It's time to say so long to the '14-15 year. And a glorious campaign it was. We beat every expectation and through the ups and downs, it was the most fun season I had as a fan in 9 years. Thanks Coach Keatts and Seniors Cedrick, Addison and Freddie!
But now that it is complete we can begin to look ahead to 2015-16.
2015-16 Projected "Depth Chart"
First, some ground rules. 1. I'm expecting that everyone currently on the roster (minus the Seniors), as well as our incoming freshmen, are going to be back, 2. This will be subject to change as more information comes through. This is just one guy's opinion on how things will shake out.
Point Guard
STARTER
Jordon Talley, So. (8.7 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.6 spg, .783 FT %)
BACKUPS
Denzel Ingram, 6-0 r-Jr. (8.1 ppg, 1.9 apg, 2.1 rpg, .441 3-pt % at Charlotte, '13-14)
Craig Ponder
Malik Pugh, So. (2.8 ppg, 1.2 apg)
This is the easiest position on the court to predict. Starting all 31 games at PG in '14-15, Talley was the floor general all season and excelled as a Freshman. He will continue to run the ship next season, as all of the incoming guards are score-first types. Talley will need to avoid foul trouble next season (he led the team with 112 fouls committed, an average of 3.6 per game) because Ponder and Pugh did not seem comfortable being the primary ball-handlers.
Denzel Ingram, a transfer from Charlotte, is among the score-first crop of guards spoke of in the previous paragraph. However, necessity may place him into backup PG duties immediately. He dished out over 100 assists in his two seasons as a 49er, and at just 6 feet, 170, he's not big enough to play the other guard spots, especially given how much bigger CAA guards have gotten over time.
Shooting/2-Guard
STARTER (Game 1)
Craig Ponder, r-Sr. (11.4 ppg, 2.6 apg, .453 3-pt %)
STARTER (Midseason)
Jarvis Haywood, 6-4 r-Jr. (16.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .509 FG %, .413 3-pt % at Jacksonville '13-14)
BACKUPS
Denzel Ingram
Mark Matthews
Nick Powell, So.
The Seahawks seemed in desperate need of a pure shooter for stretches this past season, as teams decided to play a lot of zone to both prevent big, physical guards Jackson and Spruill from driving and to entice us to try to shoot them out of it. Coach Keatts lamented the times when we settled for jumpers, but many times we had no choice. Ponder did an admirable and efficient job in this role last season, knocking down 43 of 95 threes. As a Hargrave Military kid and a Senior he'll likely have a starting spot locked up for the early part of the season.
However, expect Jarvis Haywood to be the primary candidate to knock Ponder out of the starting lineup at some point this season. The Jacksonville transfer is likely the best of the four incoming transfers, dominating the Atlantic Sun Conference as a Sophomore. He finished 10th in the conference in shooting percentage and fifth in three-point percentage in '13-14. Big things are coming from this kid. He's not the only pure shooter coming in next season, but more on that in the next section.
Small Forward/3-Guard
STARTER
Mark Matthews, 6-7 Fr., Fort Myers HS, FL
BACKUPS
Jarvis Haywood
CJ Bryce, 6-5 Fr., North Mecklenburg HS, NC
Chris Flemmings, 6-5 r-Jr. (19.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg at D-II Barton College in '13-14)
Dylan Sherwood
The 3 position is ripe for the taking and may have the greatest variability next season. Mark Matthews, who poured in over 2,000 points in his High School career, suddenly became a little too big for the 2-guard spot after growing 2 inches following his verbal commitment. This is just fine for Coach Keatts, as our 4-guard lineup demands bigger players who can create matchup problems. Matthews has the handles of a point guard, the shooting of a 2-guard but the size of a 3 or 4. And naturally his successful High School career in the state of Florida reminds Seahawk fans of another former Florida prospect, Tallahassee native Brett Blizzard. Be still, our collective beating hearts.
Pushing Matthews for time could be another freshman, CJ Bryce. The North Mecklenburg product also seems like a nice fit for the 3, as he has displayed the ability to score in a lot of different ways. Assuming he grows into his 6-5 frame there is little reason to think he can't make an effective 3 as well. Bryce took home NCHSAA player of the week honors on March 3rd after pouring in 37 points for the Vikings in a playoff victory over Charlotte Catholic. He previously had received 30 scholarship offers but chose to play for Coach Keatts. It will be hard to keep him off the court, even as a Freshman.
Walk-on Chris Flemmings will also be in the mix for the 3. He has a leg up on the Freshmen by being part of the immensely talented 4-man "practice team" for all of 2014-15. We'll see how he adjusts to the Division I level next season, and perhaps he'll make my predictions look silly by winning the starting nod.
Power Forward/4-Guard
STARTER (Game 1)
Dylan Sherwood, r-Sr. (5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .389 3-pt %)
STARTER (Midseason)
Trey Grundy, 6-7 Fr., Hargrave Military, VA
BACKUPS
Marcus Bryan, 6-7 r-So. (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg at Charlotte in '13-14)
DeVontae Cacok
Chuck Ogbodo
Kevin Hickson, Jr.
This was the toughest position on the court to call given the depth at the position. Sherwood did not start a game in 2014-15, but if he can put on a little more muscle in the offseason, his 6-9 frame would be quite useful next season. This is especially true given that only he, Gettys and Kevin Hickson are the only players on the team taller than 6-7. His propensity to hit from the outside can also create some mismatch issues on offense.
However, Sherwood's hold on the starting spot (should he earn it) will be tenuous, as newcomer Trey Grundy has all kinds of potential. After tearing his ACL back in December 2013, Grundy hasn't been heard from much this year, but if he's back to full strength, he could be the likeliest candidate to man the 4 spot at some point in the season. Grundy was recruited by Keatts at Louisville before taking the job at UNCW, then followed Keatts here. Yes, you heard that right. He's a big-time prospect.
However, none of that guarantees even Grundy ends up the favorite to hold down the 4. Transfer Marcus Bryan, though used sparingly by Charlotte in his Freshman year, will be an intriguing option for Coach Keatts. At 225 pounds and having the reputation for a high basketball IQ, he's an ideal option as a rebounder when we decide to go with a bigger, more traditional lineup. He will also likely find time at the 5.
Center/5
STARTER (Game 1)
CJ Gettys, Jr. (4.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, .495 FG %)
STARTER (Midseason)
Devontae Cacok, 6-7 Fr., Alpharetta HS, GA
BACKUPS
Marcus Bryan
Trey Grundy
Chuck Ogbodo, Jr. (2.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .620 FG %)
STATUS UNKNOWN
Yemi Makanjuola, r-Sr. (Transfer, Tennesse - Did not play)
OK, now we're officially getting crazy here. THREE freshmen starters by midseason? That can't be right. I'm sure it won't be either. But the opportunity is there at the 3, 4 and 5 spots because there isn't exactly a dearth of options. I did mention before that we only have three players above the height of 6-7, right?
Anyways, I anticipate Gettys getting the starting nod to begin the '15-'16 campaign. I predict this because I get the sense Gettys will commit to putting himself in the best position possible to handle the Keatts system, and we all know big men take a long time to develop. 7-0 centers don't grow on trees, and we lack size on this team.
However, there are certain aspects of toughness that can't be taught, and unless Gettys develops a mean streak quickly, I see him losing that starting job. Devontae Cacok was a 6-6 power forward when we recruited him, and some sources suggest he gained an inch. But regardless of his actual height, the following was stated by Cacok's coach, Fredrick Hurt:
Quote:“He’s just a monster at 6-6,” said Hurt, whose brother played for Keatts in 2007-2008 at Hargrave Military Academy. “It’s hard to explain. He plays way bigger than he is.”
Cacok needs to grow into his frame a bit, but he seems more suited to play the 5 than the 4 in this system. The Alpharetta High School product once had a highly impressive streak of 29 consecutive field goals made. That kind of eyebrow-raising achievement tells me this kid has the "man among boys" mentality. Yes, it does take big men a while to develop, meaning that a freshman is starting behind the 8 ball. But the CAA is also pretty devoid of big men based on the performance of last year's post players. I like his chances to get into the lineup.
Also in the mix for the 5 spot will be the aforementioned Marcus Bryan as well as Chuck Ogbodo, who may well develop into a consistent, solid rebounder and shot blocker in his Junior year.
I assume Yemi Makanjuola will not be available next season. However, IF he is, the enormity of that addition to the lineup cannot be understated. Makanjuola was said to be the vocal leader of the team this past offseason in practice and is 6-8, 250 pound monster who would be the perfect fit at the 5 if available.
