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LOCATION: Charleston, SC
CONFERENCE: Big South
LAST SEASON: 12-16 (.428)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 4-6 (t-4th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 2/3
NICKNAME: Buccaneers
COLORS: Blue & Gold
HOMECOURT: CSU Fieldhouse (1,500)
COACH: Tom Conrad (Old Dominion '79)
record at school 34-51 (3 years)
career record 34-51 (3 years)
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ASSISTANTS: Mark de Barros (St. Anselm '87)
Tony Bulford (Scranton '90)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 19-15-17-5-12
RPI (last 5 years) 130-187-143-301-259
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in conference semifinal.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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Tom Conrad is building back the foundation at Charleston Southern. During the 1996-97 season, Conrad's first at the school, the Buccaneers advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They won just five games the next season and plummeted to near rock bottom in the national RPI ratings. Last season brought 12 victories and a move in the right direction. A similar leap forward this season could put Charleston Southern back in the NCAA Tournament. "In the Big South, it all comes down to building momentum toward those last 10 days of February," Conrad said. "Your whole season is determined by the Big South Tournament. You can get really happy in those three days." With that in mind, don't be surprised if Conrad tinkers a bit with his lineup early. The Buccaneers were sorely lacking in the backcourt last season and graduated both starters, including leading scorer and first-team All-Big South selection Adam Larrick. "This year, it might even be worse in terms of experience, but overall, I think we'll be more talented and more athletic in the backcourt," Conrad said.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT C BENCH/DEPTH C
FRONTCOURT B INTANGIBLES C+
Coach Tom Conrad desperately needs his seniors to be leaders this season. Big years from Peter van Rij and Andres Amaya would help ease the pain of losing Adam Larrick. And Nick Mitchell needs to be a leader by outworking everybody. "As a group, there wasn't a true chemistry last year," Conrad said. "If you're going to win games, you've got to have that." The added athleticism in the backcourt could pay dividends, but the lack of experience will hurt the Buccaneers, particularly early. If they grow up, they could be a factor come tournament time. If they don't, matching last season's victory total will be difficult. Larrick did so much last season. He handled the ball, made big baskets and led the conference in assists and steals. That role will be shared by three or four players this season. "If we mature and improve like we have over the last two years, we should be able to compete for title in late February," Conrad said. "All I ask is not to judge us in December and January. Judge us in February." |
His plan is to extend the defense more and do a little more trapping. Conrad envisions playing more people this season, too. "While I thought we were good offensively last year, our defense was questionable at times," Conrad said. "I think it had to do more with a lack of depth than anything. We couldn't sub out for Adam. At one point, he was averaging more than 40 minutes per game after a few overtime games. If you have 11 guys who can compete, you can wear people out and do a few more things." It could be point guard by committee for the Buccaneers. Junior college transfer Patrick Hartsfield of Allen (Kan.) Community College should have an edge in maturity. Hartsfield, a 6-1 junior, still has to prove he can do it at the Division I level. Eugene Ambrose, a 6-3 freshman from Montreal, is perhaps the most athletic of the bunch. Ambrose, who weighs just 180 pounds, needs to get stronger. Brian McDermott (1.6 ppg, 26 assists, 12 steals) is a 6-0 sophomore who walked on two years ago. His playing time should increase dramatically. "We might switch those three guys every game until we find someone we're comfortable with," Conrad said. The Buccaneers' leading returning scorer and rebounder, 6-5 junior Nick Mitchell, will play on one of the wings. Mitchell (10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 52 assists, 39 steals) has put on 10 pounds of muscle and should be even more effective against opposing small forwards. He shot 50.6 percent from the field last season. On the other wing, it could be any combination of players. Freshman Charles White, who sat out last year in order to improve his SAT, is a 6-6, 210-pound athlete who could play off guard or small forward. He averaged 14 points and 7.0 rebounds at Holly Hill-Roberts High School in Utawville, S.C. James Seegars, a 6-3 freshman, was a private school all-state selection last year at Augusta (Ga.) Christian School. Sophomore Mirko Mandic, a 6-1 guard, played in 19 games last season, averaging 1.7 points and making seven of his 18 three-point shots. Marlin Parker would have been a strong candidate to start on the perimeter, but the 6-5 senior left the team toward the end of last season with plans to transfer to another school. Mladen Karanovic, a 6-7 freshman, could be the biggest surprise. He's certainly the best story. Originally from Serbia, Karanovic didn't play high school ball last year. He was a foreign exchange student who missed the deadline. Mark de Barros, one of the Buccaneers' assistant coaches, spotted Karanovic in individual workouts and in pickup games. He has been playing basketball for only four years. "He can shoot the ball from deep," Conrad said. "The key for him will be how well he handles the traps and our defensive system." Conrad thinks Karanovic could be as good a perimeter shooter as Larrick. In the middle, Charleston Southern welcomes back both starters from a year ago 6-10 senior center Peter van Rij (6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 16 blocks) and 6-3, 200-pound junior forward O.J. Linney (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 36 steals). Conrad has made it clear to both players that he expects more production out of them this season. "I was a little disappointed in our inside guys and what we got done last year," Conrad said. Van Rij, who started his career at Fairfield, had a nice streak in conference play, but was slowed by a hip pointer. "I don't need him to score 15 or 18 points, but he has to be more of a force taking up space and rebounding than he was last year," Conrad said. Sophomore Andres Amaya (3.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg) will push Linney at the power forward position. The 6-7 Amaya started in 17 games a year ago. Ivica Perica, a 6-7 junior, will provide depth in the frontcourt after averaging 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds last season. "O.J. Linney, Peter van Rij and Andres Amaya have to come ready to play," Conrad said. "By the 10th or 12th game, if they're not getting it done, then I think we'll have to look somewhere else." The newcomer in the middle is 6-8 sophomore Nikola Pejovic, who signed last year but didn't make it to school until Christmas. Pejovic has a sweet perimeter jumper but needs a year in the weight room to get stronger.
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