SWAC preview
By Tony Mejia
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
Grambling
Top three: F Paul Haynes, G Brion Rush, G Maurice Searight
On the rise: Rush averaged 17 per game as a freshman, stepping up alongside Haynes to give the Tigers the league's most feared combo. This year, they should add a third to the mix.
Maurice Searight, who played for Michigan two seasons ago, will help fill out what should be the SWAC's most potent lineup. Despite having to share the ball more, we expect Haynes to take player of the year honors.
Mississippi Valley State
Top three: F Attarrius Norwood, F/C Willie Neal, G Edward Mack
On the decline: The Delta Devils crumbled down the stretch last season, ending up one game behind Prairie View in the regular-season standings. Although we still like them to place second, they won't be as good as they were last season. Norwood is tremendous, but the team needs the burly Neal to step up his scoring; he's already among the league's top rebounders.
Alabama State
Top three: G Malcolm Campbell, F Jermaine Smith, F Xavier Oliver
On the rise: Four starters were lost, either via graduation or for academic reasons, but Rob Spivery will reload with floor general Campbell and a strong crop of newcomers. Chief among them is Smith, an athletic forward who should contend for the league's scoring and rebounding titles.
Texas Southern
Top three: G Allen Lovett, F Lionel Willis, G Damien Smith
On the decline: Ra'Kim Hollis took a lot of pressure off his teammates with his ability to take over games. Now that he's gone, it's up to Lovett to prove he can do the same. The Tigers did add a host of new recruits but won't reach the NCAAs for a second consecutive year.
Jackson State
Top three: G Ishmael Joyce, G K.C. Cavette, F Michael Travis
On the rise: Former Murray State boss Tevester Anderson replaces long-time coach Andy Stoglin and, despite the fact last year's top two scorers gone, should have a successful season. Joyce is more than capable of being more of a scorer, especially in an uptempo style. Rebounding should also be improved; the Tigers went for size with their recruits.
Alcorn State
Top three: F Brian Jackson, F Dion Callans, G DeAndre Jones
On the decline: Davey Whitney retired after 27 seasons, giving way to assistant Samuel West, who inherits a far less talented squad than his predecessor. Jackson and Callans will give him a strong frontcourt, but he'll need one of his guard imports to help replace the quickness of Jason Cable. Losing top center Lee Cook hurts as well.
Prairie View A&M
Top three: C Roderick Riley, F Tyrone Nelson, G Kevin Cooper
On the decline:The Panthers had an awesome first season under Jerry Francis, winning the SWAC regular-season title after languishing near the bottom of D-I for a number of years. This second year shouldn't be as successful, what with do-it-all PG Gregory Burks graduated and Malachi Thurston, last year's newcomer of the year, done in by academic issues.
Southern
Top three: F Peter Cipriano, Jerrid Campbell, Jarvin Scott
On the decline: Continuing the theme of long-time SWAC coaches stepping aside, Ben Jobe did so following last season. New coach Michael Grant will lean upon Cipriano and Campbell's production up front to get things done but will need to find someone to get them to the ball.
Alabama A&M
Top three: G Richard Ricketts, G Obie Trotter, F Terry Horton
On the decline: Last year's Bulldogs weren't very good, so the loss of their top three scorers isn't positive news. Vann Pettway will try to steal some victories with defense and quickness, looking for turnovers to create easy scoring opportunities for his inexperienced bunch.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Top three: F Chris Parker, G Tamarrius Brown, F Justin Lloyd
On the decline: The Golden Lions should again be one of the worst teams in D-I this season, losing three starters off a team that won just four games last year. There's a good chance that the HYPER Center, where the team plays its home games, will be pretty subdued in 2003-04.
<color=blue>
Accolades
First team
F -- Attarrius Norwood, MVSU
F -- Paul Haynes, Grambling
C -- Roderick Riley, Prairie View
G -- Brion Rush, Grambling
G -- Malcolm Campbell, Alabama State
Second team
F -- Jermaine Smith, Alabama State
F -- Peter Cipriano, Southern
F/C -- Willie Neal, MVSU
G -- Ishmael Joyce, Jackson State
G -- Allan Lovett, Texas Southern
Player of the year
Paul Haynes, Grambling
Newcomer of the year
Jermaine Smith, Alabama State
Breakthrough player
Willie Neal, Mississippi Valley State
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/6832061