LancersBlog Big South North Division Preview
Big South Media Day is tomorrow where we’ll find out where the Lancers are picked to finish in their Big South division and who has been named to various preseason awards. We’ll keep you covered on all of the news from Charlotte tomorrow but for now here is our comprehensive 2012–13 Big South North Division preview. Our South Division preview will also be out soon!
1. Campbell Camels: After an 8–1 start last year including victories over Iowa and East Carolina the Camels fell apart a bit. They lose talented forward Eric Griffin from last year’s squad, but the Camels may have more of a chance to grow as a team without Griffin. Senior Darren White, who transferred to Campbell from James Madison, is one of the conference’s best players and a bona fide Player of the Year candidate. Last year White averaged 16.8 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and over 2 assists. Sophomore guard Trey Freeman will also be a big part of the Camels success after averaging nearly 14 points per game in his freshman campaign. Also, look for former Iowa State signee Antwon Oliver to become yet another scoring threat in Buies Creek. It won’t be easy for Robbie Laing but he could have the Camels dancing for the first time in over twenty years.
Last Year: 17–15, 11–7
Primary Losses: Eric Griffin, Lorne Merthie
Key Additions: DJ Mason (Fr), Reco McCarter (JR/VCU), Darian Hooker (JR/JUCO), Trae Bremer (FR), Jordan Faciane (FR), Casey Perrin (FR)
2. VMI Keydets: The Keydets went on a wild postseason run last year knocking out Radford, Coastal Carolina, and Winthrop in the Big South tournament before finally losing to UNC Asheville in the championship game. Stan Okoye returns as a Player of the Year candidate after averaging over 17 points per game and 7 rebounds a year ago. The Runnin’ Roos are sure to keep their up-tempo style this year but the biggest question mark is where is the scoring going to come from beyond Okoye. Keith Gabriel, Ron Burks, and Michael Sparks were scoring threats for VMI a year ago but they are now gone. Look for Quinton Upshur, Jordan Weethee, and even some of the freshman to become some of the active scorers in the Keydet offense.
Last Year: 17–16, 8–10
Primary Losses: Keith Gabriel, Michael Sparks, Ron Burks
Key Additions: Dorian Albritton (FR), Gavin Stephenson (FR), Phillip Anglade (FR), Tim Marshall (FR)
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3. Liberty Flames: Dale Layer’s job has to be on the hot seat this year in Lynchburg and apparently the Flames coach has pushed his chips to the middle of the table and gone all-in. The Flames welcome seven new players to their roster this year, five of which are junior college transfers. Two of the JUCO players are thought to receive considerable time right off the bat in big man JR Coronado and guard Davon Marshall. The biggest question is how will all these new pieces gel together and how long might it take? The Flames will also look to replace their heart and soul, as well as one the greatest statistical players in Big South history in Jesse Sanders. Scoring production should come from Antwan Burrus and Tavares Speaks, but who will run the point? It may come down to a battle between newcomers Larry Taylor and Davon Marshall. The Flames may also have a considerable advantage in their frontcourt if they can continue to develop Coronado, Joel Vander Pol, and Tomas Geilo.
Last Year: 14–18, 9–9
Primary Losses: Jesse Sanders, David Minaya, Chene Phillips, Stephen Baird
Key Additions: Davon Marshall (JR/JUCO), Larry Taylor (FR), JR Coronado (JR/JUCO), Chad Donley (JR/JUCO), Wesley Alcegaire (FR), Jarred Jourdan (SO/JUCO), Casey Robers (JR/JUCO)
4. Longwood Lancers: Last year was a throw away season for a senior-laden Lancers team who experienced injuries, a key suspension, and a departure. The Lancers may be the biggest wild card in the conference as they enter into their inaugural Big South campaign. TT Carey should be one of the conference’s top scorers this year if he continues to produce like his sophomore year with the Lancers. Likely the most important player in Mike Gillian’s arsenal is freshman Nik Brown. If the Lancers are going to be successful then it has to start with Brown, who practiced with the team the second half of the year last season. Brown has what it takes to be a Player of the Year candidate a couple years down the road but for Longwood to flourish he needs to be a team player at the point guard position and avoid being a black hole for the basketball. Many freshman guards can fall into the trap of being too commanding with the basketball and their shooting in their freshman campaigns. Brown and the rest of the newcomers are sure to get a baptism by fire with the Lancers tough out of conference schedule. The Lancers lose the top scorer in school history in Antwan Carter, so beyond Brown and Carey look for David Robinson, Karl Ziegler, and Frank Holloway to pick up the slack for the up-tempo Lancers.
Last Year: 10–21
Primary Losses: Antwan Carter, Jeremiah Bowman, Martiz Washington, Jan Van der Kooij
Key Additions: Nik Brown (FR), Frank Holloway (SO/JUCO), Karl Ziegler (FR), Lucas Woodhouse (FR), Kirk Staine (FR)
5. High Point Panthers: You’re going to hear a lot about transfer Allan Chaney over the next couple of days. Chaney was granted another year of eligibility and free transfer by the NCAA when he chose High Point. Chaney started his college career at Florida where he played in 23 games as a freshman. He would transfer to Virginia Tech in 2009 where he never played due to a heart condition. So in reality no one has seen Chaney play basketball since the 2008–09 season. Despite his pedigree, the player that many are slating in as the Newcomer of the Year is a huge unknown. The Panthers lose over45 points in production with Nick Barbour and Shay Shine gradutating and Xavier Martin and Travis Elliot transferring. Who is going to fill the void? Chaney? Corey Law? The Panthers are going to need a lot of young players to step up in order to be successful in 2012–13.
Last Year: 13–18, 8–10
Primary Losses: Nick Barbour, Shay Shine, Xavier Martin
Key Additions: Allan Chaney (SR/Virginia Tech), Lorenzo Cugini (FR), Cliff Cornish (FR), Haiishen McIntyre (FR), Adam Weary
6. Radford Highlanders: Mike Jones has this team heading into the right direction and NCAA restrictions did not keep the second year coach from signing a talented Freshman class of seven players. The truth about the Highlanders though is that they are still a very young team with only one junior and one senior. If these youngsters can gel then they could have a shot, but the 2014–15 season looks to be your best bet for Radford. RJ Price is one of the conference’s most dynamic players and should be on many preseason accolade lists. Freshman Ya Ya Anderson is also very talented and could challenge to be the Big South’s Newcomer of the Year. Although their record may not significantly improve, no one in the conference should take the Highlanders lightly.
Last Year: 6–26, 2–16
Primary Losses: Jonathan Edwards, Chance Smith, Daniel Mitchell, Lukas Winegamer
Key Additions: Ya Ya Anderson (FR), Lucas Dyer (FR), Juwan Wells (FR), Matt Murphy (FR), Rashun Davis (FR), Taj Owens (FR), Keon Brown (FR)
Image Via News Observer
