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LOCATION: Orangeburg, SC
CONFERENCE: Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC)
LAST SEASON: 17-12 (.586)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 14-4 (t-1st)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 5/0
NICKNAME: Bulldogs
COLORS: Garnet & Blue
HOMECOURT: Memorial Center (3,200)
COACH: Cy Alexander (Catawba '75)
record at school 203-148 (12 years)
career record 203-148 (12 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Francis Simmons (Voorhees '71)
Jamal Brown (South Carolina State '97)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 15-22-14-21-17
RPI (last 5 years) 249-156-209-103-183
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference final.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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At a lot of schools, a 17-12 record and appearance in its conference tournament championship game represents a great season. Not at South Carolina State. When one talks with head coach Cy Alexander, the disappointment of last year's upset loss to eighth-seed Florida A&M in the MEAC championship game can still be heard in his voice. But that game game mirrored the whole season. At times, the Bulldogs were very good. But there was no consistency, and the veteran coach doesn't mince words about last season. "Our leadership wasn't very good last year and as a result we weren't mentally or physically tough during the season," said Alexander. "We had a good season, but we had no consistency. We would play well for a few games and then not play well for a couple of games. And that all boils down to leadership. We just didn't have it last season and that's an area we must get better in this year." The loss to Florida A&M in the title game still lingers in Alexander's mind because it was a missed opportunity. "We had another chance to go to the NCAA Tournament last season but then we let it slip away," said Alexander. "It was a missed opportunity for us that still hurts. We were playing a number eight seed for the right to win the championship and they beat us.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT B BENCH/DEPTH B-
FRONTCOURT B INTANGIBLES B+
South Carolina State never jelled last year but had enough talent to get past most of the MEAC. When a team coasts like that during the regular season, there's usually trouble in the conference tournament and that's what happened to the Bulldogs. They edged both Maryland-Eastern Shore and North Carolina A&T in the first two rounds of the league tournament. In the title game, Florida A&M led from start to finish and won, 64-61, in a game that really wasn't that close. It is a loss that six months later still was fresh in coach Cy Alexander's mind. Look for South Carolina State to take its frustrations out on the MEAC this year. This club is still very talented but should be even more focused this year. If it's not, Alexander will have something to say about it, and in no uncertain terms. The Bulldogs should finish first in the MEAC and be the team to beat in the conference tournament. Alexander won't have it any other way. |
"You have to give Florida A&M all the credit because they beat us fair and square. But there was a chance to go to the tournament and we didn't get it done. And that goes back to a lack of maturity. If there's any good to come out of it, I think it has made us a lot hungrier for this season. We're determined to make amends for last year." The Bulldogs return five starters and eight lettermen from last year's team that shared the regular-season title with Coppin State. South Carolina State also had another good recruiting class which featured three transfers and two junior college transfers. All five are expected to help the Bulldogs this year. Throw in the fact that South Carolina State has a chip on its shoulder after last year's disappointment and that could spell trouble for the rest of the MEAC. Alexander has built a solid program. The Bulldogs have never finished lower than fourth place in the MEAC during Alexander's 12-year tenure. And in the last seven years, South Carolina State has finished either first or second. Two years ago, Alexander's team came from behind to beat Coppin State to win the MEAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the third time under his leadership. That's part of the reason last year's finish bothered Alexander. His teams have always been known for toughness and ability to win close games. "We've worked very hard in the off-season," said Alexander."We're very, very hungry to make amends for last year. We don't want to let another opportunity slip away to go the NCAA Tournament." The Bulldogs do have a talented club back, but Alexander wants improvement from everyone, starting with 6-0 second team all-conference senior point guard Mike Wiatre (15.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 123 assists). Wiatre had the tough task of replacing MEAC Player of the Year Rodney Blankney, and at times it showed. He shot just 32 percent rom the field and that must improve this season. "Mike put too much pressure on himself last year trying to replace Rodney," said Alexander. "He's got to learn play a little more under control and learn shot selection. We can't have him shooting 32 percent this year." Wiatre will probably start at the point again, but he could also be used at the two-guard. The shooting-guard slot should again be claimed by 6-6 senior James Jones (13.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Jones was the Bulldogs' second-leading scorer last season but shot just 40 percent from the field. Alexander expects better. "James Jones wasn't consistent last year, and he needs to be more consistent this year," said Alexander. "He did not handle being a supporting player very well and he'll have to do better. James is a senior, and I think he understands what he has to do. He's anxious to prove he can do it." Coray Davis (9.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), a 6-5 senior forward, was the Bulldogs' starter at the small-forward slot last season. Davis led South Carolina State in three-pointers with 66, but Alexander is determined that Davis will do more than shoot threes this year. "Coray did a good job shooting the three-pointer last season but little else," said Alexander. "He had a poor year on defense and a poor year rebounding. He averaged 26 minutes per game and only averaged three rebounds per game. That's not acceptable, and he's going to have to do more than just shoot the three this year if he wants to play." One player Alexander was fairly pleased with was 6-8 junior forward Dexter Hall (6.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg). Hall was last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year while starting at power forward. "We were very pleased with Dexter's play last season," said Alexander. "He was our MVP and just did a great job on the boards. We think he will be even better this year as he gets stronger. We'd like for him to be a little more proficient on offense and we think he will." Duane Johnson (8.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg), a 6-10 senior center, will need to improve as well this year. "We need Duane to be stronger both mentally and physically," said Johnson. "We especially need him to be better on the offensive end this year." One player who is anxious for the new year to start is 6-5 senior forward Arthur Carlisle (5.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Carlisle transfered from South Carolina where he was a key player on the Gamecocks' 1996-97 NCAA Tournament and SEC championship team. A lot was expected from Carlisle last year, and things just never developed. Alexander is not shy about wanting more from this talented player. "It's put up or shut up time for Arthur this season," said Alexander. "Last year was very disappointing for him as he never got in the right condition and he just didn't have a good season. He's very determined to have a good year this season. I was very impressed with how hard he worked this summer to get better." Alexander has big plans for Carlisle this season. The 6-5 senior can play either guard spot or either forward slot. "And we plan to use him at all of those spots this year," Alexander said. "He'll really be able to help us at every spot this year if he's ready to play." John Shivers (4.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), a 6-1 junior guard, will provide depth at the shooting-guard slot. He has a nice touch from the outside and sank 18 three-pointers last year. Alexander will be anxious the Bulldogs' game with Air Force on Dec. 14 that marks the beginning of the school's second semester. That's because three players who transferred to South Carolina State last year will be eligible. One of those players is 6-9 sophomore forward Luis Radford, who comes to Orangeburg from UTEP, where he played some as a freshman and averaged 8.0 points. Radford is expected to play small forward and will give Davis plenty of competition for playing time. "Luis should really help this program," said Alexander. "He's a talented player who played with Lamar Odom in high school and is from Los Angeles. Luis will give us some height at the small-forward spot." Two transfers from American University could help the Bulldogs at two positions Omar Vanderhorst, a 5-11 freshman point guard, will allow South Carolina State to move Wiatre to two guard. Vanderhorst is more of a natural point guard. "Omar is a natural point guard who will help us this season," said Alexander. "He knows how to penetrate and distribute the ball to the guys who can score. We look for Omar to help us and give us some more options this year at the point." Bryan Wynn, a 6-8 freshman power forward, could help the Bulldogs inside game this season. He went to Fork Union (Va.) Military before going to American University for a short stay. "We really like Bryan because he has some real tools to play the power-forward spot," said Alexander. "He shoots the ball well and knows how to play defense." Alexander is putting emphasis on the inside game. The MEAC's days of being a guard-dominated league are over. "We need a consistent post game this year," said Alexander. "Our inside game must get better and improve this season if we want to have a good year."
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