Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Recap College Basketball Countdown: Teams #61-#70

Published on October 26, 2011 by Scott Shirley   ·   1 Comment

In case you missed it here are teams 61-70.

# 61. Nevada

Coach: David Carter (Two seasons at Nevada 40-26)

2010-11 Record: 13-19 overall, 8-8 in WAC (Tie/5th)

Starters Returning (5) Malik Story, Deonte Burton, Dario Hunt, Olek Czyz, Jerry Evans

Last year was a disappointing year for head coach David Carter, but the good news is the whole roster is basically coming back. Former Indiana player Malik Story (14.5 ppg) is the Wolfpack’s best player. At shooting guard he is a very athletic player who can score inside and out. Joining him in the backcourt is Deonte Burton (13.7 ppg). He can really beat you off the dribble. (Patrick Nyeko (1.2 ppg) and Jordan Finn (1.9 ppg) provide depth off the bench. Dario Hunt (12.4 ppg) is a force at center; he almost averaged a double double last season. At power forward is Duke transfer Olek Czyz (12.3 ppg): he can really shoot the three. Providing the depth in the frontcourt are Kevin Panzer (2.2 ppg) and Devonte Elliott (1.8 ppg), and freshman Richard Bell. Jerry Evans (4.9 ppg) will start at small forward, and Jordan Burris (3.1 ppg) will back him up.

# 62. UCF

Coach: Donnie Jones (First season at UCF 21-12), overall 76-53 4 years

2010-11 Record: 21-12 overall, 6-10 in C-USA (9th)

Starters Returning (4) Marcus Jordan, Keith Clanton, A.J. Rompza, Dwight McCombs

The Knights won their first 14 games last season, but they folded down the stretch. They bring back all 5 starters and add 3 transfers to the mix. Shooting guard Marcus Jordan (15.2 ppg) is the Knights best player and yes he is the son of the best basketball player of all time Michael Jordan. He is a flat out scorer, who can also pass the ball. A.J. Rompza (6.4 ppg) and Illinois transfer Jeff Jordan (Yes, MJ’s son also) will battle for the starting point guard duties. Isaiah Sykes (4.0 ppg) is another depth guy in the backcourt. The best player in the frontcourt is power forward Keith Clanton (14.2ppg). Clanton does it all he scores, rebounds, block shots, and even shoots threes. Oregon transfer Josh Crittle will likely start at center. P.J. Gaynor (4.8 ppg) and Dwight McCombs (3.1 ppg) are solid backups up front. Freshman Kasey Wilson and Wayne Martin will also compete for playing time. Former very highly recruit and Virginia Transfer Tristan Spurlock will likely start at small forward. Freshman Rod Days will be the backup here.

# 63. Kansas State

Coach: Frank Martin (Four Seasons at Kansas State 95-43)

2010-11 Record: 23-11 overall, 10-6 in Big 12 (Tie 3rd)

Starters Returning (3) Rodney McGruder, Jamar Samuels, Shane Southwell

The Wildcats and head coach Frank Martin lost 2 of their 3 best players including the heart and sole of the team Jacob Pullen, but still some talent returns. The backcourt will be the strong point for Kansas State; Rodney McGruder (11.1 ppg) is the best player, and he is very explosive. Will Spradling (6.4 ppg) returns at the point; he is a very heady player. Martavious Irving (4 ppg), freshman Angel Rodriguez, and JUCO transfer Jeremy Jones will be three quality backups here. Shane Southwell (1.8 ppg) and redshirt freshman Nino Williams will share duties at small forward. Jamar Samuels (8.5 ppg) returns at power forward; he will produce more without Curtis Kelly. Jordan Henriquez-Roberts (3.7 ppg) has great size and will join Samuels up front. Providing the depth up front will be Victor Ojeleye (1.8 ppg) and JUCO transfer James Watson. Also in the mix will be two very talented freshman Adrian Diaz and Thomas Gipson. Diaz could start from day one.

# 64. Stanford

Coach: Johnny Dawkins (Three Seasons at Stanford 49-48)

2010-11 Record: 15-16 overall, 7-11 in Pac 10 (Tie 7th)

Starters Returning (4) Anthony Brown, Josh Owens, Jarrett Mann, Dwight Powell

  The Cardinal only lose one player off last year’s team, but that player was Jeremy Green who scored 16.7 points per game. Head coach Johnny Dawkins is looking to get over the hump after three years at Stanford. Forward Josh Owens (11.6 ppg) led the team in rebounding last season, and shot a high percentage. Joining him up front will be Dwight Powell (8.1 ppg) who really came on last year as a freshman. Anthony Brown (8.7 ppg) is a very athletic player at small forward. Andrew Zimmermann (2.8 ppg), Stefan Nastic (3 ppg) John Gage (3.8 ppg), Josh Huestis (2.3 ppg) and Jack Trotter (3.2 ppg) all provide depth in the frontcourt. That’s a lot of depth. Leading the way in the backcourt is Jarrett Mann (4.9 ppg). Mann is a very good playmaker, but he needs to improve his shooting. Aaron Bright (5.1 ppg) is a very solid back up point guard. Freshman Chasson Randle should start at shooting guard from day one; he knows how to score. Gabriel Harris (1.4 ppg) is a solid back up.

# 65. Minnesota

Coach: Tubby Smith (Four Seasons at Minnesota 80-83), overall 467-198, 20 years

2010-11 Record: 17-14 overall, 6-12 in Big Ten (9th)

Starters Returning (3) Trevor Mbakwe, Rodney Williams, Ralph Samspon III

Last season started out with a lot of promise for the Golden Gophers, but it didn’t finish well. They also have a couple players who transferred. There is no doubt the strength of this team is up front. Trevor Mbakwe (13.9 ppg) is a double double machine, and just a player every team wants in the middle of their defense. Ralph Sampson III (10.2 ppg) thought about the NBA, but decided to return which was a good decision. A healthy Mo Walker (3.7 ppg) will also help out the frontcourt.  Redshirts Oto Osenieks and Elliot Eliason provide some depth. Rodney Williams (6.8 ppg) is a very athletic player on the wing. If the Minnesota backcourt comes together they could be a lot higher on this list. Guards Chip Armelin (4.4 ppg) and Austin Hollins (4.5 ppg) both showed moments last season, but they need to be more consistent. Transfer Julian Welch could also help; he is the former Big West Freshman of the Year. Freshman Andre Hollins should also play a lot for the Golden Gophers this season in the backcourt.  Fellow freshman Joe Coleman will also get some minutes.

# 66. Kent State

Coach: Rob Senderoff (First season at Kent State)

2010-11 Record: 25-12 overall, 12-4 in MAC East (1st, East)

Starters Returning (4) Justin Greene, Michael Porrini, Justin Manns, Randal Holt

The Golden Flash have a new head coach in Rob Senderoff. Good for him they return 4 starters from last year’s team and they also return the Player of the Year in the MAC Justin Greene (15.4 ppg). The power forward led Kent State in points, rebounds, and block shots last season. Joining him up front will be center Justin Manns (4.8 ppg). The back ups here are Rutgers transfer Patrick Johnson, Robert Johnson (1.9ppg) and Mark Henniger (1.8 ppg). Also joining the mix is very talented JUCO transfer Chris Evans. Point guard Michael Porrini (10.1 ppg) was the MAC’s Defensive Player of the Year last year and he can also score. Joining him in the backcourt is shooting guard Randal Holt (9.9ppg ): he likes to shoot the three. Carlton Guyton (12.4 ppg) will start also as the Golden Flash go small; he is the team’s best three-point percentage shooter. Eric Gaines (3.2 ppg) will be the main back up off the bench. Freshman Kris Brewer and Devareaux Manley will also provide depth.

# 67. Iowa State

Coach: Fred Hoiberg (First season at Iowa State 16-16)

2010-11 Record: 16-16 overall, 3-13 in Big 12 (12th)

Starters Returning (2) Scott Christopherson, Melvin Ejim

Head coach Fred Hoiberg brings two starters back, and 4 division 1 transfers that are eligible to play this season. The transfers have the talent, but the question is can they all mesh together? The Cyclones best returning player is shooting guard Scott Christopherson (13.7 ppg); he is a deadly shooter. Helping in the backcourt will be Michigan State transfer Chris Allen, who also is a great shooter. The backups will be JUCO transfer Tyrus McGee, Bubu Palo (3.4 ppg), and freshman Tavon Sledge. McGee is the best of the bunch. Melvin Ejim (10.3 ppg) leads the way at small forward, and is a very good athlete; Penn State transfer Chris Babb backs him up. The Cyclones two best players up front are both transfers Anthony Booker from Southern Illinois and Royce White from Minnesota. Providing the depth here will be Jordan Railey (2 ppg) and freshman Percy Gibson.

# 68. St Louis

Coach: Rick Majerus (Four seasons at St. Louis 69-61), 491-208, 24 years

2010-11 Record: 12-19 overall, 6-10 in A-10 (Tie 9th)

Starters Returning (5) Kyle Cassity, Brian Conklin, Rob Loe, Mike McCall, Dwayne Evans

This should be Rick Majerus’ best team since he has been at St. Louis. They return their top 7 leading scorers from last season. The Billikens best returning player is Kwamain Mitchell; he did not play last season due to off the court issues. The point guard averaged 15.9 ppg his last season. Kyle Cassity (8.5 ppg) will start at shooting guard; he does a little bit of everything. St. Louis has a ton of depth here led by last year’s leading scorer Mike McCall (10.4 ppg); he will take a back seat to Mitchell, but expect them to go to a lot of three guard sets this season. Also providing depth are Jordair Jett (7.6 ppg) and freshman Emmanouil Tselentakis. Dwayne Evans (8.4 ppg) and Toledo transfer Jake Barnett will compete for the starting job at power forward. Brian Conklin (8.7 ppg) will start at power forward; he is good around the basket. While Rob Loe (6.5 ppg) will start at center. Loe can shoot the three for a big guy. Providing the depth in the frontcourt is Cody Ellis (6.5 ppg) and Cory Remekun (3.9ppg). True freshman John Manning should also get some quality playing time.

# 69. Indiana

Coach: Tom Crean (Three seasons at LBS 28-66), 218-162, 12 years

2010-11 Record: 12-20 overall, 3-15 in Big Ten (11th)

Starters Returning (4) Christian Watford, Tom Pritchard, Jordan Hulls, Verdell Jones III

The good news is the Hoosiers have everyone back, but Jeremiah Rivers, who wasn’t that good; the bad news these same players went 12-20 last year. Forward Christian Watford (16 ppg) was the Hoosiers best player last year leading them in points and rebounds. Indiana needs someone else to step up in the frontcourt. Looking to do that will be Tom Pritchard (2.5 ppg), Derek Elston (3.7 ppg), and Will Sheehey (4.8 ppg). The player that will probably start from day one is freshman Cody Zeller. He is head coach Tom Cream’s biggest recruit to date. The Hoosiers are loaded in the backcourt with Verdell Jones III (12.5 ppg) and Jordan Hulls (11 ppg). Jones can do a little bit of everything, and Hulls is a deadly shooter. Maurice Creek (8.5 ppg) will probably not play this season due to an injury; he hasn’t be able to stay healthy his whole career. Victor Oladipo (7.4 ppg) also came on last season, and he gave Indiana a huge spark with his energy. Matt Roth (3.4 ppg) is also a solid guard off the bench.

# 70. Long Beach State

Coach: Dan Monson (Four seasons at LBS 60-68), 230-191, 14 years

2010-11 Record: 22-12overall, 14-2 in Big West (1st)

Starters Returning (4) Casper Ware, Larry Anderson, T.J. Robinson, Eugene Phelps

Head coach Dan Monson and the 49ers bring back 4 starters from a team that won 22 games last season. The 49ers best player is Casper Ware (17.2 ppg); he was the Big West’s player of the year and also the leagues best defensive player. He fills up the stat sheet in every category; his best strength is being a flat out scorer. Joining him in the backcourt is Larry Anderson (14.3 ppg): he knows how to attack the rim. Quality depth could be a question in the backcourt. The depth will come from Corey Jackson (1.9 ppg), Sean Starkey (.5 ppg), and Jerramy King (.3 ppg). Also in the mix will be freshman Michael Caffey and Shaquille Hunter. Leading the way in the frontcourt is T.J. Robinson (13.6 ppg); he averaged a double double last season. Edis Dervisevic (2.1 ppg) will also likely start up front. Eugene Phelps (9.7 ppg) will be the man at small forward. Providing depth in the frontcourt will be Kyle Richardson (.8 ppg), JUCO transfers James Ennis and Kris Gulley. Freshman Nick Shepherd will also compete for playing time.

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