Elon Phoenix (18-14 overall, 11-5 Southern Conference)
Projected starting five:
Sr. G Austin Hamilton
Jr. G Tanner Samson
Fr. G Elijah Bryant
Sr. F Ryan Winters
So. F Christian Harrison
Important departures:
Three key starters – G Sebastian Koch, F Lucas Troutman and F Ryley Beaumont – have all graduated.
Returning:
39.1 percent of scoring and 45.9 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Fr. F Jack Anton
Fr. G Elijah Bryant
Fr. F-C Jack George
Fr. F Collin Luther
Fr. G Dmitri Thompson
Schedule Highlights:
The Phoenix have four home games in a tough non-conference slate, highlighted by a visit from Charlotte. After traveling to play at Northwestern, they play in the Cancun Challenge against Morgan State and either North Florida or Liberty, then later hit the road to play at Missouri, Duke and UNCG. After opening their CAA history at Drexel and Towson, they come home for five of the next six.
Projected finish and outlook:
Elon is in a whole new world this season, as they enter a new conference with a lot of experience having walked out the door after last season. Gone are their top three scorers and rebounders, as well as their top assist man in Koch. But Hamilton and Samson are a solid backcourt to regroup with, as the former had a better than 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season. Bryant is a nice addition to the backcourt, and he should impact them right away, though they also return Kevin Blake. Thompson could also help right away, so they’ll be plenty deep on the perimeter. Winters is a solid holdover up front who must give them more, and Harrison and Sabato will likely be pressed into bigger roles as well, though all three freshmen will have a shot at minutes right away.
