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
March 2, 2017
1. Inside the SoCon
It’s hard to believe, but we are just one day away from the start of the 97th Southern Conference Tournament in Asheville, North Carolina! For hoop fans, there is no better time of the year as the calendar has turned to March. For SoCon fans nothing compares as there is so much is riding on every possession in every game. It’s a nerve-racking time for coaches, but a thrilling weekend for fans.
While UNCG earned the top seed, I believe that four or five teams have the capability to win the tournament, while all ten can win one or more games. Personally, I don’t know who will win the tournament, but I am sure there will be upsets due to the competitive balance of the league this year and that is clearly something to watch.
2. Celebrating “The Best of Everything”
It’s been a great regular season, but before we get to the tournament, let’s take a minute and celebrate those that deserve recognition.
In what has become an annual list, the following are my 2016-2017 Dean’s List post-season award winners:
Best starting five – Furman
· The Paladins have a nice blend of talent and experience in their starting five. Best of all, they have terrific chemistry. But ETSU and UNCG may have an argument
Best bench – UNCG
· The Spartans don’t lose much when Jordy Kuiper, Demetrius Troy, Malik Massey, and Kyrin Galloway come in the game. Those guys keep the music playing
Best backcourt – ETSU
· Lots to choose from in the league, but the Buc’s backcourt is very dangerous
Best frontcourt – UNCG
· While RJ White is the centerpiece, Jordy Kuiper along with freshmen James Dickey and Kyrin Galloway form a terrific group
Best freshman – Preston Parks (Citadel)
· This was tough, but Parks was outstanding in conference play. Other talented freshmen include James Dickey (UNCG), John Sharkey and Triston Chambers (Samford) and Onno Steger (Western Carolina). All have a chance to be really good players in this league
Best sophomore – Wyatt Walker (Samford) and Fletcher Magee (Wofford)
· Numbers simply don’t lie. Walker and Magee are big time difference makers. Walker led the league in rebounding, but also scored in double figures. Magee is a terrific long-range shooter that takes and makes difficult shots
Best junior – Devin Sibley (Furman)
· This race was really close as there are several top-notch players in the junior class, but Sibley was a big reason why the Paladins were 20-game winners and one of the favorites in the in the Southern Conference Tournament
Best senior – Eric Garcia (Wofford) and T.J. Cromer (ETSU)
· This was my toughest call as both had terrific senior seasons. Garcia is the heart and soul of the Terriers and does a little bit of everything. Cromer is a baller that can score and defend. Kris Acox (Furman), Justin Tuoyo (Chattanooga) and Diante Baldwin (UNCG) also deserve mention as they had outstanding final campaigns
Best 6th man – John Sharkey (Samford)
· Sharkey only started the last game, but played starters minutes for the Bulldogs. He was second in the league in steals and third in assists and he is only a freshman!
Best newcomer – Ria’n Holland (Mercer)
· The junior college transfer was terrific from the start. Also under close consideration was Demetrius Denzel-Dyson (Samford), the UMass transfer lead the Bulldogs in scoring while shooting over 51 percent from the field
Best long range shooter – Fletcher Magee (Wofford)
· UNCG’s Francis Alonso is a rising star in this league and can knock down threes with the best of them. Fletcher Magee and Demetrius Denzel-Dyson were a close second!
Best dunker – Demetre Rivers (Mercer)
· There are a lot of good athletes in the Southern Conference, but I don’t believe there are a lot of great dunkers. Rivers is long, athletic and can hammer it home
Best defender – Justin Tuoyo (Chattanooga)
· Repeat winner. Blocks three shots per game and alters several more. Enough said
Best glue guy – Greg Pryor (Chattanooga)
· Pryor was always involved in the most critical plays for the Mocs and rock solid in everything he did. Unfortunately, his injury will keep him out of the tournament
Best in the clutch – Eric Garcia (Wofford)
· Garcia is rock solid in all he does. He willed the Terriers to victories with his talent and toughness.
Best versatility – Diante Baldwin (UNCG)
· The Southern Conference version of the Swiss army knife, Baldwin does it all for the Spartans. He maned the point guard position, scored in double figures, is fifth in the league in assists and steals. He’s is also the leader of the team! I say this guy is pretty versatile
Best player who may not get an award by the media or coaches – Demetre Rivers (Mercer)
· Rivers is vital to his team’s success, but he may not win a post-season award by the league coaches or media. That said, I didn’t forget him!
Best table setter – Eric Garcia (Wofford)
· The leading assist man in the Southern Conference. More importantly, he has a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Best in transition – John Sharkey (Samford)
· The freshman from Philly is cat-quick.
Best lungs – Christen Cunningham (Samford)
· The Ironman of the Southern Conference, Cunningham simply did not come out in league play this season
Best toughness – Eric Garcia (Wofford)
· Repeat winner. Garcia plays a ton of minutes and more importantly, never complains about nagging injuries. This kid will make a great coach if he chooses when his playing days are over
Best charge taker - Alex Peters (Samford) and Ryan Sawvell (Wofford)
· If you watch SoCon games on a regular basis you know Peters will give up his body at every opportunity. Sawvell will do the same thing. In fact, we took four in one half against ETSU!
Best place to watch a game – Freedom Hall (ETSU) and Benjamin Johnson (Wofford)
· There are several nice venues in the league, and it’s only going to get better with the opening of the Richardson Indoor Stadium at Wofford, but for my money ETSU has turned Freedom Hall into a terrific home court advantage. That said, an ode to “BenJo” is most appropriate as it has hosted its final game.
Best SoCon moment – Wofford beats Samford in 4OT
· One of the best college basketball games all season. Period!
Best coach – Niko Medved (Furman), Wes Miller (UNCG) and Steve Forbes (ETSU)
· In a league with really good coaches, these three get the nod this season. But how do you not give a standing ovation Samford’s Scott Padgett as well?
Best Improvement – Cam Jackson (Wofford)
· I’m not sure this a surprise to Terrier fans, but he averaged 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting over 58 percent from the field this season
Best individual improvement – Zane Najdawi (Citadel) and John Davis (Furman)
· Both of these guys showed significant improvement, especially at the offensive end
Best team improvement - Samford
· The Bulldogs have been solid all season. Even from the seventh seed, this is a team to watch this weekend
3. It’s been a while…
While Chattanooga participated in the NCAA Tournament last year, for some, it’s been far too long since they last danced. Here’s offering a little luck to every team in the Tournament:
Team (last time they participated in the NCAA Tournament)
Wofford – 2015
Mercer – 2014 (as member of the Atlantic Sun Conference)
ETSU – 2010 (as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference)
UNCG - 2001
Samford – 2000 (as a member of the Trans America Athletic Conference)
Western Carolina – 1996
Furman – 1980
VMI - 1977
The Citadel – never participated
4. Thanks to the league office
Thanks to Commissioner Iamarino and his staff for allowing me to report on Southern Conference Men’s Basketball again through The Dean’s List. This has been a terrific regular season in SoCon basketball and hope that you’ve enjoyed the articles and content as much as I have enjoyed putting them together.
I look forward to seeing everyone in Asheville for a great Southern Conference Tournament!
Follow me on Twitter: @DeanKeener1