LancersBlog Big South South Division Preview
1. Charleston Southern Buccaneers: Barclay Radebaugh’s Buccaneers showed up a year early last year but drew a tough draw in the Big South tournament as they lost to UNC-Asheville. The Bucs have the best one-two backcourt punch in the conference with Arlon Harper and Saah Nimley. Mathiang Muo solidifies a tough starting lineup for Chuck South. For the Bucs to be successful though they’ll need to find someone that can crash the boards. Kelvin Harper was not only the team’s leading scorer, he was also a walking double-double and the team’s leading rebounder. Can Radebaugh’s squad have success with the pressure of being a preseason favorite?
Last Year: 19–12, 11–7
Primary Losses: Kelvin Martin
Key Additions: Malcolm Bernard (FR), Allie Fullah (JR/JUCO)
2. UNC Asheville Bulldogs: The Bulldogs lose a ton of talent and nearly 45 points in offense, but you can never count one of Eddie Biedenbach’s clubs out. UNCA still does have Jeremy Atkinson and Jaron Lane who combined for 23 points per game a year ago. Keith Hornsby should also see his role increase as he averaged 4 points per game in his freshman campaign. Most importantly Biedenbach reloads with a talented recruiting class which includes seven freshman, many of whom are two star recruits. Don’t be surprised to see the Bulldogs hanging around once again when March rolls around.
Last Year: 24–10, 16–2
Primary Losses: Matt Dickey, JP Primm, Chris Stephenson, Quinard Jackson
Key Additions: Sam Hughes (FR), Zach Davis (FR), Will Weeks (FR), Marcus Neely (FR), Drew Combs (FR), Ales Biggerstaff (FR) Mike Bedulskis (FR)
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3. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: When will the Chants get over the hump? That has to be the question that keeps going through many Coastal Carolina fans minds. Cliff Ellis’ squad had another solid year in 2011–12 and were even able to get to the CIT where they almost knocked off Old Dominion on the road. Coastal loses some firepower from last year but still have a solid squad lead by Anthony Raffa who is a candidate for Big South Player of the Year. No team in the Big South is more balanced in terms of experience and youth than Coastal. The Chants should also benefit from hosting the Big South tournament in their new arena the HTC Center. This season will mark 20 years since the Chants went dancing, could this be the year they return?
Last Year: 19–12, 12–6
Primary Losses: Sam McLaurin, Jon Pack, Chris Gradnigo,
Key Additions: Michael Enanga (FR), Tre’von James (FR), Uros Ljeskovic (FR), Ron Trapps (FR), Tristian Curtis (FR), Badou Diagne (FR), Justin Daniel (FR)
4. Winthrop Eagles: Last year was not a typical year for Winthrop, so much so it cost coach Randy Peele his job. Replacing Peele will be a former Xavier and Wake Forest assistant Pat Kelsey. Kelsey inherits a veteran squad without a freshman and with five juniors and three seniors. Although most of the Eagles offensive production has graduated, Kelsey has an unusual opportunity to shape a veteran team into a winner quickly. One thing is for sure, the Eagles are a definite wild card in the Big South race this year.
Last Year: 12–20, 8–10
Primary Losses: Reggie Middleton, Matt Morgan, Andre Jones, George Valentine
Key Additions: Steve Johnson (JR/JUCO)
5. Presbyterian Blue Hose: The Blue Hose shocked plenty last year with an upset victory over Cincinnati, but Gregg Nibbert’s squad loses a lot of firepower from a year ago. Just the three seniors who have left alone accounted for 33 points per game. PC still does have Khalid Mutakabbir who will be one of the Big South’s top scorers and averaged nearly 14 points per game a year ago. The supplement their losses Nibbert is seemingly looking to own the paint by adding three players over 6'7 including 7'0 Jake Campbell. In a conference with out any big men could the Blue Hose’s gamble pay off?
Last Year: 14–15, 8–10
Primary Losses: Al’Lonzo Coleman, Tyler Deihl, Pieere Miller, Josh Johnson
Key Additions: Austin Anderson (FR), Jake Campbell (FR), Matthew Citron (FR), Shea Jones (FR), Jarvis Thibodeaux (FR)
6. Gardner-Webb Bulldogs: There was a mass exodus from Boiling Springs this Spring as four Bulldogs decided to transfer. Second year head coach Chris Holtmann will have to find a solid rotation this year as it seems no one really stepped up on the scoring front last year beyond Tashan Newsome who returns for his senior year. This is a young squad who may struggle with eight underclassmen. Bulldog fans should just wait until Texas A&M transfer Naji Hibbert can come to the rescue a year from now.
Last Year: 12–20, 6–12
Primary Losses: Laron Buggs, David Brown, Santoine Butler, Jason Dawson, Kyle Dennis, Stefon Johnson
Key Additions: Jerome Hill (FR), Isaiah Ivey (FR), Logan Stumpf (FR), Naji Hibbert (SR/Texas A&M), Onzie Banch (JR/JUCO)
