SB Nation - Chattanooga Mocs

KNOW THY ENEMY: Missouri Tigers

BracketCat — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:00:17 -0000

More photos » by L.G. Patterson - AP

Like Justin Safford, Missouri's tournament hopes have taken a few shots. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

OK, it's time to get these started again. Admittedly, I faltered a bit due to work, but things are back under control for now. These will proceed largely as before, but with a few exceptions:

Instead of reformatting the player bios like I did before, which was majorly time-consuming and part of the reason these fell by the wayside for so long, I'm merely going to link to the appropriate page. I will add player stats to the tables, however.
Originally, these were season previews. Obviously, much of the non-conference season already has been played, so now they're more like conference season previews. Also, what I've seen of these teams has changed my predictions for the conference's outcome, so I reserve the right to alter my predicted orders of finish from what they previously were.
Instead of twice a week, these are running every day from now until New Year's Eve. Call it the Big 12 Days of Christmas Basketball, if you like.

So, hit the jump for the rundown on the defending conference tournament champion, Missouri. And for more, head over to the Unholy Alliance Auxiliary Headquarters (pending Big Ten absorption): Rock M Nation.

The Story So Far

The Tigers are 7-3, with dominating home victories over Tennessee-Martin, Texas-Pan American, Chattanooga, Oregon, Fairleigh Dickinson and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

They also collected a nice neutral-court win against Old Dominion, who just knocked off Georgetown.

But close losses to Richmond, at Vanderbilt and at Oral Roberts probably will come back to haunt the Tigers in much the same way as K-State's three-game, non-conference losing streak last December hindered the Wildcats.

Current Missouri RPI: 179

The Coach

Mike Anderson
Fourth Season

72-38 (25-23) at Missouri (as of today)
161-79 (67-43) overall

Bio

The Departures

Starters

DeMarre Carroll (28 minutes per game | 16.6 points per game | 7.2 rebounds per game)
Matt Lawrence (20.8 minutes per game | 9.2 points per game | 2.2 rebounds per game)
Leo Lyons (23.3 minutes per game | 14.6 points per game | 6.1 rebounds per game)

The Veterans

		#3 Miguel Paul Sophomore Guard 6-1 \| 172 Winter Haven, Fla. Bio 14 minutes per game \| 4.2 points per game \| 0.9 rebound per game

		#4 J.T. Tiller Senior Guard 6-3 \| 200 Marietta, Ga. Bio 23.3 minutes per game \| 9.6 points per game \| 2.3 rebounds per game

		#11 Zaire Taylor Senior Guard 6-4 \| 189 Staten Island, N.Y. Bio 27.8 minutes per game \| 9 points per game \| 3.1 rebounds per game

		#12 Marcus Denmon Sophomore Guard 6-3 \| 185 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 20.1 minutes per game \| 10.5 points per game \| 3.9 rebounds per game

		#15 Keith Ramsey Senior Forward 6-9 \| 217 Murfreesboro, Tenn. Bio 25.4 minutes per game \| 5.9 points per game \| 5.9 rebounds per game

		#21 Laurence Bowers Sophomore Forward 6-8 \| 205 Memphis, Tenn. Bio 19.8 minutes per game \| 10.2 points per game \| 5.6 rebounds per game

		#23 Justin Safford Junior Forward 6-8 \| 230 Bloomington, Ill. Bio 18.4 minutes per game \| 7.6 points per game \| 3.8 rebounds per game

		#24 Kim English Sophomore Guard 6-6 \| 200 Baltimore, Md. Bio 22.1 minutes per game \| 16.1 points per game \| 3.1 rebounds per game

		#25 Jarrett Sutton Junior Guard 6-3 \| 190 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 4 minutes per game \| 1.8 points per game \| 0.2 rebound per game

		#32 Steve Moore Sophomore Center 6-9 \| 264 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 11 minutes per game \| 1.6 points per game \| 1.4 rebounds per game

The Newcomers

		#10 Michael Dixon Jr. Freshman Guard 6-1 \| 175 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 18.1 minutes per game \| 8.2 points per game \| 1.6 rebounds per game

		#33 Tyler Stone Freshman Forward 6-7 \| 225 Memphis, Tenn. Bio 4.3 minutes per game \| 1.7 points per game \| 1.2 rebounds per game

		#35 John Underwood Freshman Forward 6-9 \| 208 Phoenix, Ariz. Bio 5.3 minutes per game \| 1.3 points per game \| 2.8 rebounds per game

My thanks to the Missouri sports information department for the photos.

The Analysis

Missouri is, of course, a tricky team to nail down because of the style they play. Mike Anderson likes to throw waves of guards at you off the bench in a constant, full-pressure style they call "The Fastest 40 Minutes," which is what they had to change the name to when it became apparent UAB owned the rights to "40 Minutes of Hell."

Thus, no Missouri player averages more than 30 minutes per game and so far, eight different players have started for the Tigers. So, rather than talk in terms of 1-5, I'll break down the guards and the forwards as two large groups.

The three most prominent and experienced players in the Missouri backcourt are returning starters J.T. Tiller, Zaire Taylor and Kim English. Not coincidentally, they're logging the most minutes.

Tiller has been bothered by injuries and missed three games, which I imagine has contributed to the Tigers' struggles this season. Taylor, who made the game-winning shot against KU last year, has seen his scoring average dip now that more guards are contributing. But English has continued his steady play from last season and even picked his game up a bit.

Miguel Paul and Marcus Denmon both played quite a bit last year as freshmen, so they're quick off the bench in the rotation and each has started several games. But the biggest surprise of the guard group is Michael Dixon Jr., who is having more of an impact than I anticipated.

Jarrett Sutton is a career backup and doesn't play very much.

If this group has a weakness, it's that there doesn't appear to be a true replacement from sharpshooter Matt Lawrence, meaning that I'm not sure they have a guy who can knock down a contested 3-pointer. when they most need it.

That said, Missouri's problems start and end in the frontcourt. The loss of DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons cannot be overstated. Together with Lawrence, the departed trio accounted for more than 50 percent of the Tigers' points and rebounds during Missouri's Elite Eight season. And to date, no one has stepped up to replace them.

Hopes were high for sophomore Laurence Bowers, but he only has started three games. He is averaging more than 10 points per game, but seems to disappear when they need him most. More disconcerting is that he only averages five rebounds per. In fact, Missouri as a whole has been out-rebounded by all but one opponent. The Tigers don't really try to dominate the boards, and I think it's really going to cost them in Big 12 play.

Keith Ramsey and Justin Safford draw the most starts in the paint, but each is collecting even fewer statistics than Bowers. Sophomore center Steve Moore, and freshmen forwards Tyler Stone and John Underwood, are giving the Tigers even less. This is a serious weakness area that will be exposed against teams such as Kansas and Texas.

Projected Big 12 Starting Lineup


J.T. Tiller	Zaire Taylor	Kim English	Keith Ramsey	Justin Safford
1	2	3	4	5

Projected Top Big 12 Reserves


Miguel Paul	Michael Dixon Jr.	Marcus Denmon	Laurence Bowers	Steve Moore
1	2	3	4	5

The Final Verdict

I've already stated Missouri's problems above, so I won't rehash them here.

Suffice it to say that the Tigers already have several ugly losses on their resume. At home, they've been nearly unbeatable for the past year and a half, but I think their deficiencies will catch up to them.

Sure, they're probably the third- or fourth-best team in the North, but when every South team looks to have a chance to make the tournament, that equates to a basement finish. Missouri reminds me of K-State last season: One more recruiting class and a few post players away from being an NCAA team. In the meantime, I smell NIT.

Big 12 preseason prediction: 7th

My predicted finish: T-9th (with Iowa State)

Best-case scenario: 7th

Against K-State?: Loss in Manhattan, toss-up in Columbia

Previously on KNOW THY ENEMY...

Jackets vs. Mocs Postgame: 95-64 Victory

Winfield Featherston — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:00:19 -0000

by Wade Payne - AP

View full size photo »

I talked to Bird last night while watching the game on TV in Warner Robins: "We're finally beating the crappy teams. Last year was difficult. We couldn't put them away you know?" I think we finally know.

Chattanooga is nothing special this year. They were a tournament team last year but lost all 5 of their starters so don't let anything fool you. But it's not the winning that is impressive (right now) it's how we're winning. The Jackets shot 60% from the field, FIVE players put up double figures led by Gani Lawal who had 29 points in just 17 minutes followed by Favors (14) Rice (11) Miller (10) and Udofia (10). Hell, even the FREE THROWS were up.

Even Chattanooga players knew they were outmanned and outmatched. From: We hung in there but they're just too good. To:"They were getting easy buckets all night," Chattanooga forward Ridge McKeither said. "They're NBA guys. They got moves no matter how much pressure we put on them."

Early season basketball usually doesn't mean much but it does give you indicators. In the 2008-2009 season, the Yellow Jackets averaged 74.6 ppg while allowing 63.2 with in their first 8 games (6-2). This year, the 2009-2010 season is giving us a 80.8 ppg while allowing 62.8. The increase in the offensive production can easily be linked to the talent brought in by this year's freshman class.

So ok we won, we beat Chattanooga. Good job everybody, we took care of business. When's the first real test? Florida State comes to town Sunday for our first ACC matchup of the year. The first road ACC game is January 13th in Charlottesville.

Tonight's Picks

SFBE.NF — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:32:24 -0000

#21 Ga. Tech (-15) over Chattanooga: The Yellow Jackets will buzz their way up I-75 and swarm the McKenzie arena tonight. The Chattanooga Mocs (once the Moccasins, now the politically correct Mockingbirds) lost big in their only two matches against semi-quality opponents: Missouri and Richmond. Tech's super frosh trio of Brian Oliver, Derrick Favors and Mfon Udofia should take control early and often.
FAU (+4) over New Orleans: Florida Atlantic is simply too balanced and athletic for the Privateers team they'll face tonight. Each team features guard oriented offenses, but New Orleans is a two man team, with everyone else picking up the scraps of Billy Humphrey and Charles Carmouche. FAU's DeMonte Simpson could be the difference maker in this matchup.
Houston (-11) over Troy: Houston's Aubrey Coleman is almost too good to be true. He's averaging 27 ppg (tops in the nation), 7.5 rpg and 3.8 spg thus far and already led the Cougars past Oklahoma. Troy does not stand a chance on the road against a Houston team who is undefeated at the Hofheinz Pavillion this year.

Saturday 2-1
Overall 19-10

RPI WATCH: 11/25/09

BracketCat — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:00:14 -0000

Quite a few of our conference brethren were in action last night — albeit largely against inferior competition — and a few of our non-conference opponents were, as well.

Updates from Tuesday's games can be found after the jump.

If for some reason you absolutely need to know up-to-date numbers, I get them here.

Current Kansas State RPI = 33

Current Kansas State SOS = 51

Great Wins (RPI 1-50) = Dayton

Solid Wins (RPI 51-100) = Loyola

Bad Losses (RPI 100 or greater) = none

Loyola (3-1) | RPI = 54
Western Illinois (2-3) | RPI = 125: Loss at Savannah State (52-48)
Boston (1-4) | RPI = 141
Ole Miss (4-1) | RPI = 76
No. 18 Dayton (2-2) | RPI = 32
IUPUI (4-1) | RPI = 75
Fort Hays State (3-0): Win at Nebraska-Kearney (75-60)
Washington State (3-0) | RPI = 140
Xavier (3-0) | RPI = 79
UNLV (3-0) | RPI = 1
Alabama (2-1) | RPI = 186
UAPB (0-3) | RPI = 166
Cleveland State (3-2) | RPI = 265: Loss to No. 5 Kentucky (73-49)
South Dakota (2-3): Loss to Marquette (93-68)
Missouri (3-0) | RPI = 283: Win over Chattanooga (99-56)
Texas A&M (3-0) | RPI = 135
Colorado (3-2) | RPI = 193: Loss to Arizona (91-87 in OT)
No. 3 Texas (4-0) | RPI = 71: Win over Pittsburgh (78-62)
Oklahoma State (4-0) | RPI = 22: Win over Prairie View A&M (80-58)
Baylor (4-0) | RPI = 60
No. 1 Kansas (3-0) | RPI = 46
Nebraska (3-1) | RPI = 126: Win over UMKC (70-48)
Iowa State (5-0) | RPI = 187: Win over Tennessee State (84-53)
No. 17 Oklahoma (2-1) | RPI = 65
Texas Tech (6-0) | RPI = 94: Win at Stephen F. Austin (63-61)

Missouri vs. Chattanooga Liveblog Tonight

big12hoops — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:04:25 -0000

Big12Hoops will be liveblogging tonight's Missouri game 30 minutes before tip-off. Check back here at 6:30pmCST to log-in for the liveblog.

Know Your (Temporary) Rival: Chattanooga Mocs

Bill C. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0000

Chattanooga's Mocs (that's Mocs, not Mox) visit Columbia for the second straight season, hoping for a better result than last year's 103-75 loss. Probably not going to happen. UTC actually put together a pretty solid season in 2008-09, earning a #1 seed in the Southern Conference tournament and knocking off College of Charleston in the finals to secure a bid in the West Regional, where their season ended at the hands of Mizzou's conqueror, Connecticut. Unfortunately for the Mocs, they have to replace all five starters and take a pretty young team to Columbia.

Chattanooga: 2-1

	Mocs	Opp
Points Per Minute	2.01	1.78
Points Per Possession (PPP)	1.08	0.95
Points Per Shot (PPS)	1.28	1.14
2-PT FG%	51.8%	47.8%
3-PT FG%	33.3%	32.4%
FT%	75.4%	52.4%
True Shooting %	55.6%	49.6%

	Mocs	Opp
Assists/Gm	14.0	15.3
Steals/Gm	7.0	8.7
Turnovers/Gm	16.7	17.3
Ball Control Index (Assists + Steals) / TO	1.26	1.38

	Mocs	Opp
Expected Offensive Rebounds	39	43
Offensive Rebounds	42	44
Difference	+3	+1

Chattanooga's results so far:

Virginia Intermont: W, 107-62
East Tennessee State: W, 85-76
at Richmond: L, 49-75
Where the Mocs are decent: This is a solid shooting team (from inside the arc, anyway) that averages a solid 1.28 points per shot and rebounds fairly well. They have also played pretty solid FG% defense. They have forced over 17 turnovers a game, but a lot of that average comes from the 23 they forced against something called Virginia Intermont in the season opener. They also play a relatively fast pace, which means they might not be overwhelmed quite as quickly against Mizzou's pace.
Where the Mocs are less than decent: Um, they've averaged 16.7 turnovers a game against that schedule. Not a good sign.

Player Stats

Player	*AdjGS/Gm**	GmSc/Min	Line
Keegan Bell (6'1, 188, So.)	18.3	0.61	30.0 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 2.3 TOPG
Ridge McKeither (6'5, 240, Jr.)	16.3	0.69	23.7 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.0 TOPG
Josh Odem (6'5, 170, Fr.)	13.1	0.49	26.7 MPG, 13.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.7 TOPG
Jeremy Saffore (7'1, 225, Jr.)	10.8	0.59	18.3 MPG, 7.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.7 TOPG
DeAntre Jefferson (6'8, 225, Jr.)	7.4	0.40	18.7 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 2.0 TOPG
Ricky Taylor (6'5, 170, So.)	4.8	0.22	21.3 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG
Drew Baker (6'7, 184, Fr.)	4.4	0.29	15.0 MPG, 3.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 TOPG
Jasper Williams (6'2, 189, So.)	2.7	0.13	21.7 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 2.0 TOPG
Dontay Hampton (6'1, 160, Fr.)	1.8	0.21	8.7 MPG, 0.7 PPG, 1.3 APG
Sam Watson (6'7, 240, Fr.)	1.6	0.16	10.0 MPG, 2.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Jeff Smith (6'5, 195, Jr.)	1.1	0.07	16.0 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 2.0 TOPG

* AdjGS = a take-off of the Game Score metric (definition here) accepted by a lot of basketball stat nerds. It redistributes a team's points based not only on points scored, but also by giving credit for assists, rebounds (offensive & defensive), steals, blocks, turnovers and fouls. It is a stat intended to determine who had the biggest overall impact on the game itself, instead of just how many balls a player put through a basket.

UTC has seven players averaging at least 7 PPG thus far, though some are taking far more shots to get there than others. The team's starting five are by far their five best contributors (always a good thing), and they actually have some pretty decent size. 7'1 Jeremy Safford presents a unique challenge; he and DeAntre Jefferson have combined for 3 blocks per game, and they clearly give the Mocs the best inside presence Mizzou has faced so far. Meanwhile, 240-pound Ridge McKeither is, um, an interesting guy; he is apparently the bull-in-a-china-shop type, averaging 16 points, 9 boards, and 3 turnovers per outing.

Keys to the Game

Offensive Rebounds. I don't see Chattanooga shooting particularly well against Mizzou, but they are big enough to grab some offensive rebounds if Mizzou isn't focused. If Mizzou holds the Mocs below the expected offensive boards mark, it's going to be really hard for the Mocs to stay in this game.
Turnovers. As is always the case with Mizzou, if the opponent cannot limit turnovers, they do not have a chance. UTC has been careless with the ball, and it will likely spell doom in Columbia.
Keith Ramsey. I like when Mizzou's cupcakes have certain assets that can challenge the Tigers, and in this case, it's height. The Mocs may not have a lot of bulk, but they've got length, and I want to see how Mizzou's bigs, Keith Ramsey in particular (since he spends a lot more time in and around the post than Justin Safford and Laurence Bowers), handle it.

Prediction

It's doubtful that this one will be another 56-point win like the UTPA game was, but this one's likely to be another blowout. Whether it's 20-25 points or closer to 35-40 depends on if Mizzou's hot from 3-point range or not, but we'll go with a solid 90-64 win. Mizzou plays a ton of backups in anticipation of the trip to San Padre.

Don't Bet On It!: Around the SEC

T Kyle King — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:17:05 -0000

As I first began looking ahead to another lackluster weekend of college football action in the SEC, it occurred to me that there’d probably be more good games if there weren’t so many mediocre teams. Take that for whatever it’s worth as you consider the fact that I went 5-1 in last week’s league prognostications to improve my conference record for the season as a whole to 62-11. Since it’s essentially inevitable that the bottom will fall out sooner or later, now’s right about the right time to drop any trust you have reposed in my forecasting skills, so remember . . . Don’t Bet On It!

The following games will be played on Saturday, November 21, because the SEC may be down, but we’re not the MAC, dadgum it:

Chattanooga Mocs at Alabama Crimson Tide: The Tennesseans are still smarting from their near-miss in Tuscaloosa last month and this is the chance for UT to pay back its longstanding rival on a rare "third Saturday in November" rematch. Wait, hold on . . . the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga? Oh, well, then ’Bama ought to roll them up and smoke them.

Fla. International Golden Panthers at Florida Gators: Local pride is on the line as the Sunshine State Saurians look to wrap up a perfect regular season as well as in-state bragging rights against their fellow Floridians in a barn-burner in Gainesville. You think I’m kidding, right? The situation at FIU hasn’t gotten so desperate that the wife of the Panthers’ head coach is openly declaring that the university needs her husband more than he needs the institution, has it? Well, all right, then. Despite the import of this game, I like the Gators to sneak by the Panthers and claim the state championship before taking on next week’s patsy.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Tennessee Volunteers: 2008 was the first year since 1955 in which Vanderbilt went to a bowl game in a season in which Tennessee didn’t . . . yet, even then, the ‘Dores couldn’t get the better of the Vols, falling to the Big Orange in Nashville by a ten-point margin. (Incidentally, in their 1955 Gator Bowl season, the Commies also lost to Tennessee.) What would possibly make us think Vandy could pull out a victory in Knoxville in a year in which the Volunteers are better and the Music City Sailors are worse?

Mississippi St. Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks: Don’t look now, but the Hogs are sporting their first three-game winning streak since winning ten in a row between season-opening and season-ending losses to top ten teams in 2006. I wouldn’t read too much into the Razorbacks’ resurgence---that trio of triumphs came against winless Eastern Michigan (which tied its season-high point tally against Arkansas), fading South Carolina, and perennial SEC schedule fodder Troy---but, until Dan Mullen gets the horses into Starkville that will enable him to translate "improvement" into "wins," I’m going with the Hogs in Little Rock.

LSU Tigers at Mississippi Rebels: Go ahead. Root for the Rebels. You know you want to do it, so go ahead. Give in to the temptation. You want to cheer for Ole Miss, and we all know why. I’ll go ahead and say it: Dexter McCluster. Right now, wherever you are, utter the name aloud: "Dexter McCluster." It’s just plain fun to say, and you know it. Games like this one make you wish Larry Munson would come out of retirement to call this game, just so you could hear him say, "Oh, you Dexter McCluster!" or, "Run, Dexter, run! Dexter McCluster! Dexter McCluster! Dexter McCluster!" or, "We just stepped on their Dexter with a hobnailed boot and broke their McCluster!" Cheer for Dexter McCluster as he almost (but not quite) carries the Rebs to victory over Louisiana State.

Hopefully, you are not even considering lending the least bit of credence to any portion of the foregoing, but, on the off chance you may deem my prognostications so compelling that you are inclined to place wagers based upon my predictions, please take a moment to reconsider and remember the most crucial piece of advice I give you each week: ~~Abandon All Hope and Expect the Worst!~~ Don’t Bet On It!

Coming Soon: National Games of Interest.

Go ‘Dawgs!

BtB 2009-10 Southern Conference Preview

Chris Dobbertean — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:25:09 -0000

The Southern Conference, and the nation, got a little taste of what life without Stephen Curry would be like when the College of Charleston knocked off Davidson in last year's conference semifinals. The Cougars then lost to Chattanooga on the Mocs' home floor, extending the Cougars tournament drought to 10 seasons, while simultaneously making UTC the third league team to claim multiple tournament bids during the 00s. The Mocs represented the conference in 2005, former member East Tennessee State won back-to-back crowns in 2003 and 2004, and Davidson first won in 2002 before claiming three straight between 2006 and 2008. The 2008 Elite Eight squad managed the conference's only three NCAA wins in the decade. Seeing as this squad was the only conference champion to escape the bottom four seed lines during the 00s, that's understandable.

Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro were the other two SoCon qualifiers during the decade. They represented the league in the 2000 and 2001 tournaments, respectively.

Even with Curry gone, the Wildcats will challenge for the title, especially with the conference tournament shifting to their backyard (Charlotte) this season. However, look to two of their South Division competitors, Bobby Cremins' Cougars and their crosstown rivals, The Citadel, fresh off their first ever postseason berth. to lead the way. In the North Division, Buzz Peterson is back at Appalachian State, and he has some talent at his disposal, while Western Carolina brings back all five starters from a team that tied for the division crown last time around.

As you can see, there's still plenty to watch in this conference, even after the player who may arguably be its greatest ever has moved on to the NBA. More on all 12 teams after the jump.

Here are my picks for 2009-10, presented in reverse order, starting with the North Division. (Click here to see my College of Charleston preview and my preseason All-SoCon team, as it wouldn't attach to this post.)

North Division

UNC Greensboro (last NCAA: 2001) The Spartans lost one starter from last year's 5 win team, F Damian Eargle (9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg), a gifted sophomore who departed for personal reasons. The remaining four starters, led by 6-4 Finnish G Mikko Koivisto (12.4 ppg, 2.4 apg) and 6-5 F Ben Stywall (11.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg), will have to improve on both ends of the court to improve their win total. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Dement hopes that two freshmen, 6-8 Brian Cole and 6-7 Taylor Hoffer, can turn into the frontcourt force Eargle threatened to become. UNCG's non-conference schedule is ACC heavy, as they visit Duke and Virginia Tech, and face Maryland, NC State, and Wake Forest at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Elon (last NCAA: None) Former Davidson assistant Matt Matheny is the new head coach of the Phoenix, and his team could struggle in his first season, as last year's two leading scorers F Ola Atoyebi (13.9 ppg) and G Brett James (13.2 ppg) are both gone. The good news is that none of the team's other main performers from last season, led by the guards Josh Bonney (5.4 ppg, 3.1 apg), Devan Carter (7.1 ppg), and reserve Chris Long (7.2 ppg) left after the coaching change. Lots of players, especially an underperforming frontcourt, will have to step up to keep the Phoenix out of the basement, however. The Phoenix will participate in the South region of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Duke, where they'll open with Charlotte.

Chattanooga (last NCAA: 2009) The Mocs, last year's North Division champs, hosted last year's SoCon tourney and claimed the crown. Don't expect a repeat trip, as all five starters from that team are gone. The team's leading returning scorer is 6-6 senior G Ty Patterson, who averaged a little more than 8 points a contest this season. In fact, John Shulman's roster is loaded with reserves from last year's team, but one key newcomer is 6-5 F Troy Cage, a JC transfer who played at UNLV, and should immediately make his presence known. The Mocs schedule includes trips to Missouri and Richmond for the South Padre Island Invitational. They'll face Texas-Pan American, then either Bethune-Cookman or Longwood in the main tournament. In a scheduling coup, Georgia Tech visits McKenzie Arena this season.

Samford (last NCAA: 2000) Jimmy Tillette has four starters back from a team that finished at .500 overall, and just below that mark in the league. He also returns his five leading scorers from a season ago. The Bulldogs' strength is their backcourt, featuring 6-4 junior Josh Davis (10.1 ppg) and 6-4 senior Trey Montgomery (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg),the team's leading rebounder from a season ago. That should serve as a warning to a frontcourt that features 6-6 FBryan Friday (12.5 ppg. 3.5 rpg) and 6-8 C Andy King (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), who certainly could put the ball in the basket, but need to increase their sometimes timid rebounding efforts. Two freshmen, 6-10 Levi Barnes and 6-9 Andrew Windler, will push them for minutes. During the non-conference season, Samford will visit Alabama, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. They'll also take part in a round-robin event at Ohio, which, oddly enough, will feature a game against crosstown rival UAB.

Western Carolina (last NCAA: 1996) The Catamounts finished last season with a mark that was just above .500 both overall and in the SoCon. They should be better this season, as all five starters are back--led by last year's SoCon Freshman of the Year, 6-4 Canadian G Harouna Mutombo (14.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 spg), and senior backcourt mates Brandon Giles (13.2 ppg) and Brigham Waginger (8.4 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.6 spg). Head coach Larry Hunter could stand to get a little more production from a frontcourt featuring starters Adrian Gailliard (4.9 ppg. 3.1 rpg), Richie Gordon (6.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and reserve Jake Robinson (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), however. If they step up, WCU becomes a serious contender for the overall league crown. This season, the Catamounts visit Clemson, Louisville, and Texas, as part of the CBE Classic. They'll also host one of that event's subregionals, featuring A-10 contender Duquesne, decimated America East champ Binghamton, and D-2 Arkansas-Monticello.

Appalachian State (last NCAA: 2000) Buzz Peterson is back to coach the Mountaineers after nine years away from Boone. He has a chance at immediate success, thanks to the return of five starters from a team that only managed 13 wins in 2008-09. The backcourt is one of the best in the league, as 6-1 junior Donald Sims 13.7 ppg, 2.3 apg) and 6-1 senior Kellen Brand (14.8 ppg) are offensive threats from anywhere on the floor, and senior PG Ryann Abraham (9.8 ppg) returns after a season that featured a suspension. The frontcourt features two strong rebounders--6-6 senior F Josh Hunter (8.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and 6-10 junior C Issac Butts (8.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg)--who could stand to score a little more. Appalachian's schedule features road trips to Arkansas, Dayton, Louisville, and Robert Morris. The games against the Razorbacks and Cardinals are part of the odd Hall of Fame Showcase event.

South Division

Georgia Southern (last NCAA: 1992) (Thanks to Rose Carter in GSU's sports information department for helping me clear this entry up.) GSU alum Charlton Young replaced Jeff Price at the helm after a 8-22 season that featured only 5 league wins. Young lost two starters, though guard Julian Allen, who was one of five Eagles to average more than 9 points a contest last season was suspended for the final third of last season. That means Georgia Southern still has a few guys who can score, especially guards Willie Powers (14.6 ppg before he suffered a knee injury), Antonio Hanson (12 ppg, 2.4 apg), and Ben Drayton III (11.8 ppg, 2.6 apg). Plus, 6-7 senior F Tyler Troupe, really stepped up after Allen's suspension, averaging 13.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg during the last 10 games of the season. So he'll be an effective weapon on the wing an in the 3 spot. However, Young will have to get his players to give a better effort on the defensive end of the court for the win total to increase. The Eagles visit South Carolina and Florida, as part of the Legends Classic. GSU will welcome D-2 Arkansas-Fort Smith, Troy, and Valparaiso to Statesboro for one of that event's "subregionals."

Furman (last NCAA: 1980) The Paladins are the classic "good news/bad news" case this season. For the good, Jeff Jackson has all five starters back. Now, the bad. That team only managed six wins, four in the league. 6-2 guard Jordan Miller was the only Paladin who averaged in double figures last season (13.8 ppg), so it's no wonder this team ranked near the bottom of every offensive statistical category in the SoCon. If the players can build on its experience, and Jackson can get more out of a frontcourt that didn't do nearly enough on the glass, they should improve significantly. Trips to in-state rivals Clemson and South Carolina are on the slate, as is a trip to California for the Golden Bear Classic.

Wofford (last NCAA: None) Mike Young's squad is loaded with experience this season, as all of his starters and key reserves are back from a squad that finished 16-14. However, as there's still a lot of other talent in the South Division, it could be tough for them to leave the middle of the pack, especially as the Terriers struggled on defense last season. 6-6 junior Noah Dahlman (17.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg) anchors the frontcourt, while 6-2 senior Junior Salters(15 ppg) is the leader in the backcourt. 6-5 junior swingman Tim Johnson averaged 10 points a game, while grabbing nearly 9 boards a contest. If Wofford can focus on both ends of the floor this season, they'll surprise. The schedule should prepare them for the rigors of the SoCon slate. They open with a trip to Pitt, while they also visit Georgia, Michigan State, Bradley, and Illinois. The last two games are part of the Las Vegas Invitational, and the Terriers will face Southern and Seattle or Presbyterian in Vegas. Wofford also welcomes South Carolina to Spartanburg.

Davidson (last NCAA: 2008) Not only is Curry gone, but so are F Andrew Lovedale and G Max Paulhus Gosselin. That means the returnees, led by 6-7 F Steve Rossiter and sharpshooters Bryant Barr--a 6-4 G, and William Archambault--a 6-6 swingman, will have to really up their offense production. Curry's nearly 29 points a contest will be hard to replace, and losing Lovedale's 12.5 points and nearly 9 boards a game makes the problem even bigger for Bob McKillop's squad. Expect 6-10 soph Frank Ben-Eze and 6-10 frosh Jake Cohen to battle to replace Lovedale inside. The schedule is typically tough, starting with a BracketBuster rematch with Butler right away. The Wildcats will fill the SoCon's host slot in the Charleston Classic, where they'll face USF in their opener, then La Salle or South Carolina on day two. They also face Gonzaga in Seattle and Cornell, then Hofstra or St. John's in the Holiday Classic.

The Citadel (last NCAA: None) Ed Conroy's team managed 20 wins and the school's first ever postseason bid, a trip to the CollegeInsider tournament, where they lost to Old Dominion by 8 in round one. The Bulldogs should be competitive again, but Conroy needs to replace graduated C Demetrius Nelson (16.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg), the team's leading scorer. Look for 7-0 former Washington backup C Joe Wolfinger--who has a year of eligibility left while he's in grad school--to get the first chance to replace him. The backcourt won't be an issue, thanks to the presence of 6-1 Cameron Wells (15.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and 6-2 Zach Urbanus (10 ppg, 3.3 apg), while swingmen John Brown (5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Austin Dahn (6.8 ppg) could stand to help them out more offensively. The Bulldogs visit Houston, Texas A&M, and West Virginia, and host Michigan State.

Poll

Who is your pick to win the Southern Conference this season?

Appalachian State

2 votes

Chattanooga

1 votes

The Citadel

1 votes

College of Charleston

2 votes

Davidson

4 votes

Elon

0 votes

Furman

0 votes

Georgia Southern

2 votes

UNC Greensboro

0 votes

Samford

0 votes

Western Carolina

0 votes

Wofford

1 votes

13 votes | Poll has closed

A Game (or Two) a Night: December 2009

Chris Dobbertean — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:05:39 -0000

More photos » by Eric Gay - AP

Michigan State Junior G Kalin Lucas (1) is the only player in this picture who will be present at the rematch of the 2009 National Championship Game on December 1 in Chapel Hill. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Browse more photos »

December as a month features the last few multi-team events of the season and the bulk of conference challenge action. It's also a time when most teams have to wedge games between exams and holidays and fans have to dodge stale holiday specials and on filter through bowl games to find hoops on their TV sets. Believe me, there will be plenty of televised college basketball over the last week of the year--including a return of action, island-style to Christmas Day itself. So, if you find yourself needing a break from football, there will be roundball!

You'll find my December picks after the jump. For information about the other games on the air during the final month of 2009, visit MattSarzSports.com.

Tuesday, December 1
Michigan State at North Carolina (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) (ESPN, 9 ET)
The rematch of last year's National Championship game is exactly why I feel that these conference challenges should be moved to the second half of the season. While this game should be pretty good as is (especially since it's at the Dean Dome), it would be even better if played six or so weeks later, so both teams, particularly the younger Tar Heels, can have more of a chance to gel.

Wednesday, December 2
Pittsburgh at Duquesne (CBS CS, 7 ET)
Now, if the Dukes had been allowed to advance in the CBE Classic, they could've shared the Sprint Center with the Panthers. They'll have to be satisfied with sharing the floor at the Igloo one more time, as this game moves to the Penguins new rink in 2010.

Thursday, December 3
Cleveland State at Wright State (ESPNU, 9 ET)
The Horizon League season starts early, and this matchup features two teams who are serious threats to Butler in the race. The Vikings won the conference's auto bid last season, and then upset Wake Forest. The Raiders were a bid thief in 2007.

Friday, December 4
Akron at Texas A&M (FS Southwest, 8 ET)
Fridays are typically light nights during the season. (Trust me, you'll see what I mean in my next couple of posts.) The Zips have a good chance at repeating in the MAC. (Well, as good of a chance as anyone else who's tried of late.) Meanwhile, the Aggies should be on their way to figuring out how to play without Chinemelu Elonu in the middle.

Saturday, December 5
Wake Forest at Gonzaga (ESPN2, 5:30 ET)
A matchup of two teams who will be very competitive despite significant losses, James Johnson and Jeff Teague in the Deacons' case and Austin Daye, Micah Downs, Josh Heytvelt, and Jeremy Pargo for the Bulldogs.

Sunday, December 6
Arizona at Oklahoma (Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series) (ESPNU, 7 ET)
Sean Miller brings his Wildcats, bolstered by some last-minute recruits, to Norman to take on a Griffin-less, but still potent Sooner squad. Kansas at UCLA earns honorable mention honors. And I'll be at the BB&T Classic to see Villanova take on Maryland.

Monday, December 7
Long Beach State at Texas (ESPNU, 9 ET)
The only nationally televised game of the night (though I will pick regional telecasts later). The 49ers continue their aggressive scheduling (as they're the "host" school at the 76 Classic this year), taking on a Damion James-led Longhorn team who should challenge the Jayhawks at the top of the Big 12.

Tuesday, December 8
Vanderbilt at Illinois (Big Ten, 8:30 ET)
The Illini won by 6 in Nashville last year, but the Commodores could give them an even better game in the return. Honorable mention goes to the Jimmy V Classic, Butler vs. Georgetown and Indiana vs.Pittsburgh. Who would've ever forseen a day where the Bulldogs might be the most highly rated team of that group of four?

Wednesday, December 9
Kentucky vs Connecticut (Big East/SEC Invitational) (ESPN, 9:30 ET) If the undercard of Georgia vs. St. John's puts the crowd at MSG to sleep, I think Calipari vs. Calhoun should wake them up.

Thursday, December 10
Syracuse vs. Florida (Big East/SEC Invitational) (ESPN, 9 ET)
Since these are my two favorite teams, this was the obvious choice for me.

Friday, December 11
Iowa vs. Iowa State (Cyclones TV, 8 ET)
This matchup of two teams with coaches who really need to start winning is the only game on the TV schedule for tonight.

Saturday, December 12
Georgetown vs Washington (John Wooden Classic) (FSN, 2 ET)
The Hoyas do something under JohnThompson III that his father would've never done, travel cross-country for a non-league game. The Huskies sure aren't St. Leo's.
I would have selected the second half of the doubleheader, Mississippi State vs. UCLA, but Renardo Sidney's eligibility issues make this game slightly less attractive.

Sunday, December 13
Cincinnati at Xavier (ESPNU, 7 ET)
The Crosstown Shootout should be a great one this year. The Musketeers have been the best team in the city over the past few seasons. They have wins in the last two in the series. The Bearcats, meanwhile, should be far more competitive in Mick Cronin's fourth year at the helm, especially with Lance Stevenson joining the team.

Monday, December 14
Georgia Tech at Chattanooga (FS South, 7 ET)
The Yellow Jackets visit to the SoCon tourney champions is the only game on the TV schedule on this Monday.

Tuesday, December 15
Georgia State at Florida State (FS Florida, 7 ET)
The transfer-filled Panthers will look to repeat their 62-57 win over the Seminoles in Atlanta last year.

Wednesday, December 16
Wright State at Mississippi State (ESPN2, 7 ET)
Last year, the Bulldogs dropped December home games to Charlotte and San Diego. This year, it's the Raiders turn to try to pull an upset at the Hump.

Thursday, December 17
Auburn at Florida State (FS Florida/NESN, 7 ET)
The NIT quarterfinalist's visit to Tallahassee is the best option on a very light night.

Friday, December 18
As there are no televised games listed for this night, it would be a good time to wrap up your holiday shopping.

Saturday, December 19
UCLA at Notre Dame (CBS, 2 ET)
Saturday makes up for the lackluster slate during exam week, as we also have Michigan at Kansas, North Carolina at Texas, and Duke vs. Gonzaga on the schedule. The Bruins trip to South Bend gets a very slight nod, as these two on-again/off-again hoops rivals last met in 2005.

Sunday, December 20
Florida State at Georgia Tech (FSN, 5:30 ET)
The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets open their ACC seasons in Atlanta.

Monday, December 21
UTEP vs. Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) (ESPN2, 6:30 ET)
The Miners hope to be among the teams to unseat a weakened Memphis in C-USA. A win over the Sooners in their backyard would be a great confidence-builder for them.

Tuesday, December 22
California at Kansas (ESPN2, 9 ET)
While this game isn't technically a part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, it is a matchup of two teams who each have an excellent chance of winning their respective conference's crown.

Wednesday, December 23
Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis) (ESPN2, 8:30 ET)
The Illini actually won this one by 16 last year. The Tigers could have a hard time gaining revenge without the services of DeMarre Caroll, Matt Lawrence, and Leo Lyons.

Thursday, December 24
It's Christmas Eve, so there are no games scheduled.

Friday, December 25
Diamond Head Classic Final (ESPN2, 9:30 ET)
This tournament features some rebuilding squads (St. Mary's, USC, UNLV), a few teams who haven't been relevant for awhile (host Hawai'i, SMU, and Western Michigan) and two mid-majors who could do really well against this particular group of teams (College of Charleston and Northeastern)

Saturday, December 26
West Virginia at Seton Hall (CBS, 3:30 ET)
Oddly enough, this Big East battle is the only game on the Boxing Day schedule.

Sunday, December 27
Austin Peay at Missouri (FS Midwest, 2 ET)
This is one of three games on the schedule. The Governors are perennial contenders in the Ohio Valley, and they'll be looking to pull a seed-boosting upset at Mizzou Arena.

Monday, December 28
American at Florida (FS Florida, 8:30 ET)
The two-time defending Patriot League champs who appear to be destined for a fall take on a two-time National Champion who already has taken one.

Tuesday, December 29
Penn State at Minnesota (ESPN2, 9 ET)
It's the Big Ten opener for the NIT Champion and a Gopher squad that may have just pipped them to an NCAA bid last time around. I would have selected Northern Iowa at Creighton, which should match up the two best teams in the Missouri Valley, but that game is currently only scheduled for local TV

Wednesday, December 30
Northwestern at Illinois (Big Ten, 7 ET)
The Wildcats open up their Big Ten slate with a trip to their in-state rival.

Thursday, December 31
Oklahoma at Gonzaga (ESPN2, 10 ET)
While it won't quite be November 17, it will be a marathon day on ESPN2, starting at noon. Michigan at Indiana, Ohio State at Wisconsin, and Tennessee at Memphis are all featured matchups during the day. However, I'll take the inter-sectional matchup to close the day, month, and year out as my choice. (Watching a million drunk people go crazy over a lighted ball dropping is so 2000.) There's also a good Pac-10 option, Arizona State at UCLA on FSN as part of their New Year's Eve festivities.

That will close out 2009, my games for January will follow tomorrow evening.

Riding high and the #1's Roll

SFBE.MP — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:55:01 -0000

The afternoon held very little excitement, a lot less than indicated by the Purdue players above. In the two games with questionable outcome possibility, only one managed to be worthy of a two hour time slot on national television. Two of the top teams ~~defeated~~ obliterated JV Division I programs.

#5 Purdue - #12 Northern Iowa. Northern Iowa gave the Purdue Boilermakers all they could handle on Thursday afternoon. For the most part, Purdue led by roughly eight points all game but a late game surge by the Missouri Valley Champs gave NIck and his proclaimed bandwagon team quite the scare. The chairty stripe was kind to the Boilermakers down the stretch as they put it in the books, Purdue 61, Northern Iowa 56. E'Twaun Moore led Purdue with 17 points and Robbbie Hummel added 10 rebounds.
#7 Maryland - #10 California. Maryland is on a mission. Gary Williams heard it all season long, and now his team is finally taking his sweat covered back. Maryland put together a nice ACC Tournament and can now add one more notch on the old belt, after beating California convincingly 84-71. Cal has lived by the three all year long and they eventually died because of the three. Maryland never let California get going from long range, holding the Golden Bears to 7-24 from beyond the arc. Our favorite player to hate in this tournament lives on as Grievis Vasquez chips in 27 points.
#1 UCONN - #16 Chattanooga. A Calhoun-less Connecticut Husky team took as much stress off of their bed-riden coach with a 103-47 embarrassment. AJ Price and Hasheem Thabeet each had 20 points. UCONN will now face off against the hot shooting Aggies of Texas A&M.
#1 UNC - #16 Radford. We're not goign to lie to you and tell you that Radford put up a fight in this one. We're pretty sure they are happy the game is only 40 minutes long. Within that 40 minutes, UNC was able to continually stretch the margin of victory until it reached 43, and Radfords final resting place at 101-58. We expect a much closer game on Saturday versus the LSU Tigers.

		#3 Miguel Paul Sophomore Guard 6-1 \| 172 Winter Haven, Fla. Bio 14 minutes per game \| 4.2 points per game \| 0.9 rebound per game

		#4 J.T. Tiller Senior Guard 6-3 \| 200 Marietta, Ga. Bio 23.3 minutes per game \| 9.6 points per game \| 2.3 rebounds per game

		#11 Zaire Taylor Senior Guard 6-4 \| 189 Staten Island, N.Y. Bio 27.8 minutes per game \| 9 points per game \| 3.1 rebounds per game

		#12 Marcus Denmon Sophomore Guard 6-3 \| 185 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 20.1 minutes per game \| 10.5 points per game \| 3.9 rebounds per game

		#15 Keith Ramsey Senior Forward 6-9 \| 217 Murfreesboro, Tenn. Bio 25.4 minutes per game \| 5.9 points per game \| 5.9 rebounds per game

		#21 Laurence Bowers Sophomore Forward 6-8 \| 205 Memphis, Tenn. Bio 19.8 minutes per game \| 10.2 points per game \| 5.6 rebounds per game

		#23 Justin Safford Junior Forward 6-8 \| 230 Bloomington, Ill. Bio 18.4 minutes per game \| 7.6 points per game \| 3.8 rebounds per game

		#24 Kim English Sophomore Guard 6-6 \| 200 Baltimore, Md. Bio 22.1 minutes per game \| 16.1 points per game \| 3.1 rebounds per game

		#25 Jarrett Sutton Junior Guard 6-3 \| 190 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 4 minutes per game \| 1.8 points per game \| 0.2 rebound per game

		#32 Steve Moore Sophomore Center 6-9 \| 264 Kansas City, Mo. Bio 11 minutes per game \| 1.6 points per game \| 1.4 rebounds per game