So this blog has a few haters out there. For them, this clip is for you: For the Haters Only (NSFW language)
Now that we have that out of the way, on to the new season!
First on the slate is Charleston Southern, who are slated to win the Southern Division of the Big South Conference. Personally I think that’s a step above the California Penal League, but since the Niners are coming off a 13-17 season, there’s little room for mockery. The Buccaneers, who are led by Barclay Radebaugh (that name screams either inbreeding or trust fund, really having a hard time choosing), boast a squad featuring two-preseason All-Big South selections in Saah Nimley and Arlon Harper. The two guards despite being a little undersized at 5’8 and 6’1 respectively, managed to average just north of 26 ppg, forming the core of a potent back court which figures to be the Buccaneers’ strength. Strong perimeter defense by the Niners, particularly likely starters Pierria’ Henry (preseason A-10 All-Defensive team) and Terrence Williams, will be important if the Niners hope to win with rumors of suspensions and injuries swirling (more on that later).
As strong as the Buccaneers are in the backcourt, they are equally weak in the front court with the graduation of All Big South and DPOY Kelvin Martin. With Martin’s graduation, CSU loses their leading scorer (15 ppg) and rebounder (9 rpg). With no clear heir apparent to anchor the backcourt, CSU will have to look for rebounding and post-scoring by committee. Senior Mathiang Muo (9.8 ppg last season) will likely lead the undersized front court in scoring and the Buccaneers will hope for contributions from newcomer Allie Fullah and Sophomores Paul Gombwer and Greg Dorleus, the latter being the only CSU player over 6’7.
The Niners will counter with a squad that has a blend of experience and youth, and at least from a positional standpoint, depth. That depth may be challenged if unconfirmed rumors of Chris Braswell being suspended are true. Braswell was head-and-shoulders the best player on the squad last year and is expected to lead a team hoping to compete in the A10 this season. Also potentially inactive are Jr. DeMario Mayfield and Sr. JT Thompson, both of whom are dealing with injuries. Mayfield per his twitter was cleared to resume practice earlier this week; however, his ankle may not be 100% and thus the team may wish to hold him out for better conditioning and a complete recovery. JT Thompson on the other hand is dealing with the lasting effects of successive season-ending ACL tears.
So assuming the worst case scenario that the Niners will be down three upperclassman (and remember, none of this is confirmed… we’d love to be “wrong” even though we’re not saying they’re out), the Niners will likely look to their defense to generate offense. Points off turnovers and transition baskets will be critical for a team that will likely struggle to score in the half court with the absence of Braswell and Mayfield. Fortunately for the Niners, the depth in the front court may mitigate offensive struggles with superior rebounding, as athletic forwards like Darion Clark and Willie Clayton could control the glass against the undersized Buccaneers. Whatever the situation tonight, Niner faithful will expect a win and rightfully so. Coach Alan Major will have to do a lot of that this season to stem calls for his ouster should the Niners against struggle in a pivotal season. Major has his players, now it’s time to win with them.
Prediction 1: Niners 65 – Buccaneers 59 -assumes no Braswell
Prediction 2: Niners 76 – Buccaneers 61 -assumes Braswell plays



The Dukes are a running team. They average 72.2 PPG and shoot 44.7% from the field, but the scoring drops to 62 PPG in road games, including three games of 50 or less points (a feat we have yet to accomplish with our offense). Coach Ron Everhart depends on BJ Monteiro, a 6-5 205 lb. G-F, and his 14.8 PPG to set the offensive pace. Monteiro versus Javarris Barnett will be an interesting match-up. Barnett has a height and size advantage on Monteiro and can keep him from getting baskets inside the arc, where Monteiro shoots 52%. We want Monteiro taking his shots outside the arc, where he is only shooting 30.9%. If Barnett can get through Monteiro en route to the rim early he will find himself with space on the perimeter needed for him to heat up later in the game. Joining Monteiro in the frontcourt is Andre Marhold, a Charlotte native and North Meck Alum. Marhold, a 6-7 and 205 lb. F-C, plays 22 minutes a game averaging 5.3 PPG and 4.3 RPG. After getting abused by Andrew Nicholson this past Saturday, a match-up against Marhold should have Chris Braswell foaming at the mouth. This team can be had inside, getting an efficient and proficient night out of Braswell will be key to a Niner victory.
Braswell didn’t have much resistance from Dayton on Wednesday and he has the potential to be that dominant again against Richmond. If Braswell can find it in himself to start scoring over 20 points a game his senior year will be one hell of a ride. Braswell was only 5-11 from the field in the first game and could sure use the efficiency he had on Wednesday in Dayton or like against UMass.
Charlotte came out of the break aggressive, and chipped away at Xavier’s lead slowly but surely. Barnett’s third three-pointer got Charlotte within one, 47-46, with 14:17 left in the contest. Minutes later he would tie the score on his fifth three-pointer, the score knotted at 52 all. Xavier answered as we all expected a team like Xavier to do. A three-pointer from Brad Redford broke the tie and began a 19-10 run by the Musketeers that would put Xavier on top 71-62 with 2:34 remaining.



Jones is a 6’7″ PF who shot 53% last season, scoring 5.7PPG and probably expecting a larger role this season. The 6’11″ Kenny Kadji will be a force that may require the rare use of Ilijia Ivankovic as Kadji scores 8.7 PPG shooting 50.8% and pulls in 4.5 RPG. Kadji is an inside player, but has stepped behind the 3-point line to shoot eight times this season, sinking six of them. Trey McKinney Jones (long enough name, bro?), Garrius Adams, and Shane Larkin are all significant contributors for Miami, each averaging 7-8 points per game. McKinney Jones (or just Jones) and Adams are on the wing while Larkin comes off the bench behind Grant and Scott.

It’s been a long wait. Four seasons ago Davidson fought all the way to the Elite Eight, their best team in decades. That was a really, really good team, but that team wasn’t good enough to beat the Charlotte 49ers in Halton Arena. Charlotte had a guy on its roster named Leemire Goldwire who went head to head with current Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, and knocked down nine 3-pointers en route to 34 points and a 75-68 Niners victory. On Saturday night, Charlotte (5-2) will host Davidson (5-2 vs. DI) for the first time since the 2007-08 season. All the players that played in that game are no longer here, most Charlotte students don’t know what it’s like when our rivals come to visit, the ones that do only know what last year’s numbing defeat on the road felt like. Defending Halton Arena against a team more known for being the 2008 Cinderella than as our rival to the new blood will go along way towards turning their blood Niner Green.
might take the breath out of Chris Braswell. Cohen also likes to step outside the paint to shoot and puts up four 3-pointers a game, making them at a rate of 27.3%. These two guys can be scored on, but Brooks might be too big for Javarris Barnett to guard in the post, expect KJ Sherrill to get some minutes in this game to contain Brooks. Getting these two guys in foul trouble early will be very beneficial to us, and Chris Braswell needs to be fed the ball early and often.
