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11/1/2007 - MEN'S BASKETBALL
12 Days of A-Sun Basketball: Mercer
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Courtesy ASunPhotos.com
12 Days of A-Sun Basketball looks at the school a mere three miles from conference office, the Mercer Bears. The Bears improved by four wins from their 2006 total of nine, partially due to the play of James Florence. As a freshman he led the league in scoring at 19.2 PPG. He joined Texas' Kevin Durant and Davidson's Stephen Curry as the only three freshmen to lead their respective conference in scoring.
The Bears will be tested early in the 2007-08 campaign as they face a daunting November schedule. In a nine-day span, the Bears will face three schools from the "Power Six" conferences. Mercer opens on the road on November 10 against No.18 USC and freshman sensation O.J. Mayo. Three days later, the Bears will host Alabama at a sold-out University Center. Alabama enters the season as No. 32 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Bears then hit the road for a trip to Boston to face Harvard on the 16th followed by Boston College on the 18th.
2007-08 Mercer Bears |
SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy Mercer Media Relations)
With four starters returning from last season along with a fifth player who started the first 14 games, the Bears are looking to get down to business in the 2007-08 season. Optimism is running high in the Mercer camp and rightfully so - the top four scorers are back from an explosive offense that scored more than forty points in a half on 17 occasions and notched more than 50 points in a half five times.
"What we gained from last season was experience and depth,” said head coach Mark Slonaker. "Every returning player gained valuable experience. They all played a lot of minutes.
We were not very deep last year and not very experienced, and that combination gave us problems. Calvin [Henry] is back and Michael [Ellis] is coming off his red-shirt season, so that adds positive things along with the freshmen that are coming in. We have an opportunity to be a solid basketball team."
As soon as last season wound down the team began to focus on building team chemistry and bonding as a group. In addition, the Bears hit the weight room and concentrated on conditioning - always a key to building success.
Mercer's strength this season is undoubtedly its backcourt, featuring the all-conference duo of Shaddean Aaron and James Florence. Aaron, who had a breakout season in 2007, showed his versatility by ranking third in blocked shots, fourth in scoring and seventh in rebounding in the conference. After leading the league in scoring and earning A-Sun Freshman of the Year accolades, Florence was named to the CollegeInsider.com Freshman All-America team.
"James put up great numbers and Shaddean did everything for us last season - scoring, shot-blocking and rebounding. With a season of experience, last year's newcomers know what it takes to win in this conference. From top to bottom we are a more talented team than a year ago.
If we are going to be a factor in the league race then we need to improve defensively, shoot the 3-pointer, value the basketball and lower our assist-to-turnover ratio."
The challenge for the coaching staff - and it is a good problem to have - will be blending the perimeter players and putting them in the right spots at the right times in order to make them successful. In addition to Aaron and Florence, Ellis - the 2006 Big South Conference Freshman of the Year - will be back on the hardwood after a year's absence.
"Michael [Ellis] proved himself in the Big South Conference and should come in and give us quality minutes. He is a fierce competitor and will battle on both ends of the court. I expect him to be a very good player in our league," stated Slonaker.
The Bears will need to replace the outside-shooting prowess of Ross Alacqua, who had the ability to stretch defenses from long range. Slonaker will most likely look to sophomore guard Brendan Walker to fill the Alpharetta, Ga., native's shoes.
"Brendan is a good 'catch-and-shoot' player and plays well coming off screens," said Slonaker. "I believe he will be comfortable at the two-guard."
Brian Pfohl and Sam Dolan have another year of experience under their belt and are determined to finish their careers with a postseason tournament berth. Calvin Henry is a player who is hungry and motivated to get back on the court and contribute after missing over half of the 2006-07 season.
POINT GUARD
Look for the tandem of James Florence and Mark Hall to get the lion's share of minutes at point guard. While Florence will be hard pressed to match his impressive offensive fireworks from last season, Slonaker expects the Bears to benefit from a more balanced offensive attack.
"James obviously had an outstanding freshman season. He proved he could play game in and game out and competed on every possession. He showed his competitive nature and attacked the rim at every opportunity. We asked a lot of him and he delivered.
Look for him to improve his shot selection and defense. As our point guard I expect him to improve his assist-to-turnover ratio from a year ago. He is a very good all-around player and should set the tone for us defensively."
Slonaker describes newcomer Mark Hall as a true "combo" guard who can score from the two-guard spot and also possesses the ability to play the point. Hall has impressed the coaching staff and will compete for playing time at the point and contribute immediately due his talent and versatility. Slonaker has also been impressed with Hall's play on the defensive end of the court.
"He will get after guys defensively and challenge them. Mark provides us with quality depth at point guard. We are looking for both James and Mark to set the tone defensively and give us a spark."
WINGS
As in previous seasons, the Bears have depth and flexibility at the wings, but unlike the recent past, the players manning the wings are a proven commodity from top to bottom. Brendan Walker will be counted on to provide an outside scoring threat for a balanced inside-outside offensive attack as well as provide chemistry and leadership.
Shaddean Aaron is a Mercer basketball success story ... a second-team all conference selection following last season, Aaron brought his A-game every night, competed, rebounded, blocked shots, scored and played hard every possession. Look for him to carry the success into this season and provide senior leadership by contributing in many ways.
Calvin Henry was playing very well, averaging nearly a double-double before being declared acaddemically ineligible. Henry is in the mold of players who have proven to be very successful in the A-Sun. He is very versatile and can play face-up four spot or out on the wing. Michael Ellis can score and is tenacious on the court. He has been described as “a leader who plays every possession and fights on both sides of the ball.”
POST
A pair of seniors will be keys to the Bears’ success in the post. Brian Pfohl, who came back in good physical shape, put up impressive offensive numbers last season and continues to be a low-post threat. Sam Dolan is a tough physical defender when not hampered by injuries and also has the talent and ability to be an offensive presence in the paint.
Freshman Justin Davis, arguably Mercer’s first true center since Justin Howard (1999-03), will enable the Bears to extend their defense, protecting the back line as the perimeter players defend out front and on the wings. Another newcomer, Brian Mills will contribute immediately with his versatility. Mills can shoot the 3-pointer, has a good mid-range game and can also attack the basket. He is a skilled passer who was known to play point-forward in high school.
Sophomore BeJay Corley contributes the intangibles that do not show up in the box score, but help the team garner wins.
“He lacked consistency last season and had some up and down moments,” said Slonaker. “He now understands what it takes to compete at this level. He’s willing to play defense and rebound.”
SCHEDULE
Non-conference contests at Southern Cal, Boston College and a trip to the Jim ‘N Nicks Cougar Classic, hosted by College of Charleston, along with a visit to the University Center by the Alabama Crimson Tide and Loyola Marymount, highlight the Bears' non-conference schedule.
"This is a very challenging schedule," said Slonaker. "We are playing fewer conference games, which gives us an opportunity to schedule more first-time opponents and also add teams that we have not played in a while. Unfortunately we do not have as many home games as we would like, which makes it tough on a squad that is relatively young in terms of developing an overall team chemistry. We are playing some very strong competition."
Following its traditional "Coaches vs. Cancer" exhibition game in early November against Georgia College and State University, Mercer will be tested early by playing five of its first seven contests on the road. The Bears open with a challenging nine-day stretch that sees Slonaker's squad begin the regular season with a visit to Pac-10 opponent Southern Cal, then host Alabama just three days later followed by a two-game road trip to Harvard and Boston College.
USC posted a school-record 25 wins last season en route to its 16th 20-win season and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen before falling to No. 1 seed North Carolina in the East Region semifinal. The Trojans will be led by All-Pac-10 freshman forward Taj Gibson and arguably boast the top recruiting class in the nation, led by newcomer O.J. Mayo, a 6-foot-5 guard widely considered to be the top high school player in the country following last season.
"Opening the season on the road against a nationally-ranked team and one of the top recruits coming out of high school last year brings a lot of excitement to our program," added Slonaker.
Three days later the Bears play host to the Crimson Tide, who ended last season by dropping a narrow two-point overtime decision at UMass in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament. The visit by Alabama marks the first trip to the University Center by a Southeastern Conference opponent and the first visit to Macon by an SEC foe since Georgia downed the Bears, 81-71, on Dec. 3, 1994, at the Macon Coliseum.
Following the brief one-game home stand, Mercer calls on Ivy League opponent Harvard and first-year head coach Tommy Ammaker, then visits Boston College. The Bears will be facing BC for the first time in school history as Mercer wraps up its visit to New England. Boston College posted a 21-12 record during the 2006-07 campaign, finishing in a tie for third in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and advanced to the second round of last season's NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by former Big East rival Georgetown.
After a five-day break the Bears celebrate Thanksgiving by welcoming first-time opponent Loyola Marymount to the University Center on Nov. 24. The Lions finished last season 13-18, dropping four games on buzzer-beaters. "We are really excited about starting a home-and-home series with LMU," said Slonaker. "It will be great to have them here on Thanksgiving weekend." Mercer then goes on the road in an attempt to avenge last season's two-point loss to long-time intrastate rival Georgia Southern, Nov. 26, as the Bears invade Hanner Fieldhouse. The Eagles expect to return 12 letterwinners from last season's squad that finished 15-16 overall. Mercer wraps up the two-game road swing by visiting Charleston Southern on Monday, Dec. 3.
"Our annual rivalry against Georgia Southern is always intense," said Slonaker, noting that Statesboro is a tough place to play.
Mercer then returns to the friendly confines of the University Center for a two-game home stand, playing host to Furman on Dec. 5 and Sewanee before paying a visit to Auburn on Dec. 19. The Tigers were 15-5 at home last season, dropping only two non-conference contests at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum and finishing just one game out of first place in the SEC's Western Division.
The Bears close out 2007 with a trip to the Jim N' Nick's Cougar Classic, hosted by College of Charleston, Dec. 29-30, where they face CofC, then either James Madison or South Carolina State. The host Cougars were 22-11 last season, finished second in the South Division of the Southern Conference and advanced to the finals of the SoCon Tournament before falling, 72-65, to Davidson. A matchup with James Madison would feature a pair of point guards who were named to last season's CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Freshman All-America Team, with the Bears' James Florence and JMU's Pierre Curtis each earning the honor.
Mercer opens the New Year by welcoming VMI to the University Center for the first time, Jan. 2. Last season's first-ever meeting between the two schools saw Mercer outlast the Keydets, 105-103, in Lexington, Va. VMI won the most games by a Keydet squad in nine seasons last year and the team led the NCAA in four categories, including scoring offense by averaging an impressive 100.9 points per game. The Keydets nearly upset NCAA Tournament-bound Winthrop in the finals of the 2007 Big South Conference Tournament before falling, 84-81.
"Even though it will be challenging, we are very excited about the non-conference portion of our schedule," added Slonaker. "It would be tough, even for a veteran team but I think we will be up to the challenge. "
Mercer opens the Atlantic Sun Conference slate on the road against in-state rival Kennesaw State on Jan. 5, then returns home to host North Florida on Jan. 10 and Jacksonville on Jan. 12, before traveling to league-newcomer Florida Gulf Coast.
"I expect Kennesaw State to be one of the top teams in the conference, so starting league play on the road there will be a tough assignment,” Slonaker said of the schedule.
FGCU returns eight letterwinners and four starters from last season's 27-6 team that won 19 of its last 20 games and captured the National Independent Tournament crown. Mercer concludes the first round of games against the south division versus their oldest rival on the hardwood, Stetson, on Saturday, Jan. 19, in DeLand, Fla.
The Bears open play against the northern teams with a two-game homestand versus Lipscomb and Belmont, the two-time defending A-Sun Tournament champions, before embarking on a three-game road swing to ETSU, USC Upstate and Gardner-Webb. The Buccaneers claimed the regular-season championship last season, but were upended by Belmont for the tournament title and dropped a close decision to Clemson in the opening round of the NIT.
Mercer then returns to Macon for its longest homestand of the season, wrapping up play against the northern divsion by hosting Campbell, and playing host to Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson on Feb. 14 and Feb. 16 respectively, as the Bears resume play against the southern teams. The Bears visit Jacksonville and UNF before concluding the regular season at home against Kennesaw State.
“I believe we are up to the challenge and everyone is looking forward to the season. We want to be on the court aiming for the championship,” Slonaker concluded.
12 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 22 - Belmont
Oct. 23 - Campbell
Oct. 24 - ETSU
Oct. 25 - Florida Gulf Coast
Oct. 26 - Gardner-Webb
Oct. 29 - Jacksonville
Oct. 30 - Kennesaw State
Oct. 31 - Lipscomb
Nov. 1 - Mercer
Nov. 2 - UNF
Nov. 5 - USC Upstate
Nov. 6 - Stetson
