MEAC Preview

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 2007-08 Preview

by Michael T. Lyle, Jr.

One of the highs for the Florida A&M Rattlers last season was blitzing through the MEAC Tournament en route to their second conference championship this decade and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. But the lows began with a loss to Niagara in the opening round game of the tourney, followed by the arrest, and later the firing of former head coach Mike Gillespie in May after a woman filed a misdemeanor stalking charge against him. He was replaced in September by Eugene Harris, who held assistant coaching stints at Southeastern schools such as Clemson, Auburn and Alabama.

With the losses of seniors Rome Sanders, Brian Greene and Darius Glover, Harris faces the task of taking over an FAMU squad that placed in the top five in scoring, rebounding and three-pointers made last season. He will have several underclassmen to work with, but will get some support from the return of guard Leslie Robinson, the third-leading scorer on the team.

Aside from the changes, FAMU faces another hurdle. They have to fend off a highly-talented Hampton program if they plan on holding onto their crown in March. The Pirates were recently picked as the preseason’s top team in the conference, and with good reason. They get back All-MEAC First Team guard Rashard West and forward Michael Freeman. West led the conference in scoring (17.8) while Freeman (14.2) was 11th.

The Delaware State Hornets, North Carolina A&T Aggies and Morgan State Bears also have the potential to make some noise this year, as all three boast some stars at the guard position. The Hornets, who were runners-up in the MEAC Tournament and also clinched their third straight regular season title behind the play of conference Preseason Player of the Year, Roy Bright, as well as the Aggies, paced by Steven Rush, and the Bears, with Jamar Smith leading the way, were chosen to finish second, third and fourth, respectively.

Rounding out the conference are Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State, Coppin State, Norfolk State, Howard and Maryland-Eastern Shore. The only notable change out of this group is Tim Carter taking over the head coaching duties at South Carolina State in place of Jamal Brown, who was also relieved for violations of the Title IX law. The rest of the fray look to utilize their bevy of new and returning players to make a run at cutting down the nets in late March at Raleigh’s RBC Center.

The season tips on Wednesday, November 7 with Morgan State traveling up to Storrs, CT to meet national power UConn as part of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic. Eight other teams begin their campaigns on Friday, November 9.

All-MEAC First Team
F: Roy Bright, Delaware State
G. Rashard West, Hampton
G: Tywain McKee, Coppin State
G: Steven Rush, North Carolina A&T
G: Tony Murphy, Norfolk State

All-MEAC Second Team
F: Eugene Myatt, Howard
F: Michael Freeman, Hampton
F: Matt Pilgrim, Hampton
G: Jamar Smith, Morgan
G: Ed Tyson, Maryland-Eastern Shore

Preseason Player of the Year: Roy Bright, Delaware State

Hoopville’s MEAC 2007-08 Predictions

1. Hampton
2. Delaware State
3. North Carolina A&T
4. Morgan State
5. South Carolina State
6. Florida A&M
7. Coppin State
8. Howard
9. Norfolk State
10. Bethune-Cookman
11. Maryland-Eastern Shore

Team Capsules

Hampton Pirates (2006-07: 15-16 overall, 10-8 MEAC, 3rd Place)

Projected Starting Five: Rashard West, G; Michael Freeman, F; Bryan Taylor, G; Matt Pilgrim, F; Vincent Sampson, G

Schedule Highlights:
11/17 – @ Holy Cross
11/29 – @ Virginia Commonwealth
12/1 – vs. Howard (Big Apple Classic in New York)
1/14 – vs. Florida A&M
1/19 – vs. South Carolina State

There’s a buzz going around the MEAC that Hampton could run away with the conference title this season. With a lineup that includes two of the conference’s top scorers in West and Freeman, along with a defense that was among the best in the conference, the Pirates received the maximum amount of votes to garner the league’s top spot. The highlight of their schedule will be their early December battle against long-time rival Howard in the second-annual Big Apple Classic in New York. The season gets underway against Tulsa in the CBE Classic on November 11 at College Park, MD.

Delaware State Hornets (2006-07: 21-12 overall, 16-2 MEAC, 1st Place)

Projected Starting Five: Roy Bright, G; Kyle Ingram, G; Joe Dickens, F; Donald Johnson, G; Jerel Chavis, G.

Schedule Highlights:
11/13 – vs. Ohio State OR Wisconsin-Green Bay (NIT Season Tip-Off)
12/17 – @ Southern California
12/28 – @ Xavier
2/4 – @ Morgan State
2/25 – vs. Florida A&M

Despite finishing atop the MEAC standings for the third straight year, the Hornets couldn’t make it pay off in the conference tournament championship, as an FAMU buzzer-beater sent Delaware State to a stunning two-point loss and ended what was nonetheless a strong 2006-07 season. The Hornets now look to bounce back with Preseason Player of the Year Roy Bright leading the way. He, along with head coach Greg Jackson, will have their hands full with a convoy of incoming recruits and second-year talent. Their quest back to the MEAC championship game gets going in their own Hornet Roundball Classic, November 9 against Allen University.

North Carolina A&T Aggies (2006-07: 15-17 overall, 10-8 MEAC, 4th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Steven Rush, G; Glenn Nelson, G; Austin Ewing, G; Jason Wills, Trahern Chaplin, F

Schedule Highlights:
11/10 – @ Pittsburgh
11/27 – @ Tennessee
1/26 – vs. Winston-Salem State
1/28 – vs. South Carolina State
2/4 – vs. Hampton

“Senior Leadership” is the theme this season for the Aggies. Their projected starting five consists of seniors, led by All-MEAC First Team selection Steven Rush. He’ll mix it up with guards Nelson, Ewing and Wills, and will get some great support from forward Trahern Chaplin. The early portion of NCAT’s schedule sees them traveling to Pittsburgh and to SEC powerhouse Tennessee. The Aggies were chosen to finish third in the conference, but given the experience they boast at almost every position, don’t be surprised if we see this team in the final of the tournament championship.

Morgan State Bears (2006-07: 13-18 overall, 10-8 MEAC, 6th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Jermaine Bolden, G; Jamar Smith, G; Jerrel Green, G; Emmanuel Hightower, G; Marquise Kately F

Schedule Highlights:
11/7 – @ UConn
12/1 – vs. Coppin State
12/6 – @ Maryland
1/5 – @ Seton Hall
2/23 – vs. Howard

One of five schools that finished tied for third in the conference, Morgan State was picked to finish fourth this year, and with the addition of JuCo transfer and Baltimore native Jermaine Bolden, Morgan could be the MEAC’s biggest surprise before the end of March. Coach Todd Bozeman has spoken highly of Bolden, and his experience at the guard position will be a great fit in a lineup that includes Smith, Green, Hightower and Kately. A good early test will come for the Bears on November 7 when they meet UConn in Storrs.

South Carolina State Bulldogs (2006-07: 13-17 overall, 10-8 MEAC, 5th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Jason Johnson, F/C; Jessie Burton, G; Derrick Davis, G; David Cobb, F; Julius Carter, F/C

Schedule Highlights:
11/9 – @ South Carolina
11/20 – @ North Carolina
12/15 – @ North Carolina State
2/25 – vs. North Carolina A&T
3/6 – vs. Winston-Salem State

South Carolina State should prove to be a competitive squad this season as they look to move on without former head coach Jamal Brown. But the Bulldogs will have to quickly adapt to the coaching style of new general Tim Carter if they plan on standing a chance in the conference. SCSU’s offseason was highlighted by the signing of JuCo transfer Jason Johnson, and he will provide the Bulldogs with a good inside presence. Burton, Davis and Cobb give Carter a balanced attack up front, but it’s just a question of how long it will take for the crew to adjust. If they can do so quickly, come conference play the Bulldogs could be one of the better teams in the MEAC.

Florida A&M Rattlers (2006-07: 21-14 overall, 12-6 MEAC, 2nd Place)

Projected Starting Five: Leslie Robinson, G; Jon Mason, G; Akini Atkins, F; Joe Ballard, G; Ernest Maul, G.

Schedule Highlights:
11/26 – @ UConn
12/1 – @ Bethune-Cookman
12/5 – @ Florida
1/28 – vs. Delaware State
2/9 – vs. North Carolina A&T

It’s sure to be a busy season for new FAMU head coach Eugene Harris as he and the rest of his Rattlers look to defend their conference title in the post-Mike Gillespie era. Leslie Robinson’s return will be key and he’ll have a good supporting cast consisting of Mason, Atkins, Ballard and Maul. Perhaps their venture into Storrs against UConn and a matchup in Gainesville with defending national champion Florida could prove to be good early season tests for Harris’ squad? FAMU starts off against Colorado on November 15 at the American Youth Classic in Madison, WI.

Coppin State Eagles (2006-07: 12-20 overall, 9-9 MEAC, 8th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Tywain McKee, PG; Antwan Harrison, SF; Robert Pressley, SF; Mike Miller, SG; Brian Chesnut, PF

Schedule Highlights:
11/27 – @ Hawaii
12/1 – vs. Morgan State
12/10 – @ Ohio State
12/27 – @ Missouri
2/25 – vs. Howard

With a roster consisting of just eight players, Coppin State struggled in their out-of-conference portion last year. This year they face an equally tough schedule as the early part of the season finds the Eagles making trips to powerhouses such as Hawaii, Missouri, Arizona State, Marquette, Dayton, Indiana and NCAA Tournament runner-up Ohio State. Coppin State returns the MEAC’s second-leading scorer in Tywain McKee, as well as Antwan Harrison and Robert Pressey, the latter of whom led the team in rebounding. The Eagles finished with an even record in the conference, and could build on that record if the aforementioned three continue to make strides. The campaign kicks off on November 9 at Delaware State’s Hornet Roundball Classic.

Howard Bison (2006-07: 9-22 overall, 5-13 MEAC, 10th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Eugene Myatt, F; Curtis White, Randy Hampton, F; Jeron Smith, F; Julis Hearn, G

Schedule Highlights:
11/14 – @ Virginia
11/17 – @ Pennsylvania
11/27 – vs. Navy
12/1 – vs. Hampton (Big Apple Classic in New York)
1/26 – vs. Morgan State

Howard is still in the rebuilding process, and they’ll look to improve on a three-win increase as they welcome back key forwards Eugene Myatt and Jeron Smith. Third-year coach Gil Jackson will return to his old stomping grounds on November 17 when he leads the Bison into the City of Brotherly Love against Ivy League power Pennsylvania. Before Howard, Jackson spent 16 years as an assistant at Penn and helped guide the Quakers to nine Ivy League titles and nine NCAA berths. The other notable contest on the schedule is their annual battle with Hampton in New York on the grandest stage of them all, Madison Square Garden. Hampton will be out for revenge, though, as the Bison really took it to the Pirates in the inaugural Big Apple Classic a year ago.

Norfolk State Spartans (2006-07: 11-19 overall, 10-8 MEAC, 7th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Tony Murphy, G; Al’Davon Thomas, G; Tynell Dunkley, F; Calvin Brown, C; Rashid Cann, G.

Schedule Highlights:
11/10 – @ Richmond
11/16 – @ Central Florida
1/7 – vs. North Carolina Central
1/28 – vs. Winston-Salem State
2/2 – vs. Hampton

The Spartans have high hopes this season, and with All-MEAC First Team guard Tony Murphy, the Spartans could shake up the standings early in conference play. Murphy, the team’s leading scorer a year ago, will be backed by guards Thomas and Cann while getting support at the bottom with big men Dunkley and Brown. Matchups at Richmond, Central Florida and at home against Hampton highlight the Spartans’ campaign.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2006-07: 9-21 overall, 6-12 MEAC, 9th Place)

Projected Starting Five: John Anderson, F; Jimmy Hudson, G/F; Wade Weeks, F; Josh Cummings, G; Dewayne Pettus G

Schedule Highlights:
11/15 – @ Purdue
12/1 – vs. Florida A&M
12/17 – @ Iowa State (Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic)
1/12 – @ Hampton
1/26 – vs. Delaware State

The Wildcats were one of the cellar dwellers last season and were picked to move up three spots prior to the start of their campaign. It could be a promising year for Bethune-Cookman as they return the majority of their roster and look to mix it up with some young talent. The only major loss for the Wildcats was leading rebounder Ron Mitchell, but Anderson should fill that vacant spot quickly. He’ll have some help from Hudson, who was 20th in the MEAC in scoring. They opened up with an exhibition contest against Lynn on Saturday, November 3 before starting off a week from that day against Warner Southern.

Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks (2006-07: 4-27 overall, 1-17 MEAC, 11th Place)

Projected Starting Five: Ed Tyson, G; Omar Akram, G/F; Brandon Moore, F; Aleksander Popovic, F/C; Danijel Krleski, G

Schedule Highlights:
11/20 – @ Iowa
11/27 – @ West Virginia
12/1 – vs. Delaware State
12/15 – @ Wagner
2/2 – @ Morgan State

Maryland-Eastern Shore is guided by All-MEAC Second Team guard Ed Tyson. He heads a Hawks squad that provides a lot of size in the middle but is lacking in scoring ability. Akram, Moore and Popovic are good supplements to Tyson, but it still stands to be another long season in Princess Anne and for interim head coach Meredith Smith. Early out-of-conference games at Iowa and at Wagner stand out on their schedule.

Conference Outlook

This season promises to be full of both excitement and stiff competition. Many believe Hampton is the front-runner to win it all, and they’ll get a few chances to show the nation why. At press time, the MEAC’s television schedule was not released, but fans can expect to see some of the top teams in the league on the ESPN family of networks in early 2008. The MEAC Tournament takes place at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina from March 10-15, with the winner receiving the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.