2008 Big South Hoops Preview

As if enough hasn’t gone right for the four-time defending champion Eagles, they’ve now picked the perfect year to be in rebuilding mode. Much of the conference is in the same predicament, and the consensus is that Winthrop, winner of eight of the last 10 Big South titles, is still the team to beat. Minus three starters, the Eagles look more vulnerable than they have in years, but they’re not without talent and they certainly know how to win. Junior forward Mantoris Robinson and senior center Andy Buechert aren’t marquee scorers, but they’re two of the Big South’s top defenders. Powerful sophomore center Charles Corbin is the team’s leading returning scorer with a modest 6.6-point average. Sophomore guard Byron Faison has a world of offensive potential, though he hasn’t totally invested in coach Randy Peele’s defense yet. A big question looms at point guard, where slightly used sophomore Justin Burton must fend off a big challenge from freshman Reggie Middleton.

2. Gardner-Webb (16–16, 9–7 A-Sun)

The Runnin’ Bulldogs charge into the Big South this season, leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference in a move related mostly to football and geography. GWU returns four starters, including junior guard Grayson Flittner, who averaged 15.3 points and 3.8 assists and keyed last season’s upset at Kentucky. The Bulldogs were 3–2 against Big South teams last year, averaging over 90 points in those contests. Perimeter threats Aaron Linn and A-Sun Freshman of the Year Nate Blank are also part of a tough, experienced core of players.

3. Radford (10–20, 5–9)

Rebuilt Radford has all five starters back and adds 6'11" College of Southern Idaho transfer Artsiom Parakhouski. He could combine with 6'8" Joey Lynch-Flohr to give the Highlanders one of the Big South’s top frontlines. Seniors Martell McDuffy and Kenny Thomas and junior point guard Amir Johnson are already tough on the perimeter, but they have to cut down RU’s league-high 17.6 turnovers per game. Coach Brad Greenberg suddenly has one of the most experienced and deepest teams in the league. The biggest question is whether the new Dedmon Center roof will be ready by December, as promised, to allow Greenberg to put this team on its home floor.

4. High Point (17–14, 8–6)

Big South Player of the Year Arizona Reid is gone, but the Panthers may be deeper and even more talented overall than a year ago, albeit younger and less experienced. Eugene Harris (12.5 ppg) returns on the wing, but HPU is counting on a freshman, either Jacob Iati or David Singleton, at the point. Freshmen Steadman Short, a versatile and inappropriately named 6'9" wing, and 6'5" Corey Law could also have a big impact.

5. Liberty (16–16, 7–7)

Second-year coach Ritchie McKay has one of the most ballyhooed recruiting classes in Big South history in tow, and it’s a good thing with only four scholarship players back from last year. Senior defensive ace Anthony Smith (16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) is one of those returnees, though, and he’ll get a lot of help from the likes of freshmen Seth Curry, the brother of Davidson standout Stephen Curry; Jesse Sanders, the younger brother of 2008 Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Thomas Sanders from Gardner-Webb; and 6'9" Austin Smith.

6. Charleston Southern (10–20, 4–10)

The Bucs add five newcomers to a roster that had three freshman starters a year ago. Big South Rookie of the Year Omar Carter led the way, averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while guards Jamarco Warren (13.9 ppg, 2.7 apg) and Tovi Bailey (6.9 ppg, 2.5 apg) also boosted the Bucs. Coach Barclay Radebaugh hopes 6'10" Billy Blackmon from Indian River (Fla.) Community College can help his perennially post-play-challenged team.

7. UNC Asheville (23–10, 10–4)

The Bulldogs had a big season in more ways than one. Big 7'7" Kenny George helped take UNCA back to the Big South title game for the first time since 2003. George led the nation with his conference-record .696 field goal percentage and was eighth nationally with 3.3 blocks per game. He’ll try to stay healthy and do it again without graduated all-conference guards Bryan Smithson and K.J. Garland. Talented 6'4" sophomore forward John Williams is a stud.

8. Coastal Carolina (13–15, 6–8)

Veteran coach Cliff Ellis made a depleted Chants team a tough out down the stretch. Now he’s got hard-working forward Joe Harris (8.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) back from a thumb injury and athletic swingman Anthony Breeze (9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) back after a banner freshman campaign. They’ll get a lot of help around the basket from freshman Samuel McLaurin. Junior college transfer Mario Edwards could push senior Mario Sisinni for the point guard job.

9. VMI (14–15, 6–8)

Circumstances are conspiring to slow the nation’s top-scoring team. National scoring champ Reggie Williams has graduated and the 3-point line has been moved back, but that shouldn’t deter the Holmes twins, 6'4" Chavis and Travis, from keeping the heat on opposing defenses. Chavis averaged 18.3 points, and Travis chipped in 15.6 as the Keydets averaged 91.3 points per game.

10. Presbyterian (5–25)*

The Blue Hose, in the second year of their five-year transition to Division I, will play a full Big South schedule, though Presbyterian won’t be eligible for the league tournament until 2012. The best news: PC will have 11 home games in Clinton, S.C., after only five a year ago. They’ve also got sophomore center Al’Lonzo Coleman, the ’07-08 NCAA D-I Independent Newcomer of the Year.

*Not eligible for Big South championship