SoCon Title Up for Grabs - Optimism abounds in Southern Conference because Curry is gone and several teams have key returnees

By: By Tommy Bowman | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: November 06, 2009

Stephen Curry's departure for the NBA was big news, and no doubt gave opposing coaches in the Southern Conference reason for optimism.

Now the headline might be who's coming back. Half of the SoCon's teams have either four or all five starters returning from last season.

That, too, is fueling some optimism.

"It's a very upperclassmen league this year," said Coach Larry Hunter of Western Carolina, whose team finished last season with a flurry and tied for first place in the North Division.

"There are a lot of juniors and seniors, and a lot of returnees, and it gives a lot of programs justified reason for excitement."

Davidson, the team that was supposed to win the SoCon title, and Chattanooga, the team that did win it, aren't among the teams with many returning players.

College of Charleston, which solved the Curry challenge last season by winning two of three games against Davidson on the way to a 27-win season, will enter this season as a favorite. Other than that, the league seems open for the taking.

Hunter likes his team's chances. The Catamounts return five starters, including the reigning freshman of the year, Harouna Mutombo.

"We've finally gotten to the point where we have guys that have been in the program for several years and know the system and how we work and what the expectations are," Hunter said.

"We have really good team leadership now, and that does make us optimistic. These kids know how to work. I don't exactly know how good we will be, but I think we can compete with a lot of people."

Mutombo, a 6-4 guard, averaged 14.4 points for a team that went 9-1 at home in SoCon games. He also led the league in steals and was second in turnover margin.

Also back for the Catamounts, who had their first winning season in 12 years, are guards Brandon Giles (13.2 ppg) and Brigham Waginger (who led the SoCon with 2.6 steals a game).

The top additions will be Mike Williams, a transfer from Jacksonville State, and Anthony Phillip, from Miami Dade Community College.

After making a Cinderella run to the Elite Eight of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Davidson was knocked out of last season's SoCon Tournament by Charleston and then lost Curry, who led the nation in scoring and led the Wildcats in assists and steals.

Coach Bob McKillop wants his program to maintain its winning consistency but said it might take a little time for this season's team to find its way.

"We're in a process right now of trying to define roles because everyone's role has been redefined with the graduation of seniors and the loss of Stephen," McKillop said.

"Steph's departure will obviously take away points and it will take away defense and experience. And it also might take away some openings that others got because of such a consciousness of Steph's presence on the court. He made other players better. So that's a tremendous adjustment we'll have to make."

The Wildcats will rely on a group of returning seniors, including forward Steve Rossiter (5.9 rpg) and guards Will Archambault and Bryant Barr.

Elon has a new coach in Matt Matheny, who spent the past 16 seasons as an assistant at Davidson.

The Phoenix doesn't have a double-figures scorer returning, but does have experienced guards in Devan Carter, Chris Long (four assists per game) and Josh Bonney.

UNC Greensboro will try to bounce back from a five-win season.

The Spartans have two productive seniors to aid that effort -- guard Mikko Koivisto (12.4 ppg) and forward Ben Stywall (11.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg) -- along with point guard Brandon Evans, a transfer from East Carolina.

tbowman@wsjournal.com.

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