Post by Copenhagen on Jul 27, 2007 11:19:04 GMT -5
fredk1979 said:
www.collegehoopsnet.com/preview/2007/index.htmMaybe some interesting reading during the college hoops dog days of summer?
This website is counting down 144 teams in 144 days; here are the previews of the teams we have scheduled this season as they are ranked:
There are also many players who had some kind of relationship with our program mentioned in this preview.
They could have played a year and transferred out or we were involved with their recruiting, here are some of them I spotted or recognized:
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Sacred Heart Pioneers
Overall Rank: #141
Conference Rank: #1 Northeast Conference
Who’s In:
The best newcomer is Corey Hassan. The 6-4 sophomore averaged 11.9 points per game two years ago as a freshman at Boston University. He is a prolific long range shooter and will add even another scoring punch to the Sacred Heart offense.
Projected Starting Five:
Corey Hassan, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
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Iowa State Cyclones
Overall Rank: #138
Conference Rank: #11 Big 12
Who’s Out:
The big, or at least more relevant, losses are not graduating seniors. Dodie Dunson, Corey McIntosh and Ross Marsden have all left Ames early. Dunson averaged 5.2 points per game and McIntosh added 4.4 per contest and started 29 games.
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South Carolina Game******s
Overall Rank: #134
Conference Rank: #11 SEC
Final Projection:
Dwayne Day and Brandis Raley-Ross both earned 13 starts and averaged 22.9 minutes per game last season. Neither has proven to be consistent scoring threats, but both will see their fair share of minutes on the wings again this year.
Projected Starting Five:
Brandis Raley-Ross, Sophomore, Guard, 5.9 points per game
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St. John’s Red Storm
Overall Rank: #131
Conference Rank: #14 Big East
Eugene Lawrence is a decent point guard, but there needs to be some improvement for him to reach the level of a Big East point guard. The rest of the backcourt is no better, in fact it is worse. Larry Wright, who only averaged 4.0 points per game, is the best returning option at shooting guard. Wright has a smooth shot and could develop into a solid contributor this year now that he will get the chance to make an impact.
Who’s Out:
Guards Avery Patterson and Ricky Torres have opted to transfer. Patterson averaged 10.4 points per game and was by far the best long range shooter on the team. Torres averaged 2.3 points in limited playing time.
Shooting guard Paris Horne will attack the basket and play above the rim and it would be very beneficial if he can find some quality minutes off the bench.
Projected Starting Five:
Eugene Lawrence, Senior, Guard, 7.2 points per game
Larry Wright, Sophomore, Guard, 4.0 points per game
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Bucknell Bison
Overall Rank: #129
Conference Rank: #2 Patriot
Final Projection:
Darren Mastropaolo did the dirty work under the basket to open up McNaughton. Without McNaughton, Mastropaolo may be asked to do a little more scoring. However, Patrick Behan could simply take over for McNaughton, leaving Mastropaolo to set screens and grab rebounds. Behan, another one of those talented underclassmen who was waiting on the bench, is a talented long range shooter. At 6-8 and 225 pounds the sophomore needs to become a bigger threat in the paint, but there are not many other choices.
Projected Starting Five:
Patrick Behan, Sophomore, Forward, 1.7 points per game
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Hampton Pirates
Overall Rank: #128
Conference Rank: #1 MEAC
Matthew Pilgrim and Mike Freeman will be the key to the campaign. Pilgrim and Freeman are harder to find faults with and as long as they continue to develop, the duo will be tough to stop. Pilgrim and Freeman combined for 25.2 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
Projected Starting Five:
Matthew Pilgrim, Sophomore, Forward, 11.0 points per game
Mike Freeman, Sophomore, Forward, 14.2 points per game
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Miami (OH) Redhawks
Overall Rank: #127
Conference Rank: #5 Mid-American
Who’s In:
A trio of guards is expected to make an immediate impact. Isiah Carson, a transfer from St. Bonaventure, is a solid shooter, but the 213-pounder never showed his ability with the Bonnies.
Small forward Nick Winbush is a great ballhandler for his size and could develop into a quality player,
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Penn State Nittany Lions
Overall Rank: #125
Conference Rank: #9 Big Ten
Who’s Out:
The problems were in the backcourt last year and the Lions lose a couple part-time starters. Ben Luber and David Jackson did an admirable job trying to get some production out of the Penn State perimeter, but the overall numbers were still lacking.
Who to Watch:
The talent is at the forward spots. Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley are extremely undersized, but also extremely tough and hardworking. Claxton led the squad averaging 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds and Cornley was not far behind in either category, totaling 13.5 points and 6.7 boards per contest.
Projected Starting Five:
Jamelle Cornley, Junior, Forward, 13.5 points per game
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Hofstra Pride
Overall Rank: #122
Conference Rank: #5 Colonial
Yet, the bigger transfer is Chris Gadley. The 6-9 forward earned six starts as a sophomore and averaged 4.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. Gadley, who is heading to Canisius, would have likely been a starter at Hofstra this year.
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George Washington Colonials
Overall Rank: #118
Conference Rank: #9 A-10
Who’s In:
GW has very little experienced depth heading into 2007-2008. The addition of Wynton Witherspoon certainly helps. The lanky forward started ten games for Virginia Tech in 2005-2006 and averaged 6.3 points per game. He is truly a small forward, but with a wealth of talent on the wings, Witherspoon could end up spending some time at the four spot.
Who to Watch:
It is due to players like Travis King, Damian Hollis and Noel Wilmore that will keep the talented perimeter newcomers on the bench. King played an important role last year running the point behind Elliott. This year, he will be the main option. The 6-2 sophomore showed plenty of potential as a freshman and will do a little bit of scoring. Yet, compared to the man he is replacing, King will appear to be a disappointment.
At 6-8, Damian Hollis adds some size to the perimeter. He was a little reluctant to shoot during his freshman season, but the team did not need him to do much scoring either. That may change now and Hollis can utilize his size and speed to become a prolific scorer.
Projected Starting Five:
Travis King, Sophomore, Guard, 5.7 points per game
Damian Hollis, Sophomore, Guard, 5.7 points per game
Wynton Witherspoon, Junior, Forward, DNP last season
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