2008 MEAC Hoops Preview

The Pirates must make up for the loss of top scorer Rashad West (17.2), but they’ve got a lot of talent back after finishing second in the regular season last year. Vincent Simpson (11.1 ppg) was the only other Hampton player to average in double figures. Junior Michael Freeman headlines a solid core of returnees. The Pirates should be motivated by how their season ended last year, when they blew a 15-point halftime lead and lost in overtime to Coppin State in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinals. The Pirates should have another strong roster. The big question is whether they can take the final step this year and get to the top.

2. Morgan State (22–11, 14–2)

The Bears broke through last year with their first 20-win season in more than three decades. Coach Todd Bozeman has done a great job of transforming this program from the worst to one of the best in a few short years. But he’ll have to find a way to make up for the loss of Jamar Smith and Boubacar Coly, two of the team’s key players from last year’s regular-season champions. Marquise Kately (13.1 ppg) will have to step up offensively.

3. Delaware State (14–16, 10–6)

The Hornets slipped last year and are hoping to bounce back to the top this season. They ranked second in the MEAC with their trademark stingy defense (61.8 ppg allowed) but ranked just eighth in the conference in scoring (59.0 ppg). The offensive problems likely were a big reason the team stumbled at times and failed to live up to expectations. Senior guard Roy Bright, a one-time Cincinnati Bearcat who averaged 19.1 points last year, returns, but he’ll need more offensive help. Classmate Donald Johnson (10.0 ppg) was the only other Hornet to average in double figures.

4. Norfolk State (16–15, 11–5)

The Spartans enjoyed their first winning season since 1998-99 last year under new coach Anthony Evans. They lose top scorer Tony Murphy, but 10 players return, including last year’s second- and third-ranked scorers — Corey Lyons (13.9 ppg) and Michael Deloach (12.8 ppg). Norfolk State is bringing in some solid players who should help an offense that ranked third in the MEAC last year (69.6 ppg).

5. Coppin State (16–21, 7–9)

The Eagles shocked the MEAC last year by bouncing back from a horrific 4–19 start (0–8 in MEAC) to win 12 of 13 games and capture the tournament title. Guard Tywain McKee (16.6 ppg) helped with a number of spectacular performances, including 33 points in the 62–60 championship game victory over rival Morgan State. But he’s the only starter back, and McKee will need to lead the team this year with help from Vince Goldsberry (sophomore guard) and Brian Chesnut (senior forward).

6. South Carolina State (13–20, 7–9)

Close games were a killer for South Carolina State last year as the Bulldogs lost 11 contests by 10 points or fewer. They also had problems from the line, shooting only 60.4 percent. But they should have more offensive balance this year with seniors Jason Johnson (11.4 ppg) and Jessie Burton (10.9 ppg) and junior Jason Flagler (10.9 ppg) returning. Coach Tim Carter signed a good recruiting class that will give the Bulldogs more depth in his second year.

7. North Carolina A&T (15–16, 9–7)

The Aggies featured a balanced roster last year, finishing 9–7 in the MEAC despite landing only one player in the top 15 in the conference in scoring. But they lose some key players from that team — most notably Steven Rush and Jason Wills — and need some underclassmen to step up. Sophomore Thomas Coleman made the MEAC’s All-Rookie team, averaging 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. This team, however, needs some help on the perimeter.

8. Florida A&M (15–17, 9–7)

Can the Rattlers continue to play the way they finished last season? They won six in a row, including a win over UMES in a MEAC Tournament game, before falling to Norfolk State. They lose top scorer Leslie Robinson, but senior Lamar Twitty (13.2 ppg) returns. The big question will be how much A&M can improve inside. The Rattlers were badly outrebounded last year — by more than five boards per game — which presented a lot of problems. A good inside game would complement the team’s strong outside shooting and make the Rattlers even more of a force.

9. Bethune-Cookman (11–21, 5–11)

The Wildcats have to find more offense if they want to make some noise in the MEAC. Top scorer John Holmes (13.8 ppg) returns, but he is the only returnee to average in double figures last year. Bethune-Cookman ranked next-to-last in offense (58.2 ppg) but tied Delaware State for first in defense (61.8 ppg). The defense should be fine once more, but coach Clifford Reed Jr. needs to find someone to step up and deliver some scoring.

10. UMES (4–28, 2–14)

New coach Frankie Allen faces a tall task, but he’s been there and done that. He took over at Howard in the 2000-01 season after the Bison had won only three games combined in the previous two years and got them into the MEAC title game one year later. One good piece to this puzzle is the return of Ed Tyson (20.2 ppg), who led the MEAC in scoring last year. Tyson is a talented player who knows how to get to the basket. UMES had the league’s second-worst defense last year, giving up over 100 three times. Allen desperately needs better players and more depth.

11. Howard (6–26, 3–13)

The Bison need to find more offense this year if they want to be more competitive. Senior forward Eugene Myatt (14.1 ppg) carried them last year, but Howard ranked last in the MEAC in offense (56.8 ppg). The team also shot poorly from 3-point range (28.5 percent), something that hampered them throughout the season.