8) Cal Baptist Lancers
In any other conference, Cal Baptist would most likely start their Division I tenure at the very bottom. However, Chicago State’s struggles has presented an opportunity for the Lancers to make a small statement in the WAC.
Head Coach Rick Croy has assisted at the Division I level, under Randy Bennett of Saint Mary’s, and finished with a winning percentage over 80%. The program’s stability and senior experience gives them a slight edge over the dysfunction of Chicago State.
One player to watch out for is Jordan Heading, the team’s top playmaker, who can not only create his own looks, but can also find sophomore Ty Rowell or senior Marquise Mosley for some open shots. Mosley gives the Lancers a nice dual-point lineup that will allow Heading to find open space off the ball.
With such a small backcourt, all three projected starters are 6’2” or shorter, it is fortunate that Coach Croy has a relatively solid five-man frontcourt rotation. Like Bennett at Saint Mary’s, I fully expect the Lancers to feed De’Jon Davis and Zach Pirog in the paint, while Bul Kuol and Mikey Henn help to spread the floor.
Lancer fans shouldn’t expect fireworks in their first season as a Division I program, but the team should do a lot to begin earning the respect of their WAC competition.