2009 College Basketball Season Preview – The SWAC

31 Conferences in 31 Days; Day 1

Defending Champions

Regular Season – Alabama State (16-2)

Tournament – Alabama State

Conference Overview

It looks like much of the same from one of the countries weakest conferences.  A year ago, three teams went winless in non-conference season, much of the reason why Alabama State found themselves in the Opening Round Game despite sweeping the conference titles.  Three teams look like they can compete for the SWAC’s automatic bid, but the champion is almost certain to get a #16 seed in the dance.

Predicted Tournament Bids: 1 Automatic: #16 Seed, Arkansas Pine Bluff

Predicted Conference POY: Trant Sampson, Alabama A&M

Predicted Standings

1. Arkansas – Pine Bluff
2. Prairie View A&M
3. Jackson State
4. Alabama State
5. Alabama State
6. Grambling State
7. Alcorn State
8. Southern
9. Texas Southern
10. Mississippi Valley

Team-By-Team Previews

Alabama A&M: The Bulldogs struggled down the home stretch in 2008, losing 8 of their last 9 before limping to a 6-12 conference record and a first round exit in the conference tournament.  There is reason to believe AAMU can improve in 09-10 though.  The Bulldogs return 96% of their scoring from a season ago, including senior guard Trant Simpson, who ranked third in the SWAC a season ago with 16.4ppg.  While they won’t contend for the title, they should fight for an above .500 SWAC record.

Alabama State: The Hornets stormed through the 2009 SWAC schedule, posting a 16-2 record in the regular season before taking the post-season title as well.  Their season ended with a loss in the NCAA Opening Round Game to Morehead State.  Don’t look for a repeat of SWAC dominance in 09-10 though, as the team’s top two scorers were lost to graduation.  Seniors Roland Fitch and Wesley Jones will have to step up big if they hope to keep the Hornets in contention.

Alcorn State: The Braves do have the SWAC’s leading scorer from a season ago (Sr. Troy Jackson, 20 ppg in 08-09) coming back, but they’ll need to give him some help if they hope to improve on their 4-14 conference record, good for a last place tie.  Behind Jackson, the ASU’s leading returning scorer is senior Jonathan Boyd, who produced 9.3 ppg.  Regardless of who’s scoring, the Braves MUST improve a defense that surrendered 83.5 ppg, good for 320th in the country.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff: The Golden Lions look to be built for the upcoming season after fielding a competitive squad a season ago despite being completely void of seniors.  This year is a different story.  Nine players return that averaged double digit minutes a season ago, while four more averaged at least 5 mins/game off the bench.  Their balanced scoring attack is led by Terrance Calvin, the only Golden Lions to average double digit points.  If they hope to take a big enough leap to compete for a title, they’ll need to put more points on the board after averaging only 62ppg a season ago.

Grambling State: The Tigers ran a young team onto the floor last season, and paid the consequences.  GSU ranked last in scoring offense, free throw % and steals in the conference, and fielded a mediocre defense.  The good news heading into 2009 is that the Tigers will return nearly every part of a well-balanced offense.  The bad news, however, is they still don’t have a go-to man and their tallest returning player is 6-9 George Akpele.

Jackson State: The Tigers must replace two of their 4 double digit scores that lead them to a second place finish in 2008-09.  Sophomore Rod Melvin logged big minutes as a frosh, but failed to put up the stats to make many believe he’ll be able to fill the void.  If JSU can find some support for seniors Grant Maxley and Garrison Johnson, they could once again be in the mix for a title, but it’s a big “if” at this point.

Mississippi Valley: It could be a long winter for the Delta Devils, who must replace the top two scorers on a team that entered SWAC play without a victory, managing a 7-11 conference showing.  The first thing that must improve on a defense that surrendered 74 ppg, which is a tough feat for a team that is losing its leading rebounder.

Prairie View A&M: The Panthers were only of only three teams to boost an above .500 overall record in 2009.  They did so with a balanced scoring attack that led the conference with 70ppg.  Freshman guard Michael Griffin looks ready to expand to a bigger role after posting 9ppg a season ago.  Senior forward Darnell Hugee returns after leading the Panthers in rebounds and points, and should help make the team title contenders once again in 2009.

Southern: Like Mississippi Valley, the Jags failed to win a non-conference game in 2009, including mega-embarrassing losses to USC Upstate, Talladega College, and Tougaloo College.  Ouch.  Now, they enter 2009 looking to replace top scorer Chris Davis, and will try to uncover some resemblance of a go-to guy.

Texas Southern: Another SWAC team that went winless in the non-conference season (though in defense, the Tigers played a much tougher schedule – @ Gonzaga, @ Texas, @ Marquette, @ Cincinnati, @ Arkansas – then did the other winless teams.  Texas Southern returns their top scorer in guard DeAndre Hall, but must replace nearly the entire supporting cast.  If the Tigers can’t find some offensive help for hall, they’ll likely end up towards the bottom of the conference standings once again.