SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000
If experience equals success, then Southern Mississippi should be in store for a stellar season.
The Golden Eagles' starting lineup easily could consist of four seniors and a junior. Three of the seniors are returning starters and the fourth -- center Vandarel Jones -- started nine of 29 games last season and would have started more if not for a lingering groin injury.
The problem is, these same players faded badly down the stretch last season with a postseason berth on the line. The Golden Eagles were 16-8 with two weeks left to play, but lost four of their final five games and failed to make even the NIT.
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Coach: James Green -- Southern Miss and overall: 65-54, 4 years 1999-2000 Record: 17-12 overall; 7-9 in C-USA (3rd National) Last NCAA Appearance: 1991 (first round) |
Still, there is reason for optimism at USM this season, and much of it centers around senior swingman David Wall.
The junior college transfer was the Golden Eagles' best and most versatile offensive threat last season. He sank 36.6 percent of his 3-point attempts and averaged a team-best 17 points.
While Wall's presence is crucial for the Golden Eagles if they want to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years, the return of Jones is nearly as important.
Jones, who was listed as a senior last season, was allowed to return to USM under the NCAA rule that allows players who were partial qualifiers as freshmen to regain that year of eligibility by graduating in four years.
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American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane |
The Golden Eagles certainly can use Jones' strength under the basket, since they have lost leading shot-blocker Carlos Booker, who rejected 73 attempts last season as a freshman.
To take the pressure off Wall, senior point guard Mel Cauthen (8.0 ppg) or forward Kilavorus Thompson (6.2 ppg) needs to become more of an offensive threat.
Defensively, USM once again will employ the hard-nosed, man-to-man style that Coach James Green loves. The Golden Eagles gave up an average of 64.9 points last season, lowest in the National Division of C-USA.
Honors candidates
Senior David Wall averaged a team-best 17 points last season. He should improve on that number if he is able to move from small forward to shooting guard this season, as expected.
Keep an eye on
Senior forward Carl Henderson, who started four times last season and averaged 4.9 points.
Key players
(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)
- SG/SF David Wall* 6-5, 225, Sr. - Potential all-conference player (17.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
- Vandarel Jones 6-9, 230, Sr. - Led team in rebounding; second in blocked shots (9.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
- PG Mel Cauthen* 6-0, 175, Sr. - Solid defender who fills important leadership role (8.0 ppg)
- SF Kilavorus Thompson* 6-7, 220, Sr. - Athletic player who performs best on the run (6.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
- G Clement Carter 6-5, 220, Fr. - Will need to play big role immediately
Key losses
- Carlos Booker, C, 6-11, 210 (6.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
- Earl Flowers, PG, 6-1, 175 (5.4 ppg, 3.6 apg)
Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.
Schedule