Note: The following piece was prepared by Dean Keener, who provides commentary on Southern Conference men’s basketball broadcasts.
Keener played collegiately at Davidson before embarking on a successful 20-year coaching career. He served as head coach at James Madison from 2004-08. You can follow him on twitter: @DeanKeener1
The Dean’s List
This is the final installment of a pre-season series on Southern Conference Men’s Basketball
Make no mistake, this is going to be a terrific season in college basketball. And there will be no shortage of potential stars and highlights in the coming months with regards to Southern Conference men’s basketball. For that reason, it’s always exhilarating to watch new stars come into their own as it makes for lots of fun for the fans and creates great stories during the season.
In the previous pre-season editions, we’ve talked about a lot of things regarding Southern Conference basketball, but as the new hoops season rapidly approaches, one of the fun parts for me are the predictions. Remember, a season is not just about the regular season or even just the conference tournament. It’s also about the buzzer-beating games, the upsets, the disappointing losses and the wild storylines that develop along the way as well as the stars that emerge.
Once again, I have put together my predications for the coming season. I’m sure some will cause debate among Southern Conference fans at each of the ten schools. I know nothing is exact and there is always a lot of uncertainty, especially this early in the season, but here are my “Best Bets” for the 2016-2017 season:
Best non-conference games
• November 11: Chattanooga at Tennessee
o This is a nice opener for the Mocs. Win this and 48 hours later they get the Tar Heels with lots of national attention
• November 11: Wofford at LSU
o I’m just crazy enough to think the Terriers will win this one
• November 13: Chattanooga at North Carolina
o Carolina played for the national championship last year. While they lost some key players, they are still really talented
• November 20: ETSU at UNCW
o This would be a very solid win for the conference
• November 27: Wofford at Colorado
o Mike Young takes Eric Garcia home to face a top-tier Pac-12 team
• November 29: Samford at St. Louis
o While SLU may not be an A-10 contender this season, the Bulldogs could help themselves (and the league) with a win
• November 29: Davidson at Mercer
o This could be one of the best “mid-major” games of the entire college basketball season. Two good coaches, two solid teams in a great environment
• November 30: Furman at Winthrop
o An under-the-radar game, but one of those games the Southern Conference needs to win in order to help its conference RPI. Winthrop guard Keon Johnson is only 5’7”, but is worth the price of admission
• December 3: Western Carolina at Appalachian State
o Although no longer conference foes; this is a battle the Catamounts would like to win
• December 9: Wake Forest at UNCG
o Something tells me the Spartans will play well in this home game
• December 17 Chattanooga at Vanderbilt
o Every opportunity the Mocs get at a SEC foe is a big game this season
• December 22: Wofford at Georgia Tech
o The Yellow Jackets are way down, but still this would be a nice ACC win for the SoCon
• December 22: Tennessee @ ETSU
o Even with the students on holiday break, I think Freedom Hall will be rockin’!
Best conference games
• December 31: Mercer at Wofford
o This has become quite the rivalry. Happy New Year!
• January 14: Chattanooga at Mercer
o Both the Mocs and Bears figure to battle for SoCon supremacy. This figures to be a war early in the conference season
• January 28: Chattanooga at ETSU
o Might be the best conference environment all season
• February 25: Mercer at Chattanooga
o Senior Day at the Roundhouse. Enough said
• February 25: ETSU at Western Carolina
o It’s always tough to win in the Ramsey Center
• February 27: ETSU at UNCG
o This game could have major implications. Can the Spartans play well on Senior Night?
The Best…
• Best perimeter scorer
o QJ Peterson (VMI)
• Best low post scorer
o RJ White (UNCG)
• Best passer
o Greg Pryor (Chattanooga)
• Best shooter
o Fletcher Magee (Wofford)
• Best rebounder(s)
o Kris Acox (Furman)
o Stephon Jelks (Mercer)
o A.J. Merriweather (ETSU)
• Best shot blocker
o Justin Tuoyo (Chattanooga)
• Best defender
o Justin Tuoyo (Chattanooga)
• Most versatile
o Julian Eleby (VMI)
• Most efficient
o Casey Jones (Chattanooga)
• Best in the clutch
o Fletcher Magee (Wofford)
• Best speed
o Christen Cunningham (Samford)
• Best toughness
o Eric Garcia (Wofford)
• Best potential X-factor
o Demetre Rivers (Mercer)
• Best transfer:
o Hanner Mosquera-Perea (ETSU)
• Best Frontcourt
o Mercer
• Best Backcourt
o Chattanooga
Player most likely to…
• Lead the league in scoring
o QJ Peterson (VMI)
• Lead the league in rebounding
o Stephon Jelks (Mercer)
• Lead the league in assists
o Greg Pryor (Chattanooga)
• Lead the league in shots per minute
o Christen Cunningham (Samford)
• Have a breakout year
o Devin Sibley (Furman)
• Record a triple double
o Casey Jones (Chattanooga)
• Score 40 points in a game
o Fletcher Magee (Wofford)
o QJ Peterson (VMI)
SoCon “Super Six”
The league lost several good players from a year ago, but there is always another wave of talent and this year is no different in the SoCon. While it’s not easy selecting players for a pre-season all-conference team, these guys are simply some of the best the Southern Conference has to offer this season:
Fletcher Magee (Wofford) – 6’4” 194, Guard, Sophomore
Magee burst on the college scene last season as he established himself as one of the top shooters in all of college basketball. He can score from 25’ and in. It will be interesting to see how he handles being the focal point of everyone’s scouting report.
Tre’ McLean (Chattanooga) – 6’5” 195, Guard/Forward, Graduate
McLean started his career at Division II Queens (NC) University and he might very well end it as the Player of the Year in the Southern Conference! He can play four positions at either end of the floor and is especially difficult to guard on the wing.
Casey Jones (Chattanooga) – 6’5” 200, Guard/Forward, Senior
Jones is the most efficient player in the league. He also possesses as much talent as anyone in the Southern Conference. He can also play multiple positions, but is best at the wing. Even on a team loaded with talent, he should be the Mocs “go-to” guy.
Francis Alonso (UNCG) – 6’3” 185, Guard, Sophomore
Alonso become the all-time leading freshman scorer in UNCG history. He is a gifted long-range shooter. Being the captain of the Spain U20 National team should only help this talented scoring guard for his second season at UNCG.
QJ Peterson (VMI) – 6’0” 185, Guard, Senior
Peterson is possibly the most talented offensive player in the league. He is always a threat to score and proved that last year when he led the Southern Conference in scoring.
Justin Tuoyo (Chattanooga) – 6’10” 235, Forward/Center, Senior
Without question he is the most dominant big man in the Southern Conference. Tuoyo has been an impact in the league the past two seasons as he has led the SoCon in blocked shots and is the two-time reigning defensive player of the year.
Tuoyo is also a solid offense player. He averaged just over 11 points per game last year while shooting almost 53 percent from the field. On a team loaded with talent, he is as valuable as any the Mocs have on the roster.
Others considered: Demetre Rivers (Mercer), Hanner Mosquera-Perea (ETSU), Christen Cunningham (Samford), Eric Garcia (Wofford), Greg Pryor (Chattanooga), Devon Sibley (Furman), RJ White (UNCG)
SoCon "Off-Broadway"
I love compiling this annual list of the most indispensable players in the Southern Conference. This group is not necessarily the best players in the league. And while these guys don’t get always get the headlines, they are vitally important to the success of their team:
Ryan Sawvell (Wofford)
You gotta love how Sawvell accepts his role. He does a little bit of everything for the Terriers and is a big reason why they will be near the top this season.
Eric Garcia (Wofford)
There is little doubt that Garcia is the toughest player in the Southern Conference. He is also one of the most valuable. Eric is a terrific shooter, yet as unselfish as anyone in the league. He does everything a coach asks for – he plays hard, he defends, he makes the extra pass and is a solid teammate. Without him, Wofford has a hard time winning the big games.
A.J. Merriweather (ETSU)
Merriweather also does a little bit of everything, but what he does really well is rebound the ball. In fact, he may be one of the best rebounding guards in college basketball.
One of the most versatile players in the Southern Conference, Merriweather can play multiple positions. While it’s hard to say if his numbers will grow much this season, he will be a valuable role player for the Bucs.
Greg Pryor (Chattanooga)
Pryor has improved each season in a Mocs uniform. If he can continue that trend, he will be the best point guard in the league. More importantly, Pryor is tough, driven and loves to compete.
On a team with tons of talent, Pryor may not always get the headlines, but make no mistake he is a valuable as anyone on the Mocs roster. Don’t forget, he was the 2016 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player!
Brian White (The Citadel)
White has played a vital role since stepping on campus, yet he needs to do more if the Bulldogs are going to make some waves in the SoCon. A terrific shooter for a player his size, White needs to cut down on his turnovers. He also needs to rebound at a slightly better clip.
Seniors that need to step up
This is not necessarily a list of the best seniors or even the most indispensable. This is simply a list of seniors that possess everything necessary to make an impact this year. However, if they don’t excel, it could put major pressure on others in order for their respective programs to do well:
T.J. Cromer (ETSU)
Cromer had a very good season last year, but with the departure of Ge’Lawn Gwynn and Deuce Bello, he will need to take charge. Cromer averaged almost 15 ppg in his first season in Johnson City and while his point total might not go up, he will to continue to be one of the Bucs assist leaders.
Kris Acox (Furman)
Acox needs to have the kind of senior year to remember. He is a terrific rebounder and has the ability to league the league. He also is an accurate shooter as he shot over 61 percent from the field last season. Acox has started 67 games in his career and will be counted on for his talent, leadership and experience throughout this season.
Hanner Mosquera-Perea (ETSU)
Mosquera-Perea will only have one season in Johnson City, but he is a gifted athlete and should make his presence known very quickly. He has the tolls to be a terrific shot blocker as well as a real threat at the offensive end. If the Bucs are going to be in the upper crust of the league again this season, Mosquera-Perea will have to be a mainstay in the lineup and in the stats.
Julian Eleby (VMI)
Everyone knows about QJ Peterson, but Eleby may very well be the key to the Keydets success this season. He will be counted on to help carry the scoring load as he can score in a variety of ways. He is the Keydets best perimeter shooter as he shot almost 40% from 3 last season.
Warren Sledge (The Citadel)
Sledge was one of the few bright spots last season for the Bulldogs. He probably benefitted as much as any Bulldog with the change in style. He averaged double figures last season and will be counted on to continue to do so for Duggar Baucom. He’s strong and can log major minutes, even in a fast-paced system.
I hope this series has filled your need for all things Southern Conference basketball. I love putting this three-part series this together, but now it’s time for the real action to start. I can’t wait for a new season in Southern Conference basketball and look forward to seeing everyone on the road during a SoCon game soon.
Follow me throughout the year on twitter: @DeanKeener1
-Dean Keener