2008 SWAC Hoops Preview

Expect the Hornets to continue their mastery of the SWAC. Coach Lewis Jackson’s team won the league’s regular-season title last year and came close to knocking off Pac-10 power Arizona State in the NIT. “We definitely progressed towards where we want to be,” Jackson says. “Now we need to build on what we accomplished and continue to work to be better.” Andrew Hayles, the 2007-08 SWAC Player of the Year, returns after averaging 14.6 points and shooting .382 from 3-point range. Add Brandon Brooks (9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and super sophomores Roland Fitch and Jamarr Sanders to the mix, and Alabama State boasts the strongest returning group in the league. The Hornets will play the season in honor of Deshean Porchea, who collapsed and died in a pickup game in April. Porchea played in 24 games off the bench for Alabama State last season.

2. Alabama A&M (14–15, 11–7)

The loss of All-SWAC first-team member Mickell Gladness will leave a big hole in the A&M lineup, but Vann Pettaway has enough talent and experience returning to keep the Bulldogs at or near the top of the league standings. Trant Simpson, also a first-team All-SWAC pick, brings back his 15.5 points per game average, while senior Evan Hilton (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) provides additional scoring. Junior forwards Jonathan Inman and Jonathan Belt combined to score 16.2 points per game, so the Bulldog offense should give league opponents trouble. To step up and get past Alabama State, A&M will need to buy into Pettaway’s defensive schemes.

3. Jackson State (14–20, 10–8)

With the loss of four-year floor leader Catraiva Givens, the Tigers will depend heavily on newcomers Roderick Melvin and Phillip Williams. That duo will need to mature quickly to make JSU a force this season. Coach Tevester Anderson has some scoring punch returning in Grant Maxey (14.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Darrion Griffin (14.1 ppg), Jeremy Caldwell (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Garrison Johnson (7.4 ppg). Chris Hyche and De’Suan Dixon could also be key players.

4. Southern (11–19, 9–9)

Things could be looking brighter for the Jaguars this season after a disappointing finish in 2007-08. Coach Ron Spivery returns senior guard Chris Davis, who finished second in the SWAC in scoring at 15.4 points per game. Davis was also in the league’s top five in steals, free throw percentage and field goal percentage. Barry Honore’ (8.8 ppg), Steffon Wiley (7.8 ppg) and Jazz Williams (6.3 ppg) should provide Spivery with some experience as the Jags make a run at the SWAC’s best teams.

5. Mississippi Valley State (17–16, 12–6)

With new coach Sean Woods at the helm, the Delta Devils hope to capitalize on a 2007-08 season that saw them win the SWAC Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament as a 16-seed. UCLA humbled MVSU, which lost five seniors, including Carl Lucas and Stanford Speech to graduation. Woods has some experience, but not a lot of scoring returning in Eric Petty, Dwayne Harmason and Michael Clark. It’s doubtful that the Delta Devils can duplicate last year’s run.

6. Prairie View A&M (8–22, 6–12)

The Panthers aren’t expected to fare much better than the middle of the SWAC pack after losing Aaron Smith and Brian Ezeh, who combined for 24.7 points per game last season. Help could come from guards Derek Johnson (11.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Dorian McDaniel (5.5 ppg). Senior forward Jacoie Shivers will need to step up his inside game at both ends of the floor to make Prairie View A&M SWAC title contenders.

7. Grambling State (7–19, 7–11)

For the first time in nearly a decade, Grambling will be under new leadership with former South Carolina assistant Rick Duckett taking over for Larry Wright. Two of the Tigers’ top three scorers graduated, but Andrew Prestley (10.2 ppg), Jamal Breaux (8.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and Jared Riley (6.9 ppg) give Duckett some experience to build on. If Duckett can find some consistent play from newcomers in the backcourt, including Chicago native Josh Anderson, his team could make a move up the league standings.

8. Texas Southern (7–25, 6–12)

With the hiring of former Missouri assistant coach Tony Harvey, the Tigers are expected to have a new look this season. Noted as one of the country’s top recruiters, Harvey has been working to upgrade TSU’s talent level. Freshman forward Deonte Jones (6'8", 260) is expected to be a force early. Seniors Sollie Norwood (14.7 ppg), Matthew Miller (10.4 ppg) and David Burrell will give Harvey some experience while he develops his recruits.

9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (13–18, 8–10)

Former assistant coach George Ivory replaces Van Holt as head coach of the Golden Lions, and Ivory must forge ahead without four starters from last year’s team. That’s not good news for a team that struggled last season and that faces a murderous non-conference slate of opponents. The good news is the return of point guard Terrance Calvin, who missed most of last season due to personal issues. Guard Gavin Montgomery should help give the Lions some solid play in the backcourt.   

10. Alcorn State (7–24, 6–12)

After another disappointing finish in the SWAC race last season, Alcorn replaced coach Samuel West with Larry Smith, a former Brave, in hopes of turning around the program’s fortunes. What Smith will bring to the table offensively remains to be seen, but he should get some help from Troy Jackson, who averaged 15.6 points per game last season. Anthony Ford (11.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg) adds more scoring from the perimeter, but the Braves will need to find some punch in the paint.