Mideastern Conference 2003-04 Season Recap
According to the RPI rankings, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference finished dead last of the 31 Division I conferences. The weakest conference had 10 of its 11 members finish in the bottom 100 of the RPI rankings. Only South Carolina State cracked the top 236 teams in the rankings, and even the Bulldogs snuck in by a slim margin at 228.
The MEAC’s situation is cyclical. Schools like Hampton and South Carolina State have had several strong years in the past, but all MEAC schools struggle to attract top prospects. They also rarely play strong schedules. Invariably, each MEAC team plays a handful of non-Division I squads, which kill the conference’s RPI, rendering the schools less attractive to established competition and the best high school players. But MEAC teams play those schools because so few other teams are willing to play these weaklings and thus damage the sacred strength of schedule statistic.
But in the midst of this gloomy environment, there is one bastion of hope – the MEAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Florida A&M won the conference tournament and earned the conference’s bid to the NCAA Tournament, in which the Rattlers beat the Patriot League’s representative, Lehigh, in the opening round. So in head-to-head tournament competition, the MEAC finished ahead of the Patriot League. There is salvation for the soul of MEAC basketball.
Throughout the regular season, South Carolina State dominated the conference, finishing with a 14-4 record and capturing first place. The Bulldogs were 5-0 against the conference’s top four teams. South Carolina State also picked up one of the best wins of any MEAC team – at Eastern Washington, an NCAA Tournament team.
Conference Tournament
An experienced, underachieving team offers endless frustration for the school’s loyal fan base. But it also offers the hope for spontaneous success, and Florida A&M fulfilled a season of promise in the MEAC conference tournament. Despite a mediocre regular season and a fifth place conference finish, the Rattlers swept through Hampton, top-seeded South Carolina State and Coppin State en route to an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Other than the Rattlers’ run, there were few upsets in any round.
The Rattlers shut down the MEAC’s best teams – South Carolina State and Coppin State – holding both squads under 55 points. Junior guard Tony Tate led Florida A&M to the championship with a career-high 20 points against Coppin State.
NCAA Tournament
Florida A&M’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in five years was short-lived. Ranked as either the 64th or 65th team in the 65-team tournament, Florida A&M had to play Lehigh in the opening round. Leading scorer Terrence Woods delivered 21 points and Florida A&M’s stellar defense held Lehigh to 57 points. The Rattlers earned the 16th seed in St. Louis Region and a date with top-seeded Kentucky.
In the first round of the tournament, Florida A&M stayed close with Kentucky for most of the first half and into the second half. The Wildcats eventually pulled away as the Rattlers’ defense faltered against a high-major powerhouse. Kentucky won 96-76.
MEAC Most Valuable Player:
Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
Zimmerman was the most consistent player on the MEAC’s most consistent team. South Carolina State cruised through the regular season as Zimmerman contributed 18.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He had 11 double doubles and a 39-point explosion at eventual MEAC champion Florida A&M.
MEAC Rookie of the Year:
Sean Booker, North Carolina A&T
Booker claims this award for contributing the highest scoring average of any freshman, and he played on the conference’s worst team. North Carolina A&T has had a rough stretch in recent seasons, but Booker’s 14.5 points per game is a strong foundation to build on for next season.
MEAC Coach of the Year:
Mike Gillespie, Florida A&M
Gillespie wins the award because he turned a disappointing regular season into an NCAA Tournament bid. The Florida A&M Rattlers had a senior-laden lineup that finished fifth before snaking through the conference tournament and beating the MEAC’s top two seeds, South Carolina State and Coppin State.
Team by Team
South Carolina State Bulldogs (18-11, 14-4)
Team MVP: Thurman Zimmerman (18.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg)
Scoring leader: Zimmerman (18.8 ppg)
Rebound leader: Zimmerman (8.4 rpg)
Assist leader: Demeco Heath (2.9 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
None
Key Players Returning:
Zimmerman (junior forward18.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg)
Brian Mason (freshman guard 13.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Shawn Wiggins (junior guard 11.0 ppg)
Heath (junior guard 9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
Brandon Trapp (sophomore guard 6.9 ppg)
As good as the Bulldogs were this season, the goal for next season will be to win the conference tournament. Another conference title coupled with a tournament loss will not cut it. The Bulldogs return every major contributor, including conference MVP Thurman Zimmerman. He’ll be the odds-on favorite to win the title again next season. If the Bulldogs can convince a high-major programs to play them, South Carolina State could gather some invaluable experience that may allow them to compete in the NCAA Tournament against a No. 2, 3 or 4 seed.
Coppin State Eagles (18-14, 14-4)
Team MVP: Jimmy Boykin (13.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Scoring leader: Boykin (13.9 ppg)
Rebound leader: Boykin (5.6 rpg)
Assist leader: Raheem Scott (2.5 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Boykin (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Kelvin Green (freshman forward 12.1 ppg)
Nicholas King (sophomore forward 10.8 ppg)
Scott (sophomore guard 6.0 ppg)
Coppin State loses senior leader Jimmy Boykin, and freshman Kelvin Green will have to step up to replace Boykin’s contributions. The Eagles finished atop the MEAC standings with South Carolina State, but the team needs every returning player to step up to keep pace with the Bulldogs next season.
Delaware State Hornets (13-15, 11-7)
Team MVP: Terrance Hunter (12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Scoring leader: Hunter (12.1 ppg)
Rebound leader: Aaron Matthews (5.7 rpg)
Assist leader: Miles Davis (3.0 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Davis (graduation)
Matthews (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Hunter (junior forward 12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Jahsha Bluntt (freshman forward 8.3 ppg)
Carlos Hawkins (junior forward 8.3 ppg)
Aaron Williams (junior guard 7.4 ppg)
The bottom line for the Hornets is that they will have a chance to compete as long as leading scorer Terrance Hunter remains on the team. Delaware State played excellent defense this past season, holding the opponent to 60 points or less in 10 of the team’s 13 victories. The solid defensive foundation will allow the team to keep games close while the Hornets mature offensively.
Hampton Pirates (13-17, 11-7)
Team MVP: Devin Green (15.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
Scoring leader: Green (15.2 ppg)
Rebound leader: Green (7.6 rpg)
Assist leader: Donald Didlake (2.7 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Didlake (graduation)
Rodney Hughes (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Green (junior forward15.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
Jeff Granger (sophomore guard15.0 ppg)
Bruce Brown (sophomore center 7.9 ppg)
Hampton has been a perennial contender in the MEAC for several seasons, and next season should be no different with the return of leading scorer and rebounder Devin Green. In addition to Green, who has the potential to compete for conference MVP, the Pirates return sophomore guard Jeff Granger. The pair is the most dynamic duo in the conference and have the potential to lead Hampton to the top of the standings.
Florida A&M Rattlers (15-17, 10-8)
Team MVP: Terrence Woods (20.3 ppg)
Scoring leader: Woods (20.3 ppg)
Rebound leader: Michael Harper (4.8 rpg)
Assist leader: Moses White (3.3 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
White (graduation)
Woods (graduation)
Demarcus Wilkins (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Harper (junior center 9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
Tony Tate (junior guard 7.4 ppg)
Florida A&M entered this past season with a senior-laden lineup that blossomed when it counted – the post-season. The Rattlers will have to replace the leadership of seniors Terrence Woods, Demarcus Wilkins and Moses White. Woods and Wilkins combined for one-third of the team’s scoring last season while White led the team to the NCAA Promised Land by dishing 3.3 assists per game. Juniors Michael Harper and Tony Tate must emerge as legitimate scoring threats or else the Rattlers will suffer a drop in the MEAC standings.
Norfolk State Spartans (12-17, 10-8)
Team MVP: Chakowby Hicks (15.9 ppg, 2.9 apg)
Scoring leader: Hicks (15.9 ppg)
Rebound leader: Karandick Ogunride (7.1 rpg)
Assist leader: Hicks (2.9 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Derrick Smith (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Hicks (junior guard 15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Ryan Grier (junior guard 12.7 ppg)
Karandick Ogunride (sophomore center 6.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
The Spartans proved to be a dangerous but inconsistent team this past season. They claimed two victories against conference regular season champ South Carolina State but also a loss to conference bottom-feeder North Carolina A&T. Inconsistency is usually the mark of inexperience. Sophomore center Karandick Ogunride could become the best big man in the conference, and he probably will need to play that way for the Spartans to compete for a conference title.
Morgan State Bears (11-16, 9-9)
Team MVP: Aaron Andrews (11.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
Scoring leader: Andrews (11.0 ppg)
Rebound leader: Andrews (6.2 rpg)
Assist leader: Cedrick Barrow (3.1 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Andrews (graduation)
Barrow (graduation)
Reggie Winkfield (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Christopher Grant (junior guard 10.3 ppg)
Sam Brand (junior guard 10.2 ppg)
Morgan State received balance scoring from several players, but the Bears lose their top scorer, senior Aaron Andrews, and top assist man, Cedrick Barrow. Juniors Christopher Grant and Sam Brand inherit the leadership positions on a team mired in the middle of the MEAC pack. Of the Bears’ 11 victories last season, nine were decided by five points or fewer. Although that means the team played well in the stretch, it also means that the Bears lack the ability to pull away from opponents. Unless this roster matures during the off-season, those close victories could turn into losses pretty easily.
Bethune Cookman Wildcats (8-21, 7-11)
Team MVP: Diondre Lamond (10.7 ppg)
Scoring leader: Lamond (10.7 ppg)
Rebound leader: Pape Ba (5.2 rpg)
Assist leader: O’Neal Carter (2.9 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Lamond (graduation)
Ba (graduation)
Kendrick Frink (graduation)
Markey Picard (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Anis Taylor (sophomore guard 7.9 ppg)
Carter (junior guard 6.1 ppg, 2.9 apg)
The Wildcats were not a spectacular team this past season, and they lose four important contributors. The result will be a rough season next season while new leaders emerge. Depending on how long it takes for players like sophomore Anis Taylor and junior O’Neal Carter to take the reins, next season could see the Wildcats plummet to the bottom of the MEAC tank.
Maryland-Eastern Shore Shore Hawks (8-21, 6-12)
Team MVP: Tee Trotter (19.3 ppg)
Scoring leader: Trotter (19.3 ppg)
Rebound leader: Javes Wiggins (6.9 rpg)
Assist leader: Trotter (2.0 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Trotter (graduation)
Wiggins (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Aaron Wellington (sophomore guard 11.2 ppg)
Tim Parham (sophomore center 6.0 ppg)
News: Frustrated with another losing season, the Shore Hawks canned coach Thomas Trotter and hired Lawrence Lessett Jr. Lessett has Division I experience as an assistant at Mercer, but this position will be his first attempt at Division I head coaching. Among his non-Division I coaching positions, Lessett collected 182 wins.
In addition to Trotter’s departure, the Shore Hawks watched one of the conference’s most potent scorers graduate this past year. Tee Trotter, who averaged nearly 20 points per game, will be sorely missed by a team that managed only six conference wins. Rebound-hog Javes Wiggins also graduated, meaning that sophomore center Tim Parham must become the next porker in the paint to collect loose balls. The Shore Hawks did not lose as much as other teams in the conference, but they still do not figure to advance far in the standings. Status quo may even prove to be a challenge.
Howard Bison (6-22, 4-14)
Team MVP: James Wilkinson (13.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Scoring leader: Wilkinson (13.0 ppg)
Rebound leader: Wilkinson (6.1 ppg)
Assist leader: Louis Ford (5.0 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Seye Aluko (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Wilkinson (junior center 13.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Ford (sophomore guard 9.6 ppg, 5.0 apg)
Bilal Russell (sophomore forward 7.1 ppg)
Howard dodged the bottom of the standings by the grace of a God-awful North Carolina A&T squad, and the timely contributions of junior James Wilkinson. The team’s leading scorer and rebounder must continue to post strong numbers if the Bison seek to avoid the cellar. The Bison struggled to score last season, managing just over 60 points per game. This squad must do better.
North Carolina A&T Aggies (3-25, 3-15)
Team MVP: Sean Booker (14.5 ppg)
Scoring leader: Booker (14.5 ppg)
Rebound leader: Chris Ferguson (7.1 rpg)
Assist leader: Brian Faulcon (3.1 apg)
Key Players Leaving:
Ferguson (graduation)
Key Players Returning:
Booker (freshman guard 14.5 ppg)
Faulcon (sophomore guard 6.2 ppg, 3.1 apg)
Steven Koger (junior guard 9.1 ppg)
North Carolina A&T struggled all season, posting only three victories. But the Aggies do boast the conference rookie of the year, Sean Booker. Booker led the team in scoring despite being a freshman. As he improves, along with the rest of this young team, the Aggies have an opportunity to climb out of the basement and into the middle of the MEAC standings. The roster includes nine freshmen or sophomores, so as these players mature, the Aggies will gain more ground on their opponents who lose several key players each year.
A Look Ahead
The MEAC may be unlikely to provide an NCAA champion any time soon – if ever. But the conference will be filled with excitement next season as five or six teams have a legitimate shot to win the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. A strong season by South Carolina State may even warrant a No. 14 or 15 seed. The Bulldogs’ fiercest competition figures to be Hampton and Delaware State. But don’t count out Norfolk State or Coppin State. The former is a team on the rise, while the latter matched the Bulldogs’ 14 conference wins and will remain a threat.
At the other end of the spectrum, North Carolina A&T has an opportunity to not finish last next season as teams like Bethune Cookman and Howard may slip a notch with the departure of a few leaders. None of these schools may strike fear into the hearts of high-major programs, but if those teams take the MEAC champion for granted, a perfect Cinderella story would be in the making. South Carolina State, Hampton and the rest of the MEAC will be waiting.
