Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big South Hoops: Preview of top contenders for 2018-19

By Jason Burgess

BUIES CREEK, NC - MARCH 06: Players, coaches and staff of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs pose for photos with their trophy following their 77-68 victory against the Winthrop Eagles during the championship game of the 2016 Big South Basketball Tournament at Pope Convocation Center on March 6, 2016 in Buies Creek, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
BUIES CREEK, NC - MARCH 06: Players, coaches and staff of the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs pose for photos with their trophy following their 77-68 victory against the Winthrop Eagles during the championship game of the 2016 Big South Basketball Tournament at Pope Convocation Center on March 6, 2016 in Buies Creek, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 24: Jermaine Marrow #2 of the Hampton Pirates talks with a referee during the championship game of the 2017 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament against the Rider Broncs at the Orleans Arena on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rider won 94-80. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 24: Jermaine Marrow #2 of the Hampton Pirates talks with a referee during the championship game of the 2017 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament against the Rider Broncs at the Orleans Arena on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rider won 94-80. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

High Point Panthers

Record: 14-16 (9-9, 7th in Big South) Lost in first round of the Big South Tournament.

Key Returners: Brandonn Kamga 6-5 Jr. guard (10.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.9 apg) Jahaad Proctor 6-3 Jr. guard (16.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.0 apg), Ricky Madison 6-7 Sr. forward (5.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Jordan Whitehead 6-5 Redshirt Sr. G forward (5.2 ppg, 4.5 apg)

Newcomers: Tim Cameron So. 6-4 guard (UTEP), Curtis Holland III 6-2 guard, Othello Smith 6-10 center Rob Peterson III 6-4 forward, John-Michael Hughes 6-1 guard, Caden Sanchez 6-8 So. forward (St. Francis DeSales)

Stats: 37th in scoring defense (66.4 ppg), 44th in steals per game (7.4)

Key non-conference games: Nov. 7 at William & Mary, Nov. 10 vs. Wofford, Bimini Jam Nov. 16-19 vs. South Dakota, UMBC/Air Force, Dec. 29 at Ohio State

Outlook: How much of an impact will Tubby Smith have at his alma mater? He will put fans in the stands and his resume gives his players confidence in their new captain. Smith’s arrival did result in Andre Fox and his 15.7 points and 4.8 rebounds transferring, but he does inherit a junior backcourt of Jahaad Proctor and Brandon Kamga over 27 points per game last season.

Gardner-Webb Bulldogs

Record: 14-18 (9-9, 8th in Big South) Lost in Big South quarterfinals.

Key Returners: David Efianayi 6-2 Redshirt Sr. guard (17.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.3 spg), DJ Laster 6-6 Sr. forward (13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Jaheam Cornwall 6-0 So. guard (7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)

Newcomers: Jaylen Alston 6-4 forward, Jose Perez 6-5 guard/forward, Erick Valdez 6-7 forward, Nick Morgan 6-2 So. guard (walk-on), Ludovic Dufeal 6-8 forward, Gabe Bryant 6-8 forward, Kaleb Hewitt 5-10 So. guard

Stats: 94th in defensive rebounds per game (26.31), DJ Laster 95th in field goal percentage (50.5%)

Key non-conference games: Nov. 6 at VCU, Nov. 9 at Virginia Tech, Nov. 24 vs. UNC-Wilmington, Dec. 17 at Georgia Tech, Dec. 29 at Wake Forest

Outlook: In sports, you often hear how a certain player or team never to win a title, for the Big South that is Gardner-Webb. Prior to last year, the Runnin’ Bulldogs had won 10 or more conference games in five straight season, but have yet to reach a conference tournament final. Seniors David Efiyani and DJ Laster give Gardner-Webb a dynamic duo as a foundation. Add to them Jaheam Cornwall who had a slash line of 7.7/2.4/2.4 as a freshman, and the Bulldogs have a trio that can lead them to uncharted territory.

Hampton Pirates

Record: 19-16 (12-4, T-1st in Mid-Eastern Athletic) Lost in MEAC championship. Lost in the NIT 1st round to Notre Dame 84-63.

Key Returners: Jermaine Marrow 6-0 Jr. guard (18.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg,5.4 apg, 1.2 spg), Kalin Fisher 6-2 Sr. guard (12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.1 apg), Greg Heckstall 6-6 Jr. guard (7.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.1 apg), Akim Mitchell 6-5 Sr. guard (7.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.5 apg), Trevond Barnes 6-9 Sr. forward (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Newcomers: Ricquall Smoot 6-8 Jr. forward (Junior College), Pierre Sow RS-Fr. 7-0 center, Dondre Griffin 6-3 Jr. guard (junior college), James Dunlop 6-11 Fr. center, Benjamin Stanley 6-6 RS-Fr.forward, JJ Watson 6-2 Fr. guard, Jerry Carter 6-3 RS-So. guard

Stats: 11th in free throw percentage (77.7%), 21st in total rebounds (1,372), Jermaine Marrow 48th in assists per game (5.4)

Key non-conference games: Nov. 9 at VCU, Nov. 13 at California, Dec. 8 vs. William & Mary

Outlook: The Pirates are newcomers to the conference, but not to success. Hampton has six NCAA Tournament appearances and in 2001 one of the very few instances of a No. 15 beating a No. 2 when they took down Iowa State.

Next. Preseason Top 25 for 2018-19. dark

Head coach Edward Joyner joins the Big South fight with plenty of ammunition, with five of its top six scorers returning. Junior guard Jermaine Marrow leads the Pirates in every major category.