Preseason Poll
1. Radford
2. Gardner-Webb
3. Winthrop
4. Hampton
5. Charleston Southern
6. Longwood
7. Campbell
8. High Point
9. UNC-Asheville
10. Presbyterian
11. USC Upstate
Top 5 Preview
1. Radford
The story here is guard play. They return the preseason player of the year in Carlik Jones, known as Mr. Big Shot, plays with toughness, a mental fortitude, and competitiveness that just bleeds into the game. Jones averaged 15.7 points on 46% from the field while adding 5.2 rebounds per game and 52 steals on the season (tough guy stats for guards). While it is Jones who is gathering all the accolades, it is Travis Fields who could be just as valuable as a player. The point guard is a tough and gritty defender who just makes winning plays. This is the best guard tandem in the league, and when you add in the likes of senior Donald Hicks and sophomore Cle'Von Greene there is a depth that will be hard to match. Even with all that talent, the story here will be the loss of Ed Polite, and his storied career as one of the most versatile players in the league, and country. Look at transfer Lewis Djkonkam to take some of those minutes, along with a step forward from seniors Devonte Holland and Devin Hutchinson. This team expects to win, Mike Jones has done a great job of building that within his program.
2. Gardner-Webb
What a run Coach Tim Craft had at the end of last season, which culminated being up 16 in the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament against eventual national champion Virginia. The story of this team will be Jose Perez, a preseason first-team all-league player who could make a player of the year type of run. They lost David Efianayi and DJ Laster, two integral pieces of last year's run, also the leading and third-leading scorers respectively. Junior Nate Johnson returns after a season that saw him shoot 39% from 3 (day 62 makes) and have a team-leading 53 steals. Eric Jamison, a 6'6' senior is the team's leading returning rebounder behind Perez. Big Kareem Reid of New York and Anthony Selden of Boston are a couple of freshmen to watch. However, Jose Perez could have a huge year as a totally unique player with true inside-out skills and toughness.
3. Winthrop
Death, taxes, and Winthrop competing for conference championships are things you can hold your hat on. The story of Winthrop this year, what coach Pat Kelsey will hold his hat on is his frontcourt. He returns senior Josh Ferguson, a conference preseason second-team player and Tennessee transfer DJ Burns will be the horses upfront. Both players are very skilled, with great size and hands. Ferguson shot 41% from 3 last year while snagging 7.3 rebounds per game. Burns is a more traditional high post, low block big (and a lefty), he is strong on the post and can shoot it. Winthrop brought in a strong freshman class with jitterbug Russell Jones and Chase Claxton (brother of Nets draftee Nic Claxton) who will both provide minutes. Jamal King has huge upside and Josh Corbin led the EYBL in regular-season 3-point makes. Junior wings Kyle Zunic and Charles Falden (who shot 46% from 3 last year) both have starting experience and will be asked to step up.
4. Hampton
Few scorers in the country are as good as Jermaine Marrow. He was the nation's 8th leading scorer last year at 24.4 points and he is a true 3 level guy who does a good jump, not only making shots but also getting to the free-throw line. With four of their top six scorers gone, look for Marrow to put up even more production. He enters this season with 1,987 points scored for his career.The versatility of senior Greg Heckstall will play a major role for this team as his length combines well with his ball skills as an inside-out threat. Grad transfer Amir Smith averaged 9.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per 40 minutes played last season at Florida Atlantic and a host of junior college transfers will be asked to contribute immediately.
5. Charleston Southern
Entering his 15th season at Charleston Southern, Head Coach Barclay Radebaugh may have his best team yet, even as he ranks 7th all-time in Big South history in overall wins. The reason for optimism here is he returns 11 of his 13 players from last year's team. The main player will be junior Philandrious Fleming, a 6'4' wing who Radebaugh calls 'the most versatile player in the league.' Fleming averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, he will need to take a step forward across the board. The breakout player to watch for here is sophomore Dontrell Shuler, who could make a run at the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. He averaged 11 points per game, but with Christian Keeling now at UNC, Shuler will have ample opportunities here. Junior Deontaye Buskey returns as the second leading steals guy on the team. Sophomore Duncan Lexander is extremely skilled with the ability to pull gravity toward the 3-point line as the forward is the 2nd leading returner for 3-pointers made. Eight players return who started at least 9 games last season, the experience is there.
