[WinthropEagleFan]

Winthrop Eagles (Last Season: 22-12; 10-4, 2nd in Big South; Won Big South Tournament; Eliminated in First Round of NCAAs; RPI - 108)

Head Coach: Randy Peele (2nd season at WU)

Players that are Returning:

F Charles Corbin, So. (6'8", 229 lbs) – 6.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 44.1 FG%, 50.0 3PT% (1 made three), 55.6 FT%
F Mantoris Robinson, Jr. (6’5”, 200 lbs) –5.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 41.0 FG%, 20.0 3PT% (8 made threes), 67.7 FT%
G Byron Faison, So. (6’1”, 210 lbs) – 3.8 ppg, .9 rpg, 43.3 FG%, 42.1 3PT% (24 made threes), 60.0 FT%
G Justin Burton, So. (5'10", 159 lbs) – 2.3 ppg, .6 rpg, 43.8 FG%, 66.7 3PT% (14 made threes), 63.6 FT%
F George Valentine, So. (6'8", 232 lbs) – 2.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 50.0 FG%, 0 made threes, 27.8 FT%
G Marc-David Vil, So. (6'5", 199 lbs) – Played in 12 games, .9 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 36.4 FG%, 28.6 3PT% (2 made threes)
F Jonathan Rice, Sr. (6’6”, 226 lbs) – Played in 7 games, .6 ppg, .6 rpg, 50.0 FG%

C Andy Buechert, Sr. (6'10", 232 lbs) – Expected to miss 08-09 season due to injury, 3.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 40.0 FG%, 0 made threes, 46.5 FT%

Players that are Gone:

G Michael Jenkins (6’3”, 195 lbs) – 13.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 spg, 41.6 FG%, 36.8 3PT% (74 made threes), 71.3 FT%
F Taj McCullough (6’7”, 222 lbs) – 11.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.4 spg, 46.9 FG%, 28.1 3PT% (25 made threes), 60.3 FT%
G Chris Gaynor (5’10”, 164 lbs) – 9.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 44.0 FG%, 43.4 3PT% (66 made threes), 60.5 FT%
G Antwon Harris (6’3”, 204 lbs) – 6.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 46.3 FG%, 18.8 3PT% (3 made threes), 60.6 FT%

New Players:

F Chris Malcolm, Fr. (6'7", 202 lbs) – Redshirted Last Season - Timber Creek HS, Orlando, FL
F Cameron Stanley, Sr. (6’6”, 221 lbs) – Transfer from Wake Forest
G Raymond Davis, Jr. (6’4”, 195 lbs) – Transfer from NW Shoals CC
G Reggie Middleton, Fr. (6’1”, 170 lbs) – Glenn Hills HS, Augusta, GA
G Gideon Gamble, Fr. (6’7”, 169 lbs) – West Lake HS, Atlanta, GA
G Andre Jones, Fr. (6’2”, 177 lbs) – Nansemond River HS, Suffolk, VA
G Chad DeWitt, Jr. (6’2”, 185 lbs) – Transfer from Spartanburg Methodist

C Matt Morgan, So. (6’8”, 224 lbs) – Transfer from St. Bonaventure – Must sit out 08-09 due to transfer rules

Randy Peele’s debut season as Winthrop’s head coach saw the Eagles make their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament despite having to travel to Asheville for the Big South championship game. WU was led by an experienced, battle-tested senior class, featuring four-year starting point guard Chris Gaynor. Gaynor is gone now, along with Michael Jenkins, Taj McCullough, and Antwon Harris. Also, Andy Buechert, the projected starting center for the Eagles this year, tore a knee ligament before preseason practice. So if the Eagles want to continue their run of NCAA appearances, they will have to rely on a new cast of characters, along with a handful of returnees that will be asked to play a much bigger role than they have before.

Among the returning players, the three that will likely take on the biggest roles will be Justin Burton, Charles Corbin, and Mantoris Robinson. Burton has the unenviable task of filling in at starting point guard after Gaynor’s departure. As the backup last season, Burton showed he had a very strong perimeter shot and an ability to dish the ball well, though he needs to prove that he can manage and lead the team as well as Gaynor did. Corbin made the all-freshman team as the starting center last season. Especially with Buechert hurt, Corbin will be counted on to be the Eagles’ primary post scorer and will have to improve his rebounding in order to make up for the loss of McCullough. Finally, Robinson will reprise his role as Winthrop’s top defender at the small forward position. Robinson proved that he could guard just about any type of player, but he will be asked to provide much more on the offensive end than he has over the last two seasons. Other returnees that will help support those three will be Byron Faison and George Valentine. Faison is the frontrunner for the starting shooting guard spot, and he showed at times last year how he was South Carolina’s leading scorer his senior year of high school. If Winthrop is going to succeed, then Faison will likely have to emerge as the go-to guy on the offensive end. Valentine brings a big body and strong defensive ability to the post. Like Robinson, he will be asked to score more than he did a year ago.

Joining the returnees will be a collection of newcomers, with a few of them likely to step in right away and contribute. JuCo transfer Raymond Davis brings a reputation of being a strong defender and good shooter at the shooting guard position. Davis has challenged Faison for a starting spot in the preseason, and his defensive ability is sure to get him plenty of playing time. Reggie Middleton, Andre Jones, and Gideon Gamble are a trio of athletic true freshmen that all bring strong offensive skills to the table. Middleton will back up Burton at the point, Jones will be in the mix at the shooting guard spot, and Gamble will play behind Robinson. In the frontcourt, redshirt freshman Chris Malcolm will bring energy and athleticism off the bench, likely contributing more with rebounding and shot-blocking than on offense. The final key newcomer is Wake Forest transfer Cameron Stanley. Stanley can play either forward spot and is capable of shooting the three and scoring around the basket.

As is normally the case for Winthrop, they will rely on defense to lead the way. This year’s version of the team is a bit quicker and probably less physical than recent teams have been. With Robinson leading the way, the defense should still be very strong, though the Eagles will have to figure out who will be the primary scorers with Jenkins and McCullough no longer on the roster. In almost any other year, I would not even consider picking a Winthrop team that is this inexperienced to win the conference. Maybe it is a bit of homerism, or maybe it’s a case of me needing to see the champion get upended before I pick against them; but nobody else in the league seems to have the pieces necessary to be picked as the preseason favorite. I will not be terribly surprised if this is the season where Winthrop gets knocked off, but I am unable to put any other team at the top spot this year, because I feel that everyone else in the league is just as flawed (if not more flawed) than the Eagles.

My Prediction:

19-10 overall, 13-5 in the Big South; First place finish; Will win Big South tournament championship

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Ive only heard good things about Morgan from a few people up there that know him as a person... they arent talent scouts but seems to be a legit kid

[LUFlamer09]

No real surprise here

But if I was the one predicting the Big South, I would have a hard time not putting Winthrop at the tops. It's just the way its been since I've followed the conference and with so many unproven teams it's the smart thing to do. But as a fan, there is not much that scares me about this Winthrop squad. The quality depth is there, so is the athleticism. But there are no Chris Gaynor's, Michael Jenkin's Torrell Martin's or Bradshaw's which have proven to be able to take over. I do like Cameron Stanley who is a transfer who didn't see much time at Wake, I can see him surprising even the Winthrop fans with his scoring from the bench.

[Sly Fox]

We're still waiting for Faison to be the next Tyler Baker.

[Realist]

I agree with WEF, I wouldn't put a team with so many newbies at the top, but the talent level at WU has been so much better than the rest of the conference that in a year when nearly everyone returns no one significant, you have to put them at the top.

Of course, there are no Martin's, Bradshaw's, and Gaynor's. Just as there were no Lewis', Waterman's or Groves' when those guys came along.

I actually think WU will have a worse record than WEF predicts in conference, though I have them as the favorite. I think this year is the opportunity for someone, as I think they will be dominant again next year with some experience and the best/deepest post in the league by far.

[flameshaw]

Come on WEF, Winthrop #1?

Seriously, thanks for the updates and predictions. I know I don't have the time or ability to keep up with all the goings on in the conference and appreciate the time and effort exhibited here to help out. Very detailed and well thought out summary. Thanks again.

[paradox]

If anything, WU's past success may actually work against them in multiple ways. The talent drop-off over the past two years is enourmous. Gaynor-Jenkins-Taj-Harris is the last of the Marshall-era, and with that an end to a dynasty, as far as I'm concerned.

As far as Peele goes, I have respect for the guy. His UNCG team from a decade ago was one of the best that this conference has ever seen. However, if my memory serves me correctly, I think that he may have inherited that team, and failed to rebuild it after the seniors graduated. He's steping in to a much stronger tradition this time with Winthrop. However, the question remains unanswered for him, as far as building his own team from bottom up.

[horrez]

If anything, WU's past success may actually work against them in multiple ways.

I agree... I can't count how many times I've heard coaches, players, and fans of a successful team say "Boy, this success is really going to screw us in the future".

[paradox]

No one is saying that. In fact, it would be absurd to do so.

It works against you in that this current coach along with this current group of players will be expected to carry on a tradition that was established by a very special group of players, and built and orchestrated by a high-major level coach.