 run, including being the only CUSA team to defeat Middle Tennessee.  If head coach Tim Floyd’s team can play an entire season the way they played the second half last year, they could contend for the league crown.  Leading the way will be the inside-outside combo of guard Omega Harris (over 17 points per game last year) and 7-1 center Matt Willms, who also averaged double digits.  The late addition of SMU graduate transfer Keith Frazier could be the piece that puts this team over the top.
  3. Louisiana Tech – The Bulldogs may have the league’s best trifecta of guards with Jacobi Boykins, Jalen Harris and DaQuan Bracey.  However, there are a lot of questions down low, where players like Joniah White will need to step up.  If they can get the frontcourt help, La Tech has a strong chance to make the Big Dance for the first time since 1991.
  4. Middle Tennessee – The backcourt will be strong again, led by Giddy Potts.  However, there could be issues low with both JaCorey Williams and Reggie Upshaw gone.  Alabama transfer Nick King could be the key to whether this team makes it to the Big Dance for the third straight season.
  5. Western Kentucky – A team that is next to impossible to predict, the Hilltoppers basically welcome in an entire new slate of players to join star forward Justin Johnson this season.  The newcomers include some serious talent though, including Buffalo transfer Lamonte Bearden at the point and star freshman recruit Josh Anderson.  Mitchell Robinson should have been joining Anderson, but a decision to transfer-then stay-then skip school and focus on next year’s NBA Draft left the Hilltoppers without what may have been their best recruit ever.
  6. Marshall – The Thundering Herd should be a fun team to watch with head coach Dan D’Antoni’s run-and-gun style, plus junior guard Jon Elmore, who averaged almost 20 points per game, back to lead the team.  The biggest problem is a lack of much proven depth beyond Elmore and guard C.J. Burks.  The good news is that the team has no key seniors, and next season should be the one for fans to key on, assuming Elmore returns for his senior year.
  7. Charlotte – Jon Davis, Andrien White and Austin Ajukwa give the 49ers a tough three-headed monster on the outside that many teams will be unable to stop, especially because a group of new low-post players should allow everyone to play in their natural positions this season.
  8. Old Dominion – The Monarchs ranked 330th in the nation in scoring last season, yet still managed to win 19 games, thanks in part to one of the 10 best scoring defenses in the country.  They need to find a way to shoot better (310th in shooting percentage, 291st in 3-point percentage and 333rd in free throw percentage) to have any chance to contend this season.
  9. UTSA – The Roadrunners improved from 5 wins two years ago to 14 last season, and did so thanks in part to a pair of freshmen – Byron Frohnen and Giovanni de Nicolao.  Both players should only get better this season, and with a few more talented newcomers added to the roster, this is certainly a program to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
  10. North Texas – Grant McCasland coached only one season at Arkansas State, but led the Red Wolves to 20 wins last year.  Repeating that type of success at North Texas this year seems unlikely, though he does have a solid backcourt with Ryan Woolridge and A.J. Lawson.  The Mean Green only won 2 conference games last season.  This year will at least be better than that.
  11. Southern Miss – The Golden Eagles only won 9 games last season, and leading scorer Quinton Campbell is gone.  That simply is not a recipe for success, and should lead to another long season in Hattiesburg.
  12. Rice – Mike Rhoades did an amazing job over the past few seasons bringing Rice basketball back from obscurity to the verge of a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1970.  However, Rhoades is now coaching at VCU, and more players than can be counted on one hand transferred out in the wake of his departure.  The Owls are now in complete rebuild mode under new head coach Scott Pera, and it may be a while before they return to the status of contender.
  13. Florida Atlantic – The Owls only won 10 games last season.  Unfortunately, the talent just does not appear to be here and they may be hard-pressed just to match that mark this time around.
  14. Florida International – The Panthers were 7-24 last year.  Their entire starting lineup from that team is gone, and the best returning players averaged just over 5 points per game.  Need we say more?
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Season Preview: HoopsHD interviews Northern Kentucky G Lavone Holland II

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon’s interviews, and the rest of our extensive and continuous preseason coverage

Kentucky has a rich basketball tradition: the Wildcats and Cardinals have each won multiple NCAA titles, Western Kentucky made the Final 4 in 1971, and Murray State has made the NCAA tourney 13 times in the past 30 years.  The new kid on the block is Northern Kentucky: they only joined D-1 in 2012 and proceeded to have 4 straight losing seasons, but last year the Norse galloped to a 24-win season including a single-digit loss to Big Blue in the NCAA tourney.  The key in March was G Lavone Holland II (from Ballard High School in Louisville): a game-high 20 PTS against Milwaukee to clinch the title and be named Horizon League tourney MVP, followed by a game-high 22 points in a 9-PT loss to Kentucky.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Lavone about winning a title and returning 8 of his team’s top-9 scorers.

You grew up in Louisville: what made you choose Northern Kentucky? When I came out of junior college NKU was my only offer and it felt like home.

You play for Coach John Brannen: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him? His work ethic and being a pitbull. I have also learned that it is important to have trust if you want success.

Last December you scored a career-high 28 PTS/6-10 3PM in a win over Eastern Illinois: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I just felt prepared because I had put in the work to succeed. When I mixed that in with my confidence, it was the formula for a great game.

You finished the season in the top-5 in the conference in AST/STL: how are you able to balance your passing with your defense? It is one of those things that I have to do when I am on the court…otherwise I will see less minutes.

In the 2017 Horizon tourney title game you scored a game-high 20 PTS in a 6-PT win over Milwaukee en route to being named conference tourney MVP: what did it mean to you to win the title, and how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? To win the title was a very special thing, especially when I look back on it now. For me to play my best when it mattered the most was due to everyone in the organization believing in me and Coach Brannen giving us freedom on the offensive end.

In the 2017 NCAA tourney (the 1st appearance in school history) you scored a game-high 22 PTS in a 9-PT loss to #2-seed Kentucky: which of their guys do you think is going to become the best NBA player (Bam Adebayo/De’Aaron Fox/Malik Monk/other)? I am not really sure who will become the best NBA star and I do not think my opinion makes a difference, but I do wish them all the best of luck.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Memphis/Texas A&M: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I am not really familiar with either team’s roster yet but will be better prepared once we get closer to those games and start receiving scouting reports.

You are 1 of 3 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this season? Not much at all: I feel it is a role that I fall into naturally. Being one of three allows me to split the role with a few other guys so I think that it is going to be a breeze.

You return 8 of your top-9 scorers from last season: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success? It will be very crucial. That experience mixed with our talent is a great recipe both for a great season and to build up our dynasty.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? To win the Horizon League regular-season title, make it to the Sweet 16, and go undefeated at home for the amazing crowd that I know we are going to have this year!

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Conference Preview: Colonial

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Chad

COLONIAL

The Colonial Athletic Association has seen some fun conference races, and great conference tournament games in recent years.  There is no reason not to expect much of the same this season.  Two of the nation’s most underrated head coaches, Earl Grant at Charleston and Pat Skerry at Towson, have a chance to put their teams in the NCAA Tournament for the first time this millennium.  The third team that figures to be right in the mix for the bid has never been there, the Elon Phoenix.

Beyond the top three, there is a lot of parity in the conference.  UNC-Wilmington begins life without head coach Kevin Keatts, while programs like William & Mary, James Madison and Delaware work on rebuilding depleted rosters and may be a year away from making some serious noise.  At the end of the day, Charleston may appear the easy pick to win this league, but they should not count on an easy path to the title by any means.

Predicted Order of Finish

  1. College of Charleston – Earl Grant has done an amazing job in his first three seasons in Charleston and has a team that appears ready to take him to the Big Dance for the first time in his career, and for the first time for the school since 1999.  The Cougars return all five starters from last season, led by senior guard Joe Chealey and junior forward Jarrell Brantley.
  2. Elon – The Phoenix have never made it to the NCAA Tournament, but may have their best chance in their 18 years in Division I this season.  All five starters return for head coach Matt Matheny, four of whom averaged double figures in scoring last season.  Tyler Seibring and Brian Dawkins are forces down low, while Steven Santa Ana should lead the way in the backcourt.
  3. Towson – Pat Skerry is another coach that has done an amazing job building a program in the Colonial.  His Tigers return four starters from last year’s 20 win team, led by guard Mike Morsell, and could be right in the hunt for the league crown this year.
  4. UNC-Wilmington – The Seahawks lost a tough game to Virginia in the Round of 64 last season, then promptly saw their head coach, Kevin Keatts, move to NC State and their top scorer, C.J. Bryce, followed him there.  With only one starter back, this should be a rebuilding year for new head man C.B. McGrath, though having double-double machine Devontae Cacok back down low will be a huge help in his first season.
  5. Hofstra – The Pride have a very strong inside-outside combo pair with Justin Wright-Foreman (over 18 points per game) at guard and Rokas Gustys (over 12 rebounds per game) at forward.  The problem will be finding enough supporting pieces and depth to help those two if they want to be among the league’s top teams.
  6. William & Mary – The Tribe only return one starter from last season, but their bench got a lot of playing time and experience.  Don’t be surprised to see them challenging for the upper half of the league standings as players like David Cohn and Nathan Knight step up.
  7. Northeastern – The Huskies finished below .500 last season and lost their top two scorers, who combined for over 35 points per game.  The pieces just don’t appear to be here to make up for that this season.
  8. Delaware – The Blue Hens are starting to trend in the right direction, though they may be another year away from actually competing for a spot near the top of the standings.  Sophomore guard Ryan Daly is the key to their success.  He averaged 16 points and over 7 rebounds per game in his freshman season.
  9. James Madison – The Dukes only return two players that saw any action at all last season.  The good news is that the newcomers include a solid five-man recruiting class and some strong transfers, so the future remains bright for Louis Rowe’s team.
  10. Drexel – The good news is that the Dragons return three starters from last season.  The bad news is that those players lost 23 times last year and their top scorer, Rodney Williams, is gone, while Kari Jonsson left the team last month.  This could be another long season.
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Showdown For Relief (AKA Border War) Available via Stream With All Proceeds Going to Disaster Relief

Posted on October 22, 2017 by David Griggs

For Chad Sherwood’s Big West Preview – CLICK HERE

Something rather amazing is happening today, and in a very good way.  That’s something that it doesn’t feel like we get to say very often when we’re talking about the NCAA, but we can genuinely say that today.  Kansas and Missouri are playing a full blown regulation exhibition game today that is open to the public, and available via stream (see link below), and 100 percent of the money generated from this game is being donated to disaster relief.  And, this didn’t just fall out of the sky.  They had to apply for a waiver from the NCAA in order to be able to play this game, which isn’t always easy to do.  Fortunately, the NCAA agreed that it was a fantastic way to raise money for charity (and it is), and is allowing the two teams to play.

The amazing part does not stop there.  Many other schools have followed suit.  We’ve already seen four exhibition games that were played where all the money from ticket sales was given to charity.  So, not only is it a good thing that Kansas and Missouri are holding this single event today, but it has enabled many other schools to do the same, and we are seeing a lot of money being raised for all sorts of charities as well as some very intriguing exhibition basketball games.

Today’s game between Kansas and Missouri is available for $40.  That is less than what you would spend taking your family out to dinner, or taking your girlfriend/boyfriend out to any place that gave you any sort of chance at them ever wanting to see you again.  Hell, that probably costs less than what it costs to take your family to the movies anymore, AND IT IS FOR CHARITY!!!!

We have a long running joke at Hoops HD about how I want the Border War back and behave in a manner that is beyond obsessive in order to get it back.  While I do want it to come back, this really isn’t about that.  Well, at least not ENTIRELY about that.  This is just a great event for a great cause, which has helped spawn so many other similar events.  Please donate if you are able, and please enjoy what should be one of the most exciting college basketball games that has ever been played in the month of October

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND WATCH THE SHOWDOWN FOR RELIEF 

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Conference Preview: Big West

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Chad

BIG WEST

For those that like to stay up late at night to watch streaming video (often in the past, unfortunately for this conference, of poorer quality) of Under the Radar programs, the Big West may be your the go-to conference.  The league will be fun this season with three clear contenders and a few darkhorses that could crash the party.  Leading the way should be the Rainbow Warriors of Hawai’i with four returning starters and forward Mike Thomas back healthy, though Cal State-Fullerton and UC-Santa Barbara both figure to be in the mix.  Our surprise contender in this league is UC-Riverside, a team that just might have the right combination of new and returning pieces to make serious run at their first ever NCAA Tournament bid.

Predicted Order of Finish

  1. Hawai’i – The Rainbow Warriors have a chance to make it two NCAA appearances in only three seasons under head coach Eran Ganot as they return four starters and welcome back forward Mike Thomas, one of the conference’s top players, who missed all of last season due to injury.
  2. Cal State-Fullerton – The Titans may be without Tre’ Coggins’ 17.5 points per game this season, but they do have three returning double-digit scorers, led by a now-healthy guard Khalil Ahmad and forward Jackson Rowe.  They team is still young, almost lacking in seniors, so next season could be even better than this one.
  3. UC-Santa Barbara – The Gauchos had a dismal 2016-17 season, winning only 6 games.  They could be in store for a huge turnaround this season under new head coach Joe Pasternack, thanks to four returning starters, Gabe Vincent being back healthy, and the addition of graduate transfer Marcus Jackson (a three year starter at Rice).
  4. UC-Riverside – The Highlanders will look to remain healthy this season after injuries and suspensions plagued them last year.  They do return four starters and add 6-11 Boston College transfer Idrissa Diallo.  If they stay healthy and continue to improve, this team could end up being a huge surprise.
  5. UC-Davis – Coming off their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, the Aggies are unfortunately going to have to reload with only one returning starter.  The good news is that the one returning starter is Chima Moneke, who averaged nearly a double-double last season, and they have former sixth man Siler Schneider (10.3 points per game) ready to become a starter.
  6. UC-Irvine – The Anteaters have a ton of holes to fill in the backcourt with Jaron Martin and Luke Nelson gone.  They are always tough defensively, but there probably are not enough scoring pieces here to contend this season.
  7. Long Beach State – This should be a rebuilding year for Dan Monson after losing five key players from last seasons rotation.  Senior Gabe Levin, back from injury, will be looked on to lead the team this season.
  8. Cal Poly – The Mustangs do return three double-digit scorers from last season, including having Josh Martin back healthy.  They should be better than last year’s 20-loss team, but probably not good enough to break into the upper division.
  9. Cal State-Northridge – The Matadors lost 19 games last season and lost over 60% of their scoring in the offseason.  That is not a good sign, though at least Reggie Theus’ team will get production from senior forward Tavrion Dawson, the lone returning starter, who averaged over 14 points per game.
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Conference Preview: Big South

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Chad

BIG SOUTH

The national headlines in great conference battles will probably be focused on leagues like the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and SEC this season.  However, arguably the most exciting conference battle, especially given that the winner of the regular season crown will get home court for the conference tournament, may come in the Big South.  There are five teams with legitimate chances to take the conference title this year, and a few others that might sneak into the discussion if anyone in that top group falters.

It is a close call, but the pick to in the title right now is UNC-Asheville thanks to the pairing of guards Ahmad Thomas and MaCio Teague.  However, Campbell returns seven of its top eight players and has its own star in Chris Clemons, Liberty has a ton of depth and experience, Winthrop is always dangerous with Pat Kelsey on the bench, and Radford has its entire starting five back.  Unfortunately for this conference, it may have another major battle — at its bottom.  Longwood and Presbyterian could be among the contenders for this year’s Centenary Award, given out annually by the HoopsHD staff to the worst team in Division I.

Predicted Order of Finish

  1. UNC-Asheville – The Bulldogs return arguably two of the best and most exciting players in the conference in Ahmad Thomas and MaCio Teague.  Though they will once again be lacking in height, they should have enough talent to finish at or near the top of the league standings.
  2. Campbell – The Camels return seven of their top eight scorers from last season led by junior Chris Clemons, who was second in the entire nation in scoring last year at 25.1 points per game.  Campbell also has some size down low, moreso than a few of the other top contenders in the Big South.  This could be the perfect recipe for a conference title.
  3. Liberty – The Flames won 21 games last season despite being without Caleb Homesley for much of the season.  He is now healthy, and head coach Ritchie McKay’s team has the depth and experience to make their fourth trip to the Big Dance.
  4. Winthrop – After making the NCAA Tournament last season, Keon Johnson ran out of eligibility and head coach Pat Kelsey accepted the job at UMass . . . for about 48 hours.  Kelsey changed his mind and decided to come back to Rock Hill, but Johnson is still gone.  Xavier Cooks should score a ton, but making up for Johnson’s loss in the backcourt will be tough.
  5. Radford – With all five starters back from last season, the Highlanders will have the experience and depth needed to contend for the league crown.  Ed Polite Jr. is a nightly double-double threat, but they may be missing a go-to player on the offensive end.
  6. Gardner-Webb – The Runnin’ Bulldogs will likely take a step back this season without their top two scorers from last year, but they still have enough weapons to compete for an upper division finish.
  7. Charleston Southern – Christian Keeling averaged over 17 points and 7 rebounds per game as a freshman last season, but the Bucs probably don’t have enough other pieces around him to make any serious noise in a very tough conference.
  8. High Point – The Panthers appear to be lacking enough offensive weapons to challenge for the upper division in the Big South.  They only return one player who averaged in double figures last season, Andre Fox, and need to find a lot more scoring to win games.
  9. Longwood – The one bright spot for the Lancers during their 6-24 campaign last season was forward Khris Lane’s 17 points per game.  He has decided to transfer to VCU, and there may not be any bright spots left for this season.
  10. Presbyterian – The Blue Hose were ranked 350 out of 351 teams at kenpom.com last season, have a new head coach, and don’t return much.  This looks like the type of season that may land them back on our HoopsHD Centenary Award watch list.
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