The Hoops HD Report: ACC Conference Preview

Posted on October 28, 2016 by David Griggs

For Chad Sherwood’s SWAC Preview – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

We begin our series of preseason conference previews with what is perhaps this year’s strongest conference (at least at the top of the league).  The ACC has Duke, who will start off ranked #1, two other elite teams in Virginia and North Carolina that are likely good enough to land in the top ten, and 2 other solid teams in Louisville and Syracuse.  The guys discuss those five teams, as well as the other teams whom they feel could be in the NCAA Tournament come March.  Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Florida State are three teams that we feel will be good as well, there is some belief that NC State will be in the picture, and we take a look at where Miami, Pitt and Notre Dame are as well.  All that, and much more….

 

And for all you radio lovers, below is an mp3 version of the show…

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Conference Preview: SWAC

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

SWAC

4 wins.  0 wins.  5 wins.  2 wins.  These are the win totals per season from the 2011-12 season through the 2014-15 season for the Grambling State Tigers.  During that time period, the program twice captured the HoopsHD “Centenary Award” (see the tab above for more information) as the worst team in Division I.  It was not a pretty stretch by any means.  Last season, the Tigers equaled their combined win total from the prior three by picking up 7 victories.  A 7-24 record might be devastating for some programs, but for Grambling it was a huge improvement.  More importantly, it is one that the Tigers can build on this season with four returning senior starters and four returning players that averaged double figures in scoring last season.  We may not quite be ready to predict Grambling as the SWAC champion, but after all the struggles this program has had, we absolutely love seeing them begin to build a team that can win games in this conference on a consistent basis.

Last year, three SWAC teams played in the postseason.  Southern University captured the automatic bid, losing in the First Four to Holy Cross.  Texas Southern, the regular season champions, qualified for the NIT.  Jackson State received an invite to the CIT, winning a game there.  This year, those three programs figure to be the battle for the league title again, with Jackson State being our preseason pick to win it.  One other team that could factor into the mix is Mississippi Valley State.  Head coach Andre Payne’s squad returns all five starters, and that level of experience could be a huge factor in a conference that is consistently among the lowest rated, yet most entertaining, in the nation.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Jackson State – The Tigers are a veteran team that returns four starters led by guards Paris Collins and Chace Franklin.  All signs point to a team capable of winning the conference.

2. Southern – The Jaguars have a shot at returning to the Big Dance with Trelun Banks and Shawn Prudhomme leading the way.  They did, however, lose two of their top four scorers from last season and will need to find a way to make up for that lost offense.

3. Texas Southern – It could be a tougher season than normal in Houston, as head coach Mike Davis’ team only returns one starter.  That one player, however, is defending SWAC Player of the Year Derrick Griffin.  Griffin averaged a double-double last season and, if Davis can find the pieces to complement him, could be enough to lead the team back into the postseason.

4. Mississippi Valley State – All five starters return led by Marcus Romain’s 18.6 points per game.  Despite suffering 27 defeats last season, the Delta Devils could be a surprise contender this time around.

5. Alabama State – The Hornets should be competitive against SWAC competition again this season, but they will need to find a way to make up for the loss of Jamel Waters.  He averaged 15.9 points per game last season while hitting 41% of his three-point attempts.

6. Alcorn State* – The Braves went 13-5 in SWAC play last season, but then lost four starters from that team in the offseason.  They could still be competitive this season if the likes of DeAndre Davis and Reginald Johnson step up their games as they move into starting roles.

7. Grambling State – The Tigers went from 2 wins to 7 wins last year and have a great chance to improve on that with four double-digit scorers returning.  A serious lack of size is still, however, a major problem.

8. Prairie View A&M – The Panthers started the season 1-20 last year, leading to the resignation of head coach Byron Rimm II 19 games into the year.  However, they did win six of their last ten games, lending some hope as they head into this season.

9. Alabama A&M – The Bulldogs do not return any double-digit scorers from a team that went 6-12 in SWAC play.  Even matching that record would be a major feat this season.

10. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – The Golden Lions were one of the worst offensive teams in the nation last year.  If they cannot fix those problems, including all of the turnovers, this year, it will be another very long season.

* Alcorn State is ineligible for postseason play due to their APR score.  However, the Braves may be permitted to play in the SWAC conference tournament, with the automatic bid going to the team they defeat in the finals should they win it.

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Conference Preview: Southland

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

SOUTHLAND

59 wins.  1 loss.  A 98.3 winning percentage.  This is what Stephen F. Austin has done against the rest of the Southland Conference between the regular season and conference tournament over the last three years.  This has not merely been dominance, it has been complete and utter destruction.  But no matter how dominant a team may be, no matter how many games they win, sooner or later in this sport, time catches up to you.  And that is especially true at a mid-major school like SFA.  Star guard Thomas Walkup is gone.  And the man who orchestrated their success, head coach Brad Underwood, is now coaching Oklahoma State.  No matter how dominant these last three years have been, which also featured a pair of NCAA Tournament victories including last season’s upset of 3 seed West Virginia, time may have finally caught up to the Lumberjacks and the conference title may be going somewhere else this season.

Three Southland teams other than SFA made the postseason last year – Sam Houston State and Texas A&M -Corpus Christi in the CIT and Houston Baptist in the CBI.  Sam Houston State is the team that looks most ready to steal the crown away from SFA, as they return six of their top seven players from last year’s team.  McNeese State could also factor into the mix with four starters back and a couple of junior college transfers that should step in nicely in the low posts.  Northwestern State looked to be the team to beat at the start of the summer, until star guard Jalan West went down for the second straight season with a knee injury in August.  Finally, Corpus Christi will be fun to watch because of the play of their star player, Rashawn Thomas, but he is the Islanders’ only returning starter and may not have the help he needs for the team to contend.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Sam Houston State – Six of the Bearkats’ top seven players return from last season.  The team is heavy on senior talent, led by Aurimas Majauskas and Dakarai Henderson.  They appear to be the team to beat in the SLC this year.

2. McNeese State – Head coach Dave Simmons had added the height and size this team lacked last year with a pair of junior college transfers, Hakeem Simon and Howard Thomas.  The two of them should work as a strong complement to a solid group of returning guards that could have the Cowboys in contention this year.

3. Northwestern State – The Demons were going to be the team to be this year until Jalan West, who missed all of last season with an ACL tear, went down for the year again in August.  They do return four starters from last season, including senior guard Zeek Woodley, and should be much better than last year’s 8-20 record.

4. Stephen F. Austin – It will be amazing to not see the Lumberjacks at the top of the Southland standings, but with Thomas Walkup, Demetrious Floyd and head coach Brad Underwood all gone, this looks like a rebuilding year for new head coach Kyle Keller.  SFA was a heartbreaking one point loss to Notre Dame away from the Sweet 16 last year, but is unlikely to have another shot at it this one.

5. Houston Baptist – The Huskies have size down low led by 6-11 Josh Ibarra, but will need to find a way to make up for the loss of top scorer Anthony Odunsi.

6. New Orleans – All five starters return for what on paper appears to be the Southland’s deepest team.  The problem is that the Privateers still have a serious lack of size, which will make any huge improvements on last season’s 20 losses tough.

7. Abilene Christian* – The Wildcats return their top two scorers in Jaylen Franklin and Jaren Lewis from a team that went a surprising 8-10 against Southland foes.  They could definitely improve on that in their final year of transitioning to the Division I level.

8. Central Arkansas – Jordan Howard should lead the way for a team that will score a lot of points, but the Bears had serious defensive woes last season, surrendering 87.7 points per game, that need to be fixed if they want to improve.

9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – Rashawn Thomas is a great scorer and may be the favorite to take Southland Player of the Year honors.  That being said, he is the team’s only returning starter, so even coming close to last year’s 25 wins will take a Herculean effort.

10. Nicholls State – Richie Riley, who served as an assistant to Brad Brownell at Clemson, takes over as head coach.  Although he does have last year’s top scorer, Ja’Dante Frye, and a seven-footer, Liam Thomas, to help in his first season, just finishing in the top eight and qualifying for the conference tournament would probably be a successful year.

11. Southeastern Louisiana – The Lions lost 21 games last season and then lost their top player, Zay Jackson.  This could be a long year in Hammond.

12. Incarnate Word* – Two starters graduated and two other key players transferred, turning this final transitional year into a rebuilding one in San Antonio.

13. Lamar – Only one double-digit scorer returns for a team that probably was not even as good as their 11-19 record last season.  Just avoiding the Southland Conference basement may be a victory for the Cardinals this season.

* Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word are ineligible for the Southland and NCAA Tournaments due to being in their fourth and final year of transitioning up to the Division I level.

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Conference Preview: Southern

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

SOUTHERN

The Chattanooga Mocs won 29 games last year.  That is a win total that is almost unheard of among “Under the Radar” or mid-major programs.  They rolled through SoCon regular season play with a 15-3 record, then sweated out three close games to capture the league’s automatic bid.  It almost came as a shock to us then when, as a 12 seed, they suffered a convincing 25 point Round of 64 loss to Indiana.  To show just how impressive the Mocs were last year, 5 of their 9 conference mates also qualified for the postseason.  Furman and Mercer were invited to the CIT.  Western Carolina and UNC-Greensboro played in the CBI (albeit both receiving invites despite having sub-.500 overall records).  And East Tennessee State played in the inaugural Vegas 16, advancing to the semifinal round.

This season, Chattanooga has a chance to be even better than last.  The quantity of wins may not improve (29 is the type of number teams very rarely reach), but the team itself may prove to be stronger, and could very well be in the hunt for an at-large bid should they slip up in the conference tournament.  They will certainly be challenged early in the season as their first two games at are Tennessee and at North Carolina.  If the Mocs can pick up a few big non-conference wins and roll through the SoCon again, their names should be called on Selection Sunday.  That doesn’t mean, however, that the rest of the league is just going to let them roll.  East Tennessee State, UNC-Greensboro and Furman all have deep experienced lineups returning that could give the Mocs a run for their money.  And we never want to count out Bob Hoffman’s Mercer Bears, whose season was interrupted last year by the tragic heart-breaking death of guard Jibri Bryan.  His shooting was the type of story we never want to hear and our hearts and prayers still go out to Jibri’s and the Mercer basketball family.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Chattanooga – Six of the Mocs’ top seven players return from a team that won 29 games last year, including Casey Jones who missed much of last season due to injury.  If this team plays up to its potential, it may not need an automatic bid to make the Big Dance.

2. East Tennessee State – The Buccaneers need to replace leading scorer Ge’Lawn Guyn, but they have size and depth to challenge.  Head coach Steve Forbes has brought in four junior college transfers that could all help immediately.

3. UNC-Greensboro – The Spartans received a bid into the CBI with a losing record last season.  This year, we expect them to be above .500 as they return four starters and five players that averaged at least 8 points per game.

4. Furman – Top player Stephen Croone may be gone, but almost everyone else is back from last year’s 19 win team.  With only one key senior on the roster this season, head coach Niko Medved has this team poised to be good this year, and possibly very good next.

5. Mercer – Last season was overshadowed by the tragic death of Jibri Bryan.  Head coach Bob Hoffman is one of the best coaches in the conference and with Stephon Jelks leading the way, the Bears should remain competitive.

6. Wofford – Guards Fletcher Magee and Eric Garcia will score a ton of points this season, but the Terriers will need a very young frontcourt to develop quickly if they want to challenge.

7. VMI – Q.J. Peterson is an absolute scoring machine, and he does have some help on the roster from the likes of Julian Eleby and Trey Chapman.  The Keydets biggest problem last season was a lack of size, so the new, taller recruits will need to step up quickly.

8. Samford – Junior guard Christen Cunningham outside and sophomore center Wyatt Walker inside form a solid core around which the program can be built, but the Bulldogs need more depth and better defensive play to rise in the standings.

9. Western Carolina – With four starters gone, this could be a long season for the Catamounts.  Guard Elijah Pughsley will need to become a big-time scorer if this team is going to win more than a handful of games.

10. The Citadel – Only two starters return from a team that lost 22 times last year.  Don’t expect much better than that this time around.

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Season Preview: HoopsHD interviews FGCU JR PF Antravious Simmons

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with FGCU JR PF Antravious Simmons.  He is connected to 2 of the biggest Cinderella programs in recent memory: he began his career at VCU before transferring to the Eagles in December of 2014.  The defending Atlantic Sun champs will depend on him down low, as he was #2 on the team in REB and averaged 12 PPG/9.7 RPG in his 3 conference tourney games.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Antravious about facing the Tar Heels last March and his thoughts on the NCAA’s transfer rules (we also wish him a belated happy birthday!!). 

simmons

You were an OL on your high school football team: which sport were you best at back in the day, and which 1 did you enjoy the most? I was really good at basketball. I enjoyed football as a kid but ended up enjoying basketball the most.

After playing 3 games at VCU in the fall of 2014 you decided to transfer: why did you leave the Rams, and what made you choose FGCU? There were a lot of factors that went into my decision: I was not happy with my playing time and wanted to be closer to home. I felt welcome at FGCU and had known the coaches since high school so it was the right fit for me.

After transferring in December of 2014 and starting classes at your new school in January of 2015, NCAA officials were only able to clear you to play about 24 hours before the start of the season: what changes would you make to the NCAA transfer rules if you were in charge? I would let kids play right away. You only have a certain amount of time to play ball and enjoy college so I would give them as much time as possible.

You play for Coach Joe Dooley: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He taught me to never give up on anything. He pushes us to be the best that we can be.  He will not settle for “good” because he wants us to be “great” by going the extra mile to help our team on the court and better ourselves off the court.

In the 2016 Atlantic Sun tourney title game you set career-highs with 21 PTS/12 REB in only 23 minutes in a win over Stetson: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? A lot of it was due to emotion. When I was in high school we lost the lead in the 2nd half of our state championship game, which hurt a lot, so I wanted to do everything I could that day to help us win. We worked so hard during the year and went on a bit of a losing streak but I did not want to miss the chance to make it to the NCAA tourney.

In the 2016 NCAA tourney you had 14 PTS/6-8 FG in a loss to North Carolina: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? It gave me a confidence boost (not that I was lacking any!) and let me know that we could play against any school in the country. If you do what you have to do then good things will happen.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Florida/Baylor/Michigan State: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I would have to say Michigan State: they are good every year and Tom Izzo is a great coach who will have his team well-prepared for whoever they face. I met him once and he seemed like a really good guy.

You are 1 of several transfers on the team in addition to guys who started at Michigan/Pitt/Texas Tech: what is the key to having everyone come together and bond as a team? When I arrived here everyone welcomed me and did not treat me like an outsider. It was great for the older teammates to welcome the newer guys.

You played on an AAU team with current Eagles teammate Zach Johnson: how have you enjoyed being reunited with him? It is really nice. We linked back up after I transferred here and shared a lot of good memories: now we can keep chasing our dreams together.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to pick up from where I left off last year and do whatever I need to do to help us win. I am not a young guy any more so I want to be a leader both on and off the court. As a team we want to win some titles, make it to the NCAA tourney, and then not lose in the 1st round. We will have a lot of new faces this year but we want to grow as the season goes and not make any excuses.

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We Finally Have Games!! (Sort of) Exhibition Games Begin Today!

Posted on October 25, 2016 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES (Wow, it feels good to say that again!!)

-For Chad Sherwood’s Patriot League Preview – CLICK HERE

-For All of Chad Sherwood’s Conference Previews, all of the Hoops HD Preseason Podcasts, and all of Jon Teitel’s Preseason Interviews and Articles – CLICK HERE

-We will be recording our Conference Preview Podcasts and Preseason Podcasts tonight beginning with the ACC.  It will be posted tomorrow so be on the lookout for it.

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL IS HERE!

We’re still over two weeks away from the second Friday in November, which will mark the start of the regular season, which is when things really kick off  (SEE THE COLLEGE HOOPS COUNTDOWN CLOCK HERE).  There are typically more games that first day than on any other day of the season, and although many are not competitive or interesting, there will be enough exciting finishes on that first night to make it feel like college basketball is totally back.  Until then, we have exhibition games, the first of which is tonight between Carroll College and Idaho, which tips off at 10pm, EDT.  That game will be streamed on BIG SKY TV

It is not a game that counts, and it is a game that would be of very little interest even if it did count, and one of the teams is not div1, but for the first time since Villanova played North Carolina in the national title game last April, we will be able to watch two college basketball teams play each other.  It is also the point at which we have the longest expanse of college basketball ahead of us.  With the exception of November 10th, there will be at least one college basketball game every day until the Monday after Selection Sunday, and depending on how some of the other tournaments’ schedules work out, we may have a game that day as well.  So, college basketball is back!!  Sort of.

In looking at the rules for exhibition games, teams are basically allowed to play two competitions, and have two different types of competitions they can choose from.  One is to play a regulation game that is open to the public against a non-div1 team (ie div2, div3, NAIA, etc).  The other is to have a closed practice or scrimmage with another team that’s div1.  Many schools do one of each.  Some do two open exhibition games.  Some do two closed scrimmages.

While I have no problems with those options, I do think there should be additional options.  One would be to play open exhibition games against against non-college teams.  This used to be allowed.  Organizations like Athletes in Action fielded teams of former college and pro players, and although they had many different teams, the top level team was actually pretty good.  I believe there was one year back in the 1990s (I forget which, and am too lazy to look it up) where the top AIA beat three teams that ultimately ended up making the Elite Eight.  The Harlem Globetrotters played in some of these games, and actually managed to beat some of the better college teams.  National teams and foreign teams would come over and play.  So, schools that wanted to (and I realize that not everyone did) could schedule a competitive and interesting game.  This was so much better for the players and the fans than watching a team crush a div2 team typically is.

Another option should be for schools to have open exhibitions against other div1 schools.  I’ve heard several reasons as to why this is a rule, and all of them are bad.  If Dayton and Marquette want to play a closed scrimmage then that’s fine, but if both Dayton and Marquette decide they want to play a game and open it to the public, that should be fine too.  Most other team sports (men’s soccer, women’s soccer, etc) allow for open exhibitions against other div1 teams.  The reason other sports do it is because it makes complete and total sense to allow schools to do it.  Yet, in basketball, it’s not allowed.

I have no problems with teams that want closed scrimmages.  I can see the advantages in that.  Teams get three hours and they can work on situational stuff.  You can play multiple games.  I’ve heard of teams playing three twenty minute games, or five twelve minute games, or whatever.  There is no rule as to how they need to be structured.  I have no problems with the open scrimmages against lower division teams.  It’s great for those lower division teams, and it gives schools a chance to maybe build up their bench and work on their weaknesses.  But, why should those be the only two options??  If two div1 schools want to play each other and want to open it to the public, shouldn’t they be able to??  If they want to schedule a game against a foreign team or a non-college team, shouldn’t they be able to??

But, the one thing I like about exhibition games, and it really is the ONE THING, is that for the first time in six-and-a-half months we finally get to see two college teams play each other.  It may be far less satisfying than when the actual regular season starts, but at least it’s something.  And yes, I will be watching Carroll College take on Idaho tonight.  Me, and probably a dozen others.

For a list of all open exhibition games – CLICK HERE

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