Southern Conference primer

A team-by-team glance at the Southern Conference heading into the 2007-08 season.

NORTH DIVISION

Appalachian State

Strengths: With two frontcourt starters and top reserve Donte Minter back in the fold, the paint should be the strength for the Mountaineers. Minter didn't start a game last year but is the leading returning scorer, while Jeremy Clayton had averages of 10.1 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Weaknesses: ASU needs to find a point guard to help bring the team together. Redshirt sophomore Ryann Abraham and freshman Donald Sims are the most likely answers, but until they step up, there is going to be uncertainty for the Mountaineers.

Scouting the newcomers: Freshman Donald Sims is a possibility at the point for the Mountaineers. Even if he doesn't start, Sims will certainly get plenty of time at the position throughout the year. Isaac Butts brings a 6-foot-11, 275-pound frame into his first year at ASU. That's the kind of body that finds its way onto the court.

Elon

Strengths: The number of returning players gives coach Ernie Nestor plenty of depth to throw at opponents, and the Phoenix should come after teams in waves. There is also a great deal of speed and athleticism among this year's players, so look for the Phoenix to try to push the ball when possible.

Weaknesses: The interior lost two major players for the Phoenix, so coach Ernie Nestor needs to find some big men to step into the rotation. Rebounding will be a problem unless everyone hits the boards consistently.

Scouting the newcomers: The inside game needs a boost, so 7-footer Daniel Watts will get a chance to become an anchor in the paint. A pair of 6-2 freshmen, Terrence Birdette and Chris Long, will need to work hard to gain minutes on a deep, experienced team.

UNC Greensboro

Strengths: Kyle Hines is nearly automatic in the paint, giving the Spartans a solid post presence that not many Southern Conference teams can claim. Hines is also a monster on the boards, teaming with fellow forward Ben Stywall to give UNC Greensboro a rebounding advantage against most teams.

Weaknesses: With Hines being a post player, the Spartans are going to have to be prepared for teams packing it in against them and trying to force other players to beat them. Overall, the Spartans struggled from the perimeter, hitting just 33.8f their three-point attempts in 2006-07. That must improve to dissuade opponents from packing it in.

Scouting the newcomers: There are a number of newcomers who could become valuable contributors. Sam Mason, a 6-10, 225-pound center, will give the Spartans beef in the middle. Daniel Oliver is expected to see time at the point guard position, while DeAngelo Jackson and Darrius Sellers add depth to the frontcourt.

Chattanooga

Strengths: The Mocs have a lot of depth up front, with Nicchaeus Doaks, Khalil Hartwell, Matt Gwynne, Marcus Watts and Qavotstaraj Waddell all listed at 6-8 or better. That kind of size should get coach John Shulman to look to get the ball into the paint more often.

Weaknesses: Last year's team had great trouble defending the three-pointer. This year's squad could have trouble shooting it as well, with a lot of inexperienced players on the perimeter. The Mocs need to be in control a bit more and look to try to dump the ball down low.

Scouting the newcomers: As coach John Shulman works on filling the holes in an empty backcourt, he should find some possible answers among newcomers Verice Cloyd, Brandon Dunson and Kevin Goffney. All three look ready to step in and play major minutes at the guard positions.

Western Carolina

Strengths: The Catamounts have a lot of athleticism and quickness, giving coach Larry Hunter a team that can get out in the passing lanes and cause a lot of turnovers. Nick Aldridge is a beast on the interior and he should only be better in his second season around the Southern Conference.

Weaknesses: Defense wasn't a priority last year, as the Catamounts gave up more than 73 points a game. When WCU did attempt to stop opponents, they fouled, allowing the opposition to make nearly as many free throws as the Catamounts attempted last year.

Scouting the newcomers: Much like last year, Larry Hunter will give his first-year players plenty of opportunities to prove themselves. JUCO transfer Tim Magowan brings long-range shooting ability to the fold, while forwards Blake Gallagher and Richie Gordon both hit the glass well.

SOUTH DIVISION

College of Charleston

Strengths: Although Jermaine Johnson is the team's best player from his forward position, guard play could be the dominant area for the Cougars, with eight different players slated for backcourt action. The biggest question is who steps in at the point position, but Cremins may decide to use a number of players there until someone steps forward.

Weaknesses: With many new faces, the Cougars aren't going to have an obvious second scorer behind Johnson, the team's only double-figure scorer that returns from last year. Johnson must deal with the added attention he's going to garner until some of his teammates prove to the opposition that they can be dangerous as well.

Scouting the newcomers: With so many holes in the rotation because of graduation, the seven newcomers to the Cougars will be pressed into action sooner rather than later. The lone junior college transfer, forward Dustin Scott, will likely be plugged into the rotation up front, while guard Donovan Monroe is looking like he could provide a scoring boost.

Davidson

Strengths: Without a doubt, the biggest strength of this team is its experience, with almost everyone back from last year's 29-5 squad. Stephen Curry provides a top-notch scorer that the Wildcats can turn to in clutch situations, but there are a number of Davidson players who can come through with big plays in a close game.

Weaknesses: Are there too many expectations set upon the Wildcats? The team's Midnight Madness was seen on TV, and many across the country see the Wildcats as a Top 25 team. But can Davidson handle being the team everyone is shooting for instead of an upstart that is the underdog?

Scouting the newcomers: With many returning players from last year's squad, there won't be a lot of minutes for newcomers. But those that do come the freshmen's way will likely go to 6-5 guard Aaron Bond, who averaged 7.0 assists at Georgetown Prep.

Furman

Strengths: Much of the returning scoring comes on the interior, with the lone returning starter, center Stanley Jones, combining with forward Alex Opacic to form the most experienced and productive duo on the Paladins. In the early going, Furman will rely on the inside game to help open things up for the young shooters, who need to hit a few shots to gain some confidence.

Weaknesses: A lack of experience is going to be painful for the Paladins, who have just two home games in the months of November and December combined. Jackson will have to be patient with his squad, especially in the backcourt, as they learn together what it takes to win at this level.

Scouting the newcomers: Of the seven newcomers, the player to watch is guard Bobby Austin. The 6-3, 200-pounder averaged 16.5 points in high school and could be a starter by the time the season opens. Another potential contributor early on is Justin Dehm, a sharpshooter who could benefit from the Paladins' inside game.

Georgia Southern

Strengths: The Eagles don't have to worry about the point guard duties, as senior Dwayne Foreman seems to have recovered from last year's ailments and will lead the Georgia Southern offense and defense. Foreman averaged 6.1 assists a game last year, but he also can take the ball to the hole for a bucket on his own, making him a solid player to have down the stretch of games.

Weaknesses: Scoring hasn't been this group of players' forte in the past, with only Louis Graham and Dwayne Foreman averaging in double figures a year ago. A lot of players will play, though, so coach Jeff Price should find somebody who can put some points on the board before too long.

Scouting the newcomers: With point guard Dwayne Foreman still nursing a hamstring injury that slowed him last year, there are minutes at the point position. Willie Power, a freshman guard, is showing early on that he'd like to compete for some of those minutes. The Eagles also have a pair of JUCO transfers in guard Julian Allen and forward Trumaine Pearson who should get opportunities early on.

The Citadel

Strengths: The Bulldogs have depth, as coach Ed Conroy has said he isn't going to be afraid to use everyone on his roster in a game. With 10 freshmen, the expectation is for plenty of energy and hard work from a group of individuals out to prove they belong in the regular rotation.

Weaknesses: The fact that there is only one scholarship upperclassman -- and only three upperclassmen overall -- shows how little experience there is on this team. The Bulldogs will struggle against older teams, and will have to learn how to deal with pressure situations if they can keep games close down the stretch.

Scouting the newcomers: With 10 freshmen, the Citadel is going to be counting on a lot of the newcomers from the get-go. One interesting player could be Croatian 7-footer Dino Dogan, who could give the Bulldogs a post presence on both offense and defense if he can get used to the college game early.

Wofford

Strengths: Guard play is the biggest strength for the Terriers, with starters Drew Gibson and Shane Nichols being joined by solid Junior Salters in the backcourt rotation. All three can score the ball, with Gibson also adept at setting up his teammates (5.4 apg).

Weaknesses: There is youth on the bench, so the question of how well last year's freshmen will play as key sophomores is a key. There isn't a great amount of size on the interior behind big men Tyler Whatley and Corey Godzinski, so that duo must stay out of foul trouble.

Scouting the newcomers: The lack of depth on the Terriers' bench could force coach Mike Young to go to his first-year players and give them a shot. Terry Martin is a tall guard who can do some solid scoring, while 6-9 Drew Crowell could help provide some size off the bench.