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

Jackson State Tigers
Head coach: Arkansas AM&N (Saint Paul's '62)
Record at school: 77-85/5 seasons
Overall record: 180-37/10 seasons
2007-08 Record: 14-20, 10-8 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Mississippi Valley State 59-58
Key Returnees: G Darrion Griffin (14.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Grant Maxey (14.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg); C Jeremy Caldwell (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
Key Losses: G Catraiva Givens (7.2 ppg, 3.6 apg)

Outlook: The Tigers return four of their leading scorers and starters from last year’s team that lost in the conference tournament final. F Grant Maxey (6-7,180, Jr. Toledo, OH) is one of the most versatile players in the league. Not only was he the team’s leading scorer, but he led the team in steals (49) and was second in rebounding (6.6 rpg). He can score from inside and can also shoot the three. G Darrion Griffin (6-3, 185, Sr., Toledo, OH) may be asked to handle more of the point guard duties and is also a great scorer inside and out and was the team’s leading three-point shooter (40.3 percent). C Jeremy Caldwell (6-8, 200, Sr., Jackson, MS) is a big presence down low and was the team’s leading rebounder last year (6.8 ppg). Caldwell and Maxey will need some help in the rebounding department.

Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Head coach: Vann Pettaway (Alabama A&M '80)
Record at school: 421-229/21 seasons
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 14-15, 11-7 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in semi-finals to Arkansas-Pine Bluff 72-59
Key Returnees: G Trant Simpson (15.5 ppg, 3.5 apg); G Evan Hilton (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Key Losses: F Mickell Gladness (11.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg)

Outlook: G Trant Simpson (5-10, 175, Jr., Huntsville, AL) is one of the premier players in the SWAC as the Bulldogs point guard. Simpson shot 41 percent from three-point range and really stepped his game up in SWAC play. Simpson’s backcourt mate Evan Hilton (6-3, 200, Sr., Oak Park, IL) will have to be more consistent this year if the Bulldogs are going to contend for the title. Coach Vann Pettaway needed some size in the post and went out and recruited Shane Burrell (6-7, 300, Fr., Los Angeles, CA) and Donte Roberts (6-10, 265, Fr., Birmingham, AL).

Alabama State Hornets
Head coach: Lewis Jackson (Alabama State '84)
Record at school: 52-48/3 seasons
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 20-11, 15-3 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in semi-finals to Jackson State 77-72 OT
Key Returnees: G Andrew Hayles (14.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg); G Brandon Brooks (9.5 ppg, 6.1 apg); C Chief Kickingstallionsims (7.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Key Losses: F Brandon Gordon (9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Hornets had a very good regular season last year, finishing first in the regular season but failing to win the tournament championship. Brandon Brooks (6-2, 180, Sr., Dallas, TX) led the league in assists (190) and had better than a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Brooks also showed he could score when needed. G Andrew Hayles (6-5, 190, Sr., Mobile, AL) is one of the best three-point shooters in the conference. The Hornets were a balanced scoring team this year and despite the nine newcomers to the team will be again under Coach Lewis Jackson.

Southern Jaguars
Head coach: Rob Spivery (Ashland '72)
Record at school: 40-53/3 seasons
Overall record: 334-312/23 seasons
2007-08 Record: 11-19, 9-9 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in quarterfinals to Jackson State 56-55
Key Returnees: G Chris Davis (15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G Barry Honore’ (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Steffon Wiley (7.8 ppg, 1.6 spg)
Key Losses: F Joseph Jack (7.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Outlook: Coach Rob Spivery did not have the season he was expecting to have last year. With that being said, there are 11 letter winners returning and seven newcomers. With the three leading scores in G Chris Davis (6-3, 180, Sr., Baton Rouge, LA), G Barry Honore’ (6-7, 230, Soph., Garland, TX), and G Steffon Wiley (6-1, 185, Sr., Dallas, TX), three spots should be solid

Grambling Tigers
Head coach: Rick Duckett (North Carolina '79)
Record at school: 150-75/8 seasons
Overall record: first season
2007-08 Record: 7-19, 7-11 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in opening round to Mississippi Valley State 79-73.
Key Returnees: G Andrew Prestley (10.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg); C Jamal Breaux (8.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Key Losses: F Anthony Williams (14.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg); G Andre’ Ratliff (9.1 ppg, 3.0 apg)

Outlook: Rick Duckett is in his first season as head coach and was successful as a head coach at Winston-Salem State during the CIAA days. The cupboard of players that played significant minutes for the Tigers last year is bare, but G Andrew Prestley (6-5, 190, Sr., East Hodge, LA) returns having averaged 10.2 ppg last season.

Alcorn State Braves
Head coach: Larry Smith (Alcorn State)
Record at school: first season
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 7-24, 6-12 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Did not make the tournament
Key Returnees: G Troy Jackson (15.6 ppg, 3.1 apg); F Jarvis Williams (7.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Key Losses: F Alex Owumi (14.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg); G Anthony Ford (11.5 ppg, 43% three-pointers)

Outlook: Former Alcorn great Larry Smith takes over a program which won only seven games last season. Troy Jackson (6-3, 185, Jr., Philadelphia, PA) led the team in scoring and will be asked to step up more.
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Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Head coach: Sean Woods (Kentucky '92)
Record at school: first year
Overall record: same
2007-08 Record: 17-16, 12-6
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Champions
Key Returnees: G Michael Clark (7.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg); F Eric Petty (6.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Key Losses: F Carl Lucas (12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg); F Larry Cox 912.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg); G Stanford Speech (10.5 ppg, 34% three-pointers)

Outlook: With the key losses from the MCSU program, it may be hard for the Delta Devils to repeat as tournament champions. Sean Woods is in his first season as head coach with the Delta Devils. Woods is expecting G Michael Clark (6-2, 180, Sr., Tchula, MS) to step up after a solid junior campaign in which he averaged 7.8 ppg and shot 37 percent from three-point range. PG Dwayne Harmason (5-10, 180, Sr., Plaquemine, LA) was solid last year with 89 assists and an almost 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Woods is also expecting a lot from his 10 newcomers.

Texas Southern Tigers
Head coach: Tony Harvey (Cameron ‘88)
Record at school: first year
Overall record: first year
2007-08 Record: 7-25, 6-12 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in opening round to Alabama State 67-49
Key Returnees: G Sollie Norwood (14.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg); G Matthew Miller (10.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg); G David Burrell (8.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Key Losses: G/F Anthony Ike (7.4 ppg, 4.7 pg)

Outlook: The Tigers return three starters from a team that just made it to the SWAC Tournament. The three-guard combination of Matthew Miller (6-3, 200, Sr., Arlington TX), Sollie Norwood (6-2, 165, Sr., Jackson, MS), and David Burrell (6-3, 175, Sr., Houston, TX) averaged 34 ppg. New head coach Tony Harvey returns six other players from last year and six newcomers.

Prairie View A&M Panthers
Head coach: Byron Rimm II (Cal St. – Los Angles '99)
Record at school: 16-44/2 years
Overall record: 63-83/5 years
2007-08 Record: 8-22, 6-12 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Did not make the tournament
Key Returnees: G Derek Johnson (11.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Key Losses: F Brian Ezeh (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg); G Aaron Smith (11.6 ppg, 34% three-pointers)

Outlook: Last season was tough for Coach Byron Rimm and the Panthers winning only 8 games and not making the SWAC tournament. To add insult to injury the Panthers lose their two leading scorers from last season in Brian Ezeh (13.1 ppg) and Aaron Smith (11.6 ppg). G Derek Johnson (6-1, 190, Jr., Euless, TX) does return however and is a versatile guard who can shoot, rebound and defend. Eleven letter winners return from last year’s team and players like G Dorian McDaniel (6-6, 210, Soph., Los Angles, CA), who played as a freshman last year, will be expected to step up.

Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Head coach: Gregory Ivory (Mississippi Valley State ’98)
Record at school: first season
Overall record: first season
2007-08 Record: 13-18, 8-10 SWAC
2008 SWAC Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Mississippi Valley State 70-59
Key Returnees: G Terrance Calvin (6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
Key Losses: G Larry Williams (12.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F William Byrd (12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

Outlook: It will be a rebuilding year for new Coach Gregory Ivory as all five starters from last year are gone. Seven players from last year’s team return as do six newcomers.