Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 2005-06 Preview
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opens its season with exciting and anticipated match-ups. The favorite to win it all this season is South Carolina State, who received 10 out of the 20 first place votes from the league head coaches and Sports Information Directors. The Bulldogs were selected to finish first over defending MEAC Champions Delaware State, who tied with Hampton University in being picked to finish second.
The top three picks present heavy competition in the MEAC as they all have a strong outlook for the season. All three teams have either advanced to the final round of the tournament or gained entrance into the NCAA Tournament within the past three years. However, with the top teams receiving the most attention, it gives an opportunity for the underdog teams to work their way to the top with upsets and surprises. One team in particular that has the potential is the Coppin State Eagles, who advanced to the semifinal round the MEAC Tournament before suffering a loss to Hampton. One challenge that the Eagles face this season is playing with a young team that has no seniors on the roster and only two returning starters.
The Florida A&M Rattlers are also looking to have some upsets of their own after two of their players were named to the preseason MEAC All-Conference teams. The Rattlers enter the season predicted to finish in fifth place. However, the team brings tournament experience after having been the MEAC Champions in the 2003-04 season and advancing to the NCAA Tournament in that same season.
Rounding out the bottom on the conference are Howard University, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T and University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. These teams have not had the best of seasons in the previous years, but are hoping to utilize their new recruits to bring diverse talents and turnaround their record.
With the new changes and key additions to various teams around the conference, this season is expected to excite many fans. The season tips off Nov. 8, with conference matches begin in early January.
All-MEAC First Team
G: Antonio Webb, Bethune-Cookman
G: Jahsha Bluntt, Delaware State
G: Tony Tate, Florida A&M
F: Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
C: Bruce Brown, Hampton
All-MEAC Second Team
G: Jeff Granger, Hampton
G: Tony Murphy, Norfolk State
F: Darius Glover, Florida A&M
F: Tim Parham, UMES
F: Brian Mason, SCSU
Preseason Player of the Year: Bruce Bowen, Hampton
South Carolina State Bulldogs (2004-2005: 19-12 overall, 11-7 conference, 4th place tie)
Schedule highlights:
12/3 – North Carolina A&T
1/3 – at South Carolina
1/7 – at Delaware State
1/14 – Florida A&M
1/21 – Morgan State
The South Carolina State University Bulldogs have been selected as the men’s favorite in this season’s preseason poll. The Bulldogs received 10 out of the 20 first place votes, edging out last year’s No. 1 ranked Delaware State, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season.
After losing key senior guards Shawn Wiggins (8.6 ppg) and Demeco Heath (9.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 2.5 apg), the Bulldogs will be looking to the play of two top returnees, senior forward Thurman Zimmerman and junior guard Brian Mason. Zimmerman is a three-time All-MEAC first team selection, and Mason was an All-MEAC second team selection last season. Last season, Zimmerman led the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Bulldogs also hope to utilize their five freshman recruits who they added to the team this season.
In the Bulldogs’ exhibition game versus neighborhood rivals, the Claflin Panthers on Nov. 9, Mason led the team to a 62-57 win. Mason finished the game with 18 points and three assists.
The Bulldogs anticipate the upcoming season and hope to prove that they deserved their preseason rank as No. 1. They open up their regular season on Nov. 18 against New Mexico at the Jim Thorpe Classic.
Delaware State Hornets (2004-2005: 19-14 overall, 14-4 conference, 1st place)
Schedule highlights:
12/28 – at Maryland
1/4 – Coppin State
1/7 – South Carolina State
1/21 – at Hampton
2/1 – Morgan State
The Delaware State Hornets, who ended the season with a 19-14 record and a No. 1 ranking in the MEAC, have been chosen to tie in second place with Hampton according to the preseason polls.
The Hornets defeated the Pirates 55-53 in the final round of the MEAC Tournament last season, capturing the title for the first time. The Hornets then advanced to the NCAA Tournament, in which they lost to the No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils 57-46.
The Hornets were led last season by junior guard Jahsha Bluntt, who led the team in scoring with 13.6 ppg. Bluntt, who was Most Outstanding Player of the MEAC Tournament last season and led the MEAC in three-pointers, was named to the preseason All-MEAC first team. Along with Bluntt, the Hornets are looking to top returnees junior guard Darrin Shine and junior forward Troy Roundtree.
Also expected to make a contribution this season are key reserves junior forward/center Aaron Fleetwood and sophomore guard Tracey Worley.
The Hornets were both the MEAC Regular Season Champions and the MEAC Tournament Champions last season and hope to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the MEAC this year.
The team tips off its season on Nov. 19 at UCLA in anticipation of beginning their quest back to the NCAA Tournament.
Hampton University Pirates (2004-2005: 17-13 overall, 13-5 conference, 2nd place tie)
Schedule highlights:
12/3 – Norfolk State
12/30 – Virginia Commonwealth
1/9 – at Howard University (ESPNU)
1/21 – Delaware State
2/24 – at South Carolina State (ESPNU)
Although tied with the Delaware State Hornets to finish second in the preseason polls, the Hampton University Pirates may be the team to watch this season. Not only did senior center Bruce Bowen get named to the preseason All-MEAC first team for the second year in a row, but he was also picked to be the MEAC preseason player of the year. Entering his senior year, Bowen has been one of two Pirate players to start all 30 games while averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Senior guard Jeff Granger was named to the All-MEAC second team after finishing a standout year where he averaged 10 points per game. He led the Pirates in three-pointers made (37) and finished 12th in the MEAC in steals (47). Granger also played an integral role in the Pirates’ run to the conference finals last year as he averaged 15.3 points and 2.7 steals per game in the MEAC tournament.
With the loss of standout guard and Ohio native Devin Green, the Pirates will be looking to their three seniors left on the roster to step up and fill those shoes.
After losing to the Delaware State Hornets 55-53 in the final round of the MEAC tournament, the Pirates look to make their trek back into the final round, only this time, coming out with a win.
With the outstanding play of Bowen and his being selected as the MEAC preseason player of the year, the Pirates have a lot to prove in the conference this season. They open up their season Nov. 18 versus Richmond in Richmond, Va.
Norfolk State University Spartans (2004-2005: 13-14 overall, 11-7 conference, 4th place tie)
Schedule highlights:
12/3 – at Hampton
12/12 – at Ohio State
1/23 – Delaware State
1/28 – North Carolina A&T
1/30 – South Carolina State
The Norfolk State University Spartans finished the season in a three-way tie for fourth place and have been selected by the preseason polls to finish in the same place this season.
The Spartans will look to key returnees, who include sophomore guard Tony Murphy, junior center Calvin Brown, junior forward Tynell Dunkley and senior forward Karandick Ogunride. Murphy was named to the All-MEAC second team after averaging 10.8 ppg last season. Murphy and Co. will be expected to step up after losing standout guard Chakowby Hicks, who averaged 14.4 ppg for the Spartans last season.
The Spartans always present a tough match-up against cross-town rival Hampton to show who the superior Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the state of Virginia is. They face the Pirates in their first conference game of the season which will be played in Hampton, Va., on Dec. 3.
The Spartans open up their regular season on Nov. 18 versus the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers.
Florida A&M University Rattlers (2004-2005: 14-15 overall, 10-8 conference, 7th place)
Schedule highlights:
12/3 – at Bethune-Cookman
12/30 – at Florida
1/16 – at South Carolina State
1/28 – at Delaware State
3/1 – at Hampton
The Florida A&M University Rattlers return to action this season, predicted to finished in fifth place. The Rattlers won the MEAC Championship in the 2003-2004 season, but finished seventh in conference play at the conclusion of the previous season.
In 2004, the Rattlers advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64 after defeating Patriot League champion Lehigh, 72-57, in the NCAA preliminary game. However, the Rattlers were then defeated in Round 1 by the Kentucky Wildcats, 96-76.
This season the Rattlers look to a new recruit for leadership, freshman guard Lamar Twitty. Head coach Mike Gillespie believes Twitty will be a great addition to the men’s basketball program.
Along with Twitty, the Rattlers look for great play from key returnees like forward Darius Glover and senior guard Tony Tate. Glover was named to the preseason All-MEAC second team after averaging 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. Tate was named to the preseason All-MEAC first team after leading the MEAC in assists (121) and finishing second in scoring (15.4) and steals (2.34) last season.
With the addition of three new recruits, the Rattlers hope to reclaim the MEAC Championship title that was taken away from them last season. They begin their season Nov. 19 at Cleveland State.
Coppin State University Eagles (2004-2005: 14-15 overall, 13-5 conference, 2nd place tie)
Schedule highlights:
1/4 – at Delaware State
1/16 – Hampton University
1/28 – Howard University
1/30 – UMES
3/3 – Morgan State
Perhaps the Coppin State University Eagles have what no other team in the MEAC has; a 14-player roster with no seniors.
Coppin State will return two starters and nine letter winners to the team this season.
With the young team, head coach Ron Mitchell has high hopes, noting their ability to hustle.
Among the top returnees to the Eagles this season are sophomore Darryl Proctor, who was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year after averaging 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and junior guard West Otis, who averaged 5.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game last season.
After advancing to the semifinal round of the MEAC Tournament last season, the Eagles will miss the play of All-Conference performers Nicholas King (14.1 ppg) and Raheem Scott (7.9 ppg) along with a dominant low-post player, Henry Colter (5.1 rpg, 1.39 bpg). Coppin State hopes that their young squad will be able to outplay and out-hustle their opponents.
The Eagles will open the regular season at the Black Coaches Association Invitational against Charlotte on Nov. 13 in Laramie, Wyo.
Bethune-Cookman College Wildcats (2004-2005: 13-17 overall, 8-10 conference, 8th place)
Schedule highlights:
11/29 – at Central Florida
12/3 – Florida A&M
12/9 – at Florida
1/14 – at South Carolina State
1/16 – at North Carolina A&T
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats look to begin their regular season after splitting 1-1 in their exhibition games thus far.
The Wildcats look for big plays from senior guard and preseason All-MEAC first team selection Antonio Webb, who averaged 15.2 points per game last season. Webb is a force to reckon with as he is able to play either the point or two-guard position. Also looking to step up big are returning starters senior guard Anis Taylor and senior forward/center Michael Williams II, who averaged 11.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season.
The Wildcats added five new players to their roster, including four transfer juniors and one freshman, guard/forward Kevan Creppy out of James Blake HS in Silver Spring, Md. While at James Blake, Creppy averaged 11.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while leading his team to a 20-4 record last year. Creppy is expected to battle with seniors Webb and Taylor for a spot in the rotation. He is the only freshman on the roster and hopes to shine in his first year on the Wildcats squad.
The Wildcats tip off their regular season Nov. 18 at Clemson.
North Carolina A&T State Aggies (2004-2005: 6-24 overall, 5-13 conference, 9th place)
Schedule highlights:
12/3 – South Carolina State
1/9 – at Delaware State
1/16 – Bethune-Cookman
1/28 – at Norfolk
1/30 – at Hampton
After placing ninth in the conference last season, then being ousted from the first round of the 2005 MEAC Tournament by Bethune-Cookman by a 76-62 score, the North Carolina A&T State Aggies are looking to begin their season on a good foot.
This year the Aggies have moved up one slot, expected to finish eighth in the conference according to the preseason polls.
Aggies Head Coach Jerry Eaves signed freshman Christopher Faison out of Hillside HS in Durham, N.C., who is expected to play a big role on the team as point guard. Faison was the Five-County 3A Conference Player of the Year this past season after averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. Also joining the Aggies this season is 5-foot-11 guard Austin Ewing out of Atlanta, Ga., and 6-foot-9 center James Porter out of Raleigh, N.C.
The Aggies will look to their Rookie of the Year, sophomore guard/forward Demetrius Guions, who was fourth on the team in scoring (6.2 ppg) and third in rebounding (3.7 rpg). Guions is expected to play a big role after losing team MVP and conference scoring leader Sean Booker (16.1 ppg), along with Aggies Most Improved Player Steven Koger (11.7 ppg).
The Aggies open up their season on Nov. 18 against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C.
Morgan State University Bears (2004-2005: 14-16 overall, 11-7 conference, 4th place tie)
Schedule highlights:
11/28 – at Towson University
1/14 – Hampton
1/21 – at South Carolina State
1/30 – Howard
3/3 – Coppin State
The Morgan State University Bears have been selected according to the preseason polls to finish in ninth place this season after finishing the previous season in a tie for fourth.
Last year, the Bears advanced to the quarterfinals where they were then defeated by Coppin State 60-43.
This season the Bears will be without guard Sam Brand, who was considered to be one of the best pure shooters in MSU history. Teamed up with former forward Aaron Andrews, the duo combined for nearly 25 points per game last season.
In the absence of Brand and Andrews, the Bears will look to sophomore guard T.J. Mathis to step up and fill the void. The Bears also look for key contributions from their returning starters, junior forward Karanvir Aujla, junior center Timothy Berkley and junior guard Joseph McIver. Four new freshmen were also added to the roster and are hoping to bring their young talent to the Bears squad.
Last season Morgan State ranked No. 6 in the MEAC in steals, averaging 7.8 per game.
Mathis led the team in steals with 1.4 per game.
The Bears also hope to continue their dominance at home where they were 10-1 last season.
The Bears open their season Nov. 13 when they play the University of Washington Huskies at the 2005 Black Coaches Association (BCA) Classic.
Howard University Bison (2004-2005: 5-23 overall, 2-16 conference, 10th place)
Schedule highlights:
12/12 – at American University
1/5 – South Carolina State
1/9 – at Hampton
1/30 – at Morgan State
2/20 – Florida A&M
The Howard University Bison are looking to start the 2005-2006 season with a fresh start under the guidance and leadership of new head coach Gil Jackson. Another addition to the Bison coaching staff is assistant coach James Wilhelmi. Teamed with Jackson, Wilhelmi hopes to direct the Bison to a winning season.
Following a disappointing 5-23 overall record and a 10th place finish in the conference with a 2-15 record last season, former head coach Frankie Allen was relieved of his duties after coaching the Bison for five years.
The Bison had an all-around disappointing season after losing in the first round of the MEAC Tournament, 80-56 to the Florida A&M Rattlers.
According to the preseason polls, the Bison are expected to place 10th in the conference at the conclusion of the season.
Jackson, who served 16 years as an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania prior to his new position with the Bison, hopes for senior guard Louis Ford to step up and be a leader on the Bison squad. Ford missed a great portion of the season last year due to ineligibility; however, this season Ford hopes to play a greater role on the team. Also looking to make some noise on the court are junior forwards Darryl Hudson, Stanley Greene and Jason Trotter.
Junior guard Will Gant, who carried the majority of the weight on his shoulders last season, hopes to have the same impact on his team this year. However, with the return of Ford to the lineup, the weight will not be as heavy.
The Bison begin the season on Nov. 23 when they compete in the Iowa State Tip-Off Tournament.
University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks (2004-2005: 2-26 overall, 1-17 conference, 11th place)
Schedule highlights:
11/18 – at University of Maryland-Baltimore County
12/10 – at Howard
1/7 – at Hampton
1/16 – Delaware State
1/28 – at Morgan State
Head Coach Larry Lessett enters his second season at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore after concluding last season with a 2-26 record (1-17 MEAC).
The Hawks finished in last place in the previous season and are expected to finish in the same place this season. They were ousted from the first round of the MEAC Tournament by Morgan State 77-56. The Hawks’ only win in the conference last season came against Howard, who went 2-16 in conference play and were ousted from the first round of the MEAC Tournament as well last season.
Of the 14-players on the roster, only five are returning from last season. One of the top returnees includes senior forward Tim Parham, who was also named to the preseason All-MEAC second team. Parham had intended to enter the NBA draft, but later withdrew his name after a decision to return to UMES for his senior season.
Eight freshmen and 10 newcomers in total have been added to the active roster, forming a team packed with young talent. Freshman guards Jesse Brooks and Ed Tyson along with low-post players Qavostaraj Waddell and Antonio McMillion are expected to play a big role for the Hawks this season.
The Hawks begin their regular season with a two-game trip to the Iowa City region of the Guardian’s Classic, where they will first math-up against Iowa on Nov. 14.
