1991 27th Season 2018
Volume 27, Number 1
Player of the Year
October/November 2017
Preseason Preview 2017-18!
Top 25 Predictions Preseason Top 10: 1. Northwest Missouri 2. Queens (NC) 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 4. Shippensburg 5. Chico State 6. Bellarmine 7. Lincoln Memorial 8. Indiana (Pa.) 9. Colorado Mines 10. Rollins Page 5
Justin Pitts, NW Missouri
1991
27th Season 2018
Twitter: @SmallColHoops www.smallcollegehoops.com
Coaching Changes Page 3 Conference Previews 2017 All-American Teams
Page 6 Page 11
Editorial Welcome to the Preseason Preview Issue! Welcome to the 2017-18 Division II Bulletin Preseason Preview issue! We are excited about this upcoming season and glad to have you join us for what should be a terrific campaign. This past offseason, I read two good books that both related to college basketball. The first was Shoe Dog, the memoir from Nike founder Phil Knight. Without question, Nike altered the college basketball landscape and it was interesting to read how Knight took his own idea and grew it into one of the world’s largest companies. Of course, I read the book before the recent bribery scandal that is rocking college basketball and it’s not hard to understand how we got here. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the months to come. Come the NABC Convention in April, I am interested to see how the shoe companies represent themselves at the gathering. Will the lavish parties still be on the agenda, or will it be more subdued? I can still remember attending several shoe company parties at the Final Four and walking away with some pretty impressive gifts. How do you think things will change, and will Division II coaches be impacted? Drop me a line with your thoughts. The second book was Coach Wooden and Me by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It’s a touching story of a coach and his player and how their friendship lasted 50 years. If you’re a coach, I highly recommend this book and the lessons it teaches of the impact you have on your student athletes. Now, to the upcoming season. To begin, you will see a number of new coaches listed on the next page. This was an active off-season for coaching moves and we wish all the new floor generals luck this campaign. The publishing schedule will be familiar to our readers. Four years ago we expanded the schedule to 14 issues a season and it was well received. We’re sticking to that again this year after the tremendous feedback. Basically, you’ll hear from us weekly in January and February during the heart of the season and the run-up
Editor & Publisher Gary S. Rubin ■
Art Director Steve Fisher Business & Editorial Office GSR Communications Email: [email protected] Division II Bulletin is published 14 times from October to April by GSR Communications. Subscription price: $54 per season. © Copyright 2017 by GSR Communications. POSTMASTER: Send all change of address requests to above address. Printed in USA www.smallcollegehoops.com Twitter: SmallColHoops Member: USBWA
Publishing Schedule
Division II Bulletin will publish 14 editions this season. Here’s a schedule to keep track of the issues:
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Preseason Preview December 6 December 13 December 20 January 3 January 10 January 17 January 24 February 1 February 7 February 14 February 21 March 1 Postseason Review
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Division II Bulletin • October 2017
to the NCAA tournament announcement. This year, the process o f co mp iling the Top 25 was pretty straightforward. The No. 1 ranking this preseason goes to defending national champion Northwest Missouri, which has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national title team. Reigning DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the Bearcats and also headlines the Super 16 All-Americans listed on page 11. A number of teams, including Queens (NC), St. Thomas Aquinas, Shippensburg and Chico State are close behind for the top spot so it should be a competitive season. I want to thank our corporate partner for being part of our publication. SNA Sports is back as the title sponsor of the Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year and the Coach of the Month award as well. The company is a big supporter of small college basketball and was great to work with last year for our biggest award. I hope you call on SNA Sports when your equipment needs arise and thank them for their support of Division II basketball. Be sure to visit out our web site, www. smallcollegehoops.com, and follow us on Twitter (@SmallColHoops) for updates between our regular issues. Thanks for your support and we’ll see you in December with the next edition.
Gary Rubin Editor & Publisher
Newsroom Division II Coaching Changes
School Cal St. Monterey Bay Cal St. San Marcos Fairmont State Flagler Maryville Newman Northeastern State Northwest Nazarene Nova SE San Francisco State Stanislaus State Urbana Washburn West Liberty West Virginia Wesleyan
Coach Isaac Williams B.J. Foster Joe Mazzulla Chad Warner Marc Stricker R.J. Allen Mark Downey Paul Rush Jim Crutchfield Vince Inglima (int.) Paul Trevor Nick Dials Brett Ballard Ben Howlett Jack Merriweather
Crutchfield Moves from WLU to Nova Southeastern
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University announced the hiring of Jim Crutchfield as the next head coach. Crutchfield takes over the Sharks men’s basketball program after 13 seasons at NCAA Division II West Liberty. In 13 seasons with the West Liberty men’s basketball program, Crutchfield built a high-profile Division II program. Having coached the Hilltoppers since 2004-05, he amassed a career record of 359-61 (.855), which is the highest career winning percentage in college basketball history among all NCAA coaches who have spent at least 10 seasons as an NCAA head coach. That places Crutchfield in an elite class of coaching legends that includes Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp (3rd all-time), UCLA’s John Wooden (7th) and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (21st).
Mazzulla Hired at Fairmont State
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont State University Director of Athletics Tim McNeely announced that Joe Mazzulla has been named the program’s 12th head men’s basketball coach. A former West Virginia University standout, Mazzulla spent five years coaching at the NCAA Division II level, including three at Fairmont State, before serving as an assistant coach in the NBA Development league last year. Fairmont State head men’s basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun stepped down to accept the same position at Youngstown State University.
Trevor Heads to Stanislaus State
Northwest Missouri head coach Ben McCollum poses with his 2017 SNA Sports/Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year award. The Bearcats won the 2017 national championship.
Great Alaska Shootout Ending
ANCHORAGE – The University of Alaska Anchorage announced that the 40th annual GCI Great Alaska Shootout will be the final edition of the tournament. “The Shootout has been an iconic event at UAA for 40 years, but unfortunately we cannot sustain our funding of this tournament in the current budget climate,” said UAA chancellor Sam Gingerich. Born in 1978 as the Sea Wolf Classic, the GCI Great Alaska Shootout is currently the longest-running regular-season college basketball tournament in the nation. Overall, the Shootout has hosted 30 of the 35 programs to win an NCAA Div. I men’s basketball championship, while featuring 132 teams – an average of 3.4 per tournament – that went on to make the NCAA Tournament the following spring. 3
TURLOCK, Calif. — Stanislaus State announced the appointment of Paul Trevor to the position of co-head coach of men’s basketball, joining Larry Reynolds at the helm of the Warriors. The move to create a co-head coaching position was a mutual decision of Reynolds and Matoso, constructed to ensure a smooth transition for the program. Reynolds has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “It is going to be a great opportunity for me to be working with Coach Reynolds,” Trevor said. “He is extremely wellrespected throughout the coaching profession and has been a mentor for me throughout my career. I’m also fired-up to be joining the Warrior family. Stan State is an exciting and growing athletic department with fantastic facilities. The University has made a commitment to athletic excellence and I am looking forward to being part of it.” Trevor, 48, comes to Turlock after raising the basketball program at San Francisco State to new heights. In seven years as the Gators’ head coach he guided his teams to a 107-86 record, including 80-68 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. He took the Gators to five CCAA Tournaments, and this past season, after a 10-0 start, SFSU spent back-toback weeks in the national top-25 rankings for the first time in school history.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Newsroom • San Francisco State has promoted assistant Vince Inglima to interim men’s basketball coach for the 2017-18 season. Inglima is already involved in all aspects of the men’s basketball program including academics, recruiting, strength and conditioning, travel, and summer camps. • B.J. Foster, who served as interim head coach for the 2016-17 season, has been named head men’s basketball coach, Cal State San Marcos Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo announced. • After two highly successful stints at the helm of the Eastern Oregon program, Isaac Williams moves to the Central Coast to become the seventh head coach in the history of the Cal State Monterey Bay men’s basketball program. Williams takes the reins from Rob Bishop, who went 86–157 over the last nine seasons. Williams posted a 120–41 record in five seasons leading the Mountaineer program. He averaged 24 wins per season and won at least 19 games in all five campaigns. • The GLIAC will have a new look this year as Davenport and Purdue Northwest enter the conference from NAIA. Findlay, Hillsdale, Walsh, Ohio Dominican and Lake Erie moved to the GMAC. • Northwest Nazarene took the interim tag off Paul Rush’s title, naming him as the new head men’s basketball coach for the Crusaders. Rush, the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Crusaders the past two seasons, takes over after former NNU head man Scott Flemming announced his resignation on July 31 to become the Senior Director for Basketball Operations for NBA India. • California Baptist and Dixie State are in their final year with the Pacific West Conference. Biola is also joining the league this season while BYU-Hawaii has concluded its reduction of athletics and has ended its athletic program.
Washburn Hires Ballard CSU San Marcos TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Univer- Completes Transition sity men’s basketball will have a new head coach on the sidelines for the first time since the 1979-80 season as Brett Ballard has been announced as the 15th head coach in Ichabod program history by athletic director Loren Ferré. “This is an exciting time for Washburn basketball,” Ferré said. “Brett has progressed up the coaching ranks playing for a Hall of Fame coach in Roy Williams at the University of Kansas and working on the coaching staff of another Hall of Fame coach in Bill Self. Add to that spending five seasons under Danny Manning earning two NCAA tournament berths, I believe our program has a bright future under Brett’s leadership.” Ballard spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Wake Forest basketball program after working under head coach Danny Manning for the last five combined after spending the previous two seasons at the University of Tulsa. This past season, Ballard helped Wake Forest to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2009-10 season.
SAN MARCOS, Calif. – California State University San Marcos has successfully completed its transition to NCAA Division II membership. CSUSM President Karen Haynes received the call from the NCAA membership committee notifying them that the University is now a full-fledged Division II member. “The CCAA is delighted by the NCAA’s announcement,” said Commissioner Nate Salant. “Cal State San Marcos has been exemplary throughout the process and will be a highly competitive member of our league. I know a lot of hard work went into this, so congratulations to the entire San Marcos community. ” While CSUSM has been competing at the Division II level during the past two years of transition, being a full member means the University’s teams are eligible for postseason play beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.
Maryville Turns to St. Louis Native
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University announced that Mark Downey was hired as the university’s head men’s basketball coach. Downey comes to NSU after two seasons at Fort Wayne (NCAA DI) as the program’s top assistant on the bench, and has helped the Mastodons to appearances in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) and the NIT, while going 44-23. Prior to Fort Wayne, Downey spent the 2014-15 season at Bowling Green where they went 20-12, and he helped direct them into the second round of the CIT. Downey joins NSU Athletics as its 10th men’s basketball coach in its history and carries a 204-103 overall head coaching record, with four NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances, and has been named Coach of the Year six times.
ST. LOUIS – Maryville University has announced that St. Louis native Marc Stricker has been named head coach of the Saints’ men’s basketball program. He graduated from CBC High School and returns to his hometown after spending the 2016-17 season at Oral Roberts University. Stricker previously worked two seasons for the Maryville basketball program as an assistant coach. “This is a dream come true for me to become the head coach at a top-notch university that competes in the best Division II league in the nation, right here in my hometown of St. Louis,” Stricker said. “Under the direction of Dr. Mark Lombardi, Maryville University has become one of the most innovative and progressive institutions in the nation, and I am humbled for the opportunity to lead this basketball program. Stricker’s first stint with the Saints began with the 2011-12 season. 4
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Downey Joins NE State
Send News Send news, milestones and information during the season to: [email protected]
Preseason Rankings The DIIB Preseason Top 10 1. Northwest Missouri
2016-17 Record: 35-1 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg) leads the scoring attack for the defending national champs.
2. Queens (NC)
2016-17 Record: 30-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Royals return 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from an NCAA Tournament team.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas
2016-17 Record: 28-6 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: Spartans return a solid cast from their Elite Eight team, led by league MVP Justin Reyes (20.6 ppg).
4. Shippensburg
2016-17 Record: 27-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Raiders return four starters and 11 players, including All-American Dustin Sleva (21.7 ppg, 11 rpg).
5. Chico State
2016-17 Record: 26-8 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Wildcats lost just two players from last year’s Elite Eight squad.
6. Bellarmine
2016-17 Record: 32-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3 Scouting Report: All-American forward Adam Eberhard (17 ppg, 7.6 rpg) powers the Knights.
7. Lincoln Memorial
2016-17 Record: 30-6 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Railsplitters return five of their top seven scorers from last year’s Final Four team.
8. Indiana (Pa.)
2016-17 Record: 28-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: IUP will chase another NCAA bid behind All-American Jacobo Diaz (14.4 ppg, 10 rpg).
9. Colorado Mines
2016-17 Record: 30-5 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: The Orediggers return three starters from their NCAA Elite Eight squad.
10. Rollins
2016-17 Record: 24-11 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: The Tars return three starters and 11 letterwinners from their Elite Eight team. 5
Northwest Missouri Ranked No. 1 in 2017 DIIB Preseason Top 25 • National champs return solid cast BEAVERTON, Ore. — Defending national champion Northwest Missouri State is the No. 1 team in the 2017 Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 ranking. NW Missouri (35-1) has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national title team. DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the scoring attack for the Bearcats and will get support from Chris-Ebou Ndow (12.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg). At No. 2, Queens University of Charlotte (30-4) returns four starters, 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. The Royals added juco standouts Lewis Diankulu and Shaun Willett, and freshman Solomon Smith, to a team that finished in the Top 25 nationally in 17 different statistical categories. Rounding out the top five are St. Thomas Aquinas, Shippensburg, and Chico State. The second five includes Bellarmine, Lincoln Memorial, Indiana (Pa.), Colorado Mines and Rollins. Division II Bulletin has selected a preseason Top 25 every year since 1991 and is celebrating its 27th anniversary this season.
11. Texas Permian Basin 12. Ferris State 13. Cal Baptist 14. Southwest Minnesota 15. Merrimack 16. Barry 17. Fort Lewis 18. West Liberty 19. Indianapolis 20. Arkansas Monticello 21. West Texas A&M 22. Delta State 23. UNC Pembroke 24. Western Washington 25. Kentucky Wesleyan
Others to watch: Findlay, PhilaU, Virginia Union, Christian Brothers, Benedict, Central Missouri, MSU Moorhead, Tarleton State, UC San Diego, San Francisco State.
2017-18 Conference Previews Begin on Page 6
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews East Region
Atlantic Region
Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Defending champion: St. Thomas Aquinas
Top Teams: North: 1. Bloomfield 2. Caldwell 3. Dominican South: 1. Philadelphia 2. Wilmington 3. Goldey-Beacom Player of the Year: Nick Davidson, Bloomfield, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Bloomfield (22-10) has lofty expectations as it lost only two players from last season’s rotation (top 8). The Bears will feature four returning starters plus get back two players who were not with them in the second semester of last year. Senior forward Nick Davidson (17.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg) leads the scoring charge. In addition, the Bears added three transfers and a freshmen who could all have an impact this season. In the South, Philadelphia (21-9) returns four starters and three double-figure scorers to the lineup. The backcourt of Kaison Randolph (17 ppg) and Jordan DeCicco (15.3 ppg) is one of the most productive in the region.
East Coast Conference
Top Teams: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 2. Daemen 3. Bridgeport Player of the Year: Justin Reyes, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. Outlook: The St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans (28-6) are looking to build off the program’s first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance. STAC added six talented players to a core group of returners who have won 76 games in the past three years. League MVP and top scorer Justin Reyes (20.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg) headlines four returning starters. The Daemen Wildcats are coming off a 19-9 season, the program’s sixth consecutive year with at least 19 wins. Two starters are back in the mix this year, including second-leading scorer Supreme Hannah (13.9 ppg).
Northeast-10 Conference
Top Teams: 1. Merrimack 2. St. Anselm 3. LeMoyne Player of the Year: Tim Guers, St. Anselm, Jr. Outlook: Merrimack (19-12) returns four starters and a core of eight student-athletes from a team that advanced to the regional semifinals. Leading scorer Ryan Boulter (18 ppg) is the go-to offensive option for the Warriors and has plenty of offensive support. St. Anselm (20-9) has high expectations with the return of three double-figure scorers, led by junior Tim Guers (21.7 ppg). Taylor Fortin (15.2) and Cody Ball (13.2) add scoring punch for the Hawks, who put up more than 85 points a game last season and won by almost 10 points per game. A team to watch is LeMoyne (22-7), which returns four double-figure scorers from its NCAA Tournament team. Russell Sangster (11.5 ppg) leads the Dolphins. 6
Defending champion: Fairmont State Top Teams: Northern: 1. Va. Union 2. Bowie St. 3. Virginia St. Southern: 1. Shaw 2. Winston-Salem 3. Livingstone Player of the Year: Quincy January, St. Augustine’s, Sr. Outlook: Virginia Union (22-8) is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament behind two returning starters and a deep veteran roster. The Panthers need to replace their top three scorers and will look to senior James Paige (9.0 ppg) to increase his offensive numbers this season. In the South, Shaw (14-13) must replace more than 50 of its 70 points per game this year. DeAng Stephens-Bell (7.6 ppg) is the leading returning scorer for the Bears. Bowie State (16-15) has eight veterans back from its CIAA title team, led by Ahmaad Wilson (16.6 ppg).
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. Shippensburg 2. Kutztown 3. East Stroudsburg West: 1. Indiana 2. Gannon 3. Pitt-Johnstown Player of the Year: Dustin Sleva, Shippensburg, Sr. Outlook: Shippensburg (27-4) is fresh off its best season in school history, setting a new single-season record for wins en route to its second PSAC Championship and its first NCAA Tournament victory in school history. The Raiders return four starters and 11 players from last year’s roster, including NABC All-American senior forward Dustin Sleva (21.7 ppg, 11 rpg). In the West, IUP (28-4) is coming off its seventh PSAC West regular season title and eighth NCAA tournament appearance in 10 years. Four starters from last season are back, including junior honorable mention All-American and PSAC West Player of the Year Jacobo Diaz (14.4 ppg, 10 rpg).
Mountain East Conference
Top Teams: 1. Fairmont St. 2. West Liberty 3. Wheeling Jesuit Player of the Year: Will Vorhees, Notre Dame, Sr. Outlook: National runner-up Fairmont State (34-3) will have a new look this season with a new head coach and just two starters back on the floor. The Falcons will also have to replace their top two scorers from last year, and will look to top returner Jason Jolly (12.5 ppg) to lead the offensive attack. West Liberty (284) head coach Jim Crutchfield departed but the high-scoring ways should continue for the Hilltoppers. All-league guard Dan Monteroso (18.8 ppg) is among three returning starters from last year’s team that finished second in the nation in scoring (97 ppg). Wheeling Jesuit (25-8) is a team to watch in the MEC race.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews South Region
Southeast Region
Gulf South Conference
Conference Carolinas
Defending champion: Rollins
Defending champion: Lincoln Memorial
Top Teams: 1. Delta St. 2. Christian Brothers 3. Valdosta St. Player of the Year: Adam Dieball, Christian Brothers, Jr. Outlook: Delta State (23-9) welcomes back three starters from its NCAA Tournament team. The Statesmen will need to fill the void left by All-American Devin Schmidt, but Brett Warner (12 ppg) seems ready to step into a larger scoring role. DSU is deep with four seniors and four veterans who averaged more than 20 minutes per game last season. A team to watch is Christian Brothers (18-13), which returns all five starters led by the dynamic scoring duo of Adam Dieball (17.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1st team All-GSC) and Jeff Larkin (17.4 ppg, 2nd team All-GSC). The Pirates put up more than 75 points a game last season but also gave up more than 73 per outing. Valdosta State (26-6) returns just one starters from its NCAA Tournament team. Beau Justice (14.3 ppg) will need to pick up some of the scoring void for the Blazers, who scored better than 88 points per game on average last season.
Sunshine State Conference
Top Teams: 1. Rollins 2. Barry 3. Eckerd Player of the Year: Elvar Fridricksson, Barry, Sr. Outlook: Returning three starters and 11 letterwinners from its Elite Eight team a year ago, expectations are at an all-time high for Rollins (24-11). Seniors Sam Philpott (15.3 ppg) and Jeff Merton (14.7 ppg) and SSC Freshman of the Year Connor Mckim (10.1 ppg, 3.8 apg) will lead the way for the Tars. Barry (23-7) welcomes back three starters from its NCAA Tournament team. The Bucs have a true international flavor as 10 players, including likely the entire starting lineup, hail from overseas. Barry also has seven Division I transfers on its roster. Senior point guard Elvar Fridriksson (17.4 ppg, 4.3 reb, 7.7 ast) powers the offense for the Buccaneers.
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. Benedict 2. Clark Atlanta 3. Claflin West: 1. Lane 2. Spring Hill 3. LeMoyne Owen Player of the Year: Brandon Morris, Benedict, Sr. Outlook: Two starters are back for Benedict (17-12), including league MVP Brandon Morris (18 ppg, 7.4 rpg). The Tigers lost only four players from last year and feature a deep roster of veterans. Clark Atlanta (20-12) returns two starters from its SIAC Tournament title team, led by Tajai Johnson (12.2 ppg). Lane (15-11) looks like the frontrunner in the West division. 7
Top Teams: 1. Limestone 2. Barton 3. King Player of the Year: Deion Lane, Belmont Abbey, Sr. Outlook: Coming off one of the best performances in program history, the Limestone Saints (27-6) will look to continue the momentum in the 2017-18 season with two returning starters. The Saints will rely on their eight returners to fill the void of graduated all-conference performers Shaun Stewart and Shaq Dance. Junior guard Kenny Hairston (8.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg) is expected to increase his offensive output. Barton (20-10) is rebuiling its roster and has no seniors on the team this year. Seven freshmen and a pair of transfers join the Bulldogs and will be expected to contribute immediately.
Peach Belt Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. UNC Pembroke 2. USC Aiken 3. Augusta West: 1. Columbus St. 2. Young Harris 3. Clayton State Player of the Year: Jacori Payne, Columbus St., Sr. Outlook: UNC Pembroke (24-8) returns three starters and six other letterwinners from last season’s PBC regular season and PBC Tournament championship team. The Braves will look to all-league forward Nigel Grant (14.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) to be the offesnive catalyst this campaign. USC Aiken (18-9) and August (24-8) will be top contenders in the division. In the West, Columbus State (20-10) has three starters back in the mix, including leading scorers Jacori Payne (19.1 ppg) and Darius Joell (13.1 ppg). Jesse Deloach comes to Columbus State from Division I Western Carolina University where he played in 42 games over two seasons for the Catamounts and should be an immediate factor in the lineup.
South Atlantic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Queens 2. Lincoln Memorial 3. Carson-Newman Player of the Year: Charles Clark, Carson-Newman, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Queens University of Charlotte (30-4) returns four starters, 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. The Royals added juco standouts Lewis Diankulu and Shaun Willett, and freshman Solomon Smith, to a team that finished in the Top 25 nationally in 17 different statistical categories. Senior forward Todd Withers (13.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is the top returning scorer. Lincoln Memorial (30-6) welcomes back four starters and five of its top seven scorers from its Final Four team. Trevon Shaw (11.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Cornelius Taylor (10.7 ppg, 2.6 apg) and Emanuel Terry (10.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg) lead the Railsplitters.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews Central Region
South Central Region
Great American Conference
Heartland Conference
Mid.-America Inter. Athletic Association
Lone Star Conference
Defending champion: Northwest Missouri Top Teams: 1. AR Monticello 2. East Central 3. Arkansas Tech Player of the Year: Derylton Hill, AR Monticello, Sr. Outlook: Arkansas Monticello (23-7) lost only one player from last year’s roster. Four starters and three all-league performers are back for the Weevils, led by first-team selection Derylton Hill (16.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg). East Central (25-8) will have a new look with the loss of league MVP Braxton Reeves. Eight new players join the Tigers this season. Top Teams: 1. NW Missouri 2. C. Missouri 3. Neb. Kearney Player of the Year: Justin Pitts, NW Missouri, Sr. Outlook: NW Missouri (35-1) has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national championship team. DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the scoring attack for the Bearcats and will get support from Chris-Ebou Ndow (12.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Minnestoa State transfer Joey Witthus (13.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) joins the program after starting all 61 games he had appeared in for the Mavericks the past two seasons and earning All-NSIC honors. With three returning starters and an influx of new talent, UCM (21-9) should be in the mix again for a conference crown. Senior guard Spencer Reaves (17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) powers the Mules.
Northern Sun Conference
Top Teams: North: 1. MSU Moorhead St. 2. Northern St. 3. St. Cloud St. South: 1. Southwest MN St. 2. Augustana 3. Upper Iowa Player of the Year: Gage Davis, St. Cloud St., Jr. Outlook: The NSIC is expected to be another tough race this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead (24-6) is chasing its fifth straight NSIC North title but must do so with only one starter back. The Dragons have to replace three of their top four scorers. Tanner Kretchman (16.7 ppg) leads the Dragon offensive attack. Four starters are back for Southwest Minnesota State (28-6) from its team that fell in the Regional finals to NW Missouri State. Ryan Bruggeman (15.5 ppg) leads the offensive attack for the Mustangs and will get plenty of help from more than 50 returning points per game from a deep roster of veterans. Augustana (24-9) replaces three starters this year. The Vikings will look to All-NSIC performer Jordan Specer (15.9 ppg) to carry the offensive load, and get help from fellow returning starter John Warren (9.9 ppg). Augustana put up 88 points a game last campaign on average while holding opponents to just over 81. 8
Defending champion: Colorado School of Mines Top Teams: 1. AR-Fort Smith 2. Dallas Baptist 3. Rogers State Player of the Year: Patrick Burke, Dallas Baptist, Sr. Outlook: Arkansas Fort Smith (23-11) returns three starters, led by DaVaunta Thomas (12.2 ppg). Dallas Baptist (24-12) returns four starters from last year, headlined by senior all-conference forward Patrick Burke (13.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and starting point guard Julian Miranda, the Heartland’s Newcomer of the Year after dishing out a team-best 147 assists. Top Teams: 1. Texas Permian Basin 2. West Texas A&M 3. Tarleton St. Player of the Year: Daeshon Francis, Texas Permian Basin, Sr. Outlook: Texas Permian Basin finished last season 26-6 and won the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament championships in its first season of competition in the league. This year, the Falcons return four starters including league MVP Daeshon Francis (18.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and should be a top contender in the region. West Texas A&M (26-9) is coming off the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1997-98. Three starters return, led by David Chavlovich (20.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Jordan Evans (13.1 ppg). Tarleton State (22-8) is going after its ninth straight NCAA bid with three returning starters. Sophomore forward Anthony Davis (9.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is the top returning scorer for the Texans.
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Colo. Mines 2. Fort Lewis 3. CSU-Pueblo Player of the Year: Rasmus Bach, Fort Lewis, Sr. Outlook: The RMAC is shaping up as another right race. Colorado School of Mines (30-5) returns three starters from its NCAA Elite Eight squad. Sharpshooter Luke Schroepfer (14.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg), point guard Ben Sonnefeld, and bigs Ben Clare and Adam Laine will look to help Mines repeat as RMAC champions after the best season in program history. Fort Lewis (26-7) must replace league MVP Joshua Blaylock but the Skyhawks are still loaded with talent. Four starters return, led by highscorer Rasmus Bach (18.2 ppg), and will be joined by Division I transfer Derris (DJ) Miles (University of Northern Colorado). Colorado St.-Pueblo (19-12) welcomes back six of its top 10 players from last year, including its leading scorer, assist player and all three top 3-point shooters. Three starters and more than 50 points are back on the roster. The ThunderWolves will look to Will Newman (12.4) and reserve Mark Williams (13.9 ppg) to lead the scoring attack.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews Midwest Region
West Region
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
California Collegiate Athletic Association
Defending champion: Bellarmine
Top Teams: 1. Ferris St. St. 2. Michigan Tech 3. Lake Superior Player of the Year: Zach Hankins, Ferris State, Jr. Outlook: Expectations are high at Ferris State (28-5) with four starters back from the best season in school history, including league MVP Zach Hankins (15 ppg, 10.5 rpg). The Bulldogs will chase their fourth straight GLIAC title with 10 total returning letterwinners, a trio of talented redshirt freshmen along with two significant Division I transfers in former Stony Brook guard DeShaun Thrower and Hofstra wing TyQuone Greer. Michigan Tech (16-14) will be a factor with four returning starters, led by top scorer Kyle Monroe (20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and sophomore Tommy Lucca (15.7 ppg), who was last year’s GLIAC Freshman of the Year.
Great Lakes Valley Conference
Top Teams: 1. Bellarmine 2. Indianapolis 3. Wis. Parkside Player of the Year: Adam Eberhard, Bellarmine, Jr. Outlook: Led by returning All-American forward Adam Eberhard (17 ppg, 7.6 rpg), the Bellarmine Knights (32-4) return two starters this season. A wealth of seasoned players and a rich batch of newcomers should make the Knights strong in the backcourt. Up front, BU should also be solid with 6-7 sophomores Ben Weyer and Alex Cook (2017 GLVC All-Freshman Team) joining Eberhard. Indianapolis (16-12) is expected to make a major move this season as it returns its top seven scorers from a season ago, including three All-GLVC Second Team performers in Eric Davidson (14.9 ppg), Jesse Kempson (14.5) and Jimmy King (11.5). The Greyhounds also feature All-Defense selection Ajay Lawton (11.4) and welcome transfer C.J. Hardaway, an All-GLVC pick from Saint Joseph’s, and 6-7 true freshman Trevor Lakes. Wisconsin Parkside (22-8), Southern Indiana (25-5), and Quincy (25-7) all figure to be key players in the three-division league.
Great Midwest Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Ken. Wesleyan 2. Findlay 3. Alderson Broaddus Player of the Year: Ty Jordan, Malone, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Kentucky Wesleyan (28-3) must replace three starters this year but still has a veteran squad. Malek Harris (10.6 ppg) is the top scorer for the Panthers. Findlay (25-7) joins the league this season and will be a factor with three returning starters, led by Martyce Kimbrough (19.3 ppg) and Tarrin Sullivan (18.1 ppg). 9
Defending champion: Chico State
Top Teams: 1. Chico State 2. UC San Diego 3. San Franciso State Player of the Year: Warren Jackson, San Francisco St., Sr. Outlook: Chico State (26-8) lost just two players from last year’s Elite Eight squad. The Wildcats feature four returning starters — three of them All-CCAA performers — led by forward Isaiah Ellis (13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) plus sophomore reserve center Justin Briggs back to form the likely starting five. Defending champion UC San Diego is coming off its most successful season ever, setting program highs for wins (27) and CCAA victories (17). The Tritons return three starters and must replace leading scorer and league MVP Adam Kile. Chris Hansen (12.5) is the top returning scorer. San Franciso State (25-6) has three starters back from its NCAA Tournament squad. All-conference selection Warren Jackson (16.8 ppg) will again be the focal point for the Gators’ offense.
Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. W. Washington 2. W. Oregon 3. UA Anchorage Player of the Year: Preston Beverly, Montana St. Billings, Jr. Outlook: Defending champion Western Washington (25-6) must replace league MVP Taylor Stafford but returns several key players from last season, including GNAC All-Stars Daulton Hommes (12.5 ppg) and Deandre Dickson (14.1 ppg). The Vikings signed guards Tyler Payne and Micah Winn from Cerritos College and both are expected to contribute right away. Western Oregon (18-13) returns four starters and will count on senior Tanner Omlid (15.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) to again lead the scoring effort. The Wolves lost only four seniors from last year’s team. UA Anchorage (21-8) will have a new look with 10 new players on the roster. The Seawolves added Division I transfers Malik Clements (North Dakota State), Maleke Haynes (Pacific), Jacob Lampkin (Pacific) and D.J. Ursery (Pacific).
Pacific West
Top Teams: 1. Cal Baptist 2. Dixie State 3. Point Loma Player of the Year: Trevor Hill, Dixie State, Sr. Outlook: California Baptist University (26-5) enters the 2017-18 season looking for its fifth-straight NCAA postseason appearance. The Lancers return three starters, including All-West Region and All-PacWest big man Kalidou Diouf (15.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), and welcome seven new players into the mix with nine returners. Of the new faces, Gabe Taylor transfers in after playing at Division I Portland, where he averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Dixie State (19-9) will be a factor in the PWC race.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Schelde
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All-Americans Preseason Player of the Year: Justin Pitts, NW Missouri
2017-18 All-Americans DIIB Super 16 Selections EAST Justin Reyes Tim Guers
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior St. Anselm Junior
Guard Guard
ATLANTIC Dustin Sleva Wil Vorhees
Shippensburg Notre Dame
Senior Senior
Forward Forward
Junior Junior
Forward Center
Senior Junior
Guard Guard
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
MIDWEST Adam Eberhard Zach Hankins
Bellarmine Ferris State CENTRAL
Justin Pitts Gage Davis
NW Missouri St. Cloud State SOUTH
Brandon Morris Elvar Fridriksson
Benedict Barry SOUTHEAST
Charles Clark Jacori Payne
Carson-Newman Columbus State
SOUTH CENTRAL Daeshon Francis UT Perm. Basin David Chavlovich West Texas A&M
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
Senior Junior
Forward Forward
WEST Warren Jackson Preston Beverly
San Francisco St. MT St. Billings
11
Honorable Mention Jacobo Diaz, IUP, Jr. Martyce Kimbrough, Findlay, Sr. Ethan Alvano, Cal St. San Marcos, Sr. Nick Davidson, Bloomfield, Sr. Adam Dieball, Christian Brothers, Jr. Chris Walters, S. New Hampshire, Sr. Patrick Burke, Dallas Baptist, Sr. Quincy January, St. Augustine’s, Sr. Dan Monteroso, West Liberty, Sr. Trevor Hill, Dixie State, Sr. Deion Lane, Belmont Abbey, Sr. Derylton Hill, AR Monticello, Sr. Rasmus Bach, Fort Lewis, Sr. Kalidou Diouf, Cal Baptist, Sr. Ty Jordan, Malone, Sr. Tanner Omlid, Western Oregon, Sr. Jaymon Mason, Edinboro, Sr. Sam Daniel, Florida Tech, Sr. Jordan Spencer, Augustana, Sr. Amir Hinton, Lock Haven, So. Akaemji Williams, Lake Superior, Sr. Jalin Alexander, Queens (NC), Sr. Christian Mortellite, Bloomsburg, Sr. Ryan Richmond, Bentley, Jr. Randy Bell, Holy Family, So. Randall Shaw, Anderson, Jr.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Player of the Year
October/November 2017
Preseason Preview 2017-18!
Top 25 Predictions Preseason Top 10: 1. Northwest Missouri 2. Queens (NC) 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 4. Shippensburg 5. Chico State 6. Bellarmine 7. Lincoln Memorial 8. Indiana (Pa.) 9. Colorado Mines 10. Rollins Page 5
Justin Pitts, NW Missouri
1991
27th Season 2018
Twitter: @SmallColHoops www.smallcollegehoops.com
Coaching Changes Page 3 Conference Previews 2017 All-American Teams
Page 6 Page 11
Editorial Welcome to the Preseason Preview Issue! Welcome to the 2017-18 Division II Bulletin Preseason Preview issue! We are excited about this upcoming season and glad to have you join us for what should be a terrific campaign. This past offseason, I read two good books that both related to college basketball. The first was Shoe Dog, the memoir from Nike founder Phil Knight. Without question, Nike altered the college basketball landscape and it was interesting to read how Knight took his own idea and grew it into one of the world’s largest companies. Of course, I read the book before the recent bribery scandal that is rocking college basketball and it’s not hard to understand how we got here. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the months to come. Come the NABC Convention in April, I am interested to see how the shoe companies represent themselves at the gathering. Will the lavish parties still be on the agenda, or will it be more subdued? I can still remember attending several shoe company parties at the Final Four and walking away with some pretty impressive gifts. How do you think things will change, and will Division II coaches be impacted? Drop me a line with your thoughts. The second book was Coach Wooden and Me by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It’s a touching story of a coach and his player and how their friendship lasted 50 years. If you’re a coach, I highly recommend this book and the lessons it teaches of the impact you have on your student athletes. Now, to the upcoming season. To begin, you will see a number of new coaches listed on the next page. This was an active off-season for coaching moves and we wish all the new floor generals luck this campaign. The publishing schedule will be familiar to our readers. Four years ago we expanded the schedule to 14 issues a season and it was well received. We’re sticking to that again this year after the tremendous feedback. Basically, you’ll hear from us weekly in January and February during the heart of the season and the run-up
Editor & Publisher Gary S. Rubin ■
Art Director Steve Fisher Business & Editorial Office GSR Communications Email: [email protected] Division II Bulletin is published 14 times from October to April by GSR Communications. Subscription price: $54 per season. © Copyright 2017 by GSR Communications. POSTMASTER: Send all change of address requests to above address. Printed in USA www.smallcollegehoops.com Twitter: SmallColHoops Member: USBWA
Publishing Schedule
Division II Bulletin will publish 14 editions this season. Here’s a schedule to keep track of the issues:
● ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍
Preseason Preview December 6 December 13 December 20 January 3 January 10 January 17 January 24 February 1 February 7 February 14 February 21 March 1 Postseason Review
2
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
to the NCAA tournament announcement. This year, the process o f co mp iling the Top 25 was pretty straightforward. The No. 1 ranking this preseason goes to defending national champion Northwest Missouri, which has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national title team. Reigning DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the Bearcats and also headlines the Super 16 All-Americans listed on page 11. A number of teams, including Queens (NC), St. Thomas Aquinas, Shippensburg and Chico State are close behind for the top spot so it should be a competitive season. I want to thank our corporate partner for being part of our publication. SNA Sports is back as the title sponsor of the Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year and the Coach of the Month award as well. The company is a big supporter of small college basketball and was great to work with last year for our biggest award. I hope you call on SNA Sports when your equipment needs arise and thank them for their support of Division II basketball. Be sure to visit out our web site, www. smallcollegehoops.com, and follow us on Twitter (@SmallColHoops) for updates between our regular issues. Thanks for your support and we’ll see you in December with the next edition.
Gary Rubin Editor & Publisher
Newsroom Division II Coaching Changes
School Cal St. Monterey Bay Cal St. San Marcos Fairmont State Flagler Maryville Newman Northeastern State Northwest Nazarene Nova SE San Francisco State Stanislaus State Urbana Washburn West Liberty West Virginia Wesleyan
Coach Isaac Williams B.J. Foster Joe Mazzulla Chad Warner Marc Stricker R.J. Allen Mark Downey Paul Rush Jim Crutchfield Vince Inglima (int.) Paul Trevor Nick Dials Brett Ballard Ben Howlett Jack Merriweather
Crutchfield Moves from WLU to Nova Southeastern
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University announced the hiring of Jim Crutchfield as the next head coach. Crutchfield takes over the Sharks men’s basketball program after 13 seasons at NCAA Division II West Liberty. In 13 seasons with the West Liberty men’s basketball program, Crutchfield built a high-profile Division II program. Having coached the Hilltoppers since 2004-05, he amassed a career record of 359-61 (.855), which is the highest career winning percentage in college basketball history among all NCAA coaches who have spent at least 10 seasons as an NCAA head coach. That places Crutchfield in an elite class of coaching legends that includes Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp (3rd all-time), UCLA’s John Wooden (7th) and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (21st).
Mazzulla Hired at Fairmont State
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont State University Director of Athletics Tim McNeely announced that Joe Mazzulla has been named the program’s 12th head men’s basketball coach. A former West Virginia University standout, Mazzulla spent five years coaching at the NCAA Division II level, including three at Fairmont State, before serving as an assistant coach in the NBA Development league last year. Fairmont State head men’s basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun stepped down to accept the same position at Youngstown State University.
Trevor Heads to Stanislaus State
Northwest Missouri head coach Ben McCollum poses with his 2017 SNA Sports/Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year award. The Bearcats won the 2017 national championship.
Great Alaska Shootout Ending
ANCHORAGE – The University of Alaska Anchorage announced that the 40th annual GCI Great Alaska Shootout will be the final edition of the tournament. “The Shootout has been an iconic event at UAA for 40 years, but unfortunately we cannot sustain our funding of this tournament in the current budget climate,” said UAA chancellor Sam Gingerich. Born in 1978 as the Sea Wolf Classic, the GCI Great Alaska Shootout is currently the longest-running regular-season college basketball tournament in the nation. Overall, the Shootout has hosted 30 of the 35 programs to win an NCAA Div. I men’s basketball championship, while featuring 132 teams – an average of 3.4 per tournament – that went on to make the NCAA Tournament the following spring. 3
TURLOCK, Calif. — Stanislaus State announced the appointment of Paul Trevor to the position of co-head coach of men’s basketball, joining Larry Reynolds at the helm of the Warriors. The move to create a co-head coaching position was a mutual decision of Reynolds and Matoso, constructed to ensure a smooth transition for the program. Reynolds has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “It is going to be a great opportunity for me to be working with Coach Reynolds,” Trevor said. “He is extremely wellrespected throughout the coaching profession and has been a mentor for me throughout my career. I’m also fired-up to be joining the Warrior family. Stan State is an exciting and growing athletic department with fantastic facilities. The University has made a commitment to athletic excellence and I am looking forward to being part of it.” Trevor, 48, comes to Turlock after raising the basketball program at San Francisco State to new heights. In seven years as the Gators’ head coach he guided his teams to a 107-86 record, including 80-68 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. He took the Gators to five CCAA Tournaments, and this past season, after a 10-0 start, SFSU spent back-toback weeks in the national top-25 rankings for the first time in school history.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Newsroom • San Francisco State has promoted assistant Vince Inglima to interim men’s basketball coach for the 2017-18 season. Inglima is already involved in all aspects of the men’s basketball program including academics, recruiting, strength and conditioning, travel, and summer camps. • B.J. Foster, who served as interim head coach for the 2016-17 season, has been named head men’s basketball coach, Cal State San Marcos Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo announced. • After two highly successful stints at the helm of the Eastern Oregon program, Isaac Williams moves to the Central Coast to become the seventh head coach in the history of the Cal State Monterey Bay men’s basketball program. Williams takes the reins from Rob Bishop, who went 86–157 over the last nine seasons. Williams posted a 120–41 record in five seasons leading the Mountaineer program. He averaged 24 wins per season and won at least 19 games in all five campaigns. • The GLIAC will have a new look this year as Davenport and Purdue Northwest enter the conference from NAIA. Findlay, Hillsdale, Walsh, Ohio Dominican and Lake Erie moved to the GMAC. • Northwest Nazarene took the interim tag off Paul Rush’s title, naming him as the new head men’s basketball coach for the Crusaders. Rush, the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Crusaders the past two seasons, takes over after former NNU head man Scott Flemming announced his resignation on July 31 to become the Senior Director for Basketball Operations for NBA India. • California Baptist and Dixie State are in their final year with the Pacific West Conference. Biola is also joining the league this season while BYU-Hawaii has concluded its reduction of athletics and has ended its athletic program.
Washburn Hires Ballard CSU San Marcos TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Univer- Completes Transition sity men’s basketball will have a new head coach on the sidelines for the first time since the 1979-80 season as Brett Ballard has been announced as the 15th head coach in Ichabod program history by athletic director Loren Ferré. “This is an exciting time for Washburn basketball,” Ferré said. “Brett has progressed up the coaching ranks playing for a Hall of Fame coach in Roy Williams at the University of Kansas and working on the coaching staff of another Hall of Fame coach in Bill Self. Add to that spending five seasons under Danny Manning earning two NCAA tournament berths, I believe our program has a bright future under Brett’s leadership.” Ballard spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Wake Forest basketball program after working under head coach Danny Manning for the last five combined after spending the previous two seasons at the University of Tulsa. This past season, Ballard helped Wake Forest to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2009-10 season.
SAN MARCOS, Calif. – California State University San Marcos has successfully completed its transition to NCAA Division II membership. CSUSM President Karen Haynes received the call from the NCAA membership committee notifying them that the University is now a full-fledged Division II member. “The CCAA is delighted by the NCAA’s announcement,” said Commissioner Nate Salant. “Cal State San Marcos has been exemplary throughout the process and will be a highly competitive member of our league. I know a lot of hard work went into this, so congratulations to the entire San Marcos community. ” While CSUSM has been competing at the Division II level during the past two years of transition, being a full member means the University’s teams are eligible for postseason play beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.
Maryville Turns to St. Louis Native
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University announced that Mark Downey was hired as the university’s head men’s basketball coach. Downey comes to NSU after two seasons at Fort Wayne (NCAA DI) as the program’s top assistant on the bench, and has helped the Mastodons to appearances in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) and the NIT, while going 44-23. Prior to Fort Wayne, Downey spent the 2014-15 season at Bowling Green where they went 20-12, and he helped direct them into the second round of the CIT. Downey joins NSU Athletics as its 10th men’s basketball coach in its history and carries a 204-103 overall head coaching record, with four NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances, and has been named Coach of the Year six times.
ST. LOUIS – Maryville University has announced that St. Louis native Marc Stricker has been named head coach of the Saints’ men’s basketball program. He graduated from CBC High School and returns to his hometown after spending the 2016-17 season at Oral Roberts University. Stricker previously worked two seasons for the Maryville basketball program as an assistant coach. “This is a dream come true for me to become the head coach at a top-notch university that competes in the best Division II league in the nation, right here in my hometown of St. Louis,” Stricker said. “Under the direction of Dr. Mark Lombardi, Maryville University has become one of the most innovative and progressive institutions in the nation, and I am humbled for the opportunity to lead this basketball program. Stricker’s first stint with the Saints began with the 2011-12 season. 4
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Downey Joins NE State
Send News Send news, milestones and information during the season to: [email protected]
Preseason Rankings The DIIB Preseason Top 10 1. Northwest Missouri
2016-17 Record: 35-1 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg) leads the scoring attack for the defending national champs.
2. Queens (NC)
2016-17 Record: 30-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Royals return 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from an NCAA Tournament team.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas
2016-17 Record: 28-6 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: Spartans return a solid cast from their Elite Eight team, led by league MVP Justin Reyes (20.6 ppg).
4. Shippensburg
2016-17 Record: 27-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Raiders return four starters and 11 players, including All-American Dustin Sleva (21.7 ppg, 11 rpg).
5. Chico State
2016-17 Record: 26-8 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Wildcats lost just two players from last year’s Elite Eight squad.
6. Bellarmine
2016-17 Record: 32-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3 Scouting Report: All-American forward Adam Eberhard (17 ppg, 7.6 rpg) powers the Knights.
7. Lincoln Memorial
2016-17 Record: 30-6 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: The Railsplitters return five of their top seven scorers from last year’s Final Four team.
8. Indiana (Pa.)
2016-17 Record: 28-4 Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1 Scouting Report: IUP will chase another NCAA bid behind All-American Jacobo Diaz (14.4 ppg, 10 rpg).
9. Colorado Mines
2016-17 Record: 30-5 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: The Orediggers return three starters from their NCAA Elite Eight squad.
10. Rollins
2016-17 Record: 24-11 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Scouting Report: The Tars return three starters and 11 letterwinners from their Elite Eight team. 5
Northwest Missouri Ranked No. 1 in 2017 DIIB Preseason Top 25 • National champs return solid cast BEAVERTON, Ore. — Defending national champion Northwest Missouri State is the No. 1 team in the 2017 Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 ranking. NW Missouri (35-1) has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national title team. DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the scoring attack for the Bearcats and will get support from Chris-Ebou Ndow (12.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg). At No. 2, Queens University of Charlotte (30-4) returns four starters, 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. The Royals added juco standouts Lewis Diankulu and Shaun Willett, and freshman Solomon Smith, to a team that finished in the Top 25 nationally in 17 different statistical categories. Rounding out the top five are St. Thomas Aquinas, Shippensburg, and Chico State. The second five includes Bellarmine, Lincoln Memorial, Indiana (Pa.), Colorado Mines and Rollins. Division II Bulletin has selected a preseason Top 25 every year since 1991 and is celebrating its 27th anniversary this season.
11. Texas Permian Basin 12. Ferris State 13. Cal Baptist 14. Southwest Minnesota 15. Merrimack 16. Barry 17. Fort Lewis 18. West Liberty 19. Indianapolis 20. Arkansas Monticello 21. West Texas A&M 22. Delta State 23. UNC Pembroke 24. Western Washington 25. Kentucky Wesleyan
Others to watch: Findlay, PhilaU, Virginia Union, Christian Brothers, Benedict, Central Missouri, MSU Moorhead, Tarleton State, UC San Diego, San Francisco State.
2017-18 Conference Previews Begin on Page 6
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews East Region
Atlantic Region
Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Defending champion: St. Thomas Aquinas
Top Teams: North: 1. Bloomfield 2. Caldwell 3. Dominican South: 1. Philadelphia 2. Wilmington 3. Goldey-Beacom Player of the Year: Nick Davidson, Bloomfield, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Bloomfield (22-10) has lofty expectations as it lost only two players from last season’s rotation (top 8). The Bears will feature four returning starters plus get back two players who were not with them in the second semester of last year. Senior forward Nick Davidson (17.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg) leads the scoring charge. In addition, the Bears added three transfers and a freshmen who could all have an impact this season. In the South, Philadelphia (21-9) returns four starters and three double-figure scorers to the lineup. The backcourt of Kaison Randolph (17 ppg) and Jordan DeCicco (15.3 ppg) is one of the most productive in the region.
East Coast Conference
Top Teams: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 2. Daemen 3. Bridgeport Player of the Year: Justin Reyes, St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. Outlook: The St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans (28-6) are looking to build off the program’s first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance. STAC added six talented players to a core group of returners who have won 76 games in the past three years. League MVP and top scorer Justin Reyes (20.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg) headlines four returning starters. The Daemen Wildcats are coming off a 19-9 season, the program’s sixth consecutive year with at least 19 wins. Two starters are back in the mix this year, including second-leading scorer Supreme Hannah (13.9 ppg).
Northeast-10 Conference
Top Teams: 1. Merrimack 2. St. Anselm 3. LeMoyne Player of the Year: Tim Guers, St. Anselm, Jr. Outlook: Merrimack (19-12) returns four starters and a core of eight student-athletes from a team that advanced to the regional semifinals. Leading scorer Ryan Boulter (18 ppg) is the go-to offensive option for the Warriors and has plenty of offensive support. St. Anselm (20-9) has high expectations with the return of three double-figure scorers, led by junior Tim Guers (21.7 ppg). Taylor Fortin (15.2) and Cody Ball (13.2) add scoring punch for the Hawks, who put up more than 85 points a game last season and won by almost 10 points per game. A team to watch is LeMoyne (22-7), which returns four double-figure scorers from its NCAA Tournament team. Russell Sangster (11.5 ppg) leads the Dolphins. 6
Defending champion: Fairmont State Top Teams: Northern: 1. Va. Union 2. Bowie St. 3. Virginia St. Southern: 1. Shaw 2. Winston-Salem 3. Livingstone Player of the Year: Quincy January, St. Augustine’s, Sr. Outlook: Virginia Union (22-8) is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament behind two returning starters and a deep veteran roster. The Panthers need to replace their top three scorers and will look to senior James Paige (9.0 ppg) to increase his offensive numbers this season. In the South, Shaw (14-13) must replace more than 50 of its 70 points per game this year. DeAng Stephens-Bell (7.6 ppg) is the leading returning scorer for the Bears. Bowie State (16-15) has eight veterans back from its CIAA title team, led by Ahmaad Wilson (16.6 ppg).
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. Shippensburg 2. Kutztown 3. East Stroudsburg West: 1. Indiana 2. Gannon 3. Pitt-Johnstown Player of the Year: Dustin Sleva, Shippensburg, Sr. Outlook: Shippensburg (27-4) is fresh off its best season in school history, setting a new single-season record for wins en route to its second PSAC Championship and its first NCAA Tournament victory in school history. The Raiders return four starters and 11 players from last year’s roster, including NABC All-American senior forward Dustin Sleva (21.7 ppg, 11 rpg). In the West, IUP (28-4) is coming off its seventh PSAC West regular season title and eighth NCAA tournament appearance in 10 years. Four starters from last season are back, including junior honorable mention All-American and PSAC West Player of the Year Jacobo Diaz (14.4 ppg, 10 rpg).
Mountain East Conference
Top Teams: 1. Fairmont St. 2. West Liberty 3. Wheeling Jesuit Player of the Year: Will Vorhees, Notre Dame, Sr. Outlook: National runner-up Fairmont State (34-3) will have a new look this season with a new head coach and just two starters back on the floor. The Falcons will also have to replace their top two scorers from last year, and will look to top returner Jason Jolly (12.5 ppg) to lead the offensive attack. West Liberty (284) head coach Jim Crutchfield departed but the high-scoring ways should continue for the Hilltoppers. All-league guard Dan Monteroso (18.8 ppg) is among three returning starters from last year’s team that finished second in the nation in scoring (97 ppg). Wheeling Jesuit (25-8) is a team to watch in the MEC race.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews South Region
Southeast Region
Gulf South Conference
Conference Carolinas
Defending champion: Rollins
Defending champion: Lincoln Memorial
Top Teams: 1. Delta St. 2. Christian Brothers 3. Valdosta St. Player of the Year: Adam Dieball, Christian Brothers, Jr. Outlook: Delta State (23-9) welcomes back three starters from its NCAA Tournament team. The Statesmen will need to fill the void left by All-American Devin Schmidt, but Brett Warner (12 ppg) seems ready to step into a larger scoring role. DSU is deep with four seniors and four veterans who averaged more than 20 minutes per game last season. A team to watch is Christian Brothers (18-13), which returns all five starters led by the dynamic scoring duo of Adam Dieball (17.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1st team All-GSC) and Jeff Larkin (17.4 ppg, 2nd team All-GSC). The Pirates put up more than 75 points a game last season but also gave up more than 73 per outing. Valdosta State (26-6) returns just one starters from its NCAA Tournament team. Beau Justice (14.3 ppg) will need to pick up some of the scoring void for the Blazers, who scored better than 88 points per game on average last season.
Sunshine State Conference
Top Teams: 1. Rollins 2. Barry 3. Eckerd Player of the Year: Elvar Fridricksson, Barry, Sr. Outlook: Returning three starters and 11 letterwinners from its Elite Eight team a year ago, expectations are at an all-time high for Rollins (24-11). Seniors Sam Philpott (15.3 ppg) and Jeff Merton (14.7 ppg) and SSC Freshman of the Year Connor Mckim (10.1 ppg, 3.8 apg) will lead the way for the Tars. Barry (23-7) welcomes back three starters from its NCAA Tournament team. The Bucs have a true international flavor as 10 players, including likely the entire starting lineup, hail from overseas. Barry also has seven Division I transfers on its roster. Senior point guard Elvar Fridriksson (17.4 ppg, 4.3 reb, 7.7 ast) powers the offense for the Buccaneers.
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. Benedict 2. Clark Atlanta 3. Claflin West: 1. Lane 2. Spring Hill 3. LeMoyne Owen Player of the Year: Brandon Morris, Benedict, Sr. Outlook: Two starters are back for Benedict (17-12), including league MVP Brandon Morris (18 ppg, 7.4 rpg). The Tigers lost only four players from last year and feature a deep roster of veterans. Clark Atlanta (20-12) returns two starters from its SIAC Tournament title team, led by Tajai Johnson (12.2 ppg). Lane (15-11) looks like the frontrunner in the West division. 7
Top Teams: 1. Limestone 2. Barton 3. King Player of the Year: Deion Lane, Belmont Abbey, Sr. Outlook: Coming off one of the best performances in program history, the Limestone Saints (27-6) will look to continue the momentum in the 2017-18 season with two returning starters. The Saints will rely on their eight returners to fill the void of graduated all-conference performers Shaun Stewart and Shaq Dance. Junior guard Kenny Hairston (8.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg) is expected to increase his offensive output. Barton (20-10) is rebuiling its roster and has no seniors on the team this year. Seven freshmen and a pair of transfers join the Bulldogs and will be expected to contribute immediately.
Peach Belt Conference
Top Teams: East: 1. UNC Pembroke 2. USC Aiken 3. Augusta West: 1. Columbus St. 2. Young Harris 3. Clayton State Player of the Year: Jacori Payne, Columbus St., Sr. Outlook: UNC Pembroke (24-8) returns three starters and six other letterwinners from last season’s PBC regular season and PBC Tournament championship team. The Braves will look to all-league forward Nigel Grant (14.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) to be the offesnive catalyst this campaign. USC Aiken (18-9) and August (24-8) will be top contenders in the division. In the West, Columbus State (20-10) has three starters back in the mix, including leading scorers Jacori Payne (19.1 ppg) and Darius Joell (13.1 ppg). Jesse Deloach comes to Columbus State from Division I Western Carolina University where he played in 42 games over two seasons for the Catamounts and should be an immediate factor in the lineup.
South Atlantic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Queens 2. Lincoln Memorial 3. Carson-Newman Player of the Year: Charles Clark, Carson-Newman, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Queens University of Charlotte (30-4) returns four starters, 12 letterwinners and 75 percent of its scoring from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. The Royals added juco standouts Lewis Diankulu and Shaun Willett, and freshman Solomon Smith, to a team that finished in the Top 25 nationally in 17 different statistical categories. Senior forward Todd Withers (13.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is the top returning scorer. Lincoln Memorial (30-6) welcomes back four starters and five of its top seven scorers from its Final Four team. Trevon Shaw (11.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Cornelius Taylor (10.7 ppg, 2.6 apg) and Emanuel Terry (10.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg) lead the Railsplitters.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews Central Region
South Central Region
Great American Conference
Heartland Conference
Mid.-America Inter. Athletic Association
Lone Star Conference
Defending champion: Northwest Missouri Top Teams: 1. AR Monticello 2. East Central 3. Arkansas Tech Player of the Year: Derylton Hill, AR Monticello, Sr. Outlook: Arkansas Monticello (23-7) lost only one player from last year’s roster. Four starters and three all-league performers are back for the Weevils, led by first-team selection Derylton Hill (16.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg). East Central (25-8) will have a new look with the loss of league MVP Braxton Reeves. Eight new players join the Tigers this season. Top Teams: 1. NW Missouri 2. C. Missouri 3. Neb. Kearney Player of the Year: Justin Pitts, NW Missouri, Sr. Outlook: NW Missouri (35-1) has three starters and a host of veterans back from its national championship team. DIIB Player of the Year Justin Pitts (20.9 ppg, 5 apg) leads the scoring attack for the Bearcats and will get support from Chris-Ebou Ndow (12.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Minnestoa State transfer Joey Witthus (13.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) joins the program after starting all 61 games he had appeared in for the Mavericks the past two seasons and earning All-NSIC honors. With three returning starters and an influx of new talent, UCM (21-9) should be in the mix again for a conference crown. Senior guard Spencer Reaves (17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) powers the Mules.
Northern Sun Conference
Top Teams: North: 1. MSU Moorhead St. 2. Northern St. 3. St. Cloud St. South: 1. Southwest MN St. 2. Augustana 3. Upper Iowa Player of the Year: Gage Davis, St. Cloud St., Jr. Outlook: The NSIC is expected to be another tough race this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead (24-6) is chasing its fifth straight NSIC North title but must do so with only one starter back. The Dragons have to replace three of their top four scorers. Tanner Kretchman (16.7 ppg) leads the Dragon offensive attack. Four starters are back for Southwest Minnesota State (28-6) from its team that fell in the Regional finals to NW Missouri State. Ryan Bruggeman (15.5 ppg) leads the offensive attack for the Mustangs and will get plenty of help from more than 50 returning points per game from a deep roster of veterans. Augustana (24-9) replaces three starters this year. The Vikings will look to All-NSIC performer Jordan Specer (15.9 ppg) to carry the offensive load, and get help from fellow returning starter John Warren (9.9 ppg). Augustana put up 88 points a game last campaign on average while holding opponents to just over 81. 8
Defending champion: Colorado School of Mines Top Teams: 1. AR-Fort Smith 2. Dallas Baptist 3. Rogers State Player of the Year: Patrick Burke, Dallas Baptist, Sr. Outlook: Arkansas Fort Smith (23-11) returns three starters, led by DaVaunta Thomas (12.2 ppg). Dallas Baptist (24-12) returns four starters from last year, headlined by senior all-conference forward Patrick Burke (13.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and starting point guard Julian Miranda, the Heartland’s Newcomer of the Year after dishing out a team-best 147 assists. Top Teams: 1. Texas Permian Basin 2. West Texas A&M 3. Tarleton St. Player of the Year: Daeshon Francis, Texas Permian Basin, Sr. Outlook: Texas Permian Basin finished last season 26-6 and won the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament championships in its first season of competition in the league. This year, the Falcons return four starters including league MVP Daeshon Francis (18.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and should be a top contender in the region. West Texas A&M (26-9) is coming off the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1997-98. Three starters return, led by David Chavlovich (20.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Jordan Evans (13.1 ppg). Tarleton State (22-8) is going after its ninth straight NCAA bid with three returning starters. Sophomore forward Anthony Davis (9.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is the top returning scorer for the Texans.
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Colo. Mines 2. Fort Lewis 3. CSU-Pueblo Player of the Year: Rasmus Bach, Fort Lewis, Sr. Outlook: The RMAC is shaping up as another right race. Colorado School of Mines (30-5) returns three starters from its NCAA Elite Eight squad. Sharpshooter Luke Schroepfer (14.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg), point guard Ben Sonnefeld, and bigs Ben Clare and Adam Laine will look to help Mines repeat as RMAC champions after the best season in program history. Fort Lewis (26-7) must replace league MVP Joshua Blaylock but the Skyhawks are still loaded with talent. Four starters return, led by highscorer Rasmus Bach (18.2 ppg), and will be joined by Division I transfer Derris (DJ) Miles (University of Northern Colorado). Colorado St.-Pueblo (19-12) welcomes back six of its top 10 players from last year, including its leading scorer, assist player and all three top 3-point shooters. Three starters and more than 50 points are back on the roster. The ThunderWolves will look to Will Newman (12.4) and reserve Mark Williams (13.9 ppg) to lead the scoring attack.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
Conference Previews Midwest Region
West Region
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
California Collegiate Athletic Association
Defending champion: Bellarmine
Top Teams: 1. Ferris St. St. 2. Michigan Tech 3. Lake Superior Player of the Year: Zach Hankins, Ferris State, Jr. Outlook: Expectations are high at Ferris State (28-5) with four starters back from the best season in school history, including league MVP Zach Hankins (15 ppg, 10.5 rpg). The Bulldogs will chase their fourth straight GLIAC title with 10 total returning letterwinners, a trio of talented redshirt freshmen along with two significant Division I transfers in former Stony Brook guard DeShaun Thrower and Hofstra wing TyQuone Greer. Michigan Tech (16-14) will be a factor with four returning starters, led by top scorer Kyle Monroe (20.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and sophomore Tommy Lucca (15.7 ppg), who was last year’s GLIAC Freshman of the Year.
Great Lakes Valley Conference
Top Teams: 1. Bellarmine 2. Indianapolis 3. Wis. Parkside Player of the Year: Adam Eberhard, Bellarmine, Jr. Outlook: Led by returning All-American forward Adam Eberhard (17 ppg, 7.6 rpg), the Bellarmine Knights (32-4) return two starters this season. A wealth of seasoned players and a rich batch of newcomers should make the Knights strong in the backcourt. Up front, BU should also be solid with 6-7 sophomores Ben Weyer and Alex Cook (2017 GLVC All-Freshman Team) joining Eberhard. Indianapolis (16-12) is expected to make a major move this season as it returns its top seven scorers from a season ago, including three All-GLVC Second Team performers in Eric Davidson (14.9 ppg), Jesse Kempson (14.5) and Jimmy King (11.5). The Greyhounds also feature All-Defense selection Ajay Lawton (11.4) and welcome transfer C.J. Hardaway, an All-GLVC pick from Saint Joseph’s, and 6-7 true freshman Trevor Lakes. Wisconsin Parkside (22-8), Southern Indiana (25-5), and Quincy (25-7) all figure to be key players in the three-division league.
Great Midwest Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. Ken. Wesleyan 2. Findlay 3. Alderson Broaddus Player of the Year: Ty Jordan, Malone, Sr. Outlook: Defending champion Kentucky Wesleyan (28-3) must replace three starters this year but still has a veteran squad. Malek Harris (10.6 ppg) is the top scorer for the Panthers. Findlay (25-7) joins the league this season and will be a factor with three returning starters, led by Martyce Kimbrough (19.3 ppg) and Tarrin Sullivan (18.1 ppg). 9
Defending champion: Chico State
Top Teams: 1. Chico State 2. UC San Diego 3. San Franciso State Player of the Year: Warren Jackson, San Francisco St., Sr. Outlook: Chico State (26-8) lost just two players from last year’s Elite Eight squad. The Wildcats feature four returning starters — three of them All-CCAA performers — led by forward Isaiah Ellis (13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) plus sophomore reserve center Justin Briggs back to form the likely starting five. Defending champion UC San Diego is coming off its most successful season ever, setting program highs for wins (27) and CCAA victories (17). The Tritons return three starters and must replace leading scorer and league MVP Adam Kile. Chris Hansen (12.5) is the top returning scorer. San Franciso State (25-6) has three starters back from its NCAA Tournament squad. All-conference selection Warren Jackson (16.8 ppg) will again be the focal point for the Gators’ offense.
Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Top Teams: 1. W. Washington 2. W. Oregon 3. UA Anchorage Player of the Year: Preston Beverly, Montana St. Billings, Jr. Outlook: Defending champion Western Washington (25-6) must replace league MVP Taylor Stafford but returns several key players from last season, including GNAC All-Stars Daulton Hommes (12.5 ppg) and Deandre Dickson (14.1 ppg). The Vikings signed guards Tyler Payne and Micah Winn from Cerritos College and both are expected to contribute right away. Western Oregon (18-13) returns four starters and will count on senior Tanner Omlid (15.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) to again lead the scoring effort. The Wolves lost only four seniors from last year’s team. UA Anchorage (21-8) will have a new look with 10 new players on the roster. The Seawolves added Division I transfers Malik Clements (North Dakota State), Maleke Haynes (Pacific), Jacob Lampkin (Pacific) and D.J. Ursery (Pacific).
Pacific West
Top Teams: 1. Cal Baptist 2. Dixie State 3. Point Loma Player of the Year: Trevor Hill, Dixie State, Sr. Outlook: California Baptist University (26-5) enters the 2017-18 season looking for its fifth-straight NCAA postseason appearance. The Lancers return three starters, including All-West Region and All-PacWest big man Kalidou Diouf (15.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), and welcome seven new players into the mix with nine returners. Of the new faces, Gabe Taylor transfers in after playing at Division I Portland, where he averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Dixie State (19-9) will be a factor in the PWC race.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
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All-Americans Preseason Player of the Year: Justin Pitts, NW Missouri
2017-18 All-Americans DIIB Super 16 Selections EAST Justin Reyes Tim Guers
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior St. Anselm Junior
Guard Guard
ATLANTIC Dustin Sleva Wil Vorhees
Shippensburg Notre Dame
Senior Senior
Forward Forward
Junior Junior
Forward Center
Senior Junior
Guard Guard
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
MIDWEST Adam Eberhard Zach Hankins
Bellarmine Ferris State CENTRAL
Justin Pitts Gage Davis
NW Missouri St. Cloud State SOUTH
Brandon Morris Elvar Fridriksson
Benedict Barry SOUTHEAST
Charles Clark Jacori Payne
Carson-Newman Columbus State
SOUTH CENTRAL Daeshon Francis UT Perm. Basin David Chavlovich West Texas A&M
Senior Senior
Guard Guard
Senior Junior
Forward Forward
WEST Warren Jackson Preston Beverly
San Francisco St. MT St. Billings
11
Honorable Mention Jacobo Diaz, IUP, Jr. Martyce Kimbrough, Findlay, Sr. Ethan Alvano, Cal St. San Marcos, Sr. Nick Davidson, Bloomfield, Sr. Adam Dieball, Christian Brothers, Jr. Chris Walters, S. New Hampshire, Sr. Patrick Burke, Dallas Baptist, Sr. Quincy January, St. Augustine’s, Sr. Dan Monteroso, West Liberty, Sr. Trevor Hill, Dixie State, Sr. Deion Lane, Belmont Abbey, Sr. Derylton Hill, AR Monticello, Sr. Rasmus Bach, Fort Lewis, Sr. Kalidou Diouf, Cal Baptist, Sr. Ty Jordan, Malone, Sr. Tanner Omlid, Western Oregon, Sr. Jaymon Mason, Edinboro, Sr. Sam Daniel, Florida Tech, Sr. Jordan Spencer, Augustana, Sr. Amir Hinton, Lock Haven, So. Akaemji Williams, Lake Superior, Sr. Jalin Alexander, Queens (NC), Sr. Christian Mortellite, Bloomsburg, Sr. Ryan Richmond, Bentley, Jr. Randy Bell, Holy Family, So. Randall Shaw, Anderson, Jr.
Division II Bulletin • October 2017
