Basketball Preview 2014-15

A NEW

The UNews

2014-15 SLU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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U unewsonline.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN SCHULER SPORTS EDITOR CASEY WAUGHN

ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR KYLE SMITH COPY EDITORS DEIDRE KERINS JOSHUA CONNELLY

PHOTOS BY JOHN SCHULER BILL BARRETT

UNEWSONLINE.COM

2014-15 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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New Bills Come Together The Billikens are a much different team from last season As fans at the Nov. 3 exhibition matchup against Harris-Stowe saw, this Billiken team and this season are far different from the last. Losing all five starters, the winningest class in SLU history and arguably the most talented, SLU fans can justify their skepticism towards their team to start the season.

The 2013-14 Billiken squad with seniors Rob Loe, Dwayne Evans, Mike McCall Jr., Jake Barnett, and Atlantic-10 Player-of-the-Year Jordair Jett, led SLU to a 27-7 record, a record-setting third straight NCAA Tournament, and a ranking as high as No. 10 in the nation, is definitely not the same as this year’s team. However, though SLU is picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10 pre-season poll, fans could be in for a pleasant surprise when they see the team on Nov. 15 against Southern Illinois.

“From this team, I want everybody to realize that this isn’t last year’s team or the team before that, it’s brand new. We’re not looking to emulate the same record or anything like that. It’d be good if we did that, or bettered that, of course, but ultimately we want to get back to the tournament.

Definitely getting back to the tournament is the goal for us,” senior forward Grandy

Glaze said.

If the Harris-Stowe exhibition game is any indication, SLU fans could be in for a pleasant surprise this season. SLU looked like an offensive force against HarrisStowe, putting up 86 points. SLU had 11 different scorers in the game, with junior Austin McBroom leading the way with 19 points.

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We can’t dwell on last year’s team.

We have to understand that this is the 2014-2015 Billiken’s team.

-Grandy Glaze Senior Forward

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By CASEY WAUGHN Sports Editor

“I think we have a good chance of being pretty good offensively. You’re going to have guys that are up and down; some days they’ll look really good and then the next day you won’t really notice them too much,” head coach Jim Crews said.

One thing to look forward to this season is the appearance of redshirt junior Ash Yacoubou, who sat out all of last season after transferring from Villanova. The much-talked about guard/forward played

21 minutes in the exhibition and had 16 points, second most on the team behind McBroom in both categories.

A few things that SLU needs to work on this season that could hinder them in upcoming matches is fouling and turnovers.

SLU committed 27 fouls in their exhibition game and allowed 19 turnovers.

This season, with the new mix of players, SLU could be a more offensiveminded team that scores more points off of runs, and more quickly overall than in years past, led by the quickness and athleticism of McBroom and Yacoubou. There will also be more than last year’s typical 7-9 players playing in each game. Against Harris-Stowe, SLU played every single player on scholarship, and they all had at least 10 minutes or more in the game.

No one single player played more than 25 minutes, the average being just above 15 minutes apiece.

Though this season looks a lot different than last’s, SLU will hold the same defensive mindset as in previous years, and continued the “team together” motto started by late head coach Rick Majerus.

“We can’t dwell on being last year’s team. We have to understand that this is the 2014-2015 Billiken’s team, and we need to take it one game at a time and live with the results we get. If we put in the work, we’ll get where we want to be,” Glaze said.

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2014-15 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

2014-15 Women’s team

2014-15 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014

High hopes for season

By CASEY WAUGHN Sports Editor

Another thing to watch for this season is players falling into the roles they were designed to play, not ones they fell This year’s SLU women’s basketball team has an advantage into. over the men’s team in at least one area this season: return“I honestly think because of the depth that we have this ing players. The Billikens only graduated one senior from last year, we really can fill the roles we should be playing instead year’s team that went 12-18, and 7-9 in the Atlantic 10, and of filling other roles that we maybe weren’t supposed to be they return all five starters to this year’s squad. playing,” Ball said.

However, although they return many of the same players, Senior guard Jamesia Price also noted the roles, and how this does not mean they have abundant experience, as the some players might be asked to do things they haven’t done team is only in the third year under head coach Lisa Stone and in the past. the average age of the team is 19. The team has four sopho“We have more depth now and we’re really excited to mores and has welcomed five new freshmen to the roster. see how everyone’s full potential is going to be shown this “As you’re trying to change the culture of the program and year,” Price said. “We don’t have a set 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Everydevelop a winning mentality, it’s nice to have the majority of one can play every position, which is nice. You don’t always your players back,” Stone said. need the same person bringing the ball up the court every With so many players returning, the single time.” team didn’t have to worry much about an Some of the key returning playoverall shift in dynamic and team chemers from last year’s squad include I love this team, I really istry.

Price, Ball and sophomore Erin “With only one senior leaving Nelson, who was selected to the do. As their coach, I we still have team chemistry that we had Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team last have to be their mother, last year.” Senior guard Desirae Ball said. season and led the team in scoring but I also have to be “We have more experience. With three with 14 points per game. With the accountable. It’s not a freshmen starting last year, they’ve got group of returning veterans, one that experience, and that’s going to help player has emerged as the leader of personal thing, it’s about us.” the team. the fact that I have very Since the team did bring in five “Jamesia Price is hands down high expectations for freshmen, the returning players helped your leader. She’s been a leader in this program. them to learn the plays over the summer the locker room, she’s been a leader and catch them up to speed. The team on the court, she wins every sprint, also focused a lot on offense, and players she takes charges, she’s been the -Lisa Stone, Head Coach focused on their individual games. The ultimate team player. She’s grown team this year is looking to run a faster and matured, she’s gone through offense than in years past to score more three ACL injuries over her career. points.

She, right now, is the way I’d like “I’m a defensive coach and we have to everybody to play,” Stone said. be solid defensively, but we really focused a lot offensively and Another player to watch this season is freshman guard a lot of shooting. Our offensive average did increase last year Jackie Kemph, who was the Gatorade Player of the Year in and we’d like to average 70 points a game this year and hold the state of Illinois. Her high school teammate, Jenny Vilet, our opponents under 60,” Stone said. is also on the team. Overall, the team is looking forward to So far, the team has been successful in their goal. In the an exciting season with many returning players and a faster exhibition game against Harris-Stowe on Nov. 8, the team deoffensive game, and is hoping that their early success will feated the Hornets 106-37. The team hopes that this new oftransfer to the court the rest of the season. fensive mindset will propel them farther than where the SLU “We’re young, but it’s fresh and exciting. There’s more women’s team has ever been before, and into postseason play. talent than we’ve ever had, since I’ve been here certainly,” “We want to play in the postseason, of any kind,” Stone Stone said. “I love this team, I really do. As their coach, I said. “Ultimately you want to win a conference championship, have to be their mother, but I also have to be accountable. and hang a banner here, but we also understand that our goal It’s not a personal thing, it’s about the fact that I have very is to get better every single day.” high expectations for this program.”

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2014-15 Billikens Roster Freshman, Guard Decatur, Ill.

Senior, Forward Toronto, Ontario

Redshirt Junior, Forward Bronx, N.Y.

Sophomore, Guard St. Louis, Mo.

Freshman, Forward Zion, Ill.

Sophomore, Forward Buffalo, N.Y.

Freshman, Guard Memphis, Tenn.

Freshman, Guard Mount Prospect, Ill.

Freshman, Guard Chicago, Ill.

Freshman, Forward Southlake, Texas Freshman, Forward St. Louis, Mo.

Junior, Guard North Hollywood, Calif.

Sophomore, Forward Trabuco Canyon, Calif.

Sophomore, Guard Tipton, Ind.

Freshman, Guard St. Charles, Mo.

Sophomore, Guard Chicago, Ill.

Senior, Center Chantilly, Va.

Third season as SLU coach 55-14 in two seasons at SLU

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Crews tested with young team

By CASEY WAUGHN Sports Editor

Coach Jim Crews is in his third year as head coach of the Billikens. For the 2012-13 season, Crews was named as interim head coach for the season, after the late Rick Majerus was diagnosed as ill in the fall before the start of the season.

In his season as interim coach, Crews led the team to a school-record 28 victories, a regular season Conference Championship and a Conference Tournament Championship and was the Atlantic 10 coach of the year. He earned national coach of the year honors from a variety of sources like Sporting News and the NABC, and was a finalist for the Naismith Award, the premier award given to Division I coaches.

Following the season, on April 12, 2013, he was named the new head coach leading into the 2013-14 season.

Last season, Crews again led a successful campaign with only seven loses and 27 wins, again won the regular season of the A-10 and was named coach of the year for the second straight year. The Billikens also had the conference player of the year, Jordair Jett, for the first time since 1980, and Dwayne Evans was named to the first-team All-Atlantic 10 for the second straight year, the first time for the program since 1994.

This year, Crews will be tested more than in years past. He has a young squad with eight true freshmen, and lost all five starters from last year’s record-setting team. Also, when you count in the three sophomores on the team, this is the first time that the program is seeing the impact of recruits that Crews has brought in, rather than Majerus.

Before coming to SLU, Crews was the head coach at Army for seven years, and led Evansville for 17 years before that.

Crews got into coaching immediately upon graduating college. He played collegiately at Indiana under coaching great Bobby Knight, graduated in 1976 and played on the undefeated 1976 National Championship team. After graduating, Crews was an assistant under Knight at Indiana for eight years, before getting his first head coaching job at Evansville. Crews’ overall record as a head coach is 409-362, a .530 winning percentage.

Assistant Coaches

Calbert Cheaney

Jim Platt

Tanner Bronson

Charles Nishida

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Big men have big roles as lone seniors For Grandy Glaze, it’s not about the numbers. At 6’6”, he stands on the shorter side for most college forwards. He doesn’t rack up huge points. He doesn’t break many records. His overall stats, while commendable, are far from exceptional.

What the numbers don’t relay is Glaze’s experience, relentless energy and passion for the game.

“Leadership,” said Glaze, when asked what he wants to bring to the team this year. “Just keeping the guys together and leading them with my experience and, when the game gets rough or even easy, keeping the guys locked in, because I’ve been there and done that.”

As one of only two seniors, Glaze is an obvious choice to fill the void left by last year’s graduating class.

He has more starting experience and minutes than anyone else on the team. He played in all 36 games last season, averaging 3.8 points per game and shooting 48 percent.

Glaze’s real strength is his unrivaled intensity on defense and rebounds. He averaged 4.5 rebounds a game last season, a number only surpassed by Rob Loe and Dwayne Evans. He hit double digits in the rebound column for five games, including a career-high 14 against SIUE. Though he played little his freshman year, Glaze managed to break into the starting line-up the following season, playing 25 games and starting in 20. In preparation for his junior year, Glaze lost about 30 pounds during the off-season.

Even with the changes this season,

Glaze remains confident about the upcoming season.

“We’re definitely in the sense of rebuilding because we have brand new guys and we haven’t all played together. However, I think that we have what it takes to win.”

Glaze certainly knows about winning. He and fellow senior, John Manning, have tallied 83 career wins for the Billikens, only 13 shy of the SLU record. But for Glaze, only the NCAA Tournament matters.

“I’ve been there three times and I want [the freshman] to experience it because it’s addicting. That rush of being there is like nothing...I can’t fathom anything like that.”

If anyone can step up and provide the spark needed to get the Billikens there, it’s Glaze.

On a team that preaches defense, it helps to be big. And at 6’11” and 250 pounds, there’s no one bigger at SLU than center John Manning.

Manning is an obvious contender for the starting spot under the basket this season. But that wasn’t always the case. Manning saw little action his first season at SLU, and a concussion kept him out at the start of his sophomore year. But as Manning slowly started to make a name for himself on defense, he earned more attention from the coaches.

He played 25 games as a sophomore, averaging 5.7 minutes of playing time a game, and 32 games with 11.9 minutes per game the following year.

Glaze and Manning combine

to have the most experience on the team, but the two seniors share another distinction: they are the last Billikens to be coached by late head coach Rick Majerus.

Luckily for Manning, shy in contrast to Glaze, you don’t have to be loud to have your presence felt on the court. He recorded 33 blocks last season, the second most on the team. Only three juniors have tallied more blocks during a single season in school history.

With Manning likely off the bench this, there’s no telling what he’s capable of. As for his own thoughts, Manning plans to continue doing what he’s always done: defense.

“Defense is what we’re built on, and that’s definitely the most impor-

tant thing,” he said. His personal plan for success is simple; “Just be smart, stay out of foul trouble and rebound as much as possible.”

That being said, Jim Crews will likely want to see some more points out of his center. Manning averaged 2.5 points a game last season—not bad, considering his limited role.

With former center Rob Loe out of the picture, Manning will have to put in some work if he wants to be a serious threat from the post.

With nine new additions to the team, the upcoming season is full of question marks. But John Manning’s role is not one of them.

“I’m excited to try to continue the success of the last couple years with all these new guys,” he said.

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By KYLE SMITH and CASEY WAUGHN

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YEARS OF SLU BASKETBALL

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New kids on the block

The team welcomes nine newcomers to the roster

With only 170 pounds to fill out his 6’4” frame, Bartley’s thin build only highlights his potential. “Marcus is going to be one of those players that will change a lot in college when he gets stronger,” Gavin Sullivan, his former coach, told Illinois paper The Herald Review. Bartley played for MacArthur High School in Decatur, Ill. and the AAU team Peoria Irish, averaging 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 3.3 steals his senior year. Bartley comes to SLU as a three-star recruit, meaning he ranks in the top 10% nationally for basketball players of his year. “Marcus is a tall guard who has a high skill level,” said head coach Jim Crews. “His ability and length will be effective on both ends of the floor.”

Milik Yarbrough comes to SLU with an already-decorated basketball career; the 6’6”, 230 lb. small forward scored 2600 points during his four years as a starter at Zion-Benton Township High School, making him the all-time leading scorer for Lake County. Averaging 25.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists a game earned him numerous All-State honors, including first-team selection by the News-Gazette and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and second-team honors by the Associated Press and Chicago Tribune. Said Crews, “Milik is big-bodied and has a lot of flexibility to his game. He certainly knows where the bucket is. Milik was a late signee and really fit in well with our players, and he understands what we believe in here.”

Guard Davell Roby got his first look at Billiken basketball in his home state of Tennessee, when SLU defeated University of Memphis in the 2012 NCAA tournament. Impressed with what he saw, it didn’t take long to decide SLU was the team for him: Roby was the Billikens’ very first commitment from the 2014 class, announcing his decision just a day after visiting the campus. Another three-star recruit, Roby was ranked 6th in Tennessee and played for White Station High School and the Team Penny AAU program, where he averaged nearly 10 points a game. Crews described Roby as “a versatile athlete who is very competitive. He has a bright future here at Saint Louis University.”

Though a walk-on, Grant Hollander has a chance at making his impact on SLU basketball. The 6’3” guard had an impressive career at Chaminade High School, a St. Louis prep school known for its prestigious basketball program. Hollander played 27 games as a senior, averaging 8.2 points per game. He shot 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from outside the arc.

Hollander’s ability to find the basket could earn him some decent playing time over the next few years.

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Miles Reynolds is no stranger to successful basketball programs. As a point guard for the top-ranked Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Reynolds played alongside fellow D-1 signees Paul White (now playing for Georgetown) and the No. 1 ranked Jahil Okafor (Duke). Though often overlooked in favor of his high-profile teammates, Reynolds has demonstrated an ability to take charge, posting a team-high 19 points in the 4A championship game his senior year. He has received All-State honors nods from both the Associated Press and Chicago Tribune. With SLU having lost two guards last year, this three-star recruit will be looking to make an impact early in his career.

“Miles is a poised athlete who is a good ball-handler with an ability to score,” said Crews. “He will be a leader in our program.”

Another walk-on, Stephen Leazer has an impressive 3-point shot that could hold the key to his success. As a captain for Northridge Prep in Illinois, Leazer led his team to a 20-8 record and IHSA Class 2A Regional Championship, picking up a 1st Team All-Conference recognition along the way. Though the 6’4” guard has a long way to go to earn a spot in SLU’s starting rotation, he demonstrated his commitment before the exhibition game against Harris-Stowe, prompting the SLU Men’s Basketball twitter account to tweet, “Rob Loe Award (first out on court for warmups) goes to Stephen Leazer…”

Guard Aaron Hines, a sophomore, is a newcomer to SLU and the third walk-on to the team. The St. Louis native began his career at Parkway North, where he played all 28 games and averaged 12.7 points and 3.36 assists a game, including a career high 22 points against Parkway Central.

He spent his first year of college at John Wood Community College; in 24 games, Hines shot 5.8 points per game with a 31.5 three-point percentage. Though on the small side, at 6’ flat and 175 pounds, Hines could potentially develop into a useful asset for the team.

Power forward Brett Jolly’s basketball career has taken him quite literally across the nation. In his home state of Texas, the 6’ 9” Jolly played varsity basketball for three years at Southlake Carroll High School, averaging 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds a game his senior year. Following graduation, Jolly spent a year at Blair Academy in New Jersey, where he led his team to the Prep A state championship. Jolly now arrives at Saint Louis as its highest ranked recruit; the three-star athlete has an ESPN grade of 75 and was ranked 34th nationally for his position. Crews praised his versatility and work ethic, saying, “Brett is a big man who has the ability to play inside and out. He is a tireless worker who is making great progress in his development.”

At 6’ 10”, center Austin Gillmann stands above the rest of the freshmen and indeed, most of the team. A St. Louis native, Gillmann was a four-year starter for Oakville High School and played for the St. Louis Gateway AAU club before coming to SLU. In an interview with Chicago Hoops, Gillmann cited SLU’s excellent academics, basketball program and coaching staff as reasons behind his decision to attend the school. The school’s close proximity to home was another factor: “I’ve got a really good relationship with my parents and grandparents, and they like to watch me play,” he said. Crews praised Gillmann, saying, “Austin is a skilled big man with length. He is a versatile player who fits into our system well.” *denotes walk-on

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Ready to play

By LEXIE VASOS Staff Writer, CASEY WAUGHN Sports Editor

SLU fans will notice a lot of new, young faces on the court this year, for the men’s basketball team, with the addition of nine freshmen. But another face will stick out, one that fans may remember seeing in the paper last year; or even students around campus this year. Achraf “Ash” Yacoubou stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and is all smiles for the camera in his No. 3 SLU uniform, posing for team pictures. Transferring from Villanova last year, Yacoubou was ineligible to play the 2013-2014 season, but he still has two years of playing time with the Billikens, as a redshirt junior. When asked why he chose to come to SLU, Yacoubou said, “I feel it is an up and coming program, with really good coaches. I love the team atmosphere and the campus atmosphere as well.”

Originally from The Bronx, in New York City, Yacoubou attended high school at Long Island Lutheran, where he was named the 2011 Gatorade New York State Player of the Year. During his sophomore year, he helped the Crusaders clinch the Class A Federation

state title. He averaged 19.0 points per game and powered his way through the paint for an average of 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior. Yacoubou then spent two years with the Villanova Wildcats and appeared in 57 games with 3 starts as a freshman. He ended the 2011-12 season with 2.2 points per game and even played against the Billikens, for eight minutes in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Yacoubou started his sophomore year out strong, leading Villanova in 3-point shooting percentage, making 21 of 53 attempts, or 39.6 percent.

He had three notable games in the 201213 season, one of which resulted in a victory against Penn, where he scored a career-high 13 points. Yacoubou brought this momentum into the next game, grabbing seven rebounds and scoring nine points for the Wildcats against Saint Joseph’s. Villanova also faced the eventual National-champion Louisville Cardinals and defeated them by nine points thanks to a late 3-pointer from

Yacoubou.

Coming in to a new school, city, and program can have its challenges, and there are definitely contrasts between the Villanova basketball program and SLU’s program.

“The biggest difference is that I have more of a leadership role here. When I first came, it was difficult learning the defense and learning the offense but as the year progressed I got comfortable within the offense,” Yacoubou said.

During his year off, Yacoubou has not skipped a beat, spending most of his time Continued on page 13

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Ash Yacoubou Redshirt junior Guard/forward

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working on his game and gaining muscle through a six-day lifting schedule, incorporated into a yearlong exercise program.

When asked how he handled not being able to play for an entire season, Yacoubou explained that it was hard for him to watch, but he took the opportunity as a learning experience that allowed him time to gain vital knowledge from the coaches and players.

“I sat out a whole year playing against the top ten team in the country last year in practice every day so I was comfortable [in the exhibition],” Yacoubou said.

One player on the team who can relate to Yacoubou is junior guard Austin McBroom, who sat out the 2012-13 season after transferring from Central Michigan. Since he had been through it himself, McBroom helped Yacoubou with the transition.

“We’re roommates so we are always in the gym extra. We bring each other out of bed if we’re sleeping or just relaxing; we always try to get on the court together to get extra shots up or whatever

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The biggest difference is I have more of a leadership role here

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At Villanova 39.6 three-point shooting percentage 2012-2013 (highest on the team)

2.2 points per game 2011-2012

played in 45 games

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we need to work on,” McBroom said.

His hard work was evident in the scrimmage as students were in a frenzy after watching Yacoubou’s premier performance, which heightened the anticipation to see him in action during the season.

In his 21 minutes of play against Harris-Stowe in the Nov. 4, exhibition game, Yacoubou scored 16 points and had five rebounds and four steals.

“He plays hard. Every night I know I’m going to get 100 percent from him and I have to match that and I have to be able to keep up with him on defense. When I see him play hard, he makes me play hard as well,” McBroom said.

When Ash was informed of fans’ reactions, he said, “It makes me feel good because it shows that all my hard work has paid off, but I am not satisfied yet.” This seasdon, Yacoubou hopes to embody the goals and ideals of head coach Jim Crews.

“Ash is a high-character, high-motor young man who has been coached at a high level during his prep career and in college. We are excited to get to work with Ash, and with a year of hard work we think he will step in and contribute right away in 2014-15,” Crews said.

Though listed as a guard, Yacoubou explained that he is not in a fixed position on the court, but has been moving between shooting guard and small forward positions, with some plays being run with him at point guard. There have been speculations that this will be a rebuilding year for the Billikens, with the addition of nine freshman to the team after losing key players like Jordair Jett and the rest of the starting lineup, but this talk does not have Yacoubou worried. “[The freshmen] are really providing for the team because we have a bunch of guys that listen and are getting better each and every day,” Yacoubou said.

When not on the court, Yacoubou is in the classroom working on his communications degree, and he enjoys taking a break every now and then to catch a movie. Yacoubou’s determination will be vital to the Billikens as they begin their long season to defy the stigmas of an expected rebuilding year.

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Conference expands for second straight year

By CASEY WAUGHN

DAVIDSON (20-13, 15-2 SoCo) The Wildcats are new to the A-10 this season so it’s tough to predict just where they’ll fall. Last year, in the Southern Conference, the team did well, going 15-1 in conference and 20-13 overall and qualifying for the NIT, but they were defeated by Mizzou in the first round. Davidson has traditionally been an offensive team, averaging over 78 points per game last season. However, they lack defense, one of the biggest traits in the A-10, giving up an average of 72.8 points per game in 2013-14. If Davidson can outrun opponents and continue to outscore them this season, using their experience to their advantage, they could see success as the newcomer.

DAYTON (26-11; 10-6 A-10) Dayton always seems to be the annoying little brother that never goes away, and they will be that team again this year. Dayton tends to be a team that plays to the level of its competition. For example, last season they played USC close (79-76 Trojans was the final), but lost to teams like Rhode Island and Richmond. Again, like last year, this young squad with only two seniors has the potential to be good, but it will depend on which Dayton team steps out on the floor on a given night.

MASSACHUSETTS (24-9, 10-6 A-10) UMass finished tied for fifth last season, lower than most expected.

The team notably lost Chaz Williams, but returns Cady Lalanne, Derrick Gordon, and Trey Davis, among others. What UMass has that a number of A-10 teams lack this season, SLU included, is experience. I expect the Minutemen to finish in the top five at the minimum, and be title contenders, especially after facing tough out-of-conference contenders like Notre Dame, Iona, Florida State, Harvard and Florida Gulf Coast.

RICHMOND (19-14, 8-8 A-10) The Spiders return guard Kendall Anthony, who averaged 15.9 points per game last season and was named to the A-10 Second team. Richmond also has a combined eight juniors and seniors on the squad and have a veteran coach in Chris Mooney. What the Spiders lack in raw talent, they’ll make up for in experience, which will win them many games in the conference and keep them as a mid-to-top-tier team.

RHODE ISLAND (14-18, 5-11 A-10)

DUQUESNE (13-17: 5-11 A-10) Duquesne will be a middle of the pack A-10 team this year. They will either win games big, and against opponents you wouldn’t expect, or lose games they shouldn’t, badly. Head coach Jim Ferry loves to run a fast offense with lots of shooting and not use much of the shot clock, which will work if they can tire out teams. However, if they play a good defensive team, like SLU or VCU, who can shut down their run game and offense, they will be lost. The ability to adapt to defenses will be the key for the Dukes to succeed in the A-10 this season.

FORDHAM (10-21; 2-14 A-10) Fordham returns four of their five starters from last year’s team that finished 2-14 in A-10 play, at the bottom of the conference. This year’s team won’t be great, and likely won’t even finish in the top five, but they do have something lacking from a lot of A-10 teams: experience. The Rams return their second leading scorer in sophomore Jon Severe, who averaged 17.3 points per game last season. If Fordham can get the right players and combinations working together, their experience could make them better than most people expect.

GEORGE MASON (11-20; 4-12 A-10)

Rhode Island graduated senior Xavier Munford, who averaged 17 points per game last season as the team’s leading scorer. Rams fans have a lot to be excited for in guard E.C. Matthews, who averaged the second-most points per game on the team last season, with just over 15. However, outside of those two players, only one other player averaged over 10 points per game last year. Unless someone other than Matthews steps up, Rhode Island will be the same middle-to-bottom-tier team as last season’s team that went 5-11 in the A-10 and 14-18 overall.

SAINT JOSEPH’S (2010: 24-10, 11-5 A-10) Saint Joseph’s surprised a lot of people last year, myself included, when they won the A-10 tournament. This year’s team returns a good mix of young and old players, with six upperclassmen on the roster. However, they did lose their top two scorers, so sophomore DeAndre Bembry, the third leading scorer last season, will need to step up and assume the top role. Saint Joseph’s will be a solid squad again, but not top-tier material, finishing somewhere near the middle of the pack.

SAINT LOUIS (27-7, 13-3 A-10)

Last year, George Mason was a turnover machine, averaging 13.4 per game, which ultimately held the team back all season. The Patriots showed that they had the makings of a good team, losing to SLU by a score of 87-81 in St. Louis, and losing to them by just four points in overtime in Fairfax. The team notably returns 6-foot-8-inch big man Erik Copes and power forward Jalen Jenkins. Jenkins averaged 7.2 points and 6 rebounds per game last season, and could up his stats in both categories this season,

Though this SLU squad won’t be as good as last year’s record-setting crew, don’t count the Bills out. Their inexperience could be beneficial if corralled by the team leaders, as their passion and desire to compete is raw and untainted. Plus, no one really knows exactly what junior transfer Ash Yacoubou can do yet, and it is finally Austin McBroom’s time to shine and lead, following the graduation of guards Mike McCall Jr. and Jordair Jett. I expect SLU to finish in the top half of the A-10.

GEORGE WASHINGTON (24-9; 11-5 A-10)

ST. BONAVENTURE (18-15; 6-10 A-10) The Bonnies have the potential to be a good team and surprise a lot of people, if they can work together as a team and everything comes together. With 7-footer Yousse Ndoye, forward Dion Wright, who shot an impressive .500 from the field last season, and senior Jordan Gathers as the core of the group, it will depend on how much other team members step up around them and the big plays they can make to determine the success of this team that went 18-15 last season.

I honestly don’t see what the hype over Kethan Savage is. Yes, he could break out to be great, but averaging only 12.7 points in the 2013-14 season doesn’t garner him preseason first-team All-A-10 honors in my opinion. The Colonials’ game is to score; if they run into a team with good defense and any semblance of an offense, they will run into problems. They’re a middle of the pack, beatable team, for me.

LA SALLE (15-16, 7-9 A-10) La Salle might have a secret weapon in Jordan Price, a redshirt sophomore who transferred from Auburn. However, the Explorers lose a lot of key players from last season in Tyreek Duren, Tyrone Garland and Sam Mills. 6-foot-11-inch senior center Steve Zack will also be a key player this season. However, depth will be a problem for La Salle this season, and they will be beat by teams simply with more talent and depth. Maybe in a few seasons they’ll be able to rival their 2013 Sweet Sixteen run, but it won’t be this year.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (26-9; 12-4 A-10) The Rams are pretty much unanimously picked to win the A-10 this season. Led by Shaka Smart, the team has fallen short of claiming the crown ever since Smart took the helm, but is consistently regarded as one of the top teams in the conference. The Rams return guard Treveon Graham, who was third in total points in the conference last year and eighth in points per game averageing 15.8. Expect VCU to be an offensive force to be reckoned with and the team to beat in the conference.

2014-15 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

2013-2014 Schedule

15

Nov. 15 vs. Southern Illinois Three key games Nov. 18 @ Indiana State

By CASEY WAUGHN Nov. 23 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi^ Saturday, Dec. 6 @ Wichita State Nov. 25 vs. North Carolina A&T^ >> Wichita State is consistently regarded as one of the top programs in the country, and undefeatNov. 28 vs. Mississippi State^ ed in the regular season with 35 wins total last Nov. 29 vs. TCU/Bradley^ season, despite losing in the round of 32 to Kentucky in the NCAA March Madness Championship Dec. 02 vs. Rockhurst Tournament. If SLU can play the Shockers tough, or get a win in Wichita, where the Shockers haven’t lost a game Dec. 06 @ Wichita State since Feb. 27, 2013, people will stop writing this year’s team off Dec. 09 vs. South Dakota State as a rebuilding year. If SLU’s defense can remain tough and their big men like Glaze, Jolly, Manning and Gillman can score and stay Dec. 13 vs. SIUE out of foul trouble, SLU will turn heads of many skeptics across Dec. 17 vs. Texas-Pan American the nation who only want to remember last season’s success.

Dec. 21 vs. Vermont Dec. 31 vs. Vanderbilt Tuesday, Jan. 06 @ George Washington* Jan. 03 vs. Rhode Island* >>This game is the first Atlantic 10 road game of the season, and George Washington is a top-tier Jan. 06 @ George Washington* conference team. Kethan Savage, a junior guard who averaged 12.7 points per game last season Jan. 10 @ Davidson* and is a preseason first-team A-10 selection, will Jan. 23 vs. VCU* prove a defensive challenge for the Bills. However, if they can contain George Washington team that Jan. 29 @ George Mason* averaged 73.2 points per game last season, it will start their conference season off on the right foot. An early road win against a Jan. 31 vs. Massachusetts* reputable team is what SLU needs for a chance to finish at the top Feb. 03 vs. Saint Joseph’s* of the conference, and to gain momentum for the season.

Feb. 07 @ Fordham* Feb. 10 vs. Dayton* Tuesday, Feb. 10 vs. Dayton* Feb. 14 @ Rhode Island* >> Dayton is the last really threatening, top-tier Feb. 17 @ VCU* A-10 opponent that SLU faces this season. The Flyers beat the Billikens home late last season in Feb. 22 vs. La Salle* one of three-straight loses for SLU which set the Feb. 25 @ Duquesne* team off course at the end of the year. If SLU can pick up a win over a Dayton squad led by Jordan Sibert and Dyshawn Pierre who Feb. 28 vs. George Mason* were the number one and three scoreres averaging 12.2 and 11.2 points per game respectively, it will set up the end of the season, Mar. 04 vs. St. Bonaventure* and could possibly be the difference maker in qualifying for the Mar. 07 @ Richmond* A-10 Championship tournament, and even the NCAA Tournament. * Atlantic 10 Conference game ^ Corpus Christi Coastal Classic

Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Wednesday, Mar. 12 - Sunday, Mar. 16 Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NY