- October 30th, 2008, 7:08 pm
#205648
I've done a preview of the league the last couple of years on Winthropfans.com, and last season, I copied the previews onto Flamefans.com. Alot of people seemed to read it, so I'll do it again this year (as long as Sly does not object)...I'll be starting from the bottom of the standings (the way I predict them to end up at the end of the year) and work my way up....Here’s the first one:
Presbyterian Blue Hose (Last Season: 5-25; Did not play a full Big South schedule; RPI - 333)
Head Coach: Gregg Nibert (20th season at PC)
Players that are Returning:
C Al’lonzo Coleman, So. (6’7”, 230 lbs) – 11.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 spg, 51.6 FG%, 0 made threes, 62.9 FT%
F Bryan Bostic, Sr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 42.1 FG%, 38.4 3PT% (48 made threes), 73.6 FT%
G Josh Johnson, So. (6’3”, 185 lbs) – 7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 45.1 FG%, 37.0 3PT% (37 made threes), 53.7 FT%
G Pierre Miller, So. (5’10”, 160 lbs) – 5.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.2 FG%, 35.2 3PT% (43 made threes), 43.5 FT%
F Travis Sligh, Sr. (6’4”, 210 lbs) – 5.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 39.4 FG%, 34.6 3PT% (18 made threes), 71.2 FT%
F Walt Allen, Jr. (6’4”, 220 lbs) – 3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 35.8 FG%, 32.4 3PT% (24 made threes), 81.3 FT%
Players that are Gone:
G Pat Kiscaden (6’3”, 190 lbs)– 9.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 40.1 FG%, 40.0 3PT% (82 made threes), 76.3 FT%
G Ryan Lamb (5’8, 160 lbs) – 4.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 39.1 FG%, 39.7 3PT% (23 made threes), 63.0 FT%
F Odist Harmon (6’7”, 220 lbs) – 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 66.7 FG%, 0 made threes, 40.0 FT%
C Martynas Versinskas (6’9”, 240 lbs) – Played in 13 games, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
G Rhett Bonner (6’0’, 175 lbs) – Played in 4 games, 1.3 ppg, .3 rpg
New Players:
C Steven Yien Gatkuoth, Fr. (7’0”, 220 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Our Saviour HS (NY), Sudan
G Aaron Gibbs, Fr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Myers Park HS, Charlotte, NC
G Bo King, Fr. (6’0”, 175 lbs) – Charleston Christian HS, Charleston, WV
F Kyle Jazwiecki, Fr. (6’8”, 220 lbs) – Anthony Wayne HS, Maumee, OH
G Chase Holmes, Fr. (6’4”, 205 lbs) – Chesnee HS, Spartanburg, SC
G Kevin Davis, Fr. (6’2”, 180 lbs) – Ardrey Kell HS, Charlotte, NC
G Jarrod Conrad, Fr. (6’1”, 175 lbs) – Pisgah HS, Canton, NC
G Daniel Brown, Fr. (5’11”, 160 lbs) – Cannon School, Davidson, NC
F Jake Troyli, Fr. (6’9”, 185 lbs) – Pinellas Park HS, Largo, FL
The Presbyterian basketball team entered the world of Division I basketball last season, and found themselves spending most of the year on the road, and most of the year getting beat. PC played 25 of their 30 games away from Clinton, SC, and they were unable to win a single game on the road. However, they did go 5-0 at home and in many of their losses, they found ways to keep themselves in the game and not get blown out against opponents like NC State, Georgia Tech, and Winthrop. So while the record was not very impressive, the PC program did not get embarrassed in their debut season, and have a lot to build on as they enter their first full Big South season. The Blue Hose will play a full Big South schedule, will count in the standings, and their players will be eligible for in-season and postseason honors. But PC will not be eligible to participate in the Big South tournament until the 2011-12 season.
On the court, Presbyterian returns four starters, anchored by Al’lonzo Coleman in the post. If he would have been eligible for Big South honors last year, Coleman would have been a sure bet on the conference’s all-freshman team. He led the Blue Hose in scoring and rebounding in his freshman season, and he will likely be one of the better post players in the Big South for the next three years. Forward Travis Sligh is another returnee, and he will compliment Coleman’s solid offensive game with strong defensive play in the frontcourt.
On the perimeter, Bryan Bostic and Josh Johnson are interchangeable parts in the shooting guard/small forward positions, and bring solid outside shooting to the court. Point guard Pierre Miller will take over as the full-time floor general duties after the graduation of Ryan Lamb. Despite only starting eight games in his freshman season, Miller led the Blue Hose in assists and showed some flashes of being a solid scorer if needed. Walt Allen is the other returnee from last season, and he will add some depth and experience in the frontcourt.
With only six returning players, Presbyterian will need to get some contributions from their many newcomers, which includes two redshirt freshmen and seven true freshmen. The redshirts are forward Aaron Gibbs and seven-foot center Steven Yien Gatkuoth. Gibbs will likely contribute as a solid all-around player at both forward spots. Gatkuoth is still somewhat of a project (especially offensively), but he will bring size, rebounding, and shot blocking to the court when Coleman comes out of the game. When looking at the true freshmen, it is a crapshoot to try and determine who will make the biggest impact. However, Bo King will likely see a lot of time as the backup point guard behind Miller, and Chase Holmes’ scoring ability and Kyle Jazwiecki’s size will likely give them an opportunity to see the court often.
PC will rely on the three-pointer a lot, and when they shoot well, they will be able to stay in games. Having a true post presence in Al’lonzo Coleman allows their shooters to have room to shoot, though they will need to be more consistent behind the arc than they were last year in order to be more formidable offensively. They also need to improve on the glass and improve their assist-to-turnover ratio. Wins will still be hard to come by for the Blue Hose, but Big South teams will not be used to playing in Clinton, and the Templeton Center has been known as a tough place for visitors, so do not be surprised when PC knocks off some conference foes at home. I think Presbyterian will finish last, but they will be competitive and will not be far behind the rest of the pack.
My Prediction:
8-21 overall, 6-12 in the Big South; Tenth place finish; Ineligible for Big South Tournament
Presbyterian Blue Hose (Last Season: 5-25; Did not play a full Big South schedule; RPI - 333)
Head Coach: Gregg Nibert (20th season at PC)
Players that are Returning:
C Al’lonzo Coleman, So. (6’7”, 230 lbs) – 11.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 spg, 51.6 FG%, 0 made threes, 62.9 FT%
F Bryan Bostic, Sr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 42.1 FG%, 38.4 3PT% (48 made threes), 73.6 FT%
G Josh Johnson, So. (6’3”, 185 lbs) – 7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 45.1 FG%, 37.0 3PT% (37 made threes), 53.7 FT%
G Pierre Miller, So. (5’10”, 160 lbs) – 5.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.2 FG%, 35.2 3PT% (43 made threes), 43.5 FT%
F Travis Sligh, Sr. (6’4”, 210 lbs) – 5.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 39.4 FG%, 34.6 3PT% (18 made threes), 71.2 FT%
F Walt Allen, Jr. (6’4”, 220 lbs) – 3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 35.8 FG%, 32.4 3PT% (24 made threes), 81.3 FT%
Players that are Gone:
G Pat Kiscaden (6’3”, 190 lbs)– 9.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 40.1 FG%, 40.0 3PT% (82 made threes), 76.3 FT%
G Ryan Lamb (5’8, 160 lbs) – 4.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 39.1 FG%, 39.7 3PT% (23 made threes), 63.0 FT%
F Odist Harmon (6’7”, 220 lbs) – 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 66.7 FG%, 0 made threes, 40.0 FT%
C Martynas Versinskas (6’9”, 240 lbs) – Played in 13 games, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
G Rhett Bonner (6’0’, 175 lbs) – Played in 4 games, 1.3 ppg, .3 rpg
New Players:
C Steven Yien Gatkuoth, Fr. (7’0”, 220 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Our Saviour HS (NY), Sudan
G Aaron Gibbs, Fr. (6’3”, 200 lbs) – Redshirt Freshman, Myers Park HS, Charlotte, NC
G Bo King, Fr. (6’0”, 175 lbs) – Charleston Christian HS, Charleston, WV
F Kyle Jazwiecki, Fr. (6’8”, 220 lbs) – Anthony Wayne HS, Maumee, OH
G Chase Holmes, Fr. (6’4”, 205 lbs) – Chesnee HS, Spartanburg, SC
G Kevin Davis, Fr. (6’2”, 180 lbs) – Ardrey Kell HS, Charlotte, NC
G Jarrod Conrad, Fr. (6’1”, 175 lbs) – Pisgah HS, Canton, NC
G Daniel Brown, Fr. (5’11”, 160 lbs) – Cannon School, Davidson, NC
F Jake Troyli, Fr. (6’9”, 185 lbs) – Pinellas Park HS, Largo, FL
The Presbyterian basketball team entered the world of Division I basketball last season, and found themselves spending most of the year on the road, and most of the year getting beat. PC played 25 of their 30 games away from Clinton, SC, and they were unable to win a single game on the road. However, they did go 5-0 at home and in many of their losses, they found ways to keep themselves in the game and not get blown out against opponents like NC State, Georgia Tech, and Winthrop. So while the record was not very impressive, the PC program did not get embarrassed in their debut season, and have a lot to build on as they enter their first full Big South season. The Blue Hose will play a full Big South schedule, will count in the standings, and their players will be eligible for in-season and postseason honors. But PC will not be eligible to participate in the Big South tournament until the 2011-12 season.
On the court, Presbyterian returns four starters, anchored by Al’lonzo Coleman in the post. If he would have been eligible for Big South honors last year, Coleman would have been a sure bet on the conference’s all-freshman team. He led the Blue Hose in scoring and rebounding in his freshman season, and he will likely be one of the better post players in the Big South for the next three years. Forward Travis Sligh is another returnee, and he will compliment Coleman’s solid offensive game with strong defensive play in the frontcourt.
On the perimeter, Bryan Bostic and Josh Johnson are interchangeable parts in the shooting guard/small forward positions, and bring solid outside shooting to the court. Point guard Pierre Miller will take over as the full-time floor general duties after the graduation of Ryan Lamb. Despite only starting eight games in his freshman season, Miller led the Blue Hose in assists and showed some flashes of being a solid scorer if needed. Walt Allen is the other returnee from last season, and he will add some depth and experience in the frontcourt.
With only six returning players, Presbyterian will need to get some contributions from their many newcomers, which includes two redshirt freshmen and seven true freshmen. The redshirts are forward Aaron Gibbs and seven-foot center Steven Yien Gatkuoth. Gibbs will likely contribute as a solid all-around player at both forward spots. Gatkuoth is still somewhat of a project (especially offensively), but he will bring size, rebounding, and shot blocking to the court when Coleman comes out of the game. When looking at the true freshmen, it is a crapshoot to try and determine who will make the biggest impact. However, Bo King will likely see a lot of time as the backup point guard behind Miller, and Chase Holmes’ scoring ability and Kyle Jazwiecki’s size will likely give them an opportunity to see the court often.
PC will rely on the three-pointer a lot, and when they shoot well, they will be able to stay in games. Having a true post presence in Al’lonzo Coleman allows their shooters to have room to shoot, though they will need to be more consistent behind the arc than they were last year in order to be more formidable offensively. They also need to improve on the glass and improve their assist-to-turnover ratio. Wins will still be hard to come by for the Blue Hose, but Big South teams will not be used to playing in Clinton, and the Templeton Center has been known as a tough place for visitors, so do not be surprised when PC knocks off some conference foes at home. I think Presbyterian will finish last, but they will be competitive and will not be far behind the rest of the pack.
My Prediction:
8-21 overall, 6-12 in the Big South; Tenth place finish; Ineligible for Big South Tournament
Now we can't sing to him.
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
- By LU Armchair coach