2008-09 CIAA Outlook arranged in HBCSports Press Association predicted order of finish

Virginia Union Panthers
Head coach: Willard Coker (Saint Paul's '66)
Record at school: First year
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 22-8
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in semi-finals to Johnson C. Smith 61-58
Key Returners: G Brandon Byerson (11.2 ppg, 3.1 apg); F Greg Thondique (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Key Losses: F Brad Byerson (16.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg); F LaKeith Blanks (13.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg)

Outlook: Legendary coach Dave Robbins retired shortly after the end of the 2007-08 campaign and the program is in the hands of Willard Coker. Coker is no stranger to the program having spent 23 seasons as an assistant to Robbins. Virginia Union did not win the CIAA Tournament last year, but again made it to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers lose their two leading scorers in Brad Byerson and LaKeith Blanks. Returning in the backcourt for the Panthers is Brandon Byerson (6-1, 175, Jr., Colonial Heights, VA). Byerson is an excellent floor general as evidenced by his 110 assists, last season, but he is also a scorer averaging 11.2 ppg and also shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. Braxton Byerson (6-3, 210, Soph, Colonial Heights, VA) had a solid freshman season and will start at the off guard along side his brother. Braxton should improve upon his 7.0 points per game from a season ago. Greg Thondique (6-6, 190, Sr., Norfolk, VA) is the only returning player in the front court and brings plenty of experience averaging 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. While Coker is not Robbins, not much is lost in terms of philosophy as the Panthers will look to have another successful campaign.

Bowie State Bulldogs (Click for interview)
Head coach: Luke D'Alessio (Catholic University of America '83)
Record at school: 184-83/9 seasons
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 21-8, 13-5 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in semi-finals to Fayetteville State 67-65
Key Returners: F Curtis Massey (5.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Key Losses: Jason Ingram (13.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg); David Paris (13.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Joshua Johnson (13.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Outlook: Despite the fact that Bowie State loses its top three scorers, there is plenty of reasons for the Bulldogs to be excited. There was much made when Luke D’Alessio signed University of Tennessee transfer Duke Crews (6-8, 235, Jr., Hampton, VA). Crews will have two years of eligibility and averaged 5.4 points per game in close to 15 minutes per game. Also transferring in is University of Pittsburgh Cassin Diggs (6-10, 265, Jr., Williamsport, PA). D’Alessio has relied heavily on transfers to his program in his 10 seasons at the helm. The difference this year will be that Crews and Diggs will have more than one year of eligibility. When adding the Bulldogs leading returning scorer in Curtis Massey (6-7, 208, Sr., Upper Marlboro, MD), the Bulldogs should be very solid in the frontcourt. The key to success for the Bulldogs season will be how well and quickly they become a cohesive unit.

Elizabeth City State Vikings
Head coach: Shawn Walker (Elizabeth City State '94)
Record at school: 94-105/7 seasons
Overall record: 164-163/11 seasons
2007-08 Record: 20-7, 13-5 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Fayetteville State 67-62
Key Returners: G Anthony Hillard (19.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg), 2008 CIAA Player of the Year
Key Losses: F Olajuwon Johnson (12.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Matt Nowlin (10.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Outlook: Shawn Walker and the Vikings didn’t quite have the season they had planned on during the 2007-08 campaign after winning the CIAA Tournament Championship in 2007. ECSU loses four of five starters, but returns the reigning CIAA Player of the Year in Anthony Hillard (6-4, 205, Sr., Fayetteville). The Vikings front court should be solid with the return of Demond Hickman (6-7, 235, Sr., Richmond, VA) who played in 22 games and started five as well as Sam Wallace (6-10, 295, Sr., Oyster Bay, NY) who played in 21 games with five starts. Walker’s issue will be in the backcourt, but as one of the best young coaches in college basketball and a former player, he will be able to get the best out of that position, specifically from the point guard. Jamal Rouse (6-0, 180, Sr., Ayden, NC) has the most experience returning and could fill that void.

Saint Paul's Tigers (Click for interview)
Head coach: Edward Joyner, Sr. (Florida Memorial '74)
Record at school: 118-182/12 seasons
Overall record: 118-223/14 seasons
2007-08 Record: 7-17, 3-15 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in first round to Virginia State 57-54
Key Returners: G Bruce Royal (15.6 ppg, 4.5 apg); G Adrian Moffatt (12.0 ppg, 38 % 3-pointers), CIAA All-Rookie
Key Losses: G Marcus Mitchell (8.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg); Shahumaad (6.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Outlook: The Tigers have a talented nucleus of players returning from a season ago. G Bruce Royal (5-10, 165, Sr., Newport News, VA) is the general of this team from the point guard position after averaging 15.0 points with 93 assists. Joining Royal in the backcourt will be Adrian Moffat (6-4, 190, Soph., Newport News, VA). Moffat is one of the best young players in the league and was a member of the CIAA All-Rookie team after averaging 11.0 points per game and shooting 38 percent from three-point range. The leader in the frontcourt will be another CIAA All-Rookie Maurice Reevey. Reevey averaged 11.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Joining Reevey in the frontcourt will be Anthony Wynn (6-5, 205, Sr., Richmond, VA). Wynn was solid averaging 7.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Tigers are deep this season and coming off the bench will be George Leseur, who made five starts last year averaging 8.0 points per game.

Virginia State Trojans (Click for interview)
Head coach: Tony Collins (Virginia State '79)
Record at school: 40-46/3 seasons
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 11-18, 8-10 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Virginia Union 76-66
Key Returners: G Trey Mines 15.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg), All-CIAA; F Terrell Crockett (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Key Losses: G Edwin Torres (8.5 ppg, 5.1 apg); Jamar Fleming (14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Outlook: The Trojans have three returning players from a season ago, led by All-CIAA guard Trey Mines (6-2, 220, Jr., Colonial Heights, VA). Mines has great size and is a scorer as evidenced by his 15.9 points per game average. Terrell Crockett (6-3, 190, Jr., Hopewell, VA) and fifth-year senior Michael Johnson (6-3, 175, Sr., Philadelphia, PA) join Mines in the backcourt. Crockett was the team’s third leading scorer averaging 8.9 points per game and was the team’s leading rebounder with 6.1 rpg. The main concern for Coach Tony Collins was rebounding and he has gone out and added some size with the additions of Brandon Macklin (6-8, 230, Jr., Richmond, VA), Jenis Plummer (6-7, 220, Soph., Norfolk, VA), and Junius Chaney (6-8, 240, Soph., Danville, VA).

WESTERN DIVISION

Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
Head coach: Steve Joyner, Sr. (Johnson C. Smith '73)
Record at school: 379-227/21 years
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 21-10, 11-7
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Champions
Key Returners: F Jerry Hollis (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg), All-CIAA; G Ryan Scott (11.2 rpg, 3.5 rpg)
Key Losses: G Maurice Hooper (11.3 ppg, 3.4 apg)

Outlook: The defending CIAA Tournament Champions return a wealth of talent including All-CIAA forward Jerry Hollis (6-6, 185, Jr., Charlotte, NC). Hollis tied for the team lead in scoring last year averaging 11.3 points per game and led the team in rebounds (7.1 rpg). Also returning in the frontcourt for the Golden Bulls is James Dillard (6-5, 180, Jr., Apex, NC), who was solid for the Golden Bulls, making five starts averaging 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The Golden Bulls have a tremendous backcourt with the return of CIAA All-Rookie performer Ronald Thornhill (5-10, 157, Soph., Alberta, VA). Thornhill averaged 6.4 points per game, but dished out 90 assists to 62 turnovers as a freshman a year ago. Ryan Scott (6-3, 194, Sr., Reston, VA) played a major role in the success that the Golden Bulls had in the CIAA Tournament and returns for his senior season after averaging 11.2 points per game and shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.

Fayetteville State Broncos (Click for interview)
Head coach: Sam Hanger (SUNY-Binghamton '74)
Record at school: 86-86/6 years
Overall record: 192-170/14 years
2007-08 Record: 14-15, 8-10 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Johnson C. Smith 65-57
Key Returners: G Andy Gebru (16.9 ppg, 38 % 3-pointers); F Derek Holmes (6.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
Key Losses: G Phillippe Harris (18.0 ppg, 42 % 3-pointers); G Jamel Austin (10.9 ppg, 5.0 apg)

Outlook: Last season, the Broncos made one of their typical runs in the CIAA Tournament falling just short of the championship falling to Johnson C. Smith. Gone is Phillippe Harris, but the Broncos do return in the backcourt Andy Gebru (6-4, 200, Sr., Orlando, FL). Gebru was second on the team in points (16.9) and assists (80). They will also be hard-pressed to replace point guard Jamel Austin, who led the team in assists (126). The frontcourt is solid with the return of Derek Holmes (6-5, 200, Soph., Washington, DC), Malcolm Jay (6-7, 215, Sr., Washington, DC) and Davon Hood (6-6, 200, Jr., Charlotte, NC). The frontcourt will have to provide more points with the loss of Harris.

Saint Augustine's Falcons (Click for interview)
Head coach: Lonnie Blow, Jr. (Virginia Wesleyan '82)
Record at school: first year
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 16-10, 11-7 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Johnson C. Smith 72-61
Key Returners: G Will Gil (13.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), All-CIAA; F Hayward Fain (10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), CIAA Rookie of the Year
Key Losses F Justin Dickens (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg); C Jeff Sullivan (10.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

Outlook: The Lonnie Blow, Jr. era begins for the Falcons and may come at the right time. G Will Gill (6-0, 175, Sr., Clinton, MD) returns for his senior season after averaging 13 points per game and shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. Point guard play was an issue for the Falcons last year as they operated by committee, but Jamar Greene (5-9, 165, Jr., Pickerington, OH) should be up to the task. F Hayward Fain was CIAA Rookie of the Year last season after averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and will be looked to as more of a leader and scorer this year. Marcus Butler (6-3, 200, Sr., Mansfield, OH) was a versatile player last season and will be relied upon to score and play in the frontcourt more after leading the team in assists (65) while averaging 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Shaw Bears (Click for interview)
Head coach: Cleo Hill, Jr. (North Carolina Central ‘94)
Record at school: first year
Overall record: 74-67/5 seasons
2007-08 Record: 5-23, 1-17 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Bowie State 77-59
Key Returners: G Will Graham (12.5 ppg, 2.0 spg)
Key Losses: F Damola Obadina (12.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg); G John Kornegay (9.9 ppg, 43% 3-pointers)

Outlook: Cleo Hill, Jr. returns to Shaw where he was an assistant when the Bears made it to the Division II Final Four in 2002, led by Flip Murray. Shaw has been the worst team in the CIAA the last three years, so there is nowhere to go but up. Hill spent the last five years as the head coach at Cheyney where he led the Wolves to two NCAA appearances. Will Graham (5-10, 160. Sr., Minneapolis, MN) who tied for the team lead in scoring (12.5 ppg) and steals (46), will be relied upon heavily. He is one of only two players who return from last year’s team. Listed on the Bears roster is Chris Walker who stands 7-1, 235, a transfer from UNC-Asheville.

Livingstone Blue Bears (Click for interview)
Head coach: James Stinson, Jr. (Barber-Scotia '9&)
Record at school: 24-33/2 seasons
Overall record: 318-225/17 seasons
2007-08 Record: 14-14, 8-10 CIAA
2008 CIAA Tournament Result: Lost to Shaw in first round 74-60
Key Returners: G Tayloe Taylor (8.6 ppg, 4.4 apg); G Santonio Springs (9.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Key Losses: G Michael Duncan (12.0 ppg, 36 % 3-pointers)

Outlook: Livingstone was a bit of a surprise last year and look to build on its 14-14 campaign. The Blue Bears had a balanced scoring attack and most of those players from a year ago return, led by point guard Tayloe Taylor (6-3, 170, Sr., Memphis, TN). Taylor ran the point and did an admirable job with 124 assists to 73 turnovers while averaging 8.6 points per game. Other returning players include Calvin Gunning 96-3, 195, Jr., Camden, NJ), Travis Young (6-8, 245, Sr., Miami, FL) and Santonio Spring (6-5, 205, Jr., Charlotte, NC).