2008-2009: 18-13, 9-7 (1-0 so far)
Last Conference Title: 1991-92 (MAAC) Never won A-10
Key Losses: F/C Vernon Goodridge
Key Additions: C Aaric Murray, G Parrish Grant, G T.T. Carey, C Devon White
Projected Starting Five:
G Rodney Green, Sr. 17.8 pts
C Aaric Murray, Fr. *17.5
F Jerrell Williams, Jr. 6.4
F Kimmani Barrett, Sr. 11.8
F Yves Mekongo Mbala, Sr. 10.4
Backcourt: Rodney Green leads the way as one of four seniors looking to bring this team all the way from the basement to the NCAA Tournament. Green may battle Scottie Reynolds among others as the favorite to win the Big 5 player of the year. He got off to a nice start against Hampton scoring 23 pts on 8-16 shooting and 4-5 from three point range. Ruben Guillandeaux and Barrett will also log significant minutes as returning starters who averaged double digits last year.
Frontcourt: Freshman Aaric Murray shocked the college basketball world by choosing LaSalle over high profile Big East schools, Villanova and West Virginia as well as Temple and St. Joes. Yves Mekongo Mbala was a double digit scorer last year who can contribute. He and Murray each scored 16 points in the opener.
Player to Watch: Aaric Murray: Rodney Green is the best player but Murray will have to step up to provide the inside game and take some of the scoring burden off of Green.
Prediction: NCAA Berth. Picked in the preseason to finish 4th behind Dayton, Xavier and Richmond. DW Picks the Explorers to finish 3rd and to receive an at-large bid.
Next Up: LaSalle takes on the Gamecocks of South Carolina tonight in the Charleston Classic.
Posts
At-large bid will be a stretch because I still think they'll look some Big 5 games that will hurt them, but they'll be much improved.
ReplyDeleteYeah I probably overrated them. Figure they probably have to finish in the top 3 in the A-10 to get an at-large. The G'Cocks handled them pretty easily last night.
ReplyDeleteThe halcion days of Randy Woods and the L-Train seem like 100 years ago.
ReplyDeleteSeem like the 3rd best team in the city behind Nova and Temple.