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LOCATION: Montgomery, AL
CONFERENCE: Southwestern Athletic (SWAC)
LAST SEASON: 11-16 (.407)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-8 (5th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 2/3
NICKNAME: Hornets
COLORS: Old Gold & Black
HOMECOURT: Joe L. Reed Acadome (8,000)
COACH: Rob Spivery
record at school 30-54 (3 years)
career record 205-199 (13 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Joe Proctor (Memphis '71)
Davis Oness (Calgary '84)
Calvin Cochran (Chattanooga '83)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 19-11-9-8-11-11
RPI (last 5 years) 262-295-281-287-266
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference first round.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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Alabama State coach Rob Spivery had a good feeling heading in to last season, and with good reason. With all their starters back, the Hornets were expected to contend for a spot near the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings. Alabama State didn't quite live up to those expectations. Instead, the Hornets settled near the middle of the pack before losing to Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the conference tournament. "Last season was somewhat disappointing," Spivery said. "We had a group of five seniors that just could not blend the chemistry together." The Hornets' grueling non-conference schedule might have had something to do with their problems. Playing a difficult non-conference schedule that included Mississippi, Arkansas, DePaul, Illinois-Chicago, Alabama and Murray State, Alabama State lost seven of its first eight games and never recovered. "We came within four points of beating DePaul, seven points of beating Illinois-Chicago and two points of beating Murray State, all on our home floor," Spivery said. "That was an early turning point in our season. We had leads coming down the stretch in all of those games and could not hold on for the win. "If we win any of those games, I think our confidence would have carried us over the hump."
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B BENCH/DEPTH C
FRONTCOURT C INTANGIBLES C
Again, Alabama State coach Rob Spivery has increased his team's talent level, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will pay off in victories. The Hornets lost nine of their first 12 games last season, forcing Spivery to alter his lineup. After he made freshmen Joey Ball and Richard Millsap starters, the Hornets went 8-7 over their final 15 games. Ball and Millsap are back, along with Tyrone Levett, who started all 27 games last season, to provide Spivery with a solid nucleus. Beyond that, Alabama State is short on experience. The roster includes just two seniors, both of whom were former walk-ons. Still, if the Hornets can overcome their lack of experience and depth along the front line, they could be a factor in the league. |
After opening the season 3-9, the Hornets went 8-7 over their final 15 games. Included in those victories was a 97-87 overtime win over preseason SWAC favorite Southern. Two starters are gone from that team center Terrence Simmons (13.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and forward Courtney Stephens (6.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg). The Hornets will also miss point guard Jasaun Moncrief (8.2 ppg, 70 assists), forward Corey Williams (10.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Jeff Thomas (5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg). Three sophomore starters forward Tyrone Levett and guards Joey Ball and Richard Millsap return. None averaged more than eight points per game. The 6-5 Levett was chosen to the SWAC's All-Rookie team after averaging 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. He also finished third on the team with 30 steals. The 6-2 Ball averaged 7.2 points, made 29 steals and caught Spivery's attention. "Joey has the explosiveness, the strength and the ability to create things for himself," Spivery said. Millsap, at 6-4, can play guard or forward. The Fresno, Calif., native averaged 5.5 points and 3.2 rebounds and had 25 steals and 36 assists. Five other lettermen return, led by 6-1 junior point guard Tobarie Burton, who was second on the team in assists (62) and finished second on the team in steals (37). "Burton is solid," Spivery said. "He's not overly quick, but he's clever with the ball." Guards Dupree McKenzie (2.3 pg, 1.2 rpg), a 6-4 junior; Jimmy Cross (0.5 ppg, 0.2 rpg), a 6-0 senior; Reginald Brown (0.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg), a 6-3 sophomore; and forward Milton Brownlee (1.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg), a 6-8 senior, are also back. Key newcomers include redshirt freshman center Alvin Pettway (6-8, 230), who returns after sitting out last season after undergoing knee surgery; 6-11 freshman center Michael Green and freshmen guards Keith Gamble (6-4, 195) and Coupe Magic Taylor (6-1, 180). "Pettaway was one of the top players in the country last year before he blew his knee out," Spivery said. "He has fully recovered and we expect big things from him. "(Michael) Green only played two years of high school basketball. Once he gains some experience and gets stronger, he's going to be an outstanding player for us." While there appears to be enough talent, it is young. Alabama State's top three players are sophomores. There are just two seniors, Brownlee and Cross, and two juniors, Burton and McKenzie, on a roster dominated by eight freshmen and sophomores. Brownlee, Cross and McKenzie averaged less than 15 minutes between them. "We will be a talented team as far as our starting five," Spivery said. "After that, two or three of the newcomers will have to provide us with quality minutes early. We will be a talented, young team. The question mark is depth." Two late additions to the roster are 6-10 junior center Reggie Young and 6-1 freshman shooting guard Clarence Taylor. Young is a transfer from McCook College in McCook, Neb. Taylor played at Montgomery County (Ala.) High School.
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