William & Mary Tribe (20-12 overall, 10-6 conference)
Projected starting five:
Fr. G Michael Schlotman
Sr. G Marcus Thornton
Jr. G-F Terry Tarpey
So. G-F Omar Prewitt
Jr. F Sean Sheldon
Important departures:
The Tribe lost a good deal of experience and production, as G Julian Boatner, G Brandon Britt, F Kyle Gaillard and F Tim Rusthoven all graduated.
Returning:
57.1 percent of scoring and 63.7 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Fr. G Greg Malinowski
Fr. F Paul Rowley
Fr. G Michael Schlotman (redshirted)
Fr. G Oliver Tot
Fr. F Jack Whitman (redshirted)
Schedule Highlights:
Four home games highlight a non-conference slate that has some challenging road games. The Tribe will go to Florida, Richmond, Old Dominion and North Carolina. The latter part of CAA play includes a stretch with five of seven games on the road, ending with games at Northeastern and at Hofstra.
Projected finish and outlook:
Tony Shaver continues to bring this program to new levels of success, and this year they might maintain things after a run to the conference title game last season. They have the preseason Player of the Year in Thornton, who can get this team a basket when they need one, as a good starting point. They lose a lot, but still have a lot coming back in addition to Thornton. Prewitt was the conference’s top newcomer and has gotten stronger, while Dixon gives them a lot, including defensively. Tarpey is a solid glue guy, and his motor is always running, which allows him to find ways to contribute. Sheldon is likely to start up front, having steadily developed to the point where he’ll anchor the front line. He’s the latest in a line of players under Shaver who have waited their turn for a significant role. They have plenty of other options up front behind him. The one question mark is at the point guard spot with the departure of Britt, and that could go to Schlotman, who had earned a spot in the rotation before getting hurt last season and having to obtain a medical redshirt. The Tribe is a well-oiled machine offensively with this group, and they’re underrated defensively, led by Dixon, so there’s every reason to think they can contend once again this season.
