NORTH DIVISION
Appalachian State (25?8, 15?3)
Coach Houston Fancher’s team features a top-notch frontcourt with Jeremy Clayton and Donte Minter. Clayton has been a stalwart for three seasons and the talented Minter will be playing his first full season for the Mountaineers after becoming eligible at midseason last year. Sophomore Ryann Abraham will try to fill the hole left by point guard D.J. Thompson, who graduated. Appalachian State set a school-record for wins last season (25).
Elon (7?23, 5?13)
Coach Ernie Nestor will count on junior guard Brett James averaged 12.2 points along with 4.1 rebounds last season and senior guard Montell Watson, who did not play last season due to injury, to fill the gap left by the graduation of guard LeVonn Jordan and forward Chris Chalko. Ola Atoyebi continues to improve. The Phoenix won the Southern Division’s North Division in 2006.
UNC Greensboro (16?14, 12?6)
Coach Mike Dement’s team turned a corner last year, finishing 16-14 with a 12-4 mark in conference play. Senior Kyle Hines, the 2007 Southern Conference Player of the Year, averaged 29.0 points (second best in the SoCon) and a league-leading 9.0 rebounds per contest. The combination of Hines with sophomore forward Ben Stywall will give the Spartans an inside presence. Dwayne Johnson (4.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg) should help shoulder the load. Ricky Hickman is gone and Dement will count on Kendall Toney and Mikko Kovisto for outside scoring punch.
Chattanooga (15?18, 6?12)
Chattanooga won the SoCon tournament in 2005 and reaching the title game in 2006. After finishing 15-18 last season, coach John Shulman looks for the Mocs to rebounds this season. Nicchaeus Doaks (10.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg) is a key to this year’s success. Newcomer Stephon McDowell could make an immediate impact with junior college transfers swingman Kevin Goffney, point guard Keyron Sheard and center Qavotstaraj Waddell.
Western Carolina (11?20, 7?11)
Coach Larry Hunter has been putting the pieces together and added six highly-touted recruits for 2007-08. The Catamounts are led by sophomore Nick Aldridge. Aldridge averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds last year as a freshman and quickly developed into one of the SoCon’s top big men. Sophomore Jake Robinson was solid and should be more of a factor this season. Other players to watch include Arnold Gore (9.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg) Brandon Giles averaged 6.6 points and 3.5 rebounds last year.
SOUTH DIVISION
College of Charleston (22-11, 13-5)
Coach Bobby Cremins led the Cougars to the SoCon championship game in 2007 and should be strong again despite the loss of Dontaye Draper (16.2 ppg and 5.3 apg) and the team’s top rebounders Philip McCandies, David Lawrence and Josh Jackson. Junior forward Jermaine Johnson will be joined by highly-recruited newcomer Dustin Scott, a forward, along with small forward Antwaine Wiggins and Jeremy Simmons.
The Citadel (7?23, 4?14)
First-year coach Ed Conroy was proud of the effort of his team last year. Despite a 7-23 mark, the Bulldogs did not go down without a battle. Only three players return from last year’s squad and Conroy will work with 10 new players (nine freshmen and one junior college transfer). Demetrius Nelson (9.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg) will be counted on heavily as The Citadel continues to rebuilding process.
Davidson (29?5, 17?1)
The Wildcats return all 11 scholarship players back from last year’s team that finished 29-5 with a 17-1 record in league play. Davidson won the SoCon South Division title, annexed the conference tournament crown and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats return 2007 Southern Conference Tournament MVP, Freshman of the Year and the league’s leading scorer Stephen Curry (21.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 95 assists). Coach Bob McKillop has a talented line-up. In addition to Curry, a sophomore, point guard Jason Richards (13.5 ppg, 249 assists), Thomas Sander (13.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg) and Boris Meno (11.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg) form a formidable frontcourt.
Furman (15?16, 8?10)
Coach Jeff Jackson must replace four starters from last year’s team that posted a 15-16 mark. Gane are including all-conference selections Robby Bostain and Moussa Diagne as well as Jadee Jones and Grayson Glur, who transferred. Junior forward Alex Opacic (6.2 ppg), junior big man Stan Jones (5.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and sophomore guard Tony Anderson (4.5 ppg) will be counted on to provide leadership for a team that includes six new players from a season ago.
Georgia Southern (15?16, 7?11)
Led by senior forward Louis Graham (14.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg) and senior guard Dwayne Foreman (9.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg with 176 assists), Georgia Southern looks to rebound from a 15-16 season in 2006-07 after winning 20 games in 2005-06. Coach Jeff Price’s team finished strong, winning five of its last seven games but will have to replace Donte Gennie, the team’s leading scorer last season.
Wofford (10?20, 5?13)
Last year, Wofford’s youthful roster consisted of nine underclassmen. In addition, injuries took their toll as coach Mike Young’s team finished 10-20. Back the Terriers return their talented backcourt of Shane Nichols (15.6 ppg), Drew Gibson (12.8 ppg and 136 assists), sophomore Junior Salters. Wofford finished strong last season and look for the improvement to carry over into the 2007-08 season.