http://ncaabbs.com/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:53:18 -0600 MyBB http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=401408 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:18:02 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=401408
So now you have one! Enjoy!]]>
So now you have one! Enjoy!]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400896 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:35:37 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400896 http://www.ksuowls.com/news/2009/11/18/M...95503.aspx

http://atlselectbball.blogspot.com/2009/...level.html]]> http://www.ksuowls.com/news/2009/11/18/M...95503.aspx

http://atlselectbball.blogspot.com/2009/...level.html]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400670 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:40:03 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400670 http://www.kennesaw.edu/foundation/video...Estate.mov

Found this media clip which shows the stadium artist renderings in the final 20 secs of the video]]> http://www.kennesaw.edu/foundation/video...Estate.mov

Found this media clip which shows the stadium artist renderings in the final 20 secs of the video]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400373 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:17:53 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400373
I just think it is important to remember these type of games when we are viewing Kennesaw's early season games.

1. The fact that North Greenville gave us all we could handle should not discourage the fanbase. Even if we North Greenville had prevailed we shouldn't let that define the early part of a season. On a positive side, we were able to defeat a team that pretty much could not miss for 3/4 of a game.

2. In some of our games where we are the underdog, if we happen to get on a run, take a lead, even win one of these guarantee games it doesn't mean that we are 'supposed' to be any better than we were before the game. Just like Miami (OH) isn't necessarily a better team than Kentucky, we shouldn't get too proud if we end up giving one of these teams all they can handle.

Just a few thoughts I had while watching that game.]]>
I just think it is important to remember these type of games when we are viewing Kennesaw's early season games.

1. The fact that North Greenville gave us all we could handle should not discourage the fanbase. Even if we North Greenville had prevailed we shouldn't let that define the early part of a season. On a positive side, we were able to defeat a team that pretty much could not miss for 3/4 of a game.

2. In some of our games where we are the underdog, if we happen to get on a run, take a lead, even win one of these guarantee games it doesn't mean that we are 'supposed' to be any better than we were before the game. Just like Miami (OH) isn't necessarily a better team than Kentucky, we shouldn't get too proud if we end up giving one of these teams all they can handle.

Just a few thoughts I had while watching that game.]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400257 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:12:01 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400257 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400144 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:34 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400144
Kennesaw State men’s basketball coach Tony Ingle announced the signing of two players on Monday: Aaron Anderson and Mirza Sabic of Central Arizona College.

Anderson, a 6-foot-7 post player, is averaging 12 points, 13 rebounds this season. The 6-6 Sabic averages 14 points and six rebounds while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.

“We expect a lot out these two men as soon as they get on campus,” Ingle said.

Just checked Ksuowls.com and its there too]]>
Kennesaw State men’s basketball coach Tony Ingle announced the signing of two players on Monday: Aaron Anderson and Mirza Sabic of Central Arizona College.

Anderson, a 6-foot-7 post player, is averaging 12 points, 13 rebounds this season. The 6-6 Sabic averages 14 points and six rebounds while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.

“We expect a lot out these two men as soon as they get on campus,” Ingle said.

Just checked Ksuowls.com and its there too]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400102 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:55:21 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400102
Yes, I know it's too early to tell anything about this team.

But you gotta love KSU sitting on top of the A-Sun standings at the moment. It's a picture I could get used to...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/conference...?confID=46]]>
Yes, I know it's too early to tell anything about this team.

But you gotta love KSU sitting on top of the A-Sun standings at the moment. It's a picture I could get used to...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/conference...?confID=46]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400031 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:16:58 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=400031
2009-10 Roster
Coaches


NO NAME YR POS HT WT Hometown (Last School)
3 Kwamain Mitchell SO G 5-10 175 Milwaukee, Wis. (Dominican)
10 Paul Eckerle JR G 6-1 175 Washington, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia)
12 Justin Jordan FR G 5-9 170 Fort Wayne, Ind. (Northside)
13 Femi John RS FR G 6-2 205 St. Louis, Mo. (McCluer North)
14 Brian Conklin SO F 6-6 230 North Eugene, Ore. (North Eugene)
15 Christian Salecich FR G 6-3 190 Gold Coast, Australia (Institute of Sport)
20 Darrin Young FR G 5-10 165 Kirkwood, Mo. (Kirkwood)
21 Jon Smith FR F 6-5 190 Columbus, Ohio (Grove City)
22 Jeff Reid FR G 6-4 185 Topeka, Kan. (Hayden)
23 Kyle Cassity SO G 6-3 200 Tamaroa, Ill. (Pinckneyville)
24 Cody Ellis FR F 6-8 240 Perth, Australia (Institute of Sport)
32 Cory Remekun FR F 6-7 205 Dallas, Texas (Mesquite)
33 Willie Reed SO F 6-9 220 Kansas City, Mo. (Bishop Miege)

Here is a link regarding their first game. SEMO was a three win team last year.

http://www.slubillikens.com/sports/m-bas...09aaa.html]]>
2009-10 Roster
Coaches


NO NAME YR POS HT WT Hometown (Last School)
3 Kwamain Mitchell SO G 5-10 175 Milwaukee, Wis. (Dominican)
10 Paul Eckerle JR G 6-1 175 Washington, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia)
12 Justin Jordan FR G 5-9 170 Fort Wayne, Ind. (Northside)
13 Femi John RS FR G 6-2 205 St. Louis, Mo. (McCluer North)
14 Brian Conklin SO F 6-6 230 North Eugene, Ore. (North Eugene)
15 Christian Salecich FR G 6-3 190 Gold Coast, Australia (Institute of Sport)
20 Darrin Young FR G 5-10 165 Kirkwood, Mo. (Kirkwood)
21 Jon Smith FR F 6-5 190 Columbus, Ohio (Grove City)
22 Jeff Reid FR G 6-4 185 Topeka, Kan. (Hayden)
23 Kyle Cassity SO G 6-3 200 Tamaroa, Ill. (Pinckneyville)
24 Cody Ellis FR F 6-8 240 Perth, Australia (Institute of Sport)
32 Cory Remekun FR F 6-7 205 Dallas, Texas (Mesquite)
33 Willie Reed SO F 6-9 220 Kansas City, Mo. (Bishop Miege)

Here is a link regarding their first game. SEMO was a three win team last year.

http://www.slubillikens.com/sports/m-bas...09aaa.html]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398901 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:38:39 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398901
----------------------------------------------------------

Before they left the conference for the greener pastures of Division I-A and Conference USA, Central Florida won the 2004 and 2005 Atlantic Sun titles and scared the bejeezus out of two Big East opponents in the first round. With UCF's departure, the league's power center shifted north to Tennessee, where Belmont claimed three consecutive tourney bids, almost knocking Duke out in their 2008 appearance, before East Tennessee State made it last season. The Bucs gave Pittsburgh, the team UCF gave a game in '04, a substantial scare before bowing out at the first hurdle.

Now the power of the league again looks like it will shift to the Sunshine State. Jacksonville, last season's regular season champions who have lost in the A-Sun final two straight times, is the odds on favorite this time around. The league's Tennessee powers will again provide the bulk of the challenge for the Dolphins, though Lipscomb should better neighboring Belmont's performance this time around. But JU will also be challenged by two long moribund programs, Mercer and Campbell.

This offseason, the Camels actually announced that they'll be leaving the conference to return to the Big South, effective with the 2011-12 academic year. Barring any further changes, that means that the league will feature 10 tournament-eligible teams that year. Kennesaw State, the 2004 Division II National Champion, and North Florida are postseason eligible for the first time this season. However, Florida Gulf Coast and South Carolina Upstate have two more years left in their transition period.

More on the conference's teams, both postseason eligible and ineligible, after the jump.



Before we look at 2009-10, here's a look at how the Atlantic Sun standings looked at the end of the 2008-09 regular season.

Atlantic Sun Conference Standings
(updated 3.24.2009 at 12:09 AM EDT)

Conf Overall
W L W L
Jacksonville Dolphins 15 5 18 14
East Tennessee St. Buccaneers 14 6 23 11
Belmont Bruins 14 6 20 13
Lipscomb Bisons 12 8 17 14
Mercer Bears 11 9 17 15
Campbell Fighting Camels 11 9 14 16
Stetson Hatters 9 11 13 17
North Florida Ospreys 6 14 8 22
Kennesaw St. Owls 3 17 7 22
Now here are my picks for the upcoming season, presented in reverse order. However, I'll start with the two A-Sun teams are ineligible for the postseason.



Florida Gulf Coast (last NCAA: None) Dave Balza's team continues its trip through transitional purgatory with four returning starters, led by 6-1 guard Reed Baker (13.4 ppg).



South Carolina Upstate (last NCAA: None) Even though the Spartans remain ineligible for the A-Sun crown, they could play spoiler, as they won 8 league contests last season. The task for Eddie Payne's squad will be made more difficult with the departure of leading scorer Bobby Davis (14.8 ppg). The Spartans two best returnees are the Mutt and Jeff of the conference, 7-3 center Nick Schneiders (9.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and 5-9 guard Josh Chavis (8.3 ppg).



North Florida (last NCAA: None) Matthew Driscoll takes over an Osprey program that was absolutely dreadful under previous coach Matt Kilcullen. In their final transitional year, UNF managed to win two road games (Furman and Stetson). Those represent those only road success the Ospreys had tasted in four seasons. (They had only 14 Division I wins in that span.) Progress will be slow for North Florida, who have four returning starters (a theme in this league this season), led by guards Eni Cuka (13.2 ppg) and Stan Januska (8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg).



Stetson (last NCAA: None) Derek Waugh's squad lost three starters from a team that should've performed much better last season. Instead of building on their third place finish in 2007-'08, the Hatters slipped to seventh last time around. It's hard to see how Stetson will improve after guard Garfield Blair (17.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) graduated. However, point guard A.J. Smith (12.6 ppg, 3.8 apg) is back, as is 6-5 forward Sheldon Oliver (5.6 ppg, 5 rpg). Waugh will have to get a lot out of his newcomers, as guard Mark Lohuis was the only returning reserve who managed more than 2 ppg last year (5.0 ppg). It looks like it will be another long season in DeLand.



Kennesaw State (last NCAA: None) Tony Ingle's team is finally postseason eligible and they could spring some surprises, as the Owls bring back all five starters, three of whom were double-figure performers a year ago--G Kelvin McConnell (11.9 ppg), 6-6 F Jon-Michael Nickerson (10.1 ppg, along with 5.5 rpg), and 6-3 G Kurtis Woods (10.5 ppg). PG Spencer Dixon (7.4 ppg, 2.7 apg) will run the offense, while 6-7 F Jonathan Whipple, another returning starter (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-6 bench performer Zadrian Gibson (4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and 6-9 Auburn transfer Matt Heramb will be expected to improve KSU's inside play.



Belmont (last NCAA: 2008) The Bruins are looking for their fourth title in five seasons, but they'll have to do it without four starters who averaged in double-figures last season: guards Alex Renfroe (16.2 ppg) and Andy Wicke (11.7 ppg), forward Matthew Dotson (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and swingman Shane Dansby (10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg). In fact, Rick Byrd's team only returns two players who averaged more than 3.5 points per contest last year, G/F Jon House (8.3 ppg) and forward Keaton Belcher (7.1 ppg). The good news for Belmont is that 6-5 F Jordan Campbell returns after missing most of last year with an injury. He led the Bruins in steals and blocks and was second in rebounding during the 2007-08 championship campaign.



Campbell (last NCAA: 1992) The Camels hope to be a thorn in the side of the A-Sun during their last two years in the league. They have an excellent shot to contend this year, as they return all five starters and their key reserves from the team that earned the program's first winning conference mark since the turn of the century. 6-5 forward Jonathan Rodriguez is a threat for league honors this year after a year where he averaged nearly 16 points and over 8 boards a game. Six others averaged more than 5 points per contest, led by guard Lorne Merthie (9.5 ppg), last year's conference Freshman of the Year. Campbell will have to pack more scoring punch to truly contend, however.



East Tennessee State (last NCAA: 2009) Murry Bartow's Bucs will sorely miss Kevin Tiggs, who averaged over 21 points per contest last year, Courtney Pigram (17.6 ppg), and Greg Hamlin (5 ppg, 5 rpg), but senior Mike Smith (15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and sophomore Isiah Brown (4.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) do return from last year's auto bid winners. The reserves, none of whom averaged more than 4.4 points per contest, will have to step up for the team to repeat. The schedule will be a challenge as the Bucs visit Arkansas and Louisville as part of the Hall of Fame Classic, UAB, and Tennessee. They also face Southern Conference finalists Chattanooga and College of Charleston and OVC favorites Morehead State and Murray State.



Mercer (last NCAA: 1985) Like just about everyone else in the A-Sun, head coach Bob Hoffman returns a solid core of players. The Bears bring back four starters from last year, as they attempt to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 15 years. Mercer's chances begin and end with 6-1 senior guard James Florence, who is the only active player in the country to average 20 or more points per game in conference play over each of the last three seasons. He's joined in the backcourt by E.J. Kusnyer, who averaged 10.5 points per game last year. Inside, 6-8 senior Daniel Emerson averaged a double-double last year, scoring nearly 14 a game while grabbing nearly 11 boards. Hoffman also gains the services of 6-2 guard Jeff Smith and 6-6 forward Brandon Moore, two junior college transfers who were teammates at Wallace State Community College in Alabama.



Lipscomb (last NCAA: None) Scott Sanderson's squad, which always seems to be in the conversation in the A-Sun, looks to break through for their first NCAA bid this time around. However, next year could really be the Bison's year, as their four returning starters are all juniors. 6-9 Adnan Hodzic is the best post player in the conference (17.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Brandon Brown is another force inside (9.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg). In the backcourt, Sanderson lost Michael Lusk (8.6 ppg), but picks up George Washington transfer Johnny Lee. He graduated in three years and decided to head back to Nashville to conclude his career. Lee will join the talented Josh Slater (11 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Michael Teller (8.3 ppg, 5 rpg) to form a formidable unit that will give the rest of the conference fits.



Jacksonville (last NCAA: 1986) The Dolphins return four starters from the team that won last year's regular season crown by a game over ETSU and Belmont, but got blasted by the Bucs in the game that really mattered. 6-7 forward Marcus Allen (10 ppg, 6.7 rpg) will be missed, but senior Lehmon Colbert (11.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and junior Ayron Hardy (10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) are two formidable frontcourt players. Ben Smith, another senior, will lead the team in the backcourt. Smith averaged almost 17 points a game while dishing out 4 assists and forcing 2 steals per game. The schedule will be tough, as the Dolphins "host" Florida at the Veterans Memorial Arena this season, while they travel to South Carolina, Florida State, and California.

So, I expect the Dolphins to break through and claim the Atlantic Sun's auto bid this season. They'll appear in my 2009-10 Final Preseason Bracket, which I will release on November 9.

To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-Atlantic Sun team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team
Player of the Year: James Florence, 6-1 G, Sr. (Mercer)

Remainder of the Team
Adnan Hodzic, 6-9 C, Jr. (Lipscomb)
Jonathan Rodriguez, 6-5 F, Sr. (Campbell)
Ben Smith, 5-10 G, Sr. (Jacksonville)
Mike Smith, 6-6 G, Sr. (East Tennessee State)]]>
----------------------------------------------------------

Before they left the conference for the greener pastures of Division I-A and Conference USA, Central Florida won the 2004 and 2005 Atlantic Sun titles and scared the bejeezus out of two Big East opponents in the first round. With UCF's departure, the league's power center shifted north to Tennessee, where Belmont claimed three consecutive tourney bids, almost knocking Duke out in their 2008 appearance, before East Tennessee State made it last season. The Bucs gave Pittsburgh, the team UCF gave a game in '04, a substantial scare before bowing out at the first hurdle.

Now the power of the league again looks like it will shift to the Sunshine State. Jacksonville, last season's regular season champions who have lost in the A-Sun final two straight times, is the odds on favorite this time around. The league's Tennessee powers will again provide the bulk of the challenge for the Dolphins, though Lipscomb should better neighboring Belmont's performance this time around. But JU will also be challenged by two long moribund programs, Mercer and Campbell.

This offseason, the Camels actually announced that they'll be leaving the conference to return to the Big South, effective with the 2011-12 academic year. Barring any further changes, that means that the league will feature 10 tournament-eligible teams that year. Kennesaw State, the 2004 Division II National Champion, and North Florida are postseason eligible for the first time this season. However, Florida Gulf Coast and South Carolina Upstate have two more years left in their transition period.

More on the conference's teams, both postseason eligible and ineligible, after the jump.



Before we look at 2009-10, here's a look at how the Atlantic Sun standings looked at the end of the 2008-09 regular season.

Atlantic Sun Conference Standings
(updated 3.24.2009 at 12:09 AM EDT)

Conf Overall
W L W L
Jacksonville Dolphins 15 5 18 14
East Tennessee St. Buccaneers 14 6 23 11
Belmont Bruins 14 6 20 13
Lipscomb Bisons 12 8 17 14
Mercer Bears 11 9 17 15
Campbell Fighting Camels 11 9 14 16
Stetson Hatters 9 11 13 17
North Florida Ospreys 6 14 8 22
Kennesaw St. Owls 3 17 7 22
Now here are my picks for the upcoming season, presented in reverse order. However, I'll start with the two A-Sun teams are ineligible for the postseason.



Florida Gulf Coast (last NCAA: None) Dave Balza's team continues its trip through transitional purgatory with four returning starters, led by 6-1 guard Reed Baker (13.4 ppg).



South Carolina Upstate (last NCAA: None) Even though the Spartans remain ineligible for the A-Sun crown, they could play spoiler, as they won 8 league contests last season. The task for Eddie Payne's squad will be made more difficult with the departure of leading scorer Bobby Davis (14.8 ppg). The Spartans two best returnees are the Mutt and Jeff of the conference, 7-3 center Nick Schneiders (9.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and 5-9 guard Josh Chavis (8.3 ppg).



North Florida (last NCAA: None) Matthew Driscoll takes over an Osprey program that was absolutely dreadful under previous coach Matt Kilcullen. In their final transitional year, UNF managed to win two road games (Furman and Stetson). Those represent those only road success the Ospreys had tasted in four seasons. (They had only 14 Division I wins in that span.) Progress will be slow for North Florida, who have four returning starters (a theme in this league this season), led by guards Eni Cuka (13.2 ppg) and Stan Januska (8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg).



Stetson (last NCAA: None) Derek Waugh's squad lost three starters from a team that should've performed much better last season. Instead of building on their third place finish in 2007-'08, the Hatters slipped to seventh last time around. It's hard to see how Stetson will improve after guard Garfield Blair (17.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) graduated. However, point guard A.J. Smith (12.6 ppg, 3.8 apg) is back, as is 6-5 forward Sheldon Oliver (5.6 ppg, 5 rpg). Waugh will have to get a lot out of his newcomers, as guard Mark Lohuis was the only returning reserve who managed more than 2 ppg last year (5.0 ppg). It looks like it will be another long season in DeLand.



Kennesaw State (last NCAA: None) Tony Ingle's team is finally postseason eligible and they could spring some surprises, as the Owls bring back all five starters, three of whom were double-figure performers a year ago--G Kelvin McConnell (11.9 ppg), 6-6 F Jon-Michael Nickerson (10.1 ppg, along with 5.5 rpg), and 6-3 G Kurtis Woods (10.5 ppg). PG Spencer Dixon (7.4 ppg, 2.7 apg) will run the offense, while 6-7 F Jonathan Whipple, another returning starter (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-6 bench performer Zadrian Gibson (4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and 6-9 Auburn transfer Matt Heramb will be expected to improve KSU's inside play.



Belmont (last NCAA: 2008) The Bruins are looking for their fourth title in five seasons, but they'll have to do it without four starters who averaged in double-figures last season: guards Alex Renfroe (16.2 ppg) and Andy Wicke (11.7 ppg), forward Matthew Dotson (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and swingman Shane Dansby (10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg). In fact, Rick Byrd's team only returns two players who averaged more than 3.5 points per contest last year, G/F Jon House (8.3 ppg) and forward Keaton Belcher (7.1 ppg). The good news for Belmont is that 6-5 F Jordan Campbell returns after missing most of last year with an injury. He led the Bruins in steals and blocks and was second in rebounding during the 2007-08 championship campaign.



Campbell (last NCAA: 1992) The Camels hope to be a thorn in the side of the A-Sun during their last two years in the league. They have an excellent shot to contend this year, as they return all five starters and their key reserves from the team that earned the program's first winning conference mark since the turn of the century. 6-5 forward Jonathan Rodriguez is a threat for league honors this year after a year where he averaged nearly 16 points and over 8 boards a game. Six others averaged more than 5 points per contest, led by guard Lorne Merthie (9.5 ppg), last year's conference Freshman of the Year. Campbell will have to pack more scoring punch to truly contend, however.



East Tennessee State (last NCAA: 2009) Murry Bartow's Bucs will sorely miss Kevin Tiggs, who averaged over 21 points per contest last year, Courtney Pigram (17.6 ppg), and Greg Hamlin (5 ppg, 5 rpg), but senior Mike Smith (15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and sophomore Isiah Brown (4.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) do return from last year's auto bid winners. The reserves, none of whom averaged more than 4.4 points per contest, will have to step up for the team to repeat. The schedule will be a challenge as the Bucs visit Arkansas and Louisville as part of the Hall of Fame Classic, UAB, and Tennessee. They also face Southern Conference finalists Chattanooga and College of Charleston and OVC favorites Morehead State and Murray State.



Mercer (last NCAA: 1985) Like just about everyone else in the A-Sun, head coach Bob Hoffman returns a solid core of players. The Bears bring back four starters from last year, as they attempt to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 15 years. Mercer's chances begin and end with 6-1 senior guard James Florence, who is the only active player in the country to average 20 or more points per game in conference play over each of the last three seasons. He's joined in the backcourt by E.J. Kusnyer, who averaged 10.5 points per game last year. Inside, 6-8 senior Daniel Emerson averaged a double-double last year, scoring nearly 14 a game while grabbing nearly 11 boards. Hoffman also gains the services of 6-2 guard Jeff Smith and 6-6 forward Brandon Moore, two junior college transfers who were teammates at Wallace State Community College in Alabama.



Lipscomb (last NCAA: None) Scott Sanderson's squad, which always seems to be in the conversation in the A-Sun, looks to break through for their first NCAA bid this time around. However, next year could really be the Bison's year, as their four returning starters are all juniors. 6-9 Adnan Hodzic is the best post player in the conference (17.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Brandon Brown is another force inside (9.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg). In the backcourt, Sanderson lost Michael Lusk (8.6 ppg), but picks up George Washington transfer Johnny Lee. He graduated in three years and decided to head back to Nashville to conclude his career. Lee will join the talented Josh Slater (11 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Michael Teller (8.3 ppg, 5 rpg) to form a formidable unit that will give the rest of the conference fits.



Jacksonville (last NCAA: 1986) The Dolphins return four starters from the team that won last year's regular season crown by a game over ETSU and Belmont, but got blasted by the Bucs in the game that really mattered. 6-7 forward Marcus Allen (10 ppg, 6.7 rpg) will be missed, but senior Lehmon Colbert (11.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and junior Ayron Hardy (10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) are two formidable frontcourt players. Ben Smith, another senior, will lead the team in the backcourt. Smith averaged almost 17 points a game while dishing out 4 assists and forcing 2 steals per game. The schedule will be tough, as the Dolphins "host" Florida at the Veterans Memorial Arena this season, while they travel to South Carolina, Florida State, and California.

So, I expect the Dolphins to break through and claim the Atlantic Sun's auto bid this season. They'll appear in my 2009-10 Final Preseason Bracket, which I will release on November 9.

To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-Atlantic Sun team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team
Player of the Year: James Florence, 6-1 G, Sr. (Mercer)

Remainder of the Team
Adnan Hodzic, 6-9 C, Jr. (Lipscomb)
Jonathan Rodriguez, 6-5 F, Sr. (Campbell)
Ben Smith, 5-10 G, Sr. (Jacksonville)
Mike Smith, 6-6 G, Sr. (East Tennessee State)]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398841 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:56:39 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398841
Any news in the papers is good for the school

We need all the pub we can get

Delashmit is in discussions with Kennesaw State softball coach Scott Whitlock and the university's administration in the hopes that the team will be able to play its games at Bailey Park.

"We're still working on pulling it all together," Delashmit said. "With the purchase, the acquisition of franchise rights, the arrangements with KSU, it's all coming together. Scott has been great, and I couldn't have asked for a better friend in all of this.........

.....With two new sports franchises calling KSU home, it could present a conflict between two teams looking to tap the market of women's sports. The soccer team's schedule would stretch from April until August, while the softball team's slate would go from June until August.

"It's a women's sport, so it's good for everybody," Beat owner and Marietta resident Fitz Johnson said. "We need more women's sports, and we welcome any way to raise their profile."

Delashmit agreed with Johnson's take.

"I don't think it will be a problem," he said. "The teams will support each other, and there will be opportunities to cross-promote and partner with KSU. Cobb could be the haven for women's sports. We can create a niche in this area."]]>
Any news in the papers is good for the school

We need all the pub we can get

Delashmit is in discussions with Kennesaw State softball coach Scott Whitlock and the university's administration in the hopes that the team will be able to play its games at Bailey Park.

"We're still working on pulling it all together," Delashmit said. "With the purchase, the acquisition of franchise rights, the arrangements with KSU, it's all coming together. Scott has been great, and I couldn't have asked for a better friend in all of this.........

.....With two new sports franchises calling KSU home, it could present a conflict between two teams looking to tap the market of women's sports. The soccer team's schedule would stretch from April until August, while the softball team's slate would go from June until August.

"It's a women's sport, so it's good for everybody," Beat owner and Marietta resident Fitz Johnson said. "We need more women's sports, and we welcome any way to raise their profile."

Delashmit agreed with Johnson's take.

"I don't think it will be a problem," he said. "The teams will support each other, and there will be opportunities to cross-promote and partner with KSU. Cobb could be the haven for women's sports. We can create a niche in this area."]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398562 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:17:40 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=398562
http://www.mdjonline.com/pages/full_stor...eft_column]]>
http://www.mdjonline.com/pages/full_stor...eft_column]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397957 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:43:33 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397957
# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School
2 Kindall Butler F 6-4 217 Sr. Atlanta, GA / Wallace State Hanceville
10 Tyler Norman G 6-0 171 So. Cleveland, GA / Truett-McConnell College
12 Michael Moynihan G 6-1 182 Sr. Alpharetta, GA / Georgia State
14 Carl Taylor G 6-3 210 Jr. Conyers, GA / Morehead State
20 Cody Coleman G 6-0 175 So. Rabun Gap, GA / Truett-McConnell College
21 Chase Anderson F 6-5 202 Fr. Lawrenceville, GA / Mill Creek HS
22 Brody Langston F 6-4 185 Sr. Gainesville, GA / Georgia Perimeter
23 Keldrick Coleman F 6-3 215 Jr. Gainesville, GA / Georgia Perimeter
24 Reed Buck F 6-5 190 Fr. Lawrenceville, GA / Collins Hill
32 Jon Nolton C 6-7 185 Jr. Warner Robins, GA / Santa Fe CC
33 Bernard Rimmer F 6-8 200 Sr. Grenada, MS / Georgia State
40 Andrew Bennett C 6-10 238 Sr. Coventry, England / Blue Coat Secondary
42 Pat Moynihan F 6-4 181 Fr. Atlanta, GA / Centennial HS
50 Robby Goldsmith C 6-10 231 Fr. Melbourne, FL / Hargrave Military
Taylor Metzger F 6-3 185 Fr. Duluth, GA / Greater Atlanta Christian]]>
# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School
2 Kindall Butler F 6-4 217 Sr. Atlanta, GA / Wallace State Hanceville
10 Tyler Norman G 6-0 171 So. Cleveland, GA / Truett-McConnell College
12 Michael Moynihan G 6-1 182 Sr. Alpharetta, GA / Georgia State
14 Carl Taylor G 6-3 210 Jr. Conyers, GA / Morehead State
20 Cody Coleman G 6-0 175 So. Rabun Gap, GA / Truett-McConnell College
21 Chase Anderson F 6-5 202 Fr. Lawrenceville, GA / Mill Creek HS
22 Brody Langston F 6-4 185 Sr. Gainesville, GA / Georgia Perimeter
23 Keldrick Coleman F 6-3 215 Jr. Gainesville, GA / Georgia Perimeter
24 Reed Buck F 6-5 190 Fr. Lawrenceville, GA / Collins Hill
32 Jon Nolton C 6-7 185 Jr. Warner Robins, GA / Santa Fe CC
33 Bernard Rimmer F 6-8 200 Sr. Grenada, MS / Georgia State
40 Andrew Bennett C 6-10 238 Sr. Coventry, England / Blue Coat Secondary
42 Pat Moynihan F 6-4 181 Fr. Atlanta, GA / Centennial HS
50 Robby Goldsmith C 6-10 231 Fr. Melbourne, FL / Hargrave Military
Taylor Metzger F 6-3 185 Fr. Duluth, GA / Greater Atlanta Christian]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397956 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:41:56 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397956
Roster:

# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School

2 Bryan Butler G 5-10 165 Fr. Charleston, SC/James Island HS
3 Tim Franklin G 5-10 175 Fr. Piedmont, SC/Wren HS
4 Luke Lattimer F 6-4 190 R-Fr. South Bend, IN/St. Joseph's HS
5 Ian Harris G 6-3 175 R-So. Greensboro, NC/Lees-McRae HS
10 Jonathan Bozymowski F 6-6 190 So. Piedmont, SC/Wren HS
11 Casey Belli G 6-2 175 Fr. Acworth, GA/Harrison HS
12 Troy Randolph G 5-10 165 Fr. Powder Springs, GA/King's Way Christian HS
14 Jimmy Ellis G 5-10 165 Fr. Aiken, SC/South Aiken HS
15 Rory Fields F 6-4 170 Fr. Augusta, GA/Curtis Baptist HS
21 Zack Shields G 6-3 175 So. Mount Eden, KY/Spencer County HS
22 Kyler Vitko F 6-6 215 Sr. Alpharetta, GA/Chattahoochee HS
23 Tyler Mains G 6-1 180 Jr. Butler, KY/Pendleton County HS
24 Jason Wray G 6-2 170 So. Fayetteville, NC/Jack Britt HS
30 Kyler Booher F 6-2 185 Jr. Covington, OH/Newton HS
32 Matt Hunter G 6-0 165 Fr. Pontiac, IL/Pontiac Township HS
33 Millan Rodrigo G 6-1 175 Fr. Marrietta, GA/Hillgrove HS
40 Jamaal Pryor F 6-4 185 Fr. Powder Springs, GA/Hillgrove HS
44 Jeremy Eidson C 6-9 245 So. Greenwood, SC/Emerald HS
50 Paul Harrison F 6-8 260 So. Alpharetta, GA/Roswell HS]]>
Roster:

# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School

2 Bryan Butler G 5-10 165 Fr. Charleston, SC/James Island HS
3 Tim Franklin G 5-10 175 Fr. Piedmont, SC/Wren HS
4 Luke Lattimer F 6-4 190 R-Fr. South Bend, IN/St. Joseph's HS
5 Ian Harris G 6-3 175 R-So. Greensboro, NC/Lees-McRae HS
10 Jonathan Bozymowski F 6-6 190 So. Piedmont, SC/Wren HS
11 Casey Belli G 6-2 175 Fr. Acworth, GA/Harrison HS
12 Troy Randolph G 5-10 165 Fr. Powder Springs, GA/King's Way Christian HS
14 Jimmy Ellis G 5-10 165 Fr. Aiken, SC/South Aiken HS
15 Rory Fields F 6-4 170 Fr. Augusta, GA/Curtis Baptist HS
21 Zack Shields G 6-3 175 So. Mount Eden, KY/Spencer County HS
22 Kyler Vitko F 6-6 215 Sr. Alpharetta, GA/Chattahoochee HS
23 Tyler Mains G 6-1 180 Jr. Butler, KY/Pendleton County HS
24 Jason Wray G 6-2 170 So. Fayetteville, NC/Jack Britt HS
30 Kyler Booher F 6-2 185 Jr. Covington, OH/Newton HS
32 Matt Hunter G 6-0 165 Fr. Pontiac, IL/Pontiac Township HS
33 Millan Rodrigo G 6-1 175 Fr. Marrietta, GA/Hillgrove HS
40 Jamaal Pryor F 6-4 185 Fr. Powder Springs, GA/Hillgrove HS
44 Jeremy Eidson C 6-9 245 So. Greenwood, SC/Emerald HS
50 Paul Harrison F 6-8 260 So. Alpharetta, GA/Roswell HS]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397267 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:42:06 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397267
Great way to finish the game for the Senior]]>
Great way to finish the game for the Senior]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397169 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:11:19 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=397169 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=396664 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:05:48 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=396664 Conference: Atlantic Sun Conference (Atlantic Sun)


The following prospects are considering or committed to the Kennesaw State Owls

PG Roger Hubbard 2011 Sprayberry
Marietta, GA

http://www.hoopmasters.com/program.php?pid=331
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/...bard-87955

Would like to see what this guy has to offer.]]> Conference: Atlantic Sun Conference (Atlantic Sun)


The following prospects are considering or committed to the Kennesaw State Owls

PG Roger Hubbard 2011 Sprayberry
Marietta, GA

http://www.hoopmasters.com/program.php?pid=331
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/...bard-87955

Would like to see what this guy has to offer.]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=396466 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:41:23 -0600 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=396466
Scholarship Math
By my count we'll have five scholarships to award to incoming recruits for next season.

1. J-Mac
2. Whipple
3. Mitchell
4. Revoked Scholarship #1
5. Revoked Scholarship #2
   

This should give Ingle quite a bit of flexibility on what type of recruits to bring in. I don't think we'll have any position where we're "set" at so hopefully we have a balanced class.]]>
Scholarship Math
By my count we'll have five scholarships to award to incoming recruits for next season.

1. J-Mac
2. Whipple
3. Mitchell
4. Revoked Scholarship #1
5. Revoked Scholarship #2
   

This should give Ingle quite a bit of flexibility on what type of recruits to bring in. I don't think we'll have any position where we're "set" at so hopefully we have a balanced class.]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395963 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:38 -0500 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395963
Talk of a live owl mascot began circulating after a student raised the issue during a Vision: 2010-2015 forum last week hosted by President Daniel Papp and the Student Government Association.

University officials say the special addition of an owl to the campus community is more of a long-term project, but is under consideration....

http://ksusentinel.com/news/live-mascot-...ideration/

Thought this would be great to have for the university]]>
Talk of a live owl mascot began circulating after a student raised the issue during a Vision: 2010-2015 forum last week hosted by President Daniel Papp and the Student Government Association.

University officials say the special addition of an owl to the campus community is more of a long-term project, but is under consideration....

http://ksusentinel.com/news/live-mascot-...ideration/

Thought this would be great to have for the university]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395838 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:10:14 -0500 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395838
COACH AND PROGRAM

It's hard to blame Kennesaw State coach Tony Ingle for his desire to focus squarely on what lies ahead. The future is, after all, the wellspring of all opportunity.

And now that the Owls have completed a four-year transition into Division I basketball, the opportunities have never been more limitless.

"We're now telling everybody that we have a chance to go to our conference tournament and it leads to an NCAA bid," Ingle said. "We actually get to go to our conference tournament nowwe think we're a pig in slop."

Kennesaw State Owls
Last Season 7-22 (.241)
Conference Record 3-17 (11th)
Starters Lost/Returning 0/5
Coach Tony Ingle (Huntingdon '76)
Record At School 157-121 (9 years)
Career Record 227-191 (13 years)
RPI Last 5 years N/A-250-276-323-336

Besides all that, last season was certainly nothing to look back on and remember fondly. Kennesaw State had little margin for error entering the year, but that margin shrunk even further after just seven games.

The Owls jumped out to a 5-2 record before senior leader J.D. Pollock went down with a season-ending injury. With Pollock out of the picture, Kennesaw State only won two games the rest of the way.

"When J.D. went out, buddy, that just was devastating," Ingle said. "What I tell people is that there are five wheels on a car. You have four on the ground and you have one called a steering wheel. J.D. was the steering wheel. J.D. was the leader. J.D. was the one that kept us on track and would get us moving in the right direction."

Replacing Pollock's scoring production and leadership were certainly the primary concerns for the Owls. Before his injury, Pollock scored a career-high 24 points in a 54-50 win over Colgate. But having one less body in the backcourt rotation also took its toll as the season wore on.

"I've coached a long time," Ingle said. "When you have depth, that is very encouraging. They work harder in practice, they play harder in games.

"But it's stressful when you don't have a lot of depth. You get one in foul trouble and you get one sick, lame or lazy, and buddy, I thought I was going to have to put those tennis shoes on."

PLAYERS

Even though the Owls faced their share of adversity last season, there are some positives they can take with them as they move forward. They enter this season with five returning players who were in the starting lineup for the bulk of the 2008-09 campaign.

But the biggest positive for his program last season was the emergence of Kurtis Woods (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Woods, a 6-3 sophomore guard, was Kennesaw State's second-leading scorer and landed Atlantic Sun All-Freshman honors.

"That was good for our program and something positive to put a spin on and tell the recruits," Ingle said. "We're in a situation where we're looking for anything that we can. Kurtis Woods is a competitor, he's a good shooter and he's going to have a great career here. We're looking for more out of him on both ends of the floor."

Kelvin McConnell (11.9 ppg, 2.4 apg) and Spencer Dixon (7.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) return to the Owls' backcourt with plenty of starting experience under their belts.

Blue Ribbon Previews

Atlantic Sun Take an Inside look at the Atlantic Sun with Blue Ribbon's 2009-10 team reports: Insider
Belmont
Campbell
East Tennessee State
Jacksonville
Kennesaw State
Lipscomb
Mercer Insider Free
North Florida
Stetson

McConnell, a 6-0 junior, led the Owls in scoring last season and is on pace to finish his career with 1,000 points. That's quite an accomplishment for a guy that came to Kennesaw State as a walk-on before earning a scholarship just before last season.

McConnell commands respect from everyone on the roster and is developing into a team leader.

"I don't know anybody who gets more out of what they've got," Ingle said. "He plays solid defense and he stretches the defense because of his outside shooting ability [.379, 66-of-174 3PT]. He definitely earned his stripes, and my heart goes out to those kind of guys who come here with a dream and have some success."

Dixon, a 6-0 sophomore point guard, led the team with 46 steals and 78 assists and started 19 games a year ago. He will have to improve on his 29 percent shooting, however, as he moves forward.

"He's quick and I liked him coming off the bench," Ingle said. "He was my No. 1 guard off the bench last year, and then when J.D. goes down, we had to rotate some things. But Spencer got a lot of playing time, and this year we want to build on that."

Cortez Irby will be a newcomer in the backcourt after transferring from Shelton State (Ala.) Community College. Ingle describes the 6-4 guard as a good shooter. In the semifinals of the Alabama Community College Tournament last year, Irby tossed in six three-pointers en route to a season-high 24 points. For the season he averaged 8.3 points and shot .341 (57-of-167) from three-point range.

In the frontcourt, Jon-Michael Nickerson (10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg) was supposed to be a cornerstone inside for the Owls but a foot injury over the summer has cast his playing future in doubt.

If the 6-6 senior forward has to have surgery, he will miss the entire season. If the foot can heal, however, Nickerson might be back during the second half of the campaign.

Nickerson's absence, regardless of its length, will put more pressure on Jonathan Whipple (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Jay Mitchell (2.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg).

Whipple, a 6-7 senior, hustled his way to a team-high 53 offensive boards last season and started 23 games. Mitchell, a 6-9 senior, missed the first half of last season with an ankle injury. He appeared in 14 games down the stretch but was never completely healthy.

Meanwhile, Artie Marine (1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and Zadrian Gibson (4.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) saw plenty of action as reserves last season. Marine, a 6-6 sophomore forward, hit back-to-back three-pointers in crunch time to lead the Owls to a win over North Florida. Gibson, a 6-6 junior forward, made quite an impact defensively. The walk-on led the Owls with 33 blocked shots.

Help is on the way on the interior as Matt Heramb, LaDaris Green and Markeith Cummings step in after red-shirting last season.

Heramb, a 6-9 junior, spent two seasons at Auburn before transferring to Kennesaw State and sitting out last season. Heramb's brother Steve played for Ingle, who is excited about Matt's versatility.

"He's a four-five guy because of size, but skill-wise he could play the two or the three," Ingle said.

Heramb didn't get much PT at Auburn, but like Ingle says, he showed signs of being an inside-outside threat. In 27 games as a sophomore, he averaged 9.9 minutes, 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds. More impressive were his shooting percentages: .520 from the field (30-of-58), .390 from three-point range (7-of-18) and 93 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-15).

Heramb scored a career-high 17 points against Alabama State, making 6-of-7 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from behind the arc. He totaled 11 points and six rebounds against Presbyterian and 10 points, four boards and three assists against Towson, so Heramb has proven he can play well against A-Sun-level competition.

Green, a 6-9 forward, and Cummings, a 6-7 forward, were teammates at Beach High School in Savannah, Ga., before moving on to team up at Genesis One Prep in Mississippi.

Green averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks his senior year at Beach and came up with a triple-double (10 points, 14 boards, 12 blocks). He was chosen to the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAAA first-team all-state team in his senior year and also played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star game.

Cummings averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as a senior and also played in the GACA All-Star game.

"They are pretty good ballplayers," Ingle said. "But they're young. That's what we've got with those two guys."

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: C+
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: C+
INTANGIBLES: B-

It's hard to believe that any coach in the country is more eager to start the new season than Ingle. A shot at playing in the A-Sun Tournament has him fired up, while memories of last year leave him ready to move forward.

"That was just frustrating," Ingle said. "I'm sitting here thinking back and I'd rather just think about the future."

But Ingle is quick to admit the future for the Owls will only be as good as they make it. There is an opportunity for improvement, but Ingle said his players will need to get better in order to capitalize on the situation.

"The situation is that after winning seven games, we've got guys coming back," he said. "How much of a positive is that? Obviously we can't keep doing what we're doing, we've got to make some changes."

While wins were few and far between, Ingle was encouraged by the way his players kept on fighting last season. Even when things were at their bleakest, Ingle didn't allow them to get down on themselves.

"It's hard lessons that these guys have learned," Ingle said. "But they learned them. We fought through those things."

The goal now is to bring that same fight into a new season and find a way to turn the tide.

"We feel like we're at the threshold right now," Ingle said. "We're just starting this program. Better days are ahead."]]>
COACH AND PROGRAM

It's hard to blame Kennesaw State coach Tony Ingle for his desire to focus squarely on what lies ahead. The future is, after all, the wellspring of all opportunity.

And now that the Owls have completed a four-year transition into Division I basketball, the opportunities have never been more limitless.

"We're now telling everybody that we have a chance to go to our conference tournament and it leads to an NCAA bid," Ingle said. "We actually get to go to our conference tournament nowwe think we're a pig in slop."

Kennesaw State Owls
Last Season 7-22 (.241)
Conference Record 3-17 (11th)
Starters Lost/Returning 0/5
Coach Tony Ingle (Huntingdon '76)
Record At School 157-121 (9 years)
Career Record 227-191 (13 years)
RPI Last 5 years N/A-250-276-323-336

Besides all that, last season was certainly nothing to look back on and remember fondly. Kennesaw State had little margin for error entering the year, but that margin shrunk even further after just seven games.

The Owls jumped out to a 5-2 record before senior leader J.D. Pollock went down with a season-ending injury. With Pollock out of the picture, Kennesaw State only won two games the rest of the way.

"When J.D. went out, buddy, that just was devastating," Ingle said. "What I tell people is that there are five wheels on a car. You have four on the ground and you have one called a steering wheel. J.D. was the steering wheel. J.D. was the leader. J.D. was the one that kept us on track and would get us moving in the right direction."

Replacing Pollock's scoring production and leadership were certainly the primary concerns for the Owls. Before his injury, Pollock scored a career-high 24 points in a 54-50 win over Colgate. But having one less body in the backcourt rotation also took its toll as the season wore on.

"I've coached a long time," Ingle said. "When you have depth, that is very encouraging. They work harder in practice, they play harder in games.

"But it's stressful when you don't have a lot of depth. You get one in foul trouble and you get one sick, lame or lazy, and buddy, I thought I was going to have to put those tennis shoes on."

PLAYERS

Even though the Owls faced their share of adversity last season, there are some positives they can take with them as they move forward. They enter this season with five returning players who were in the starting lineup for the bulk of the 2008-09 campaign.

But the biggest positive for his program last season was the emergence of Kurtis Woods (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Woods, a 6-3 sophomore guard, was Kennesaw State's second-leading scorer and landed Atlantic Sun All-Freshman honors.

"That was good for our program and something positive to put a spin on and tell the recruits," Ingle said. "We're in a situation where we're looking for anything that we can. Kurtis Woods is a competitor, he's a good shooter and he's going to have a great career here. We're looking for more out of him on both ends of the floor."

Kelvin McConnell (11.9 ppg, 2.4 apg) and Spencer Dixon (7.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) return to the Owls' backcourt with plenty of starting experience under their belts.

Blue Ribbon Previews

Atlantic Sun Take an Inside look at the Atlantic Sun with Blue Ribbon's 2009-10 team reports: Insider
Belmont
Campbell
East Tennessee State
Jacksonville
Kennesaw State
Lipscomb
Mercer Insider Free
North Florida
Stetson

McConnell, a 6-0 junior, led the Owls in scoring last season and is on pace to finish his career with 1,000 points. That's quite an accomplishment for a guy that came to Kennesaw State as a walk-on before earning a scholarship just before last season.

McConnell commands respect from everyone on the roster and is developing into a team leader.

"I don't know anybody who gets more out of what they've got," Ingle said. "He plays solid defense and he stretches the defense because of his outside shooting ability [.379, 66-of-174 3PT]. He definitely earned his stripes, and my heart goes out to those kind of guys who come here with a dream and have some success."

Dixon, a 6-0 sophomore point guard, led the team with 46 steals and 78 assists and started 19 games a year ago. He will have to improve on his 29 percent shooting, however, as he moves forward.

"He's quick and I liked him coming off the bench," Ingle said. "He was my No. 1 guard off the bench last year, and then when J.D. goes down, we had to rotate some things. But Spencer got a lot of playing time, and this year we want to build on that."

Cortez Irby will be a newcomer in the backcourt after transferring from Shelton State (Ala.) Community College. Ingle describes the 6-4 guard as a good shooter. In the semifinals of the Alabama Community College Tournament last year, Irby tossed in six three-pointers en route to a season-high 24 points. For the season he averaged 8.3 points and shot .341 (57-of-167) from three-point range.

In the frontcourt, Jon-Michael Nickerson (10.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg) was supposed to be a cornerstone inside for the Owls but a foot injury over the summer has cast his playing future in doubt.

If the 6-6 senior forward has to have surgery, he will miss the entire season. If the foot can heal, however, Nickerson might be back during the second half of the campaign.

Nickerson's absence, regardless of its length, will put more pressure on Jonathan Whipple (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Jay Mitchell (2.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg).

Whipple, a 6-7 senior, hustled his way to a team-high 53 offensive boards last season and started 23 games. Mitchell, a 6-9 senior, missed the first half of last season with an ankle injury. He appeared in 14 games down the stretch but was never completely healthy.

Meanwhile, Artie Marine (1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and Zadrian Gibson (4.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) saw plenty of action as reserves last season. Marine, a 6-6 sophomore forward, hit back-to-back three-pointers in crunch time to lead the Owls to a win over North Florida. Gibson, a 6-6 junior forward, made quite an impact defensively. The walk-on led the Owls with 33 blocked shots.

Help is on the way on the interior as Matt Heramb, LaDaris Green and Markeith Cummings step in after red-shirting last season.

Heramb, a 6-9 junior, spent two seasons at Auburn before transferring to Kennesaw State and sitting out last season. Heramb's brother Steve played for Ingle, who is excited about Matt's versatility.

"He's a four-five guy because of size, but skill-wise he could play the two or the three," Ingle said.

Heramb didn't get much PT at Auburn, but like Ingle says, he showed signs of being an inside-outside threat. In 27 games as a sophomore, he averaged 9.9 minutes, 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds. More impressive were his shooting percentages: .520 from the field (30-of-58), .390 from three-point range (7-of-18) and 93 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-15).

Heramb scored a career-high 17 points against Alabama State, making 6-of-7 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from behind the arc. He totaled 11 points and six rebounds against Presbyterian and 10 points, four boards and three assists against Towson, so Heramb has proven he can play well against A-Sun-level competition.

Green, a 6-9 forward, and Cummings, a 6-7 forward, were teammates at Beach High School in Savannah, Ga., before moving on to team up at Genesis One Prep in Mississippi.

Green averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks his senior year at Beach and came up with a triple-double (10 points, 14 boards, 12 blocks). He was chosen to the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAAA first-team all-state team in his senior year and also played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star game.

Cummings averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as a senior and also played in the GACA All-Star game.

"They are pretty good ballplayers," Ingle said. "But they're young. That's what we've got with those two guys."

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: C+
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: C+
INTANGIBLES: B-

It's hard to believe that any coach in the country is more eager to start the new season than Ingle. A shot at playing in the A-Sun Tournament has him fired up, while memories of last year leave him ready to move forward.

"That was just frustrating," Ingle said. "I'm sitting here thinking back and I'd rather just think about the future."

But Ingle is quick to admit the future for the Owls will only be as good as they make it. There is an opportunity for improvement, but Ingle said his players will need to get better in order to capitalize on the situation.

"The situation is that after winning seven games, we've got guys coming back," he said. "How much of a positive is that? Obviously we can't keep doing what we're doing, we've got to make some changes."

While wins were few and far between, Ingle was encouraged by the way his players kept on fighting last season. Even when things were at their bleakest, Ingle didn't allow them to get down on themselves.

"It's hard lessons that these guys have learned," Ingle said. "But they learned them. We fought through those things."

The goal now is to bring that same fight into a new season and find a way to turn the tide.

"We feel like we're at the threshold right now," Ingle said. "We're just starting this program. Better days are ahead."]]> http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395826 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:59:25 -0500 http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=395826