coreyschucky
11-08-2004, 01:29 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Big South Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Birmingham Southern
2. High Point
3. UNC-Asheville
4. Liberty
5. Radford
6. Winthrop
7. Charleston Southern
8. Coastal Carolina
9. VMI
Birmingham Southern claimed a share of last year's regular-season title but was restricted from competing in the postseason because it entered Division I in 1999 and still had provisional status.
Brian Woodson and Liberty figure to be in the thick of the conference title race. (Getty Images)
Luckily for Duane Reboul's team, the NCAA amended the rule in the offseason, giving the Panthers the opportunity to participate in postseason tournaments a year earlier than expected.
With three starters returning, Birmingham Southern might waste no time taking advantage, although last year's co-champions and NCAA Tournament participant Liberty has other ideas. The league's other major surprise, High Point, seems to be stronger as well. Perennial contender Winthrop, now two years removed from its last NCAAs after four consecutive bids, doesn't figure to get back its throne.
Birmingham Southern
Top three: PG Jacob Sigurdarson, C Shema Mbyirukira, SG James Collins.
On the rise: Sigurdarson and Collins form an excellent backcourt, while up front Mbyirukira and William & Mary transfer Thomas Viglianco will provide fits for opposing big men in addition to leading the league in vowels.
High Point
Top three: F Danny Gathings, G Zione White, F/C Jerry Echenique.
On the rise: Bart Lundy took over a team that had won seven games in 2002-03 and squeezed out 19 victories, but a blowout loss to Liberty in the conference tourney final prevented the Panthers from reaching their ultimate goal. The time to take advantage is now; each of the top players are seniors. Gathings is the Big South's top performer and is hungry for a taste of March.
UNC-Asheville
Top three: F Bryan McCullough, G K.J. Garland, C Joseph Barber.
On the rise: The Bulldogs return everybody, and most of the key contributors have reached an NCAA Tournament, so they've seen what it takes to get there. Don't be surprised if UNCA doubles last season's victory total, especially if talented sophomore Garland fuses it all together.
Liberty
Top three: SG Larry Blair, PG Brian Woodson, SF David Dees.
On the decline: The Flames peaked at the right time last season, finishing strong and winning a berth to their first NCAAs. Only two starters return, but Blair is a gifted scorer who should only get better as a sophomore after all the confidence he gained during the team's postseason run. Dees, a double-digit scorer despite coming off the bench, should replace the departed Gabe Martin in the lineup.
Radford
Top three: PG Whit Holcome-Faye, SG Olumuyiwa Popoola, F Chris Goodin.
On the rise: Holcomb-Faye led the league in scoring as a sophomore and is a favorite to repeat. The Highlanders return the majority of their gunners, but will need someone to provide some production in the paint to help balance things out.
Winthrop
Top three: G Torrell Martin, C Billy Houston, F James Shuler.
On the decline: It looks like a transition period at Winthrop, where the talent level has diminished after a spectacular run of success. Gregg Marshall gets the most out of his players and has proved to be an excellent bench coach, but the pieces he is working with won't be strong enough to thrive.
Charleston Southern
Top three: F Kurtis Rice, G/F Trent Drafts, F/C Nathan Ball.
On the rise: Point guard Ed O'Neil is gone, but the Bucs return four starters which should help the team improve on a last-place finish. Rice and Ball could be very productive inside.
Coastal Carolina
Top three: PG Alvin Green, F Moses Sonko, F Clint Nagel
On the decline: The Chanticleers barely missed out on a winning season with their highest victory total since reaching the NCAAs in 1993. A step back awaits as the top two scorers graduated and unproven players wait to replace them.
VMI
Top three: F Matt Murrer, C Tim Allmond, G Levar Joseph
On the decline: Injuries ensured the Keydets' struggles in their Big South debut, and with the loss of top forward Radee Skipworth, things don't figure to get much better in Year 2. At least they can watch old buddy Jason Conley shine at Missouri.
Accolades
First team
F -- Danny Gathings, High Point
C -- Shema Mbyirukira, Birmingham Southern
G -- Zione White, High Point
G -- Jakob Sigurdarson, Birmingham Southern
G -- Whit Holcombe-Faye, Radford
Second team
F -- David Dees, Liberty
F -- Bryan McCullough, UNC-Asheville
C -- Nathan Ball, Charleston Southern
G -- Larry Blair, Liberty
G -- K.J. Garland, UNC-Asheville
Player of the year
Danny Gathings, High Point
Newcomer of the year
Thomas Viglianco, Birmingham Southern
Breakthrough player
Moses Sonko, Coastal Carolina
Liberty
Big South Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. Birmingham Southern
2. High Point
3. UNC-Asheville
4. Liberty
5. Radford
6. Winthrop
7. Charleston Southern
8. Coastal Carolina
9. VMI
Birmingham Southern claimed a share of last year's regular-season title but was restricted from competing in the postseason because it entered Division I in 1999 and still had provisional status.
Brian Woodson and Liberty figure to be in the thick of the conference title race. (Getty Images)
Luckily for Duane Reboul's team, the NCAA amended the rule in the offseason, giving the Panthers the opportunity to participate in postseason tournaments a year earlier than expected.
With three starters returning, Birmingham Southern might waste no time taking advantage, although last year's co-champions and NCAA Tournament participant Liberty has other ideas. The league's other major surprise, High Point, seems to be stronger as well. Perennial contender Winthrop, now two years removed from its last NCAAs after four consecutive bids, doesn't figure to get back its throne.
Birmingham Southern
Top three: PG Jacob Sigurdarson, C Shema Mbyirukira, SG James Collins.
On the rise: Sigurdarson and Collins form an excellent backcourt, while up front Mbyirukira and William & Mary transfer Thomas Viglianco will provide fits for opposing big men in addition to leading the league in vowels.
High Point
Top three: F Danny Gathings, G Zione White, F/C Jerry Echenique.
On the rise: Bart Lundy took over a team that had won seven games in 2002-03 and squeezed out 19 victories, but a blowout loss to Liberty in the conference tourney final prevented the Panthers from reaching their ultimate goal. The time to take advantage is now; each of the top players are seniors. Gathings is the Big South's top performer and is hungry for a taste of March.
UNC-Asheville
Top three: F Bryan McCullough, G K.J. Garland, C Joseph Barber.
On the rise: The Bulldogs return everybody, and most of the key contributors have reached an NCAA Tournament, so they've seen what it takes to get there. Don't be surprised if UNCA doubles last season's victory total, especially if talented sophomore Garland fuses it all together.
Liberty
Top three: SG Larry Blair, PG Brian Woodson, SF David Dees.
On the decline: The Flames peaked at the right time last season, finishing strong and winning a berth to their first NCAAs. Only two starters return, but Blair is a gifted scorer who should only get better as a sophomore after all the confidence he gained during the team's postseason run. Dees, a double-digit scorer despite coming off the bench, should replace the departed Gabe Martin in the lineup.
Radford
Top three: PG Whit Holcome-Faye, SG Olumuyiwa Popoola, F Chris Goodin.
On the rise: Holcomb-Faye led the league in scoring as a sophomore and is a favorite to repeat. The Highlanders return the majority of their gunners, but will need someone to provide some production in the paint to help balance things out.
Winthrop
Top three: G Torrell Martin, C Billy Houston, F James Shuler.
On the decline: It looks like a transition period at Winthrop, where the talent level has diminished after a spectacular run of success. Gregg Marshall gets the most out of his players and has proved to be an excellent bench coach, but the pieces he is working with won't be strong enough to thrive.
Charleston Southern
Top three: F Kurtis Rice, G/F Trent Drafts, F/C Nathan Ball.
On the rise: Point guard Ed O'Neil is gone, but the Bucs return four starters which should help the team improve on a last-place finish. Rice and Ball could be very productive inside.
Coastal Carolina
Top three: PG Alvin Green, F Moses Sonko, F Clint Nagel
On the decline: The Chanticleers barely missed out on a winning season with their highest victory total since reaching the NCAAs in 1993. A step back awaits as the top two scorers graduated and unproven players wait to replace them.
VMI
Top three: F Matt Murrer, C Tim Allmond, G Levar Joseph
On the decline: Injuries ensured the Keydets' struggles in their Big South debut, and with the loss of top forward Radee Skipworth, things don't figure to get much better in Year 2. At least they can watch old buddy Jason Conley shine at Missouri.
Accolades
First team
F -- Danny Gathings, High Point
C -- Shema Mbyirukira, Birmingham Southern
G -- Zione White, High Point
G -- Jakob Sigurdarson, Birmingham Southern
G -- Whit Holcombe-Faye, Radford
Second team
F -- David Dees, Liberty
F -- Bryan McCullough, UNC-Asheville
C -- Nathan Ball, Charleston Southern
G -- Larry Blair, Liberty
G -- K.J. Garland, UNC-Asheville
Player of the year
Danny Gathings, High Point
Newcomer of the year
Thomas Viglianco, Birmingham Southern
Breakthrough player
Moses Sonko, Coastal Carolina
Liberty