Elon Phoenix (15-18 overall, 6-12 conference)
Projected starting five:
Jr. G Luke Eddy
Sr. G Tanner Samson
So. G Dmitri Thompson
Jr. F Christian Hairston
Sr. F Tony Sabato
Important departures:
Starters G Austin Hamilton, G Kevin Blake and F Ryan Winters graduated. The big blow, and one that was unexpected, was G Elijah Bryant transferring to Brigham Young.
Returning:
51.3 percent of scoring and 60.4 percent of rebounding
Additions:
Fr. G Sheldon Eberhardt
Fr. C Karolis Kundrotas
Fr. G Steven Santa Ana
Fr. F Tyler Seibring
Fr. G Dainan Swoope
Schedule Highlights:
Elon’s non-conference slate is a rarity for a mid-major – it has seven home games, which is a majority of their non-conference games. Two come as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis Mainland, while they also host UNCG. Notable road trips are to Michigan, Syracuse (both part of the Battle 4 Atlantis) and Duke. The conference schedule starts out with a big test: four of the first five on the road, including Northeastern in the opener and Hofstra later, with a visit from James Madison as the only home game in the stretch. That is followed by four of five at home, and they close the regular season with three of four at home.
Projected finish and outlook:
Elon had a tough inaugural season in the CAA thanks to injuries, and they enter their second season with some different questions. Hamilton and Blake are significant losses, as is Bryant, who transferred late in the spring after narrowly winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. On the bright side, they get Eddy back after an injury ended his season early, while Samson is a steady guard and Thompson showed promise last season. Sabato should anchor the post, and Hairston is the most experienced player who could complement him, but don’t be surprised if someone else grabs that spot. Brian Dawkins comes back from injury, while Seibring and Kundrotas could get minutes. Swoope could get a lot of minutes at the point and should be the floor leader of the future. While Bryant was talented, he wasn’t the most efficient offensive player, so while his loss is not trivial, it may not be a crippling loss. Indeed, the Phoenix have enough talent to make a lot of lemonade out of the lemon Bryant’s transfer gave them.
