The Dean’s List

March 5, 2014

I. Inside the SoCon

The greatest month of college basketball is upon us.  It’s March and that means it’s tournament time.  Most associate March Madness with the NCAA tournament, but for diehard hoop fans, there is simply nothing better than a conference post-season tournament.  This is especially true in a league like the Southern Conference where there is so much riding on every possession.  With their eye on the prize this coming weekend in Asheville, each of the eleven Southern Conference teams will vie for the automatic bid – the ticket – that allows them to enter the NCAA tournament.

Keep in mind that you have to go all the way back to 1939 (Clemson) to find the last SoCon team that won four games in four days, so those playing in the first round will have their work cut out for them starting Friday.  Difficult yes, impossible, no.  Remember, nothing is impossible come tournament time.

II.  The Post-Game Handshake

I recently read a short article by Matt Giles (NBC Sports) asking a question I have long thought should be reviewed by the NCAA.  Are postgame handshake lines outdated?  It’s my opinion that they are and there should be consideration to have a pre-game handshake immediately following the national anthem.  This would serve as a replacement for the post-game exchange.

Every game coaches and players go to war and when the final buzzer sounds, very few want to shake hands with the opposition.  My guess is 90 percent of all college coaches reading this would agree that they dislike shaking hands after the game when they lose.  For those inside the game, it’s known as “the fly by” - a very quick handshake by the losing coach without any words being exchanged. 

I’ve always found it interesting when veteran coaches that are used to winning want to stop and offer extended words of encouragement to a young coach after a game.  This is particularly prevalent in November and December during nonconference “guarantee” games.  An example of this is when a Southern Conference team is playing a BCS-league opponent.  But, in the instance when the BCS team is upset and loses, those same coaches rarely (if ever) stops to offer the same encouraging “words of wisdom” to the winning coach.

I’m sure fans will ask about the sportsmanship piece, but that’s where the pregame handshake comes into play.  By requiring every individual on a team bench (coaches, players, trainers, managers, etc.) to engage in a pregame handshake the true spirit of sportsmanship would be maintained.

A pregame handshake would also avoid the possibility of a possible “flare-up” between players after an emotional game.  Players as well as fans are emotional after a loss.  This routine may prevent players and fans from saying things to each other or fans from throwing objects on the court.  Each season there are incidents where players get into fights and/or fans throw things at the players.

Finally, this pregame exchange would allow the visiting team to get off the floor quickly and avoid any problems in the event that the crowd storms the floor.  No doubt, a player is going to get hurt or worse yet, hit someone after a loss when the home team student body rushes the court.  Actually, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already (note:  after writing this, there was an altercation after the New Mexico State / Utah Valley game on Thursday, February 27).

Think about it.  Keep sportsmanship a big part of the game, but keep the emotions in check.  Makes sense to me.

III. Celebrating “The Best of Everything”

(2013-2014 Post-Season Awards)

Best starting Five – Elon
· With four 1,000 point scorers it’s hard to argue, although Davidson may think otherwise

Best bench – Chattanooga
· When you can bring Ronrico White off the bench, you’re in good shape.  White, Eric Robertson and Alex Bran combined to make 80 3FG this season - and none of them started a single game

Best backcourt – Georgia Southern
· Lots to choose from (Wofford, Chattanooga, Davidson among others), but the Eagles backcourt is very dangerous.  Jelani Hewitt, Tre’ Bussey and Brian Holmes combine for over 45 points per game.

Best frontcourt – Elon
· Lucas Troutman and Ryley Beaumont combine for 26.3 ppg, 11.4 rpg and 2.1 bpg.  Tony Sabato and Brian Dawkins are solid guys off the bench

Best freshman – Tevon Saddler (UNCG)
· Although I think Isaiah Williams (Samford) has the brightest future of any young player in the league

Best sophomore – Tim Williams (Samford)
· Numbers simply don’t lie

Best junior – Karl Cochran (Wofford)
· Jelani Hewitt was the best until mid-January, and then Cochran found his groove.  Most importantly, he learned to play the right way.  Credit Mike Young and Karl for finding some common ground

Best senior – Z. Mason (Chattanooga), De’Mon Brooks (Davidson), Lucas Troutman (Elon)
· No, I’m not from Switzerland, but the race is simply too close to call.  I do think Mason was great early with Brooks and Troutman being better late in conference play

Best 6^th man - Ronrico White (Chattanooga)
· He has been as valuable to UTC’s success as anyone – and has not started a single game this season

Best newcomer – Kyle Cain (UNCG)
· The Arizona State transfer was fantastic right out of the gate for the Spartans

Best long range shooter – Tyler Kalinoski (Davidson)
· The league was loaded with long range bombers this season.  Kalinoski gets the nod over Eric Garcia (Wofford), Tanner Samson (Elon), Sebastian Koch (Elon) and Nicholas Paulus (UNCG)

Best dunker – Jordan Barham (Davidson)
· Plenty of options, but Barham can hammer it home with the best

Best defender – Z. Mason (Chattanooga)
· Blocks 3.0 shots per game.  Enough said

Best glue guy – Lee Skinner (Wofford)
· Yes, he averages 11.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg, but he does more intangible things than anyone in the league.  He talks on defense, is a great leader with his teammates and does all the dirty work inside.  Most importantly, he is fearless and gives the Terriers loads of confidence

Best in the clutch – Trey Sumler (Western Carolina)
· How many times has Sumler gotten hot when the Catamounts needed him most?

Best versatility - Brandon Boggs (Western Carolina)
· Boggs does a little bit of everything for Western, including key steals, blocking shots and making his free throws

Best player(s) who may not get an award by the media or coaches – Tyler Kalinoski (Davidson) & Lee Skinner (Wofford)
· Both are vital to their team’s success, but neither may win an award by the league coaches or media.  I didn’t forget them, but this will be interesting to watch as league awards are announced

Best table setter – Marshall Harris III (The Citadel)
· Harris led the league in assists last year and was second this season.  He can really find the open man

Best in transition – Stephen Croone (Furman)
· Croone has to be considered one of college basketball’s fastest players with the ball in the open court

Best off the bounce – Karl Cochran (Wofford)
· Not only is Cochran dangerous with the ball, but his athleticism allows him to elevate over most defenders.  Trey Sumler (Western Carolina) is a close second

Best lungs – Trey Sumler (Western Carolina)
· The Ironman of the Southern Conference, Sumler simply did not come out in league play the past two seasons

Best place to watch a game – Belk Arena
· Maybe it’s because they draw well?  Maybe it’s because they have a beautiful facility?  Actually, it’s that darn song at the under-8 media timeout in the 2^nd half

Best SoCon moment – Elon beats Georgia Southern at the buzzer (February 8)
· Jack Isenbarger hit a 30-foot bomb with less than a second to beat the Eagles at home.  Gee McGhee’s 70-footer to end the half against Elon (January 23) was pretty amazing as well

Best name - Adonis Rwabigwi (Furman)
· With Indiana Faithful leaving the Wofford program in early February, this became a bit more difficult, but Adonis, well he looks like an Adonis and the last name is cool too!

Best coach – Bob McKillop (Davidson)
· From the department of redundancy, McKillop gets the nod

Best late surge – Ashton Moore (The Citadel)
· Did anyone have a better month of February / March?  Moore has been fantastic averaging 16.2 ppg while shooting 43.5% 3FG since February 1

Best surprise – Tommy Spagnolo (Appalachian State)
· If you tell me you thought he would be an 11.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg guy in league play, I will look at you cross-eyed

Best improvement – Tom Droney (Davidson)
· True, Droney started over 50 games prior to this season (on two NCAA teams), but he showed marked improvement this year.  Want proof?  He made 26 three-point shots combined in his first three years.  This year he has made 29

Best value – Tommy Spagnolo (Appalachian State)
· Non-scholarship player (walk-on) was a huge surprise and helped keep the Mountaineers competitive every night

 
IV.  Seems like just yesterday, sort of…

For some, it’s been far too long since they last danced and for that, here’s hoping a little luck to every team at the 2014 Southern Conference Tournament.

Team (last time participated in the NCAA Tournament):
Davidson - 2013
Wofford – 2011
Chattanooga - 2009
UNCG - 2001
Appalachian State – 2000
Samford - 2000
Western Carolina – 1996
Georgia Southern - 1992
Furman - 1980
Citadel – never participated
Elon – never participated

V. “Thanks” to the league office

Think for a moment if the Southern Conference had bylaws as well as Presidents and Athletics Directors like the CAA?  We would be headed to Asheville without Appalachian State, Davidson, Elon and Georgia Southern.  The Southern Conference tournament just wouldn’t be the same this year, so for that, I say thanks to John Iamarino and the Southern Conference.  I know the student-athletes thank you as well.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Asheville!