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

Morgan State Bears
Head coach: Todd Bozeman (Rhode Island'86)
Record at school: 45-29/2 seasons
Overall record: 98-65/5 seasons
2007-08 Record: 22-11, 14-2 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Coppin State 62-60
Key Returnees: F Marquise Kately (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg); G Reggie Holmes (12.9 ppg, 37 % 3-pointers)
Key Losses: G Jamar Smith (16.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears were the MEAC regular season champions last year and made their first-ever NIT Tournament appearance. Despite the loss of MEAC Player of the Year Jamar Smith, the Bears will still be able to score points. F Marquise Kately (6-5, 220, Sr., San Francisco, CA) will be one of the league’s best players. Kately is a scorer who can also rebounds and plays excellent defense. G Reggie Holmes (6-4, 180, Jr., Baltimore, MD) is one of the best shooters in the league and can’t hit from deep as he nailed 37 percent of his three-point attempts. G Jermaine Bolden (5-9, 175, Sr., Baltimore, MD) will start at the point and is an excellent floor general dishing out 82 assists to 52 turnovers in a backup capacity last year.

Hampton Pirates (Click for interview)
Head coach: Kevin Nickelberry (Virginia Wesleyan ’86)
Record at school: 33-28/2 seasons
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 18-12, 11-5 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in first round to Coppin State 75-74 in OT
Key Returnees: G Vincent Simpson (11.1 ppg, 36% 3-pointers); F Michael Freeman (7.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Key Losses: G Rashad West (17.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg); F Matthew Pilgrim (7.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

Outlook: The Pirates return two of their top four scorers from a year ago, led by G Vincent Simpson (6-1, 170, Jr., Philadelphia, PA). Simpson will be relied upon to be the team leader after coming off the bench last year to average 11.1 ppg. F Michael Freeman (6-8, 220, Jr., Alexandria, VA) who averaged 7.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last year, will also be one of the team’s leaders. Other players to be on the look out for are Jordan Brooks (5-9, 165, So., Mitchellville, MD) who will start at point and F Theo Smalling (6-7, 220, Jr., Tampa, FL) who started 24 games and averaged 4.1 points and led the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg). Nickelberry may have to rely as he has in the past on a couple of new recruits led by Kwame Morgan II (6-3, 205. Fr., Largo, MD) who averaged 21.5 points, seven assists and six steals per game and was a DC All-Met performer at Largo High School.

South Carolina State Bulldogs
Head Coach: Tim Carter (Kansas '79)
Record at school: 13-20/1 season
Overall record: 173-172/12 seasons
2007-08 record: 13-20, 7-9 MEAC
2007-08 MEAC Tournament finish: Lost in second round to Morgan State 77-68
Key returnees: C Jason Johnson (11.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg); G/F Jason Flagler (10.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg); G Jessie Burton 10.9 ppg, 41% 3-pointers)
Key losses: G/F Everett Spencer (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Outlook: The Bulldogs may be on of the surprise team's in the MEAC and return four of five starters. It was a feeling out process for Coach Tim Carter in his first season. The Bulldogs will have one of the best frontcourt players in the league in C Jason Johnson (6-7, 220, Sr., Bronx, NY). Johnson led the Bulldogs in scoring (11.4 ppg), rebounds (7.5 rpg) and blocked shots (44). G/F Jason Flagler (6-4, 185, Jr., Woodbridge, VA) was a solid player at the 3 for the Bulldogs and was second on the team in points (10.9) and rebounds (6.1). The help their cause the Bulldogs return their two starting guards. G Jessie Burton (5-11, 175, Sr., Minneapolis, MN) averaged 10.9 points per game, was one of the league's top three-point shooters (41 percent), and led the team in assists (99). He is also an excellent free throw shooter (80 percent). G Carrio Bennett (6-1, 160, Sr., Piedmont, SC) averaged 9.1 points and was second on the team in assists (91). Both are interchangeable at the 1 or 2.

Coppin State Eagles (Click for interview)
Head coach: Ron “Fang” Mitchell (Edison State '84)
Record at school: 358-302/22 seasons
Overall record: 585-347/30 seasons
2007-08 Record: 16-21, 7-9 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Defeated Morgan State in MEAC Championship Game 62-60
Key Returnees: G Tywain McKee (16.6 ppg, 44% 3-pointers)
Key Losses: F Ant wan Harrison (9.1 rpg, 2.3 rpg); G Julian Connors (6.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Outlook: The Eagles had an unbelievable run beginning midway through last season starting out 0-8 in the MEAC before winning the tournament championship. Most of that was due to the second half play of MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Tywain McKee (6-2, 182, Sr., Philadelphia). Coach Mitchell finds gem in Philly and he certainly found one in McKee, who put the Eagles on his back last season. McKee averaged 23.3 ppg and shot 65 percent from 3-point range on his way to making the game-winning basket to defeat Morgan State in the tournament championship. It’s a long season and McKee will need some help. G Vince Gold berry (3.8 ppg, 46 steals) is the only player returning who played significant minutes last season. Size or the lack thereof could also present a problem for the Eagles. But Mitchell is the dean of coaches and the Eagles should be right in the thick of things as the season winds down, particularly with McKee. The Eagles once again have one of the most difficult out of conference schedules.

Delaware State Hornets (Click for interview)
Head coach: Greg Jackson (Saint Paul’s '80)
Record at school: 295-189/8 seasons
Overall record: 458-266/17 seasons
2007-08 Record: 14-16, 10-6 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Morgan State 61-55
Key Returnees: G Donald Johnson (10.0 ppg, 39% 3-pointers); G Trevor Welcher (4.4 ppg, 3.1 apg)
Key Losses: F Roy Bright (19.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Hornets will be very solid in the backcourt this year. Trevor Welcher (5-10, 160, Soph., Augusta, GA) played very will as a true freshman last year leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.84). His backcourt mate and the person he will get the ball to most will be Donald Johnson (6-4, 190, Jr., Prince George, VA). Johnson is one of the premier shooters in the league and knocked down 39 percent of his shot attempts from long distance. In the frontcourt F Frisco Sandidge (6-6, 210, Jr., Lynchburg, VA) had a strong second half of the season finishing the season 4th on the team in scoring 96.7) and 2nd in rebounds (4.1). Leading all newcomers for the Hornets will be Manhattan College transfer Arturo Dubois (6-7, 210, Sr., New York, NY) who sat out last year, but during the 2006-07 season averaged 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and was twice named All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second team.

Howard Bison
Head coach: Gil Jackson (Elizabethtown College‘69)
Record at school: 20-70/2 seasons
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 6-26, 3-13 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in first round to Coppin State 55-54
Key Returnees: F Eugene Myatt (14.1 ppg, 36% 3-pointers); G/F Randy Hampton (11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Key Losses: Jeron Smith (6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Bison want to put 2007-08 behind them after winning just six games. They return four of five starters including G Eugene Myatt (6-5, 210, Sr., Philadelphia, PA). Myatt has the ability to be one of the premier players in the MEAC, but was hampered by injuries last year, but appears to be health and ready to go this season. Joining Myatt in the backcourt could be guard Curtis White (6-4, 195, Jr., Indianapolis, IN). White is a good scorer but had to play more of a point guard role because of injuries. The frontcourt will be led by F Randy Hampton (6-5, 195, Sr., Washington, DC). Hampton also had nagging injuries but still managed to average 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. F Adam Walker (6-8, 205, Soph., New York, NY) who averaged 6.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and C Paul Kirkpatrick (6-9, 220, Soph., Randallstown, MD) who averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game round out the Bison solid frontcourt.

Florida A&M Rattlers (Click for interview)
Head coach: Eugene Harris (Florida State '79)
Record at school: 15-17/1 year
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 15-17, 9-7
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in first round to Norfolk State 69-61
Key Returnees: F Lamar Twitty (13.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg); G Joe Ballard (6.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Key Losses: G Leslie Robinson (15.0 ppg, 39% 3-pointers); Fakini Akini (9.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Rattlers have a solid backcourt led floor general Byron Taylor (5-7, 155, Sr., Tallahassee, FL) Taylor averaged 3.4 points and 2.4 assists per game. Joining Taylor in the backcourt is Joe Ballard (6-0, 190, Sr., Chicago, IL), a versatile guard who can play 1 or 2. Ballard led the team in assists (120) last season. In the frontcourt will be Lamar Twitty (6-4, 205, Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL), who was second on the team in scoring averaging 13.2 ppg while grabbing 6.1 rpg). Coach Eugene Harris brought in eight talented players in his first recruiting class that will be expected to contribute immediately.

Norfolk State Spartans
Head coach: Anthony Evans (St. Thomas Aquinas '94)
Record at school: 16-15/1 season
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 16-15, 11-5 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Coppin State 67-65
Key Returnees: F/G Corey Lyons (13.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G Michael Deloach (12.8 ppg,
Key Losses: G Tony Murphy (17.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Outlook: The Spartans had a solid season under first-year head coach Anthony Evans. Gone is All-MEAC G Tony Murphy leaving quite a void for the Spartans. Michael Deloach (6-0, 175, Sr., Rocky Mount, NC), who provided offensive firepower off the bench, will be looked upon to lead the team. In addition to being a scorer he distributes the ball well and led the team in assists (3.1 apg). The frontcourt will be led by Corey Lyons (6-4, 185, Sr., Bronx, NY), who is one of two starters returning, along with power forward Brandon Monroe (6-7, 215, Jr., Raeford, NC) who averaged 5.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

North Carolina A&T Aggies
Head coach: Jerry Eaves (Louisville '86)
Record at school: 45-105/5 seasons
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 15-16, 9-7 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Delaware State 64-62
Key Returnees: F Ed Jones (7.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg)); F Thomas Coleman (6.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Key Losses G Steven Rush (14.3 ppg, 33% 3-pointers(; F Jason Wills (11.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg); G Austin Ewing (10.1 ppg, 36% 3-pointers)

Outlook: The Aggies lose all five of their starters from last season. Coach Jerry Eaves does return nine players that played a season ago. G Tavarus Alston (6-0, 165, Jr., Greensboro, NC) could be the starter at point after playing sparingly the last couple of seasons. At the two guard could be Ed Jones (6-7, 215, Sr., Leesburg, VA), who can play either the 2 or 3. Jones is the Aggies' leading returning scorer (7.6 ppg) F Thomas Coleman (6-9, 220, Soph., Louisville, KY) had a very solid freshman campaign and will provide scoring but more importantly defense in the frontcourt after finishing 2nd in the league in blocked shots (1.8).

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (Click for interview)
Head coach: Clifford Reed (Bethune-Cookman '91)
Record at school: 70-122/6 seasons
Overall record: Same
2007-08 Record: 11-21, 5-11 MEAC
2007-08 MEAC Tournament finish: Lost in first round to South Carolina State 78-69
Key returnees: F John Holmes (13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds); G Dominique Whatley (8.0 ppg, 34 % 3-pointers)
Key losses: G Dewayne Pettus (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Jimmy Hudson (11.3 ppg, 37% 3-pointers)

Outlook: Coach Clifford Reed returns just four players from last year's team and will blend them with nine new players. Returning for his senior season will be F John Holmes (6-5, 200, Sr., Salisbury, MD). Holmes led the Wildcats in scoring (13.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) and will be relied upon heavily to lead the team. G Dominique Whatley (6-6, 210, Sr., Atlanta, GA) will also be relied upon as well. At 6-6 he presents match-up problems for opposing guards and is a pretty good outside shooter, connecting on 34 percent of is 3-pointers.

Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks
Head coach: Frankie Allen (Roanoke '71)
Record at school: First season
Overall record:
2007-08 Record: 4-28, 2-14 MEAC
2008 MEAC Tournament Result: Lost in first round to Florida A&M 70-61
Key Returnees: G Marc Davis (10.7 ppg, 3.2 apg); F Gary Lee (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Key Losses: G Ed Tyson (20.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Outlook: The well-respected Frankie Allen takes over a program that won only four seasons a year ago. PG Marc Davis (5-10, 175, Soph., Baltimore, MD) is one of two returning starters and will be looked upon to step up his game after solid freshman campaign. Dais can distribute and is a scorer as evidenced by his 10.7 ppg. Allen will certainly be counting on newcomers to his program as he recruited nine players during the off-season, two of which are Division I transfers.

Winston-Salem State Rams (Click for interview)
Head coach: Bobby Collins (Eastern Kentucky '91)
Record at school: 17-42/2 seasons
Overall record: 82-99/6 seasons
2007-08 Record: 12-18
Key Returnees: F Jamal Durham (21.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg); G Brian Fisher (9.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
Key Losses F (Darrell Wonge (10.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G Roy Peake (5.1 ppg, 3.2 apg)

Outlook: Winston-Salem State won't be eligible for MEAC Tournament play until 2010-11, but the Rams are making significant strides toward being ready as the MEAC Tournament will be held in Winston-Salem. The Rams won 12 games overall last year, which was an improvement from 2006-07. The Rams won seven games against MEAC opponents last season. F Jamal Durham (6-6, 215, Sr., Winston-Salem, NC) is the team's leading scorer and returns for this senior season. He averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Despite the loss of Roy Peake, G Isiah Tucker will run the point for the Rams. He was second on the team in assists (79) and averaged 6.3 points per game while shooting 36 percent from three-point range.