Last year the Georgia College men's basketball team was outstanding! GC won over 20 games, the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) West Division crown, and earned an at large bid to the NCAA National Tournament in the Southeast Regional.
That team garnered star guards Graham Martin, Ty Rowland, and Jake Rios, all who averaged in double figures and all who have been lost via gradation.
Now veteran head coach Terry Sellers, in year number 18 at the helm of GC, must blend in returners and newcomers in order to have a successful 2010/2011 season. Senior forwards Josh Hurst, Reece Wiedeman and guard Andre Mikell will have the heavy burden of carrying this team back to a deep postseason run in the conference and hopefully, to a national tournament berth.
The task starts with game one of the season at home against NAIA Carver Bible College. The Bobcats lead the overall series with the Cougars four games to none, having scored at least 120 points in every game these two teams have played.
But without the "Big 3," GC will have to get production elsewhere and fast as the season quickly moves from Milledgeville on Wednesday, to Tenn. on Friday and Saturday to tip off against NCAA DII and regional opponents Carson Newman and Tusculum.
Therefore, how can Georgia College defeat Carver Bible and get the season off on the right foot?
Here are some keys to watch?
1) SENIOR LEADERSHIP: As I alluded to above, Hurst, Wiedeman and Mikell have all been around long enough to know what it takes to be successful in the league and for Coach Sellers. It will be imperative for these three players to have an active voice and role if the team wants to be successful. The new leaders will have to lead by example both on and off the court to show the youngsters how to carry themselves.
2) BALANCED SCORING: Last season, Georgia College relied on Martin, Rowland, and Rios. This season, all guys will have to contribute each night both offensively and defensively in order to be successful.
3) BALL MOVEMENT: Making the defense move is key to a scoring attack in basketball. Last year, GC moved the ball effectively around defenses in order to get the best shot most of the time. That must continue this year and in the first game against Carver.
4) EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE: With three legitimate scorers from last years team gone, the new players must meet the challenge head on to get better each time out on the court. This season, in my opinion, will be a dogfight in a competitive and balanced Peach Belt Conference, both in the east and west divisions.
More stories, though, will unfurl in the season's opening week for the men.
Be sure to catch all the action Wednesday Nov. 17 as Georgia College opens the season inside the Centennial Center. Tip off is set for 7:30.
Catch yours truly on the telecast at http://www.pennatlantic.com/ ! Talk to you from Georgia's Antebellum Capital!
Players to watch in 2010/2011:
Jr. G Jared Holmes (transfer from Kankakee Community College)
So. G Ryan Legates (transfer from NCAA DI USC Upstate)
So. G Nate Hamilton (returner & graduate of Brookwood High School)
Fr. G Royal Thomas (graduate of LaGrange High School)
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