GETTING INSIDE

Following a season in which it lost a top performer to a knee injury and finished with an 8-19 record, Alabama A&M had to think its luck was going to turn around at some point.

It seems like it has with the return of top performer Evan Hilton, who was awarded an extra year of eligibility during the off0season. Now coach Vann Pettaway has a team he feels can contend for the SWAC title.

Hilton will team with fellow returnees Cornelius Hester (12.0 ppg) and Casey Cantey (8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) to give Pettaway plenty of experience.

And Pettaway has brought in a junior college transfer in Alfred Frayer, who should help the team up front after the departure of center John Smith.

The 2008-09 season was a struggle, especially at the end, when the Bulldogs dropped eight of nine games down the stretch. But it could all pay off this season for Pettaway and crew.

The experience returning and the incoming talent are a combination that could propel A&M near the top of the SWAC standings.

NOTES, QUOTES

--The Bulldogs ranked last in the SWAC in 3-point shooting in 2008-09, connecting on just 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. A&M is hoping that the return of Evan Hilton will help improve that area.

--G Cornelius Hester ranked sixth among SWAC players in 3-pointers made per game, averaging 1.7 a contest.

--While John Smith got much of the attention for his shot-blocking, F Jonathan Inman had a good year as well, ranking 12th in the conference in blocks per game at 0.6. The hope is that with Smith's departure, Inman will step forward to become an even more intimidating presence inside.

LAST YEAR: 8-19 overall, 6-12 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Vann Pettaway; 24th year at Alabama A&M (416-235).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I am excited about the season, and I think we have enough experience coming back. The addition of Evan Hilton is going to pay big dividends for us. He was sorely missed last year." -- Coach Vann Pettaway.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: The big newcomer for coach Vann Pettaway is junior college transfer Alfred Frayer, a 6-10, 260-pound junior. Frayer will get every opportunity to take over in the paint where John Smith left off last year.

A pair of freshmen, 6-6 Maurice Kemp and 6-8 Adam Young, will also add some depth to the frontcourt. In the backcourt, freshmen Antonio Adams and Khiry White will need to prove they belong in a rotation with some of the more talented players on the Bulldogs this year.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Bulldogs open on the road with South Carolina before coming home for five straight, including a visit from SEC member Auburn Dec. 12. A&M must play well on this homestand to give itself some confidence and get the fans fired up for the rest of the campaign.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Vann Pettaway has been at Alabama A&M for more than two decades, and he isn't showing signs of leaving anytime soon. Pettaway has the Bulldogs perennially playing for a spot in the SWAC tournament and has a potential title run ready every few years.

Until Pettaway decides he wants to step down, the Bulldogs are best with Pettaway at the helm.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Evan Hilton, G Cornelius Hester, G/F Casey Cantey, F Alfred Frayer, F Johathan Inman.

ROSTER REPORT:

--The Bulldogs took a hit in early September when coach Vann Pettaway announced that last year's leading scorer, Trant Simpson (16.1 ppg), had left the team and isn't expected back this season.

--G Evan Hilton seems to have no ill effects from the knee injury that cost him a majority of the 2008-09 season. Hilton will be counted on from the start to be one of the top scorers for the Bulldogs.

--G Cornelius Hester had the most 3-point attempts for the Bulldogs last year with 169. Hester needs to be a little more selective after he hit just 27.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

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ALABAMA STATE

GETTING INSIDE

The 2008-09 season couldn't have gotten much better for Alabama State, with a second straight regular-season title, a SWAC tournament title and a trip to the NCAA tournament.

But that was last year. This year, all five starters from that team are gone, including top scorers Brandon Brooks (13.7 ppg) and Andrew Hayles (13.7 ppg), SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Chief Kickingstallionsims Jr. and forwards Rashad Provitt and Wesley Jones.

Now, coach Lewis Jackson has his work cut out for him, with seven players returning, the best scorer of them -- Tramaine Butler -- scoring just 4.6 points per game a year ago.

Jackson will need to meld those returnees with eight newcomers to form a cohesive unit that will be competitive.

Sound easy? Not quite. But this is just the kind of challenge Jackson loves to deal with, although he may change his mind if ASU doesn't get off to a good start.

NOTES, QUOTES

--The Hornets were the top defensive team in the SWAC last year, holding teams to just 63.3 points per game, more than four points fewer than second-place Prairie View A&M.

--C Chief Kickingstallionsims was fantastic with his shot blocking in 2008-09, averaging a league-best 2.8 per game. Now the Hornets need to try to replace that intimidation with their best returning shot-blocker being Ivory White, who blocked just 15 shots a year ago.

--ASU not only needs to replace the production of Brandon Brooks and Andrew Hayles (13.7 ppg apiece), but it also needs to replace the playing time. Brooks was second in the SWAC with 35.5 minutes per game, while Hayles was fourth with 33.6 mpg.

LAST YEAR: 22-10 overall, 16-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Lewis Jackson; 5th year at Alabama State (74-59).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a good group of guys that we've signed. We like to sign players that can play multiple positions. The ability to fill dual roles is important because it not only creates havoc for our opponents, but also gives these guys more opportunities to see playing time." -- Coach Lewis Jackson on the Hornets' recruiting class.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Coach Lewis Jackson is planning on using his newcomers throughout the preseason and into the regular season if they perform up to his standards.

Jackson will be preaching defense, so the new players are going to have to show some good work ethic to get onto the floor. Jackson shouldn't have any problem pressuring the ball, with three new point guards -- A.J. Spencer, Jaderren Mumpfield and Kevin Watts -- eager to show their stuff. There will be some depth up front as well, with Robert Sanders, Adrian Spellman, Chris Duncan and Jordan Jefferson all trying to get into the act.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: You wouldn't think a home game against Columbus State would be a key game, but for the Hornets, whose only home game prior to Dec. 19 is a Nov. 24 date with Columbus State, it's definitely a must win. Playing Mississippi and Belmont on the road will be tough to start the season with, which is why the Columbus State game can help build some confidence prior to road games with Tulane, DePaul, Evansville, Southern Illinois and Arkansas.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Lewis Jackson had Alabama State at the pinnacle of the SWAC, leaving the team nowhere to go but down. This season might be a dramatic drop-off considering how much of the winning lineup was lost, but no one expects the Hornets to be down for very long. That's a testament to the coaching of Jackson and where the program is right now.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Jevon Freeman, G Menji Mundadi, G Tramaine Butler, F Ivory White, F/C Byron Walker.

ROSTER REPORT:

--It will be interesting to see how aggressive with the ball G Evan Hilton is this year. After suffering a knee injury, Hilton may find himself thinking about the injury too much early in the season. The hope is that Hilton has overcome those fears with his rehab and off-season work.

--F Roland Fitch won't be back with the Hornets this year for undisclosed reasons. Fitch averaged 9.7 points per game as a junior and was being counted on for big numbers this season.

--G Jaderren Mumpfield could find himself in the game quite a bit in the early going, especially if coach Lewis Jackson wants to push the tempo. The 5-11, 170-pound junior is certainly capable of pushing the ball up the floor when given the opportunity.

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ALCORN STATE

GETTING INSIDE

Perhaps Alcorn State coach Larry Smith went back and watched some tapes of his old playing days over the summer.

Smith, considered one of the toughest guys in the NBA when he was playing, needs to find something to get the defensive desire switch turned on in his players.

Last year, the Braves allowed teams to score 83.5 points per game on them, worst in the SWAC. The defense was so bad that it didn't matter that ASU ranked third in the league in scoring. Despite that lofty offensive rank, the Braves' scoring margin of minus-13.9 points per game was easily worst in the SWAC.

So now Smith needs to figure out a way to keep the offense while tightening up the defense. It won't be easy, with the team's top three scorers -- Troy Jackson (20.0 ppg), Anthony Ford (10.6 ppg) and Jarvis Williams (9.7) -- all having departed.

Senior Jonathan Boyd will be counted on to be more of a lead scorer, while junior JaMarkus Holt needs to be more of a presence on the interior on both ends of the floor.

Smith could certainly show Holt a thing or two about being tough in the paint, but can he show all of his players how to get a defensive mentality?

ASU's chances at making the SWAC Tournament could depend on it.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Part of the Braves' problem a year ago was getting dominated on the boards. Alcorn State ranked ninth in the league in rebounding (32.0 rpg) while ranking last in the league in rebounding defense, allowing opponents to grab 42.6 per game. The Braves' rebounding margin of minus-10.6 was easily the worst in the league.

--C JaMarkus Holt ranked 17th in the SWAC in rebounding, grabbing 4.3 per game.

--G Jonathan Boyd was the top 3-point shooter in the SWAC last season, connecting on 40.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

LAST YEAR: 6-25 overall, 4-14 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Larry Smith; 2nd year at Alcorn State (6-25).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel as though I could impact the program as a player. Coach (Larry) Smith and Coach (Brian) Adams' love for the program also helped the decision." -- G Shaunvanta Ingram told the Natchez Democrat about his decision to attend Alcorn State.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: G Shaunvanta Ingram came to the Braves to do some scoring, and he might get the chance to do just that this year. ASU's offense has lost many of its top components, including top assist man Troy Jackson. The Braves will let freshman point guards Stedmond Hurdle and Keith Searcy have a shot at that job. Tony Eackles, a 6-2 shooting guard out of Las Vegas, will play some on the wing for the Braves, as will 6-4 F Jamar Ragland. Michael Martin (6-8) and Michael Starks (6-8) should provide some depth to the frontcourt rotation.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Braves have just two home games before the calendar turns to 2010: Nov. 21 vs. Robert Morris and Dec. 30 vs. Central Michigan. Both games will be key for the team's confidence, although there are some road games that the Braves need to shoot for as well. Opening with Tougaloo College and Mississippi College on the road should give Larry Smith's club a chance to be competitive. Then it's back-to-back road games with Ohio State and Arkansas, with games against Wichita State, Kansas, UTEP and New Mexico State waiting in the wings.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Larry Smith certainly has some work to do to make this squad a solid defensive club, but he's committed to the process. There are no quick fixes, and Smith seems like a good man for the job of putting it all together. The Braves will be entertaining and once Smith gets his defensive philosophies to stick, ASU could be contending in the SWAC.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Alex Savannah, G Jonathan Boyd, F Corey Anthony, F Micheal Martin, C JaMarkus Holt.

ROSTER REPORT:

--C JaMarkus Holt showed some flashes of being aggressive on the boards last year, grabbing 1.6 offensive boards per game. But he needs to be consistent if the Braves have a chance at contending this year.

--G Jonathan Boyd is the leading returning steals man for the Braves, recording 34 swipes a year ago. Coach Larry Smith is probably looking for a lot more than that from his guards.

--F Corey Anthony played only 6.7 minutes per game a year ago but should see his playing time increase greatly as coach Larry Smith tries to replenish his starting five with veterans.

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ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF

GETTING INSIDE

A year makes a big difference.

That's what UAPB and coach George Ivory are finding out as they venture into the 2009-10 campaign. Last year, Ivory was in his first year at the helm with 10 newcomers on the roster, just trying to piece things together.

This year, Ivory returns 11 players, including seven who averaged at least 19 minutes a game for a team that was fourth in the SWAC standings at the end of the year.

Now, the expectations are higher for Ivory, who is happy with his veterans but also excited about the newcomers.

"I know we've got a lot of guys coming back, but we've got some real talented young kids," Ivory told the Pine Bluff Commercial. "They're exciting and they bring a lot of energy to the game. We're going to get them in there."

The amount of experience on the team has the Golden Lions planning on making the final step toward a championship this year.

A starting lineup with four seniors should help as the Lions enter the season. Last year's group was just learning each other's games when they hit the court.

"When you have a feel of where everyone is gong to be on the floor at certain times, then execution is just easier," said guard Terrance Calvin.

NOTES, QUOTES

--The Golden Lions ranked last in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio in 2008-09, a stat the team is hoping will change with so many returnees having the experience of playing with one another for a season.

--UAPB ranked first among SWAC teams in rebounding last year, thanks in no small part to the duo of F Lebaron Weathers and G Terrance Calvin, who ranked eighth and ninth in the league, respectively, in individual rebounding.

--G/F Tavaris Washington can set the tone for a defense with his ability to make steals and cause turnovers. Washington finished third in the SWAC a year ago with 1.9 steals per game.

LAST YEAR: 13-18 overall, 11-7 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: George Ivory; 2nd year at UAPB (13-18).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "That's our ultimate goal. Whatever sport you play in, (your) ultimate goal is to win the championship of your conference. That doesn't change." -- Coach George Ivory to the Pine Bluff Commercial.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Five newcomers try to get into the rotation of a very deep team, but enough of them have impressed coach George Ivory in the early going that he'll be giving them all a chance in game situations.

Forward Terry Tidwell and guard Vincent Martin were reportedly the most impressive for Ivory, though he's unsure where he'll get them into games. Dominic Moore, a 6-10 forward from Otero Junior College, could provide some height up front, while local product Stephan Collins could also see some time early.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: A home game? Not on the Golden Lions' non-conference schedule. The first time UAPB will play at home will be Jan. 16 for a league contest against Southern. The November and December slate is a killer, with trips to Colorado, UTEP, Arizona State, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Missouri and Oregon among the top destinations.

If the Lions can put together some decent showings, they'll gain some valuable experience for the conference campaign.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach George Ivory suffered through a tough first year but the dividends of such a young lineup in Ivory's first season are going to be paid this season. UAPB could become a force in the SWAC if Ivory can keep players happy and continue to bring in strong recruiting classes in the future. Things look very good so far.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Terrance Calvin, G Savalance Townsend, G Tavaris Washington, F Tyree Glass, F/C Lebaron Weathers

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Eric Brooks wasn't with the Golden Lions as they opened practice for the 2009-10 season, tending to what coach George Ivory termed "personal issues." Ivory said Brooks remains in school and is expected to rejoin the team at some point during the season.

--The Lions didn't take a lot of 3-pointers but G Savalance Townsend was the most eager to put it up from beyond the arc last year, attempting 83. Townsend will need to continue to shoot the ball well -- he hit 39.7 percent in SWAC play -- to help keep defenses from packing it in against the Lions.

--G Terrance Calvin needs to work on his turnover numbers. Last year, Calvin dished out 105 assists to go with his 105 turnovers. He did improve in league play, though, with 70 assists compared to 59 turnovers.

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GRAMBLING

GETTING INSIDE

It's been a tragic and trying off-season for the Grambling State basketball team.

First, Henry White, a 6-6 guard, died after being hospitalized following participation in conditioning on Grambling's campus on Aug. 14.

White had signed with the Tigers shortly before the incident, coming to the school from Hill College.

Then, coach Rick Duckett was fired/relieved of his duties at the end of September and replaced by interim coach Bobby Washington. There is speculation that the death of White may have had something to do with Duckett's dismissal, but Duckett said he didn't know why he was let go.

The rest of the Grambling State basketball team has to try to go on without him and deal with the White tragedy.

Grambling State won only six times last season, and the Tigers are hoping for better results than that this year.

Washington is obviously in a very difficult situation, but he has to bring his team together and try to do something to help the GSU community: win.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Grambling State struggled at the line a year ago, shooting a league-worst 60.9 percent. The Tigers had nearly 100 fewer free-throw attempts than the next lowest squad, Mississippi Valley State.

--G Ariece Perkins may stand only 5-10, but he hits the boards hard. His 106 rebounds a year ago were second on the Tigers, just two behind team leader Marcus Coleman's 108.

--G Donald Qualls had the most 3-point attempts for GSU last year with 165, and he connected on the highest percentage on the team as well (37.6 percent).

LAST YEAR: 6-23 overall, 4-14 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Bobby Washington; 1st year at Grambling State.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I knew it would take four or five years to get this turned around. So this didn't happen because of winning or losing." -- Former GSU coach Rick Duckett to ESPN.com after his unexplained dismissal in September.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: With so much turnover from last year, Bobby Washington is going to have to plug in some newcomers to the Grambling State rotation. Allan Saint-gelais is a 6-6 forward who will play on the wing and get into the paint off the dribble.

Terdarin Bryson, a 6-4 guard, is solid from the perimeter and should see some minutes early in the season. The same goes for 6-5 guard Rydell Harris, who is fearless going to the hoop.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Just getting on the court might be a great antidote for the Tigers, who have been through a lot in the off-season. The Tigers get to play at home for their first two contests, against Centenary and Paul Quinn College. Then comes the murderer's row of road games, including trips to face Marquette, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Illinois State before the end of the year.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Where the Tigers are going is anyone's guess. The ouster of Rick Duckett took most by surprise despite his horrible record last year.

As Duckett said, the turnaround of the Tigers isn't going to happen overnight, but after Duckett clashed with veterans Jamal Breaux and Andrew Prestley, who quit the team in January, it became clear Duckett probably wasn't the coach to lead GSU. Is Bobby Washington? No one will know for sure until after the season.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Ariece Perkins, G Donald Qualls, G Kevin Loyd, F George Akpele, F Maurice Wilkerson.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Rick Duckett wasn't the only one relieved of his duties in September. Assistant coaches Steve Portland and Phillip Stitt were also let go.

--Although he can score, G Ariece Perkins may be more valuable to the Tigers as a playmaker after he ranked fifth in the SWAC in assists a year ago with 3.9. Perkins may be able to make his teammates into scorers if he gets them the ball in the right places on the court.

--G Donald Qualls is going to be counted on for more scoring this year, which means his 165 3-point attempts of a year ago could be an even bigger number this season.

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JACKSON STATE

GETTING INSIDE

The Tigers enter the season without two All-SWAC first-team selections from a year ago, yet no one around the Jackson State program is feeling self-pity.

That's because JSU is still stocked, with three starters and 10 overall lettermen returning for the 2009-10 campaign.

Darrion Griffin and Jeremy Caldwell will certainly be missed, but the Tigers will go on, at a faster pace than in previous seasons, according to coach Tevester Anderson.

He needs players that can run and get up and down the floor quickly, and he'll likely use a number of bench players to keep everyone fresh. But Grant Maxey will find the floor more than most of his teammates.

Maxey led the Tigers in scoring a year ago with a 16.4-ppg average. He'll team with Garrison Johnson (10.7 ppg) to give JSU a solid one-two scoring duo.

Also returning is sophomore Rod Melvin, who was the league's top freshman in 2008-09.

Anderson's plan to push the tempo coincides with the fact his team has plenty of depth and experience. Now they're just going to try to use that to earn a crown.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Jackson State was the No. 2 offense in the SWAC by a narrow margin. The Tigers averaged 69.9 points per game to first-place Prairie View A&M's 70.2, with the actual difference being just 11 points between the two clubs.

--F Grant Maxey is the top returning scorer in the SWAC this season after ranking second in the league with 16.4 points per game a year ago.

--G Rod Melvin had the fifth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the SWAC as a freshman with a ratio of 1.6-to-1.

LAST YEAR: 18-15 overall, 15-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Tevester Anderson (career 198-152); 7th year at Jackson State (95-100).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We are excited about this season. We are going to play a more up-tempo style, we have good upperclassmen coming back and some good new players who we expect to help us out a lot." -- Coach Tevester Anderson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: The Tigers added some major beef in the off-season with the signings of junior college transfer Gertavin Blake and true freshman Ramond Gregory. Both players are 6-10, 260 pounds and will provide some size for coach Tevester Anderson.

Both can concentrate on getting to the boards and playing intimidating defense while they develop their offensive games. The backcourt gets a boost with 6-4 Jazmonn Major and 6-1 Christian Williams added to an already abundant guard rotation.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Tigers get only two home games prior to Dec. 30, with Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana coming to town Dec. 2 and Dec. 5, respectively. The Stephen F. Austin game will be the second of a home-and-home, so JSU should have learned from the first game if it's a loss. Road contests with Baylor, Tulane and Nebraska are among the tests for JSU in December.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Tevester Anderson certainly has JSU in a prime position to be a contender in the SWAC for a few years. If he can continue to bring in solid recruiting classes, the Tigers should be one of the top programs in the league.

Now it's a question of becoming competitive against some of the bigger teams JSU faces in the non-conference schedule.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Rod Melvin, G Garrison Johnson, G De'Suan Dixon, F Grant Maxey, C Gertavin Blake.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Jackson State associate head coach Eric Strothers was named as one of the best mid-major assistant coaches in Division I by CollegeInsider.com during the off-season. Strothers was an honorable mention selection after more than 15 years at JSU.

--The big men for the Tigers need to be ready to score off the double teams Grant Maxey likely will draw. If Maxey is able to find someone when trying to pass out of the double teams, it'll force the defenses to try to go 1-on-1 with Maxey more often.

--G Rod Melvin should be even better as a sophomore, although his numbers may not show it. Teams are going to be ready for Melvin, who may have surprised some opponents as a freshman.

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MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

GETTING INSIDE

In his first year as head coach of Mississippi Valley State, Sean Woods found the going a little tough, to the tune of a seven-win season.

But Woods also found some players that can hopefully help him turn things around in the coming years. Three starters and six letter winners overall return to the Delta Devils, as Woods looks to speed things up even more with a new crop of recruits.

Woods prefers a fast pace offensively, and he feels he's brought in the right players to implement his system.

Highly touted junior college transfer D'Angelo Jackson is expected to push veteran Kevin Burwell at the point guard spot, where Coastal Carolina transfer Joshua Mack could also figure into the mix.

Also back for the Devils are juniors Julius Cheeks and Shannon Behling and sophomore Tashan Newsome, giving Woods plenty of options in his rotation.

Of course, if Woods has his way, everyone will get some minutes as he rotates players in and out to keep everyone fresh.

If Woods can get his system implemented and has the numbers to run it, the Delta Devils could be a tough team to beat, which would make the journey it took to get to this point more than worth it.

NOTES, QUOTES

--MVSU needs to shore up its defense if it is to be competitive after allowing 74.6 points per game a year ago, ninth in the SWAC.

--F Shannon Behling is being counted on to help provide some of the production lost when Eric Petty graduated. Petty led the league in rebounding a year ago with 8.3 per game while Behling ranked 10th in the SWAC at 5.3 rpg.

--G Julius Cheeks provides the Delta Devils with some solid outside shooting, ranking fourth in the league in 3-pointers made per game a year ago, connecting on 1.8 treys per contest.

LAST YEAR: 7-25 overall, 7-11 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Sean Woods; 2nd year at Mississippi Valley State (7-25).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have worked hard during the summer. (Cor-J) Cox is a young man who is going to open a number of people's eyes during the upcoming season." -- Coach Sean Woods on late signee Cor-J Cox, a 6-5 sophomore from Olney Central College.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: G D'Angelo Jackson was a top point guard at Arkansas-Fort Smith C.C. last year and he'll certainly expect to get a shot at the job with the Delta Devils as well. Sean Woods will have a choice to make as far as who starts, but Jackson can join into a three-man point guard rotation with Kevin Burwell and transfer Joshua Mack, with two of the three on the floor at one time when the Devils want to apply some defensive pressure.

Wing Cor-J Cox is an athletic swingman who should be a solid finisher in the MVSU running game. Freshman swingman Ricky Lamb and forward Mark Holmes will push the veterans for playing time on the front line.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The Delta Devils get a total of one home game in all of November and December, so they'd better take advantage of their Nov. 19 contest with Champions Baptist. MVSU travels to Washington State and Gonzaga to start the regular season, followed by the Chicago Invitational, which matches the Devils up with Iowa State and Saint Louis on the road. MVSU will be tested early, but as long as the players see the games as learning experiences that will help in SWAC play, the Devils will be OK.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: The Delta Devils appear to be in good hands with former Kentucky assistant Sean Woods. The entertaining up-tempo offense he prefers will also draw a number of athletes to the program that know they're going to get a chance to play because of the number of players Woods rotates in.

Getting some success on the floor with some wins is crucial to taking the next step, though, so this will be a big year for Woods and the Devils.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG D'Angelo Jackson, G Kevin Burwell, G Julius Cheeks, G Tashan Newsome, G/F Shannon Behling.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Julius Cheeks improved as the season progressed last year, upping his scoring average in league play as well as shooting better from the field, the 3-point line and the free-throw line against conference opponents.

--G/F Shannon Behling was the Devils' most prolific 3-point shooter, taking the most attempts (166) on the team from beyond the arc and burying 57 of them (34.3 percent).

--Signee Jacob Blankenship has taken a long road to MVSU, stopping at Daytona State College and Santa Fe College in Florida. The 6-9, 250-pound Blankenship will be a junior and should help the interior game of the Devils.

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PRAIRIE VIEW

GETTING INSIDE

Prairie View A&M surprised more than a few people with its 12-6 record in SWAC play a year ago.

Coach Byron Rimm II and his squad return five of the top six scorers from that team hoping to do a little more damage this season.

Rimm's squad wasn't flashy, but they held teams down defensively and were able to pull out some victories late in the year.

Last year's conference Newcomer of the Year, Darnell Hugee, is back for his senior campaign after leading the Panthers in scoring (12.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg) despite playing just over 24 minutes per game.

Rimm will rely on Hugee and fellow senior Christopher Jones to assume bigger leadership roles and help the newcomers to the team blend in well.

A pair of sophomores, point guard Michael Griffin and shooting guard Tim Meadows, return to anchor the backcourt.

Things look good now and teams are starting to give A&M a little more respect.

NOTES, QUOTES

--The Panthers were the top scoring team in the SWAC last season, averaging 70.2 points per game. A&M was one of only two teams (Alabama State the other) to have a positive average scoring margin (plus-2.5) on the year.

--Despite the team's high ranking in scoring, Darnell Hugee was the top scorer for the Panthers, ranking just 12th in the league with his 12.0-ppg average.

--G Christopher Jones established himself as one of the top point guards in the league last year, ranking second in the league with 4.6 assists per game.

LAST YEAR: 17-16 overall, 12-6 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Byron Rimm II; 4th year at Prairie View A&M (33-60).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We wanted to become more athletic and longer at the wing positions as that's what hurt us last year. I feel we took care of our needs at that position as the group we signed is fast, can play above the rim and hails from winning programs." -- Coach Byron Rimm II.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Five freshmen dot the roster of the Panthers this year, led by the large frame of center Cedric Langson (6-8, 235), who should provide some bulk to the front line. Michael Webb is a 6-7 forward who could make an early impact as could 6-6 forward Cortney Bell.

Chris Sights and Phillip Gates are a pair of point guards who will make a play for time at that position. The Panthers will also be picked up by a number of junior college transfers. Forwards Brandon Webb and Grady Green and guards Alex Richman, Michael Griffin and Duwan Kornegay will all add major depth to the A&M bench.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: Unlike many SWAC teams, the Panthers have a number of home games on their non-conference slate and should be able to pick up some confidence-building wins in November and December. Florida Gulf Coast, Champions Baptist, Ecclesia and Dallas Christian aren't exactly powerhouses. Trips to face Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Iowa and Air Force will give the Panthers some solid tests along the way.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Byron Rimm II seems to have the Panthers headed in the right direction following last year's surprisingly high finish in the SWAC standings. Rimm is trying to keep A&M near the top with a strong recruiting class, but this year will be the key with other SWAC teams prepared to face the Panthers and not overlooking them.

If A&M can respond with another strong year, Rimm will have to feel good about his program's immediate future.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Christopher Jones, G Michael Griffin, G Tim Meadows, F Dorian McDaniel, F Darnell Hugee.

ROSTER REPORT:

--G Michael Griffin may be only 5-8, but he can stroke the 3-pointers with the best of them, leading the Panthers in 3s attempted (144) and made (53) in 2008-09.

--F Darnell Hugee is going to need to be more careful with his fouls as his worth to the Panthers grows even more this year. Hugee led A&M with 114 personal fouls last year, leading to a team-high 10 disqualifications. That was part of the reason Hugee only averaged 24.7 minutes per game.

--G Christopher Jones is the player the Panthers want with the ball in a close game since he's the only regular who shoots above 70 percent from the free-throw line. Jones connected on 74.5 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe, easily the best percentage of A&M's crunch time players.

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SOUTHERN

GETTING INSIDE

Once you reach the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up, or at least that's what Southern and coach Rob Spivery are hoping.

Spivery's squad suffered its third straight losing season in 2008-09, going 8-23 for the worst record in school history.

But the Jaguars are hopeful that the worst is behind them, that the team is ready for an upswing.

"If we can stay healthy, and the new guys learn the system throughout the first part of the season, I believe we have a good chance to be a very good ball team," said Spivery. "Defensively, our philosophy will change a bit, in that we will be picking up full-court man-to-man primarily, and offensively we will pretty much stay the same, other than we will push the ball up the court more. I think we have the guard play this season that will get us back to where we need to be."

The Jaguars return seven lettermen, though only one of those was a starter, forward Douglas Scott.

Spivery will have some experience to work with, but he also has to put players in new roles, especially with Scott being the leading returning scorer at just 6.9 points per game.

But pushing the tempo could help the Jaguars take the step forward they're looking for.

"I am really looking forward to seeing how this group of guys progresses," said Spivery. "We as a staff feel this is one of the better groups of guys we have had, and think we can become a real good basketball team."

NOTES, QUOTES

--The Jaguars got off to a horrendous start last season, dropping their first 12 games and 15 of their first 16 before going 7-8 the rest of the way.

--F Douglas Scott ranked fifth in the SWAC in offensive rebounds per game in 2008-09, snagging 2.3 per game. He was also tops in the league in defensive rebounds per game with 4.9 per contest.

--G Jazz Williams played only 15 minutes a game last season but he still put up the second-most 3-pointers on the Jaguars (88) and had the second-most made 3s (29), as well.

LAST YEAR: 8-23 overall, 8-10 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Rob Spivery (career 318-300); 3rd year at Southern (29-34).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Doug was perhaps the most consistent player of us last season, and most definitely the best inside presence that we had. He is a key ingredient to our success. We are going to need Doug to take more of a leadership role, especially on the defensive end." -- Coach Rob Spivery on the Jaguars' only returning starter, Douglas Scott.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: There is no shortage of new faces for coach Rob Spivery to choose from. A few are certainly intriguing prospects. Junior college transfers Nick Walls, Norm Nixon Jr. and Johnnie Young will get time in the backcourt this season. Three other guards come in as true freshmen and might need to wait a little longer for consistent time. Up front, four transfers -- Quinton Doggett, Horace Dixon, Blake Sanford and Bobby Lee -- will provide some athleticism and depth, while true freshman Madut Bol will be given some time to develop.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: The young Jaguars don't have much time to get acclimated to each other before the major road tests begin, as Southern opens with a home game against Xavier (La.) before hitting the road for games at Baylor, Oklahoma State, Utah and Brigham Young. December provides a chance for some home cooking, with contests against Talladega and Chicago State that should help the Jags gain some confidence heading into the conference season.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Southern has really struggled since making the NCAA Tournament in 2006, suffering through three straight losing seasons.

Coach Rob Spivery needs to integrate 14 newcomers with seven returnees this year, though very few of the veterans played full-time last year. Spivery has plenty of players to choose from, and how well he melds them into a team this year could tell the tale of his long-term future with the Jaguars.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Brandon White, G Jazz Williams, F Julius Ingram, F Earnest Jones, F Douglas Scott.

ROSTER REPORT:

--It should be an interesting parents weekend at Southern, with the sons of former NBA players Manute Bol (Madut Bol) and Norm Nixon (Norm Nixon Jr.) joining the Jaguars this season.

--G Barry Honore was being counted on to be a big part of Southern's squad this year, but he transferred to Oklahoma in the off-season. Honore averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season.

--F Julius Ingram is considered one of the more talented players on the Southern roster, but he hasn't shown the consistency the team is looking for just yet.

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TEXAS SOUTHERN

GETTING INSIDE

TSU coach Tony Harvey is certainly hopeful that he won't repeat his second year with the Tigers, when the team lost 20 of its first 21 games.

Chemistry was a problem, one that wasn't solved until Harvey decided to part ways with Sollie Norwood, a former top scorer who was relegated to a bench role under Harvey.

Once Harvey made that move, things seemed to turn around, with TSU winning six of its last 11 games, including four of its final five.

That late-season run may provide a little momentum for this year's team, which returns just three of its top seven scorers from 2008-09.

Fortunately for Harvey, his top scorer, Deandre Hall, is one of those returnees after the 6-6 guard averaged 13.8 points and 4.0 rebounds a game as a junior.

Senior Ricky Boyles (7.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg) brings scoring to the front line, while David Burrell (3.2, 2.2) is back to join Hall in the backcourt.

There are some places for some new faces to fit in, so Harvey does have some work cut out for him, but it should provide a few more results than last year's initial foray into the SWAC.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Texas Southern had troubles starting off games last year, getting outscored by its opponents by 199 points in the first half, compared to just an 89-point deficit in the second half.

--G Deandre Hall finished as the Tigers' leading scorer last year, but he could have scored even more had he been more accurate at the free-throw line. Hall missed 64 times from the line, connecting at a 58.4 percent clip.

--F Ricky Boyles had trouble staying on the floor because of foul trouble last year. He played just 21.1 minutes per contest but still led TSU with 105 personal fouls and eight disqualifications.

LAST YEAR: 7-25 overall, 7-11 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

HEAD COACH: Tony Harvey; 2nd year at Texas Southern (7-25).

BY THE NUMBERS: The Tigers were the worst team in the SWAC at guarding the 3-pointer, allowing opponents to connect on 36.3 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: The Tigers are hoping to get some bang from their newcomers this year, particularly guard Whitworth Treasure, who joins the Tigers from Southern Shreveport J.C. Treasure appears to be ready to contribute right away and should get plenty of playing time from the get-go. The front line will be fortified with the additions of transfers TeAllen Price and Travele Jones.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: TSU wants to avoid last year's ugly 14-game losing streak to start the season, and there are definitely some chances for early victories. Road games with Northern Colorado and Lackland Air Force Base and a home contest with Jarvis Christian are certainly winnable for the Tigers. There are also some tough games, with trips to Colorado, Air Force, Cincinnati, Wichita State and New Mexico State slated before Christmas.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Tony Harvey seems to be ready to make the hard decisions that it takes to turn a program around, although it's not going to be an easy process. Harvey does need to win soon, though. The administration he was hired by isn't at the school anymore, meaning there may be a sentiment for change if the Tigers don't get turned around in a hurry.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: G Whitworth Treasure, G Deandre Hall, G David Burrell, F Tony Boyles, F TeAllen Price.

ROSTER REPORT:

--F Kevin Galloway has had quite the trip around the college basketball world, transferring from the College of Southern Idaho to Kentucky only to be released from his scholarship with the Wildcats when John Calipari came to town. Now Galloway must sit out a season while waiting to become eligible with the Tigers.

--G Harrison Smith has had a long road, transferring from Texas over the summer to Stephen F. Austin, then leaving the Southland Conference school for Texas Southern.

--G Deandre Hall may face extra defensive attention from opponents after leading the team in scoring a year ago. Hall may need to move more without the ball to get open.

Posted 10/23/2009 8:40 AM ET