Dipak Suresh
The 2033-2034 season is about to begin. Here’s my notes based upon my review of the rosters of the 5 teams and my phone conversations with each coach about their team for this season:
Alcorn State Braves, Conf V, Coach Ramon Montez
Previous season records of the coach: 8-7 (Independent, 1st-tie); 14-14 (Conf V, 5th-tie); 14-16 (Conf V, 8th)
My good friend and head coach Ramon Montez hopes to improve on his past two 14-win seasons. The Braves look pretty solid at the 3, 4 and 5 positions with talented players and great depth at those positions. But the team is weak at the guard positions, with the possible exception freshman Todd Young at PG. Ramon said he’s been pleasantly surprised by how Young has performed during the autumn practice period, particularly because he was only ranked #1735 as a recruit.
Anticipated starters: PG Todd Young(6-0, Fr), SG Mike Gallagher(6-0, Sr), SF Virgil Brown(6-6, So), PF Will Friel (6-6, So), C Gabriel Wood (6-8, So)
Western Illinois Leathernecks, Conf V, Coach Terry Morillo
Previous season records of the coach: 4-11, Dixie St. (Independent, 4th); 7-8, Dixie St. (Independent, 2nd); 4-11, Dixie St. (Independent, 5th).
Last Season Western Illinois had a 17-13 record and was tied for 4th in Conf V.
Coach Morillo has said he’s extremely happy to have been hired as the new coach for the Leathernecks. His recruiting success this year is in stark contrast to the difficulties he encountered while coaching at Dixie State. SF Roy Hampton is expected to carry the team this season. But the Leathernecks have two good C’s as well. The other three positions appear to be rather average, although Morillo says he won’t be surprised if any of the three starters at those positions is surprisingly better than expected.
Anticipated starters: PG Earl Cue (6-0, Sr), SG Duany Vaughn (6-2, Jr), SF Roy Hampton (6-3, Jr), PF Guillermo Cabrera (6-11, Jr), C Jamaal Adams (6-10, Jr)
UC-San Diego Tritons, Conf V, Coach Ken Yamoto
Previous season records of the coach: 3-12, Tarleton St. (Independent, 5th); 2-13, Tarleton St. (Independent, 5th); 6-9 Tarleton St. (Independent, 2nd-tie).
Last Season UC-San Diego had a 14-14 record and was tied for 4th in Conf V.
The Tritons have only one true PG on their roster and he’s not ready to be a starter. Brian Thomas came to the Tritons as a SF and subbed at the “3” last season, so there’s a lot of uncertainty as to how well he will handle the Point this season. Donte Madison needs to shoot better than he has the past 2 years…if not it may be wise for Coach Yamoto to try him at PG and move Thomas to SG. “I was really pleased to recruit Kevin White and look forward to his joining the team next season since I believe he will solve our PG deficiency,” said Yamoto. Although Shannon Van Hook was the team’s top scorer last year, Dave Rush wasn’t far behind him and is expected to be the go-to guy this season. Rebounding may well be a deficit that UC-San Diego has a tough time overcoming this year.
Anticipated starters: PG Brian Thomas (6-6 So), SG Donte Madison (6-2 Jr), SF Dave Rush (6-3, Jr), PF Byron Kelley (6-7 Jr), C Shannon Van Hook (6-10 So).
MD-Eastern Shore Hawks, Conf V, Coach Mike McMillan
Previous season records of the coach: 8-7 (Independent, 1st-tie); 6-9 (Independent, 3rd); 12-17 (Conf V, 9th-tie)
Only Junior Sarchet was a starter for the Hawks last season. But he scored well and Coach Mike McMillan is hoping JC transfer Kent Evans will dominate inside. Since both starting guards are very inexperienced, unless they step p and play well, it could be long season for McMilla’s troops. “We’re really short on bodies with 4 transfer players who are ineligible to play this season and you take away the 2 walk-ons, that just leaves us with 9 scholarship players who can play so depth is going to be a real problem for us,” said McMillan. This may just be a building year for the Hawks who look to be much strong next season.
Anticipated starters: PG Omar Briggs (6-2, Sr); SG Tyron Adras (6-4, Sr); SF Junior Sarchet (6-8 So); PF Tony Rueter (6-6 Fr); C Kent Evans (6-9 Jr)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, Conf V, Coach Dontell Spencer
Previous season records of the coach: 6-10 (Independent, 3rd); 9-7 (independent, 1st, NIT 1st Rnd); 11-8 (Independent, 1st, NIT Semifinals)
All 5 starters are not only talented, but experienced. The Golden Lions look to be the cream of the crop when comparing these 5 teams. While the others will be trying to avoid being relegated, Arkansas-Pine Bluff has set their sites on being promoted at the end of this season for the 2nd straight year. “We have 4 transfers players who can’t play for us this season while sitting out their year of ineligibility. So we’ve got a short bench meaning I’ll rely heavily on my starters,” said Coach Spencer. If the Golden Lions can avoid serious injuries, it should be a good season for Arkansas-Pine Bluff and maybe even a better one next year when the transfer players are able to contribute and if the 5 recruits landed this year produce as freshmen.
Anticipated starters: PG Milton Cox (6-0 Sr); SG Dwayne Robinson (6-0 So); SF Dexter Thorne (6-7 Sr); PF Marcus Huld (6-6 Sr); C Imari McDonald (6-10 Sr)