No. 10 – VMI
2018-19 Record: 4-14 (11-21 in SoCon play)
Key Returnee: Garrett Gilkeson
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: Virginia Tech, East Carolina, UC Davis
VMI was not in the SoCon basement last season, but the Keydets lost their only star in Bubba Parham. Parham, who transferred to Georgia Tech in the offseason, generated a significant portion of the VMI offense, averaging 21.4 points and 3.5 assists per game. The Keydets are hoping Garrett Gilkeson can step up in both areas with help from Myles Lewis and Greg Parham (unrelated to Bubba).
No. 9 – The Citadel
2018-19 Record: 4-14 (12-18)
Key Returnee: Kaiden Rice
Exciting Non-Conference Matchups: Georgia, Campbell, Illinois, N.C. State
Similar to the other military school The Citadel is currently sharing the SoCon basement with, the Bulldogs lost their top player in the offseason: Lew Stallworth (20.2 points, 6.2 assists). However, unlike VMI’s Parham, Stallworth didn’t transfer, he just ran out of time after being on his third team in five years.
The Citadel will look to Kaiden Rice to take over. The upcoming junior wing averaged just over 11 points off the bench for the Bulldogs last season and is the only returnee of their four double-figure scorers.