Sizing Up the Competition

Evaluative Capsules of the Non-conference Opponents

Baylor University, Waco, TX. 2008-09 Record: 24-15 Postseason: NIT Finals

The team has a chip on its’ shoulder and is out to prove folks wrong about the level of their program. This Bears team is talented and can play. Went to the postseason NIT finals last season. Leading scorer Curtis Jerrells graduated. Rogers, Carter, & Dunn are dbl digit scorers. Dennis and Jefferson could be Impact Frosh. Baylor is tough, they play quick, not big. The Bears have enough juice to possibly crack the Top 25. Baylor is the most likely 1^st round pairing for the Jays in the Old Spice tourney. Coach Scott Drew won’t play very deep into his bench, but the Jays will have their hands full with this team.

Returning Players: Fwd Kevin Rogers, Gds Carter, Dunn, & developmental Ctrs Lomers, Diene.

New Recruits: 6 total – Three 4-stars – SG Dennis & McLaughlin, PF Jefferson, 2 3-stars SF Givon Crump, PG Walton, & a Croatian Ctr Dragan Sekelja.

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. 2008-09 Record: 25-10 Postseason: NCAA 1^st Rd

The Seminoles are a very talented team who finally began to live up to expectations last season. FSU is a potential Top 25 team. They have size and skill across the board and are a very dangerous type of team to play early. One possible weakness is the numbers of new kids into the program and the amount of time required to figure out how to play together/develop team chemistry. Lost 21 ppg PG Toney Douglas. With their talent level they can win while beginning to build internal team chemistry – win by hustle. I wouldn’t want to see this team in the 1^st Round of any tournament. All their newcomers are impact players.

Returning Players: All Acc Frosh Ctr Solomon Alabi and PF Chris Singleton, Ctr X. Gibson, Fwd Deividas Dulkys. PG Luke Loukes, SG scorer Derwin Kitchen, and SG defender DeMercy.

New Recruits: Cali AA 5-star SG Michael Snaer, Fwd Terrence Shannon. Possible – Ctr 7′ Jon Kreft.

also in the Old Spice Classic –

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. 2008-09 Record: 18-14 Postseason: None

A very, very talented and deep team. They are talented enough to be ranked in the preseason polls, but won’t be due to media bias. On paper this team can beat anyone and should have beaten the bulk of their opponents played over the last 2 seasons. New coach Anthony Grant will turn this team around this season. ‘Bama is deep, talented, and athletic, the Tide will contend for the SEC crown this season. They will be competitive in the OSC, but will not be playing together well enough in November, in order to win the Orlando tourney. The Tide lost 3 Srs., of which SF Alonzo Gee will hurt the most. Sr. PG Ron Steele quit the team prior to last season. Green was SEC All-Frosh Team, Hillman led team in steals @ 1.78 gm. Coleman and Knox started over 30 games each. The Tide didn’t make the NCAA field and opted out of the lesser post seaon tourneys.

Returning Players: 6′ 9/10” PFs Coleman, JaMychal Green, & Justin Knox, SG Senario Hillman and PG Tony Brock…plus several role players.

New Recruits: 5 including: 4-stars Ctr Shawn (Kempin’) Kemp, Jr and SF Tony Mitchell.

LE: Kemp will attend Prep school to get grades in order.