Season Preview

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Season Preview

2006-07 WVIAC Season Preview

UC was selected fifth in the WVIAC pre-season poll of the league's men's basketball coaches. Here are capsule previews of each team and the poll results:

West Virginia State (27-7, 14-4) welcomes back three double-digit scorers from last season's squad. Seniors Tony Cornett (6-5, F, 15.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Anton Duncan (6-5, C, 10.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) provide a physical inside presence. Long-range bomber Ted Scott (6-2, Jr., G, 15.3 ppg) is the team's leading returning scorer.

Salem International (21-9, 14-4) annually ranks among the top contenders in the East Region. Senior guard Shaun McKie (6-2, 17.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.5 spg), the 2005-06 WVIAC Player of the Year, is a consensus pre-season All-American. Stanley Milien (6-4, G/F, 12.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is the other returning starter for the Tigers.

Alderson-Broaddus (24-7, 15-3) narrowly missed a spot in the Elite Eight last season. The Battlers, who are 122-36 in Greg Zimmerman's six seasons, must replace last season's starting backcourt. The cupboard isn't bare in Philippi with talents like Anthony Harper (6-4, F, Sr., 14.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Samario Clancy (6-3, F, Jr., 8.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg) still on hand.

West Liberty State (21-8, 11-7) has all five starters back from last season's outfit that averaged 98.0 points per game. Shane Maynard (6-4, Jr., F, 21.6 ppg) and Corey McDuffie (6-0, Sr., G, 18.8 ppg) should continue to post big numbers. Point guard Dan Binggeli (6-2, 12.8 ppg, 4.8 apg) directs the attack.

Charleston (18-11, 11-7) is a fixture in the WVIAC's upper division. The Golden Eagles will rely on the junior pair of Marquis Brooks (6-3, Jr., G, 14.0 ppg) and Robert Strickland (6-6, Jr., F, 12.0 ppg, 3.0 bpg). Austin Weatherington ( 6-0, Jr., G) and Dustin Kinney (6-7, Sr., F) will bring additional veteran leadership while freshman newcomers John White (6-4, Fr., G), Warren Wallace (6-3, Fr., G), Ibrahim Marone (6-6, Fr., F)  will vie for playing time. Head coach Greg White will surpass his 300th career college victory this season.

Concord (16-12, 12-6) possesses a premier offensive threat in senior Tyrone Anderson (6-4, G, 23.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg), last season's WVIAC scoring leader. Senior guards Brian Foster (6-0, 14.0 ppg) and Camille Leach (6-4, 13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) also provide scoring punch.

Wheeling Jesuit (21-9, 14-4) begins life without standout guard Terrance Bradley. Seniors Rick Yahn (6-4, G, 14.4 ppg) and Rusty Wooten (6-4, F, 9.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) will look to pick up the slack for the Cardinals.

Shepherd (13-15, 7-11) welcomes the return of senior forward Danley Shank. Shank (6-5, 20.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg) earned All-WVIAC honors in 2004-05 before missing last season due to injury. Yves Moliva (6-4, Sr., G, 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is the lone starter back from last season. The Rams have high expectations for Siena transfer Levi Osby (6-5, Sr., F).

Fairmont State (13-15, 6-12) claimed last year's WVIAC Freshman of the Year in guard Chris Carey (Soph., 6-4, 11.5 ppg). Senior John Dillingham (6-5, F, 10.9 ppg) is also back. WVU Tech transfer Ronnie Means (6-0, Jr., G, 7.3 ppg, 7.7 apg), the 2005-06 WVIAC assists leader, will contribute at the point.

Glenville State (14-15, 12-6) was one of the league's hottest teams down the stretch last season, but the Pioneers will field a young squad in 2006-07. WVIAC All-Freshman honoree Chase Groves (5-9, Soph., G, 9.1 ppg) is the only holdover starter. The GSC roster contains no seniors and nine freshmen.

West Virginia Wesleyan (7-23, 5-13) used a Cinderella run to advance to the WVIAC Tournament semifinals as an eleventh seed. Eight returning lettermen could spell a higher finish during the regular season. Andy Chelcher (6-1, Sr., G/F, 8.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Rocky Manchin (6-0, Sr., G, 5.2 ppg) are the only seniors on an underclassman dominated roster.

Ohio Valley (6-22, 3-15) hopes to move up in the league standings behind sophomore Sean Michael (6-4, Soph., G, 10.7 ppg). The Fighting Scots also look for production out of center Chris LeBorious (6-8, Jr., 10.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and guard Stephen Camberis (6-0, Jr., 10.1 ppg).

Davis & Elkins (6-24, 2-16) returns 7 of 9 lettermen. Juniors Brett Rector (6-2, G, 9.6 ppg) and Jelani Jackson (6-4, F, 8.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) are the top holdovers.

Bluefield State (2-26, 2-16) pins their hopes on an athletic squad. Aaron Butler (6-4, Sr., F, 17.6 ppg) is the high scorer back from last season. Sophomore guard Omar London (6-3) was among the league's top scorers two seasons ago before missing last year.

Pitt Johnstown (21-6) just missed an NCAA Tournament bid last season. The Mountain Cats hope to get back to the postseason with standouts like Chris Gilliam (6-7, Jr., F, 18.6 ppg, 68% FG) and Kyle Goldcamp (6-10, Soph., 11.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg). Senior guard Dwight Hines (6-1) averaged over 13 points per game two seasons ago.

Seton Hill (17-8) will be solid again behind seniors Zarko Kostic (6-5, G/F, 16.5 ppg) and Marcus Thompson (6-4, G/F, 16.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg). Mateja Dicic (6-6, Jr., F, 10.5 ppg) provides the Griffins with another returning double-digit scorer. Bojan Nikolovski (Sr., 6-4, G/F, 9.8 ppg) is a third senior starter.

2006-07 WVIAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
(with first-place votes and total points)

  1. West Virginia State (7) 199
  2. Salem International (5) 191
  3. Alderson-Broaddus (3) 185
  4. West Liberty State 155
  5. Charleston 148
  6. Concord 132
  7. Wheeling Jesuit 130
  8. Shepherd 116
  9. Fairmont State 87
  10. Glenville State 73
  11. West Virginia Wesleyan 62
  12. Ohio Valley 50
  13. Davis & Elkins 34
  14. Bluefield State 23

Note: Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill are not eligible for the 2006-07 WVIAC men's basketball championship.