2009-10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Preview
(Teams ranked in predicted order of finish)

 by Tyler Ball
Special to HBCSports Press Association

Todd Bozeman Interview

1. Morgan State

2008-09 Record: 23-12
2008-09 Conference Record: 13-3 (First)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: Won MEAC Championship
2009 NCAA Tournament: L, 82-51 vs. #1 Oklahoma

Top Returning Players:

G         Reggie Holmes (6’4, 180, Sr. 16.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .369 3-pt FG pct. 2009 MEAC Tournament MVP, 2009-10 Preseason First Team All-MEAC)
F          Kevin Thompson (6’8, 240, R-So., 8.9 ppg; 7.1 rpg; 42.9 FG%; 2009 MEAC All-Rookie Team, 2009-10 Preseason Second Team All-MEAC)

Outlook: Head coach Todd Bozeman is sitting pretty right now, having completed his initial goal to put the Bears at the top of the league. After finishing in first place two seasons ago, MSU couldn’t close the deal and win the tournament. Last season the Bears used a physical inside game combined with the shooting touch of Reggie Holmes and heady play from point guard Jermaine “Itchy” Bolden to dominate the regular season and cruise through the tournament.

The next task is to repeat, and Bozeman does not have to do much, with Holmes and bruising force Kevin Thompson returning along with seven others. Bolden is gone, but Sean Thomas filled in well as his backup. Thomas may inherit the starting nod, but he will be pushed by Danny Smith, a 6’2 junior college transfer. Holmes has the reputation as the deadliest perimeter shooter in the league, but he will get some help on the outside. Cleveland State transfer Joe Davis, a 6’0 guard, was productive in his two seasons before arriving in Baltimore .   

Bozeman can call upon plenty of big bodies in the post, as six players are 6’8 and taller. Along with Thompson, expect 6’9 Buford Foote to start in the middle, and 6’8 freshman DeWayne Johnson to push Thompson for minutes. If that wasn’t enough, 6’10 junior Rodney Stokes and 6’10 freshman Anthony Anderson add more depth.

Morgan State has the size, the shooting and the defensive intensity to not defend the conference title, but knock off a major power in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears raised eyes on the national scene by defeating DePaul and Maryland last season. Louisville , Arkansas , and Minnesota will have a challenge when they face the Bears.

Anthony Evans Interview

2. Norfolk State

2008-09 Record: 13-18

2008-09 Conference Record: 9-7 (Tied, 3rd)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 2-1

Top Returning Players:

G         Michael Deloach (6’0, 175, Sr., 21.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, All-MEAC First    Team, MEAC All-Tournament, 2009-10 MEAC Preseason Player        of the Year)
G         Aleek Pauline (6’1, 200, Jr. 6.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.5 rpg.)

Outlook: Norfolk State , armed with a pair of the league’s best athletes, scored a lot of points en route to a 3rd place finish in the league, then made an impressive run to the MEAC Tournament Title game last season.

With guard Michael Deloach, a 6’0 guard with an explosive first step, the Spartans have one of the nation’s best scorers, and are a threat to beat anyone. Deloach will need some scoring help, as his backcourt mate, Corey Lyons (15.4 ppg), has departed. Rob Hampton, a 6’4 transfer from Drexel, will get a chance to fill Lyons ’ role as the second perimeter scorer. Hampton will be pushed by freshmen Jordan Payton and Reggie Revels. Point guard is solid, with Aleek Pauline (3.8 apg, 2.4 spg) manning the controls and getting the ball to Deloach. The backcourt mates created turnovers with their speed and quickness, leading NSU to 68.1 points per game, second in the league. Pauline split time last season with James Williams (4.0 ppg, 39.3 3-pt FG pct.)

In the paint, the Spartans have a physical presence in 6’10, 290 lb senior C Joseph Dorsett Jeffries (4.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg), who can create problems for opponents with his size. 6’9 F Kyle O’Quinn, who was valuable in the tournament run, returns as big body who can step outside and hit the perimeter jumper if needed.

Coach Anthony Evans knows that pure scorers like Deloach don’t come along that often, and this is his final year. Evans will have to get consistent performances from Dorsett-Jefferies and O’Quinn inside, plus find a way to defend teams with size on the perimeter, like defending champion Morgan State . Deloach will single handedly keep the Spartans near the top of the league, but it will take a little more to challenge Morgan State for the title.

Jerry Eaves Interview

3. N.C. A&T

2008-09 Record: 16-16

2008-09 Conference Record: 9-7 (Tied, 3rd)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 0-1

Top Returning Players:

G         Tavarus Alston (6’0, 165, Sr., 11.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.1 apg)
F          Robert Johnson (6’6, 200, Sr., 9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 49.4 FG pct)
C         Thomas Coleman (6’9, 220, Jr. 7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg)

Outlook: N.C. A&T coach Jerry Eaves has seen the highs and lows of rebuilding a basketball program that had reached its worst point, a 1-27 season the year before his arrival six years ago. A year after his best season, Eaves is now looking for his team to take the next step: winning the MEAC tournament. Behind an experienced core of players along with a talented freshman class, the Aggies will look to break through into the top two of the conference.

Point guard Tavarus Alston is the key. Simply put, Alston has the talent to be the best at his position. But he will have to improve his shooting (.417) and his free-throw percentage (.596), to be among the elite guards in the conference. Eaves is not afraid to put in 5’9 sophomore Marc Hill if Alston struggles. Hill is cat-quick and can get to the rim whenever he wants. He also creates pressure as well. Alston and Hill may also play together if need be.

N.C. A&T, the league’s top 3-point shooting team, will have to replace their top two perimeter shooters in departed forwards Ed Jones and Nick Wilson, who take 112 made threes with them. Look for 6’2 senior Dwane Joshua (7.0 ppg, .340 3pt-FG) to fill in as the designated 3-point specialist. Alston (.330 3pt-FG pct) and Hill will have to fire it up from the outside as well.

C Thomas Coleman should have an easy time in the post. Coleman has been the league’s best shot-blocker for the past two seasons, but wants to dominate on the offensive end, and should be a double-double threat. 6’6 F Robert Johnson had a deadly mid-range game and can step out to hit the 3-pointer as well. 6’8 F/C James Porter, who redshirted last season, is persistent on the boards and will spare some fouls for Coleman.

The best of the freshmen, 6’5 F Laurence Smith, is a great athlete who will get plenty of minutes. Expect contributions from 6’6 F DaMetrius Upchurch and 6’2 G R.J. Buck as well. Eaves is also high on Austin Witter, a 6’8 forward who plays similar to Jones.

The Aggies will be hard pressed to match last year’s perimeter numbers, so they will have to make free throws, do a better job of rebounding and cut down on turnovers, as they committed a league high 18.1 per game. Provided the youth can mesh with the seniors, N.C. A&T could very well win the title its fans have waited 15 years for.

"Fang" Mitchell Interview

4. Coppin State

2008-09 Record: 13-19

2008-09 Conference Record: 9-7 (Tied, 3rd)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 1-1

Top Returning Players:

G         Michael Harper (6’4, 195, So. 9.3 ppg 2.8 rpg, 2008-09 All-Rookie Team, 2009-10 Preseason First Team All-MEAC)
F          Eddie Hayden (6’6, 240, Jr. 3.3 ppg 2.1 rpg)
F          Mike Buckley (6’5, 235, Jr. 7.0 ppg 2.5 rpg)
C         Sam Coleman (6’10, 212, Jr. 8.2 ppg 4.6 rpg, 2009-10 Preseason Second Team All-MEAC)

Outlook: Coppin State has been one of the MEAC flagship basketball programs since joining the league in 1981. Ron “Fang” Mitchell has been at the helm for all of the school’s years in the conference, and his resume speaks for itself.

Mitchell will have to rely on his coaching savvy this season, as he will have to replace one of the best players in school history in Tywain McKee, a three-time All-MEAC selection. McKee ranked in the top ten in six statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists, free throw shooting, and 3-point shooting.

McKee won’t be replaced, but there are several key pieces returning that helped CSU to a 9-7 league finish. The player most likely to run the offense will be Michael Harper, a 6’4 sophomore who was named to the MEAC All-Rookie team. Harper (9.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .414 3-pt FG pct.) will run the team along with 5’11 G Vincent Goldsberry (7.1 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg). To bolster the rotation, Mitchell brought in a pair of JUCO transfers, 6’2 Kareem Brown and 6’1 Quinston Reggins, 6’2 G Lenny Young will also see time off the bench.

Preseason All-MEAC center Sam Coleman returns to block shots and get some easy baskets off the offensive glass. 6’5 F Mike Buckley (7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg) likes to mix it up with bigger forwards inside. Underrated 6’6’ wing forward Eddie Hayden (3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg) is also aggressive on the boards and will improve with more playing time.

Mitchell has fared with adding transfers in his program over the last few years. He expects Brown to be a big time scorer along with Harper. If the Eagles improve a -6.8 rebounding margin, find a scoring compliment for Harper and continue to make free throws (league best .721 FT pct), they will be a threat to steal the MEAC title.

Edward Joyner Interview

5. Hampton

2008-09 Record:  16-16

2008-09 Conference Record: 8-8 (7th)           
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 1-1   

Top Returning Players:

F          Mike Freeman (6’8, 220, Sr., 7.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
G         Darrion Pellum (6’6, 205, So., 5.6 ppg)
G         Vincent Simpson (6-1, 170, Sr. 11.7 ppg, Preseason All-MEAC Second Team)

Outlook: Edward Joyner, Jr.’s promotion to the interim head coaching spot was one of the most anticipated moves of the MEAC off season. Joyner, who follows his father Ed, Sr. and uncle Steve Joyner as collegiate head coaches, is eager to prove his mettle and remove the interim label.

Joyner’s promotion and 11 returnees brought the promise of a solid 2009-10 campaign. However, a tragic accident that claimed the life of team captain Theo Smalling has cast a pall over the team as the season approaches. Smalling, who was the team’s leading returning rebounder, left major shoes to fill, on and off the floor.

It will be up to 6’1 G Vincent Simpson to take up the slack in terms of leadership. Simpson is a streak shooter who made 66 3-pointers last season. He was the main and sometimes only offensive threat the Pirates had last season. However, Simpson must be a better free throw shooter than last year’s 54.5 %.  Point guard Brandon Tunnell (2.3 apg) is a capable playmaker.

6’8 F Michael Freeman (7.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) must be more aggressive inside with the absence of Smalling. A solid free throw shooter (.696 FT pct), Freeman draws a lot of contact in the post. He will draw double teams if he plays consistently. 6’6 wing Darrion Pellum will likely take Smalling’s spot at the wing and had solid minutes as a reserve during the second half of the season.

Hampton won eight games in league play last season, including a sweep of league champion Morgan State , despite averaging 57.8 points per game. However, the Pirates compensated by holding teams to a mere 59.4 points per game, second in the league. They will have to defend that well again, since they will likely not shoot better than last season’s .376 percentage.

Overcoming the emotional loss of Smalling will be tough, but the Pirates have enough bodies and a favorable league schedule to help. Hampton won’t have the firepower to keep up with the upper half of the league.

Cliff Reed Interview

6. Bethune-Cookman

2008-09 Record: 17-16

2008-09 Conference Record: 9-7 (Tied, 3rd)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 1-1

Top Returning Players:

G         C.J. Reed         (6-3, 175, So., 15.0 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2nd Team All-MEAC, MEAC All-Rookie Team, Preseason Second Team All-MEAC)
F          Alexander Starling (6-6, 205, Sr., 7.5 ppg 7.4 rpg)

Outlook: The Bethune-Cookman father-and-son duo of coach Cliff Reed and MEAC All-Rookie guard C.J. Reed led the Wildcats to a surprising 9-7 finish in conference play, and a school record in victories as a Division I program. However, no one will be caught sleeping on B-CU this season. The Wildcats were in the middle of the pack in just about every statistical category except scoring defense, in which they were the league’s best (58.8 ppg).

C.J. Reed had a remarkable freshman campaign, ranking first on the team in minutes played (38.8), scoring (15.0 ppg), assists (3.9 apg), and free throw shooting (.720). The only problem was that Reed wore down as the season went on, and in the MEAC Tournament Quarterfinal, he ended the season with a 5-for-17 performance in a 63-58 loss to Norfolk State .

Reed will likely man the controls at the point again, but must get some scoring help if the Wildcats are to improve last season’s run. But his father recruited some talented players that will get playing time. 6’1 freshman point guard Aric Miller won a state championship while at Tucker High in Georgia . He will play right away, and allow Reed to move to the off guard spot. Look for three returnees, 6’2 senior Jarrell Thomas, 6’2 sophomore Jerry Jones, and 6’3 sophomore Stanley Elliot to battle for time at the off guard position.

Cliff Reed has several options in the post, beginning with 6’6 F Alexander Starling, a bruiser on the boards. 6’8 F/C Kene Anusionwu (2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) will be the starting center, but JUCO transfer Albert Abrahams (6-9, 320, Jr.) brings another big body to bang with inside. On the wings Reed will call upon a pair of athletic freshmen, 6’6 F Javoris Bryant and 6’7 Antroine Williford.

B-CU is loaded with athleticism and talent, but will heavily rely on C.J. Reed to guide them through a daunting schedule. If Reed can improve his perimeter shooting (.277 3-pt FG pct.) and get the newcomers involved, the ‘Cats can claw to the upper half of the league.

Tim Carter Interview

7. S.C. State

2008-09 Record: 17-14
2008-09 Conference Record: 10-6 (2nd)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 1-1

Top Returning Players:

G         Jason Flagler (6’4, 185, Jr. 12.8 ppg , 6.2 rpg , Preseason First Team All-MEAC )
G         Carrio Bennett (6’1, 160, Jr. 7.3 ppg , 2.6 rpg)

Outlook: S.C. State won nine out of its last 12 games to end the regular season, but fell to Norfolk State in the tournament semifinals. Coach Tim Carter will have to figure out how to replace five of his top eight players from last season, including three of the top five scorers. Carter brought in eight new players and will need contributions from all of them in order to repeat last season’s performance.

Everything will center on the backcourt duo of Jason Flagler and Carrio Bennett, who combined for nearly 20 points and eight rebounds per game by going to the basket. In fact, the Bulldogs were offensive-minded, as they ranked in the top four of nearly every offensive statistical category. However, the Bulldogs did their damage on the glass, holding a league best +7.9 rebounding margin, over four rebounds better than league champion Morgan State . They will be hard-pressed to repeat those feats, with no player on the current roster taller than 6’7.

Carter has just one more returning player with experience, 6’4 junior G/F Westley Telfare, a swingman with perimeter skills. Look for 6’2 junior G Devon McBride, a transfer out of Hutchinson Community College , to bring some scoring off the bench, while 6’7 F Joseph Wright and 6’7 F Rio Pitt will compete for starter’s minutes inside.

Don’t count out the Bulldogs, but the lack of experience and unproven depth will not allow them to match last year’s brilliance. Flagler and Bennett won’t keep S.C. State from participating in the MEAC Tournament play-in round.

Eugene Harris Interview

8. Florida A&M

2008-09 Record: 10-21

2008-09 Conference Record: 6-10 (Tied, 8th)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 1-1

Top Returning Players:

G         Dale Hughes (6’2, 200, So., 9.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, .369 .369 3-pt FG pct.)
G         Brandon Bryant (6’3, 170, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
F          Yannick Crowder (6’8, 215, So., 4.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg)

Outlook: Florida A&M did not win a lot of games last season, but the Rattlers were exciting to watch. Eight wins and two losses were decided by five points or less, and three of the wins were in overtime. Unfortunately, the Rattlers were one of the league’s worst shooting teams (.388 FG pct.) and could not defend either, which led to a double-digit loss season in league play.

Rattler coach Eugene Harris brought in some junior college talent to boost a solid backcourt. Sharpshooter Dale Hughes and steady Brandon Bryant will likely start, but 6’6 Christopher Walker, from Wallace-Selma ( Ala. ) Junior College will push for either spot. Harris can also go to sophomore David Buchanan (4.7 ppg, 1.4 apg). Incoming point guard Rasheem Jenkins (6’1, 185, Jr., Bronx , NY ) was one of the nation’s best junior college point guards last season at Panola (TX). Look for Jenkins to get some starter’s minutes by conference time.

In the paint, FAMU will have to rely on quickness to compete, due to the smallish frontcourt. Larry Jackson (6’6, 215, Jr., 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg) played well together with Yannick Crowder, one of the league’s top returning rebounders.  Crowder was the only player with size inside, which explains why the Rattlers struggled against the elite teams of the conference. Harris brought in JUCO center Jeremy Lightfoot (6’9, 260, Jr.) to give FAMU some scoring, rebounding, and a physical presence. 6’8 freshman Nikko Costa ( New London , CT ), could see some playing time as well.

The Rattlers must improve in all facets in order to compete each night.  Hughes, Jenkins, Crowder, and Jackson are building blocks for the future, but there is too much work to do to expect a climb out of the bottom four teams in the MEAC this season.

Gil Jackson Interview

9. Howard

2008-09 Record: 8-23

2008-09 Conference Record: 6-10 (Tied, 8th)           
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 0-1

Top Returning Players:

F          Paul Kirkpatrick (6’9, 220, Sr. Preseason Second Team All-MEAC)

Outlook: The Bison were a bit inconsistent last season, and any hope of regaining momentum into the conference tournament went down in a season-ending 1-7 February finish. Howard was the only team other than Maryland-Eastern Shore not to win a league game on the road, in fact, the Bison went winless on the road all year.

Coach Gil Jackson is still rebuilding the once proud program with his Princeton-like offense, which relies on precision passing and perimeter shooting. The incoming recruiting class will allow the Bison to pressure the ball on the outside, yet attack the rim and get rebounds.

Senior guard Curtis White (6’4, 195) will be looked upon to play a bigger role this year.  He shot 35 percent from three-point range last year, taking and making the 2nd most threes on the team.  Kirkpatrick will also have to play a bigger role this year.  He led the team in field goal percentage last year (57 percent) and shot 65 percent from the floor in MEAC play.

Greg Jackson Interview

10. Delaware State

2008-09 Record: 8-24

2008-09 Conference Record: 6-10 (Tied, 8th)           
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 0-1

Top Returning Players:

Outlook: Delaware State coach Greg Jackson was in unfamiliar territory last season. The Hornets struggled to find continuity on offense, which led to a league worst 57.7 scoring average. Jackson ’s deliberate, Princeton-styled offense kept games close, but too many turnovers and poor rebounding kept the Hornets from competing within the league.  

Frankie Allen Interview

11. Maryland-Eastern Shore

2008-09 Record: 7-23

2008-09 Conference Record: 3-13 (11th)
2009 MEAC Tournament Postseason: 0-1

Top Returning Player:

F          Neal Pitt (6-6, 230, Sr. 16.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, .468 FG pct, Preseason First Team All-MEAC) 

Outlook: Frankie Allen had to endure a rough first season at UMES, a team that has not finished above seventh place since the conference expanded to 11 teams in 1998. But there were bright spots, as the Hawks knocked off S.C. State and Norfolk State during the regular season.

Allen turned over the team in the off season, as only two players return. 6’6 F Neal Pitt turned in an outstanding season, worthy of All-MEAC honors, but had very little help elsewhere.

Several junior college transfers and redshirts will join Pitt and F/C Tyler Hines to form what should be a competitive roster in a couple of seasons. Every position is open as Allen installs his motion offense.

UMES may surprise teams on an off night, but the Hawks are a season or two from being a consistent threat.