Three years removed from Cinderella run to Elite Eight, Bob McKillop is ready to recapture the magic again at Davidson. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)One-third of the way through our series of thirty conference previews in as many days, and we commemorate the day after September 11th with a hidden gem in Division I college basketball that gave us an Elite Eight team three years ago when Stephen Curry led Davidson on their magical run. As we open the 2011-12 season, the Wildcats are in prime position to head back to the NCAA Tournament. Just one disclaimer before we move on: Although the SoCon is split into north and south divisions, I will preview the teams from first to last; and then offer divisional picks at the end.
1) Davidson - Having seen the Wildcats in person last year when they competed against both St. John's and St. Francis in the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden, this pick is a little more educated than some of the others out there. Guard (and coach's son) Brendan McKillop is gone, but the Wildcats return the other two-thirds of their backcourt triumvirate in junior J.P. Kuhlman and sophomore Tom Droney, both of whom (especially Pittsburgh native Droney, who will play off the ball with the playmaker Kuhlman) are poised to have breakout seasons. Junior Nik Cochran is the likely candidate to replace McKillop after serving as Davidson's top substitute last year, when he shot a team-leading 38 percent from three-point range.
2) Tennessee-Chattanooga - A perennial SoCon favorite, the Mocs return four of last year's starters, led by their backcourt of point guard Keegan Bell, who averaged close to six assists per game last year, and sharpshooter Ricky Taylor. Big East fans will also recognize the name Omar Wattad, a senior swingman who became UTC's leading scorer after spending his first two years on the bench at Georgetown.
3) College Of Charleston - Bobby Cremins loses lethal weapon Andrew Goudelock to the NBA, but retools with a younger team that can still contend. The Cougars will have an edge inside with big men Willis Hall and leading rebounder Trent Wiedeman, who returns for just his sophomore campaign.
4) UNC Greensboro - Trevis Simpson made quite the impression for the Spartans a season ago, averaging nearly twelve points per game in limited action. Simpson will now be one of the go-to guys in the wake of Brandon Evans' departure, and 5-10 guard Kyle Randall could be the latest SoCon backcourt prodigy with all the right breaks.
5) Appalachian State - Believe it or not, the Mountaineers are more than just the football team that shocked Michigan by defeating the Wolverines at the Big House in 2007. Omar Carter returns as App State's anchor in the backcourt, entering his senior campaign on the heels of a season in which he was second on the team in scoring and led the team in rebounding and three-point shooting. Forward Andre Williamson could be a double-double per night player in the SoCon this year.
6) Elon - The Phoenix will go as far as guards Drew Spradlin and Jack Isenbarger will take them. Together, the backcourt duo averaged 24 points per game and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc. Up front, the pressure will be on 6-10 Lucas Troutman and Canadian import Roger Dugas to be productive on both sides of the ball.
7) Georgia Southern - Here is your Southern Conference sleeper, even though it's a team that went 1-17 in conference play last year. Keep an eye on senior point guard Ben Drayton. Deceptively quick at 5-10, the Eagles' floor general can score just as well as he can dish it out; and when he's on his game, it's hard to stop him. Georgia Southern's weakness is outside shooting, though, as aside from guard Tre Bussey, not many possess a solid touch from beyond the arc.
8) Wofford - The two-time reigning SoCon champions don't have the depth they have enjoyed in previous seasons, as now they will attempt to replace their productive trio of Noah Dahlman, Cameron Rundles and Jamar Diggs. Senior guard Brad Loesing is the lone returning starter, and must improve on a junior campaign in which he only managed six points per game.
9) Western Carolina - The Catamounts, much like Wofford ahead of them, will need to replace most of their offense from a season ago. Sophomore Brandon Boggs is the most experienced face in the lineup, and will be expected to contribute accordingly. Keaton Cole could see some time alongside Boggs at the point.
10) Samford - The Bulldogs had only one double-figure scorer last season. Fortunately for Samford, Jeffrey Merritt returns for his senior year. The 6-6 senior was also the team's leading rebounder, but shot a surprisingly low (for a guard) 54 percent from the free throw line. Gregg Wooten will join Merritt anchoring the Bulldog offense.
11) Furman - Head coach Jeff Jackson brings in a recruiting class led by seven freshmen to go with a returning group led by 6-9 senior forward Brandon Sebirumbi, the team's only returning starter from last season. Colin Reddick and his younger brother Charlie are the top bench players to come back; and will likely remain in the supporting cast, albeit in a starting role this time around.
12) The Citadel - Mike Groselle will be the center of attention for the Citadel this season, as after him, no other returning player averaged more than four points per game. The Bulldogs do have a more experienced team than some ahead of them, but the ability to score will be a huge question mark this season.
Southern Conference North Division Picks
1) Tennessee-Chattanooga
2) UNC Greensboro
3) Appalachian State
4) Elon
5) Western Carolina
6) Samford
Southern Conference South Division Picks
1) Davidson
2) College Of Charleston
3) Georgia Southern
4) Wofford
5) Furman
6) The Citadel
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