By Mike Gore
The Furman Paladins hope that heartbreak will lead to a Southern Conference championship this season.
Furman lost the 2022 Ingles SoCon Men’s Basketball Championship in excruciating fashion when Chattanooga’s David Jean-Baptiste hit a 35-footer at the buzzer in overtime to give the Mocs a 64-63 victory over the Paladins. It denied Furman its first bid to the NCAA tournament since 1980.
Paladin head coach Bob Richey believes that heartbreak will fuel his club this season as Furman is the preseason selection in both the coaches’ and media polls to win the 2023 championship. The polls and preseason all-tournament team were announced at the SoCon Basketball Media Day presented by Ingles held at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on Oct. 26.
Furman returns three starters and 11 lettermen from last season’s 22-12 squad that advanced to the Southern Conference championship game. The Paladins have averaged 22 wins over the last five years and have posted numerous wins over Power 5 schools.
Furman will be challenged in a league that is known as one of the best mid-majors in the country.
Following is a look at each team, ranked in order of predicted finish in the coaches’ preseason poll.
Furman Paladins
Coach: Bob Richey (111-47 in five seasons with the Paladins)
Last season: 22-12 (12-6, second in the SoCon)
Outlook: Furman has been one of the SoCon’s best programs over the past five years and just needs a championship to complete its winning resume. This could be the team that takes Furman to its first NCAA tournament since 1980. Furman returns two fifth-year seniors who are preseason all-conference selections in guard Mike Bothwell (15.7 ppg, 2.9 apg) and forward Jalen Slawson (14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Slawson was the league Defensive Player of the Year. The Paladins also bring back junior guard Marcus Foster (8.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
Top Newcomer: Carter Whitt is a 6-3 guard who transferred to Furman from Wake Forest
Coaches’ Poll: First in the SoCon
Coaches’ Quote: “Last year’s championship game loss was tough but it sure beats the heck out of losing on Saturday (in the quarterfinals). We’re using that loss and pain as fuel to take the next step in our program. Sometimes you must lose a game like that to take that next step. The pain of that loss has made me a better coach and I think it will make us a better team.”
Quote from Mike Bothwell: (On coming back for fifth year) “Furman is a special place. It’s a program where I’ve grown both as a player and a man. I wanted the opportunity to play for Coach Richey and Furman one more time.”
Quote from Jalen Slawson: “I think we can be one of the best teams that Furman has ever had this season. There’s no telling how good we can be. We just need to work hard and do what the coaches tell us to do.”
*****
Samford Bulldogs
Coach: Bucky McMillan (27-24 in two seasons with the Bulldogs)
Last season: 21-11 (10-8, 3rd in the SoCon)
Outlook: One of college basketball’s best stories last season was the resurgence of the Samford Bulldogs. Samford was picked eighth last year in the preseason poll after being unable to play several games the previous season due to Covid. The Bulldogs won six games in a row late in the year to compete for a regular-season championship. They finished third and advanced to the semifinals of the tournament. Samford returns four starters from last year’s 21-win team and last year’s success has only made the Bulldogs hungrier for more in 2023. Four starters are back, including junior guard Ques Glover (19.2 ppg, 4.4 apg) who is one of four Bulldogs on the preseason All-Southern Conference team. Senior forward Logan Dye (12.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), junior forward Jermaine Marshall (13.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Georgia Tech transfer Bubba Parham also made the preseason all-conference team. This could be a special year for the Bulldogs.
Top Newcomer: A familiar face to SoCon fans returns to the league. Former VMI and then Georgia Tech guard Bubba Parham will be playing for the Bulldogs in his sixth season. Parham was the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2018 while playing for the Keydets
Coaches’ Poll: Second in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “I like our team a lot and I think we have a chance at a very successful season. I really like our depth and that will allow us to play our full-court style of play which I think our fans really enjoy. The Southern Conference is a great league and you must be at your best every time you play a conference game. We need to work hard and focus on things that matter, which is how we reach our potential.”
Logan Dye Quote: “Last year was a lot of fun until we lost here in the (SoCon) tournament but it was a rewarding season. We learned last year that little things make all the difference in winning close games. And that’s where we need to continue with our development as a team. We need to chase perfection because it’s doing those little things that helped us win a lot of close games last season.”
*****
UNCG Spartans
Coach: Mike Jones (191-165 in 11 seasons at head coach, 17-15 in one year at UNCG)
Last season: 17-15 (9-9, fifth in the SoCon)
Outlook: Mike Jones’ first year at UNCG was a solid season that had the Spartans win 17 games and participate in postseason play (CBI). They could be even better this year with four starters returning. The Spartans will be a lot deeper this season and should be better defensively. Senior forward Bas Leyte (9.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is UNCG’s tops scorer and rebounder returning. Senior guards Kobe (7.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Keyshaun Langley (8.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg) will head up the Spartans’ backcourt. Graduate forward Mohammed Abdulsalam (6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg) shot 53 percent from the field and should help solidify the Spartan inside game. Jones has brought in six newcomers with four being transfers.
Top Newcomer: Keondre Kennedy (6-6, 185) is a swing player who averaged 14.5 points per game at UMBC last year.
Coaches’ Poll: Third in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “We need to take a step forward on both sides of the ball this season. I want our defense to be better and finish possessions. On offense, we need to score the basketball better. What I really like about our team is that we have depth and its experienced depth. We believe we have added some good pieces to this year’s club. I’m excited about the potential of this team.”
Keyshaun Langley Quote: “I really like our team this season and I honestly believe we have a great chance to finish in first place. We’ve got most of last year’s club back and have added some great new players. I’ve worked hard in the offseason on my shot to become a more consistent scorer.”
*****
Chattanooga Mocs
Coach: Dan Earl (0-0, first year with Mocs, 73-139 in four seasons as head coach at VMI)
Last season: 27-8 (14-4, first in SoCon)
Outlook: Much is different in Chattanooga after the Mocs won the Southern Conference regular-season title and thrilling tournament championship last year. Head coach Lamont Parris headed off to South Carolina and reigning SoCon Player of the Year Malachi Smith transferred to Gonzaga. Dan Earl, who did a great job at VMI, is Chattanooga’s head coach and he didn’t come empty-handed. Preseason Player of the Year Jake Stephens (19.6 ppg. 9.0 rpg) transfers to Chattanooga from the Keydets. The 6-10 Stephens was a first-team all-conference selection a year ago and was in the top 10 in the league in scoring, rebounding, blocks, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and 3-point percentage. Senior guard A.J. Caldwell (4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg) is the lone returning starter from last year’s championship club. Stephens is not the only transfer who will help Chattanooga this season. Jamal Johnson (6-4, 195) from Auburn, Khristion Courseault (6-2, 180) from Houston Baptist and Dalvin White (5-10, 162) from USC Upstate will all compete for playing time this year.
Top Newcomer: Hard to beat the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year Jake Stephens. He helped lead the Keydets to 16 wins and a postseason berth a year ago. Earl was the SoCon Coach of the Year in 2020-21.
Coaches’ Poll: Fourth in the SoCon
Coaches’ Quote: “I’m really excited to be at a program like Chattanooga. It’s a place that has more things with a great arena. I am aware of the great tradition of winning basketball at Chattanooga and hope to continue that tradition. We’re doing a good job of moving forward as we’re putting in our offense and defense. Like everybody, we need to stay healthy. Hopefully, our guys can pick everything up we’re trying to do quickly. We need to play a gritty, tough style of basketball.”
Jake Stephens Quote: “I love playing at Chattanooga. They’ve accomplished things that I want to accomplish like win championships and play in the NCAA tournament. I enjoyed my time at VMI but I wanted to keep playing for Coach Earl and I’m also able to get my MBA degree.”
*****
Wofford Terriers
Coach: Jay McAuley (53-38 in three seasons with the Terriers)
Last season: 19-13 (10-8 third in the SoCon)
Outlook: The Wofford Terriers have been one of the top programs in the SoCon the past few years and are determined to get back to the top of the league again. They could have a real shot this season with two key returnees who made the league’s preseason all-conference team. Senior forward B.J. Mack (16.5 ppg, 6.1 rgp) and senior forward Messiah Jones (9.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg) are back and ready to try and get Wofford back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019. Jones only played in five games last year before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. The Terriers lost 12 lettermen and four starters from last season’s 19-win club but some transfers could make up for that in 2022-23. Kyler Filewich, a 6-9 senior center, transfers from Southern Illinois, where he averaged close to seven points per game as a freshman. Jay McAuley also expects help from Virginia transfer Carson McCorkle (G, 6-3, Soph,) and 6-3 freshman guard Adam Silas.
Coaches’ Poll: Fifth in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “I’m glad to have B.J. and Messiah back this year, as these two guys know what it takes to win in the Southern Conference. I believe we have a nice balance of transfers and freshmen who will give us a lot of depth. Our success will depend how quickly our new guys can adapt to how we do things. We’re a highly motivated group that is ready to start the season.”
Messiah Jones Quote: (On season-ending injury last year) “Right now I feel good and I’m just looking at last year’s injury as a blessing in disguise. I’m excited to be back and ready to have a great senior season. We’ve got a great new group of players and I’m enjoying work with them and getting them ready for the season.”
B.J. Mack Quote: “I’ve worked hard on my game to be at my best this year. I know I can be better than I was last season. We’ve got a chance to have a great season. I like this team and I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
*****
ETSU Buccaneers
Coach: Desmond Oliver (15-17, one year as head coach of the Bucs)
Last season: 15-17 (7-11, eighth in the SoCon)
Outlook: A team to watch this year is the Buccaneers. ETSU can go 10 deep and has some impressive transfers who should make an immediate impact on this year’s club. The Bucs will be led by junior guard Jordan King (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg). He was a preseason all-conference selection and earned all-league honors a year ago. Sophomore forward Jalen Haynes is a 6-8 transfer from Virginia Tech who will give the Bucs immediate help to their inside game. Josh Taylor is another transfer, from Georgia, who will make a difference for ETSU inside. Sophomore forward Jaden Seymour (4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) is the Bucs’ other returning starter back for this year’s club.
Top Newcomer: Jalen Haynes (6-8, Forward, Soph.) transfers in from Virginia Tech and should make a big impact for the Bucs inside.
Coaches’ Poll: Sixth in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “I coached two different teams last year. The team I coached in the nonconference portion of our schedule was pretty good with some great nonconference wins over Murray State, Kent State and Missouri State. But due to some injuries and other things that happened, I didn’t coach that team in conference play. We were down to playing six players in league games. I like this year’s team because we have depth and can play more up-tempo and press a lot more. Our frontcourt is much improved and that will help us in close games.”
Jordan King Quote: “The biggest thing I learned last year was how great the Southern Conference is as a basketball league. You have got to bring your all every time you play a league game or you’re going to get beat. This conference has great players and great coaches. I believe that I need to be a leader on this team this year. We’re going to be a lot better team than people expect. We’re a well-connected team that has a better front line than we had last year.”
*****
Mercer Bears
Coach: Greg Gary (67-85 in five seasons, 51-43 in three seasons with the Bears)
Last season: 16-17 (8-10, seventh in the SoCon)
Outlook: Mercer may have lost its top three scorers from last season, but the Bears still have enough talent returning to be a tough out in the SoCon this year. Two seniors will lead Mercer in 2022-23: guard Kamar Robertson (10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and forward James Glisson III (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg) made the Southern Conference’s preseason all-conference team. The duo has been a part of the Mercer program from its freshman year and have steadily gotten better with each season. Senior guard Shawn Walker Jr. (5.9 ppg) was second on the team in assists and should be better this year.
Top Newcomer: Jalen Cobb is a graduate transfer from Fordham who could make an impact in the backcourt. He was a three-year starter for the Rams and averaged 10.3 points as a sophomore (2019-20).
Coaches’ Poll: Seventh in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “For us to be better this year, we need to improve on the defensive end of the floor. We’re fortunate to have Kamar and James back for their senior years. They’re two guys who have improved each season and are ready to have great senior seasons. I like the depth we have on this year’s club and if we can find ways to win some close games than I think we have a chance to have a pretty good season.”
Kamar Richardson Quote: “I believe we have a chance to have a really good season because we have a lot of talent on this team. It’s created some real competition in practice and made us a better team.”
James Glisson III Quote: “I’ve tried to improve my game by being more aggressive. I need to do a better job attacking the basket more and getting to the free throw line. I also know that I need to be a more vocal leader and help our young guys learn their roles.”
*****
Western Carolina Catamounts
Coach: Justin Gray (11-21 in one season with the Catamounts)
Last season: 11-21 (5-13, 10th in the SoCon)
Outlook: Justin Gray went through a lot of adventures in his first year, like having to recruit a whole new team when he arrived in the spring of 2021. The Cats went 11-21 but were extremely competitive with a nice nonconference win at eventual Big South champ Longwood and a home victory over SoCon champ Chattanooga. WCU could be ready to be even better this season though they did lose nine lettermen from last year’s club. The Cats return three starters, including 6-5 junior guard Vonterius Woolbright (9.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and fifth-year guard Cam Bacote (8.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Senior forward Tyler Harris (7.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) is one of the more underrated players in the league. The Cats have brought in 12 new players with five being transfers. The top newcomers could be junior forward Tyzhaun Claude from Morehead State and senior guard Tre Jackson from Iowa State.
Top Newcomer: Tyzhaun Claude transfers to WCU from Morehead State and could give the Cats a big lift inside.
Coaches’ Poll: 8th in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “We’re better in every position than we were last year at this time. We’re not where we need to be just yet but we’re one step closer. The new players we’ve brought into the program all come from winning programs. They know how to win and know what it takes to win. We believe we’ve developed a good culture that’s going to help make us a winning program.”
Tyzhaun Claude Quote: “The sky is the limit at how good Western Carolina can be this year. If everybody does their jobs and listens to what the coaches say, we can be a good basketball team.”
Tyler Harris Quote: “I really believe we’ve got the right culture right now with our coaching staff. My mindset this season is to be aggressive and built on what I’ve done over the last few years. Our guys just need to worry about our growth and just try and get better each day.”
*****
The Citadel Bulldogs
Coach: Ed Conroy (188-220 in 13 seasons, 49-76 in four years with the Bulldogs)
Last season: 13-18 (6-12, ninth in the SoCon)
Outlook: Favorite son Ed Conroy returns for his second stint as head coach of the Bulldogs and The Citadel fans are hoping it can be as successful as the first time he coached here. Conroy led the Dogs to just their second 20-win season in program’s history the first time around (2008-09). He inherits a program that returns two starters and just six letterwinners. Conroy has brought in 12 newcomers to help play a fast-paced style that fans should enjoy watching. Senior center Stephen Clark returns (9.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and will head up the Bulldog inside game. Rudy Fitzgibbons III (7.9 ppg, 50 3-pointers made) is the lone senior returning in the backcourt. Of the 12 newcomers, four are graduate transfers who should give The Citadel some much-needed experience.
Top Newcomer: Freshman guard A.J. Smith (6-4, 215) enjoyed a great prep career at Combine Academy in Charlotte for former Tar Heel guard Jeff McInnis. He could be the Bulldogs’ starter at point guard this year.
Coaches’ Poll: Ninth in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “The Citadel is a special place to me and I appreciate them taking me for the third time. We’re excited about the upcoming season. I really like the returning players we have in our program and everybody has been all-in since day one. We brought in 12 new players to help us play a fast-paced style. Our players are versatile who can play both inside and outside.”
Stephen Clark Quote: “It’s been great having Coach Conroy here. He’s had us hit the ground running and I think we’re in for an exciting year. We have a lot of talented freshmen and I’m going to do my best to help them this season with my experience. We will surprise a lot of people this year.”
*****
VMI Keydets
Coach: Andrew Wilson (First year with the Keydets)
Last season: 16-16 (9-9, sixth in the SoCon)
Outlook: VMI may be the youngest team in the country this season. The Keydets lost their coach (Dan Earl) to Chattanooga and their four top returning scorers all transferred after Earl left. Four other returning players were hurt in the offseason and won’t play this year. Wilson brought in five freshmen who will get a chance to play right away. The one starter back is senior guard Sean Conway (7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) who will be counted on heavily this season. VMI will start the season with nine healthy players.
Top Newcomer: Freshman guard Tony Felder (5-10) could be the Keydets starter at point guard this year. He enjoyed a fabulous prep career at Maiden Catholic (Mass.) where he started for four years.
Coaches’ Poll: 10th in the SoCon
Coach’s Quote: “Everyone should be happy with their playing time this year as everyone is going to get a chance to play right away. We want to play fast and take it to extremes both on offense and defense. We’re going to be tested early on with our nonconference schedule and our young players are going to get some experience right away. If we’re not the most inexperienced team in the country this season, I’d be surprised.”
*****