coreyschucky
11-09-2004, 07:16 PM
From CBSSPORTSLINE.COM
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. South Carolina State
2. Coppin State
3. Hampton
4. Norfolk State
5. Florida A&M
6. Morgan State
7. Delaware State
8. Howard
9. Bethune-Cookman
10. North Carolina A&T
11. Maryland-Eastern Shore
The MEAC picked itself up an NCAA Tournament victory last year.
OK, so it was in the opening round game, but progress is progress.
The league should have a strong race in store, with traditional powers Coppin State and South Carolina State expected to be the favorites. Not that it means much who wins the regular-season dash. Florida A&M proved last year that the hottest team at the end can steal the prize, which it did by catching fire in the conference tournament.
The Rattlers performance reminded everyone that a prime seat in March is always there for the taking.
South Carolina State
Top three: F Thurman Zimmerman, G Brian Mason, G Shawn Wiggins.
On the rise: All five starters are back from last year's co-regular-season champs. The key is Zimmerman, the reigning player of the year. He's an active rebounder and nearly impossible to stop from inside 10 feet out. Mason and Wiggins, both sophomores, have found ways to excel around him.
Coppin State
Top three: F Nicholas King, F Kelvin Green, G Raheem Scott.
On the rise: The Eagles are perennially strong under Fang Mitchell, but this particular bunch is Philly-tough. All of the team's top players are from there, and they fight you for every inch.
Hampton
Top three: F Devin Green, G Jeff Granger, C Bruce Brown.
On the rise: The Pirates haven't experienced the success they attained under Steve Merfeld earlier this decade, but they have an opportunity to really excel this year. Green and Granger are dynamite scorers who have seen first-hand what it takes to dominate the conference.
Norfolk State
Top three: G Chakowby Hicks, F Ryan Grier, F Karandick Ogunride.
On the rise: This should be the year the Hornets arrive among the league's elite. Hicks and Grier, both seniors, are capable of carrying this squad to new heights, ending their careers under much different circumstances than how they began them at what was then the league's doormat.
Florida A&M
Top three: F/C Michael Harper, F Michael Ayodele, G Tony Tate.
On the decline: Mike Gillespie loves to run and bury you with 3-pointers, but it will be difficult to play his style. Leading scorer Terrance Woods is gone, and the team's top players are in the post. Look for Tate to get an abundance of looks.
Morgan State
Top three: F Aaron Andrews, G/F Christopher Grant, G Sam Brand.
On the rise: Butch Beard doesn't mind that his tallest starter will likely be 6-feet-4, as he plans to counter that with speed and pressure defense. It will be interesting to see what kind of pace they can maintain, with depth issues a concern.
Delaware State
Top three: F Terrance Hunter, G/F Jahsha Bluntt, F Carlos Hunter.
On the decline: Guard Miles Davis is gone, leaving sizeable hole at the point; despite the fact he stood 5-5, he had a knack for running the offense. The Hornets will have to find a capable replacement to feed their strong forwards.
Howard
Top three: G Louis Ford, F Bilal Russell, G Skip Mitchell.
On the decline: At 5-6, Ford presents a difficult matchup for opponents and will run things for coach Frankie Allen. Russell is expected to flourish in a full-time role.
Bethune-Cookman
Top three: F Diondre Larmond, F Michael Williams, G Anis Carter.
On the decline: Williams and Larmond are big men who could control things, but the guard play must improve. Look for freshmen Jordan Carrier and Antonio Webb to push for minutes and help improve the team's chances.
North Carolina A&T
Top three: G Sean Booker, G Steve Koger, F Greg Roberts.
On the rise: It's tough to do much worse than 3-25, plus coach Jerry Eaves got his young players a lot of seasoning during last season's growing pains. They'll build around Booker, just a sophomore.
Maryland-Eastern Shore
Top three: C Tim Parham, G Aly Samabaly, F Jareem Dowling.
On the decline: Lawrence Lessette takes over as coach and faces a major rebuilding task. All of last year's main contributors either graduated or transferred, so a whole new unit must be constructed. Samabaly, a transfer from Duquesne, should help ease the transition.
Accolades
First team
F -- Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
F -- Devin Green, Hampton
F -- Kelvin Green, Coppin State
G -- Brian Mason, South Caolina State
G -- Chakowby Hicks, Nicholls State
Second team
F -- Nicholas King, Coppin State
F -- Ryan Grier, Nicholls State
G -- Sean Booker, North Carolina A&T
G -- Tony Tate, Florida A&M
G -- Jeff Granger, Hampton
Player of the year
Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
Newcomer of the year
Brandon Streeter, Hampton
Breakthrough player
Tony Tate, Florida A&M
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Stock Chart
Team Stock
1. South Carolina State
2. Coppin State
3. Hampton
4. Norfolk State
5. Florida A&M
6. Morgan State
7. Delaware State
8. Howard
9. Bethune-Cookman
10. North Carolina A&T
11. Maryland-Eastern Shore
The MEAC picked itself up an NCAA Tournament victory last year.
OK, so it was in the opening round game, but progress is progress.
The league should have a strong race in store, with traditional powers Coppin State and South Carolina State expected to be the favorites. Not that it means much who wins the regular-season dash. Florida A&M proved last year that the hottest team at the end can steal the prize, which it did by catching fire in the conference tournament.
The Rattlers performance reminded everyone that a prime seat in March is always there for the taking.
South Carolina State
Top three: F Thurman Zimmerman, G Brian Mason, G Shawn Wiggins.
On the rise: All five starters are back from last year's co-regular-season champs. The key is Zimmerman, the reigning player of the year. He's an active rebounder and nearly impossible to stop from inside 10 feet out. Mason and Wiggins, both sophomores, have found ways to excel around him.
Coppin State
Top three: F Nicholas King, F Kelvin Green, G Raheem Scott.
On the rise: The Eagles are perennially strong under Fang Mitchell, but this particular bunch is Philly-tough. All of the team's top players are from there, and they fight you for every inch.
Hampton
Top three: F Devin Green, G Jeff Granger, C Bruce Brown.
On the rise: The Pirates haven't experienced the success they attained under Steve Merfeld earlier this decade, but they have an opportunity to really excel this year. Green and Granger are dynamite scorers who have seen first-hand what it takes to dominate the conference.
Norfolk State
Top three: G Chakowby Hicks, F Ryan Grier, F Karandick Ogunride.
On the rise: This should be the year the Hornets arrive among the league's elite. Hicks and Grier, both seniors, are capable of carrying this squad to new heights, ending their careers under much different circumstances than how they began them at what was then the league's doormat.
Florida A&M
Top three: F/C Michael Harper, F Michael Ayodele, G Tony Tate.
On the decline: Mike Gillespie loves to run and bury you with 3-pointers, but it will be difficult to play his style. Leading scorer Terrance Woods is gone, and the team's top players are in the post. Look for Tate to get an abundance of looks.
Morgan State
Top three: F Aaron Andrews, G/F Christopher Grant, G Sam Brand.
On the rise: Butch Beard doesn't mind that his tallest starter will likely be 6-feet-4, as he plans to counter that with speed and pressure defense. It will be interesting to see what kind of pace they can maintain, with depth issues a concern.
Delaware State
Top three: F Terrance Hunter, G/F Jahsha Bluntt, F Carlos Hunter.
On the decline: Guard Miles Davis is gone, leaving sizeable hole at the point; despite the fact he stood 5-5, he had a knack for running the offense. The Hornets will have to find a capable replacement to feed their strong forwards.
Howard
Top three: G Louis Ford, F Bilal Russell, G Skip Mitchell.
On the decline: At 5-6, Ford presents a difficult matchup for opponents and will run things for coach Frankie Allen. Russell is expected to flourish in a full-time role.
Bethune-Cookman
Top three: F Diondre Larmond, F Michael Williams, G Anis Carter.
On the decline: Williams and Larmond are big men who could control things, but the guard play must improve. Look for freshmen Jordan Carrier and Antonio Webb to push for minutes and help improve the team's chances.
North Carolina A&T
Top three: G Sean Booker, G Steve Koger, F Greg Roberts.
On the rise: It's tough to do much worse than 3-25, plus coach Jerry Eaves got his young players a lot of seasoning during last season's growing pains. They'll build around Booker, just a sophomore.
Maryland-Eastern Shore
Top three: C Tim Parham, G Aly Samabaly, F Jareem Dowling.
On the decline: Lawrence Lessette takes over as coach and faces a major rebuilding task. All of last year's main contributors either graduated or transferred, so a whole new unit must be constructed. Samabaly, a transfer from Duquesne, should help ease the transition.
Accolades
First team
F -- Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
F -- Devin Green, Hampton
F -- Kelvin Green, Coppin State
G -- Brian Mason, South Caolina State
G -- Chakowby Hicks, Nicholls State
Second team
F -- Nicholas King, Coppin State
F -- Ryan Grier, Nicholls State
G -- Sean Booker, North Carolina A&T
G -- Tony Tate, Florida A&M
G -- Jeff Granger, Hampton
Player of the year
Thurman Zimmerman, South Carolina State
Newcomer of the year
Brandon Streeter, Hampton
Breakthrough player
Tony Tate, Florida A&M