2009-10 Upstate Men’s Basketball Spartans
2008-09 Team Information
Josh Chavis conference schedule. The Spartans open up at Nebraska on Nov. 14 before heading to one of college basketball’s most historic programs, Indiana, on Nov. 16. The Spartans will also play the likes of Miami, Wichita State, UNLV and Arizona State on the road while playing non-league games at home against UNC Greensboro and a home-and-home with Winthrop. A grueling 20-game A-Sun slate also awaits the Spartans this season. Upstate improved its win total last year from the previous season by two games overall and three games in the A-Sun and will look for more of the same in 2009-10, though it doesn’t get any easier from year to year. Guard The guard position is one of the most experienced on the team with Josh Chavis (5-9, Jr., Greensboro, N.C.) and De’Marion Gordon (6-1, So., Atlanta, Ga.) sharing the duties. Both can play the point effectively while also possessing the ability to knock down the three-pointer. Chavis and Gordon are joined in the backcourt by Cedric Koffi, Ryan LeGates and Sharod Minus. Each player brings their own skill set to the team and will provide depth to the position. “I feel pretty good about our guards,” said Payne. “We are small and not overly physical which will cause some problems with defensive matchups, but we have skill and depth at the position which is a good thing.” Chavis (5-9, 173, Jr., Greensboro, N.C.) has been in the starting lineup for the better part of two seasons at Upstate. He has a wealth of experience at the point while also owning the ability to nail the outside shot. He can run the offense and serve as the floor general for the Spartans. He averaged 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game overall, while increasing his scoring average to 9.1 points per outing
during A-Sun games.
put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.
Gordon (6-1, 170, So., Atlanta, Ga.) had a solid freshman campaign as he made the adjustment to the college game. While he had some ups and downs as a freshman last season, he is expected to be a consistent performer this year. He absolutely dominated the court at times last season and was an A-Sun All-Freshman selection after averaging 6.9 points per game. He can play either the point or shooting guard positions.
Wing Two players, Carter Cook and Pat Posey, will primarily fill the role at the wing for Upstate, while Mezie Uzochukwu may very well find playing time in the position when not playing forward. The fact that all candidates for the position are experienced in Payne’s system is a bonus for the Spartans. “Our wing play should be improved because Carter Cook and Pat Posey have improved,” said Payne. “They are returning players who saw a lot of time on the court last year and who have made a lot of progress in the preseason.”
Koffi (6-0, 180, Sr., Paris, France) is an experienced point guard who transferred to Upstate from Sheridan College before last season. However, due to an eligibility ruling by the NCAA, he was forced to sit out all of last year and will miss the first 12 games this season. He was a Wyoming College Conference All-Defensive selection as a sophomore and averaged 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He will be a wild card this season because Upstate will be well into the season before he can suit up for the Spartans. How well he meshes with the players on the court in game situations will be key to the extent of playing time he will receive.
Cook (6-5, 220, So., Clemmons, N.C.) had a solid freshman season for the Spartans last season. He showed signs of being a dynamic shooter. He has dropped 20 pounds over the summer and has returned to the court in shape, which should allow him to use his natural athletic ability to put the ball on the floor and become a multi-dimensional player. He averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season and connected on 17 three-pointers.
LeGates (6-3, 165, Fr., Marietta, Ga.) had a solid high school career and was named one of the “Players To Watch” in Georgia by Rivals.com. He possesses the ability to knock down the three-point shot and has worked in the preseason to expand his game. Upstate needed to fill a need for a deadly outside shooter and LeGates is the prime candidate on the team to fill that role.
Posey (6-5, 200, Sr., Piedmont, S.C.) had moments last season when he was strong on the court. He has pure athleticism and has worked hard on the things he needs to do to play the wing. He averaged 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game a year ago and is expected to increase those numbers this season. His progress in the preseason has been tremendous.
Minus (6-0, 170, Jr., Douglasville, Ga.) is an experienced player out of Miami Dade, one of the top junior college programs in the nation. He spent time mostly at the shooting guard spot, though his ability will allow him to play the point if needed. He can shoot the ball while possessing the ability to
Johnathan Gray (6-4, 190, Fr., Anderson, S.C.) earned a spot on the team as a walk-on during fall tryouts and will be counted upon to provide depth at both the shooting guard and wing positions. He has shown the ability to work within the system and could garner minutes on the court while making
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