2011-12 College Basketball Season Preview: Belmont
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Belmont Bruins (Last Year: 30-5, 19-1 in Atlantic Sun)
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Mick Hedgepeth (Sr)/Scott Saunders (Sr)/Chad Lang (Fr)
PF: Trevor Noack (Jr)/Brandon Baker (Jr)
G/F: J.J. Mann (So)/Blake Jenkins (So)/Holden Mobley (Fr)
SG: Ian Clark (Jr)/Spencer Turner (Fr)/Adam Barnes (Jr)
PG: Drew Hanlen (Sr)/Kerron Johnson (Jr)/Reece Chamberlain (Fr)
Gone: G/F-Jordan Campbell, G/F-Jon House
2011-12 Outlook:
With an experienced, balanced attack, the Belmont Bruins should once again be able to compete on a national scale this season. They return nine players from their 11-man rotation and will be an unstoppable force in their final year in the Atlantic Sun before moving to the Ohio Valley Conference.
Long-time head coach Rick Byrd has turned Belmont into a powerful low-major basketball program. Last season, the Bruins earned their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in six years and were considered by many as a sexy sleeper pick before bowing out in the opening round at the hands of Wisconsin. With four starters back, a repeat of last year's 30-win season is not out of the question.
The Bruins were able to wear teams down with their depth last season as 11 players saw at least ten minutes per game with no player averaging more than 25 minutes a night. As a result, balance was a huge asset for Belmont with nine players averaging at least five points per contest on a team that finished 11th in Division One in scoring. That should once again be the case this season.
A huge part of Belmont's high-powered offense is their three-point shooting and the fact that almost every player on their roster is capable of knocking down outside shots. Leading scorer Ian Clark connected on nearly 43% of his triple tries as did backup point guard Kerron Johnson. Their ability to light it up from deep complements incumbent starting point guard Drew Hanlen who will act as the team's floor general. He brings great poise and leadership to the floor.
The biggest challenge facing the Bruins comes on the wing where they lose starter Jon House and key reserve Jordan Campbell. J.J. Mann will likely step into the starting role coming off a year in which he was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team. Mann struggled shooting the ball last season but is capable of three-point threat. Redshirt freshman Holden Mobley and true freshman Spencer Turner will try to crack the rotation.
Everyone is back in the frontcourt which is a major advantage for Belmont. The Mick Hedgepeth/Scott Saunders center duo combined to average 20.7 points and 11.2 boards a game. Both guys were on the Atlantic Sun All-Conference Second Team even though Saunders did not start a single game. Redshirt freshman Chad Lang is a big body inside who provides Byrd with even more depth.
At power forward, Trevor Noack and Brandon Baker each saw minutes in the starting lineup. They fit their roles as physical, hard-nosed, energy guys but won't do anything to overwhelm you. Blake Jenkins brings some athleticism to the floor and can play either forward spot.
Outside of their first two games of the season, road contests at Duke and Memphis, Belmont will not really be tested this season. It won't be until tourney time when we figure out whether the Bruins have what it takes to finally get their first win at the Big Dance and see if they can officially put on Cinderella's slipper. With a deep, experienced team, nobody will want to see this team in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Player to Watch: Scick Hedgeders, C
Yes, I know there is no player who has that name on the Belmont roster but the center duo is a force inside, especially against Atlantic Sun teams that don't have the size to match up with Hedgepeth and Saunders. Their height inside forces teams to often double down in the post, which leaves the dangerous Bruin shooters free on the perimeter.
Key Non-Conference Games: 11/11 at Duke
11/15 at Memphis
12/19 at Marshall
12/29 vs. Marshall
Predicted Atlantic Sun Finish: 1st
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
![]()
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Belmont Bruins (Last Year: 30-5, 19-1 in Atlantic Sun)
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Mick Hedgepeth (Sr)/Scott Saunders (Sr)/Chad Lang (Fr)
PF: Trevor Noack (Jr)/Brandon Baker (Jr)
G/F: J.J. Mann (So)/Blake Jenkins (So)/Holden Mobley (Fr)
SG: Ian Clark (Jr)/Spencer Turner (Fr)/Adam Barnes (Jr)
PG: Drew Hanlen (Sr)/Kerron Johnson (Jr)/Reece Chamberlain (Fr)
Gone: G/F-Jordan Campbell, G/F-Jon House
2011-12 Outlook:
With an experienced, balanced attack, the Belmont Bruins should once again be able to compete on a national scale this season. They return nine players from their 11-man rotation and will be an unstoppable force in their final year in the Atlantic Sun before moving to the Ohio Valley Conference.
Long-time head coach Rick Byrd has turned Belmont into a powerful low-major basketball program. Last season, the Bruins earned their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in six years and were considered by many as a sexy sleeper pick before bowing out in the opening round at the hands of Wisconsin. With four starters back, a repeat of last year's 30-win season is not out of the question.
The Bruins were able to wear teams down with their depth last season as 11 players saw at least ten minutes per game with no player averaging more than 25 minutes a night. As a result, balance was a huge asset for Belmont with nine players averaging at least five points per contest on a team that finished 11th in Division One in scoring. That should once again be the case this season.
A huge part of Belmont's high-powered offense is their three-point shooting and the fact that almost every player on their roster is capable of knocking down outside shots. Leading scorer Ian Clark connected on nearly 43% of his triple tries as did backup point guard Kerron Johnson. Their ability to light it up from deep complements incumbent starting point guard Drew Hanlen who will act as the team's floor general. He brings great poise and leadership to the floor.
The biggest challenge facing the Bruins comes on the wing where they lose starter Jon House and key reserve Jordan Campbell. J.J. Mann will likely step into the starting role coming off a year in which he was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team. Mann struggled shooting the ball last season but is capable of three-point threat. Redshirt freshman Holden Mobley and true freshman Spencer Turner will try to crack the rotation.
Everyone is back in the frontcourt which is a major advantage for Belmont. The Mick Hedgepeth/Scott Saunders center duo combined to average 20.7 points and 11.2 boards a game. Both guys were on the Atlantic Sun All-Conference Second Team even though Saunders did not start a single game. Redshirt freshman Chad Lang is a big body inside who provides Byrd with even more depth.
At power forward, Trevor Noack and Brandon Baker each saw minutes in the starting lineup. They fit their roles as physical, hard-nosed, energy guys but won't do anything to overwhelm you. Blake Jenkins brings some athleticism to the floor and can play either forward spot.
Outside of their first two games of the season, road contests at Duke and Memphis, Belmont will not really be tested this season. It won't be until tourney time when we figure out whether the Bruins have what it takes to finally get their first win at the Big Dance and see if they can officially put on Cinderella's slipper. With a deep, experienced team, nobody will want to see this team in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Player to Watch: Scick Hedgeders, C
Yes, I know there is no player who has that name on the Belmont roster but the center duo is a force inside, especially against Atlantic Sun teams that don't have the size to match up with Hedgepeth and Saunders. Their height inside forces teams to often double down in the post, which leaves the dangerous Bruin shooters free on the perimeter.
Key Non-Conference Games:
Predicted Atlantic Sun Finish: 1st
|
Pharme592
02-28-2013
07:56 am
xxx.xxx.xxx4.67
(total posts: 1)
 7
 6
Very nice site!
Pharmd902
02-28-2013
07:56 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.168
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://opeaixy.com/qsqvtsa/4.html
Pharma360
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.241
(total posts: 1)
6
7
Hello! baagdac interesting baagdac site! I'm really like it! Very, very baagdac good!
Pharmk864
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.208
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site!
Pharme431
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.197
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://opeaixy.com/qsqvtsa/4.html
Pharmd808
02-28-2013
07:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.173
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Hello! bdecege interesting bdecege site! I'm really like it! Very, very bdecege good!
Pharmf533
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.252
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Very nice site!
Pharmk791
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.30
(total posts: 1)
7
6
Very nice site! cheap cialis http://apeoixy.com/xqqvta/4.html
Pharmg749
02-13-2013
03:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.109
(total posts: 1)
6
6
Hello! ekdgbcf interesting ekdgbcf site! I'm really like it! Very, very ekdgbcf good!
Lottie
12-06-2012
06:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
6
6
Your story was really informative, thakns!
Maud
12-04-2012
01:24 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
7
7
I love these articles. How many words can a wrosdmith smith?
Elmira
12-04-2012
11:51 am
xxx.xxx.xxx2.12
(total posts: 3)
7
7
Holy shizint, this is so cool thank you.
Ito
11-10-2012
09:56 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.190
(total posts: 1)
8
14
LT313beats / nothing like londaig up on LB's (converting them to DE) on fast WR, CB, HB. My teams have so much speed on both side the ball it's crazy my drafting has started that trend in our league load up on speed
Anjana
11-10-2012
06:24 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.90
(total posts: 1)
8
18
misswhitedaisy / Have you happened to run into Michael Bolt? 97 SPD QB. yeah QB! he tears up any dsfenee and A potential. If you like fast RB the best are lemarcus taylor 97 SPD A potential, leron james 97 SPD A potential Ozzie Jones 99 SPD A potential but he cant break a tackle. The best WR hands down IMO is Aundrey Bender 6'3 99 SPD 99 JMP.
Guess what
11-08-2012
05:39 am
xxx.xxx.xxx70.1
(total posts: 1)
6
19
Steve Adams is going to be a BEAST! New Zealand represent!
|
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Leave a comment