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#133 Southern
Mississippi Golden Eagles
Conference USA
2004-05: 11-17,
2-14, 14th
2004-05 postseason:
none
By
Joel Welser
If senior
leadership has ever meant anything, it will have to mean
something to
Southern Mississippi this year. The Golden Eagles lose quite
a few players, but much of the returning talent will be seniors
and the CUSA won’t be anywhere near as tough. Head Coach Larry
Eustachy had his first full recruiting season to bring in his
players. He picked up quite some good ones, but Southern Miss
will need more talent to move up the ranks in the CUSA.
Who’s Out:
Jasper Johnson led the team with 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds
per game. Michael Ford put up 10.7 points and 3.0 assists per
contest. Solomon Brown was only around for 10 games, but
averaged 7.8 points and a team high 5.3 assists. David Haywood
started 21 games, averaging 6.2 points. Dante Stiggers started
13 games, but only averaged 4.4 points and 2.6 assists. Seldom
used guard Sam Richardson is also headed out of Hattiesburg. It
is a long list, but a team that went 2-14 in conference could
use a few changes.
Who’s In:
David Cornwell, a transfer from Los
Angeles City College, will make the biggest impact for the
Eagles. Cornwell, a 6-8 power forward, might have to start out
of necessity. He averaged 16.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game
last year, but his size and experience alone will be enough to
get Cornwell a long look for a starting role. Donatas Visockis
can rebound, block shots and has a tremendous upside. The
problem is the Lithuanian is very raw and will need time to
develop. A couple of junior college transfers will fill in at
the shooting guard spot. Travis Hall, out of Western Nebraska
Community College and Kyle LaMonte, from Marshalltown (IA)
Community College will bring some more playing experience into
Hattiesburg, even if it just at the JuCo level. Another quality
junior college player is Kendaris Pelton. Pelton is versatile,
and at 6-6 can play the small or power forward. He’s a solid
rebounder and will most likely be asked to play at the four
spot. Courtney Beasley, a 6-6 small forward, could see some
minutes, but point guard Craig Craft will be more important this
year with every returning player who averaged over one assist
per game graduating or leaving the program.
Who to Watch:
Rashaad Carruth, who played as a
freshman for Tubby Smith at Kentucky, is now a senior and will
need to lead the young group of Golden Eagles. The 6-3 guard
averaged 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.8 steals a
season ago.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Even with the weakened conference,
a 6th place finish is overachieving for Southern Miss. Coach
Eustachy is continuing his turnaround of the program, which is
creating some basketball excitement around campus for the first
time in a long time.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting
Five:
Jarekus Singleton,
Junior, Guard, 8.4 points per game
Rashaad Carruth,
Senior, Guard, 13.4 points per game
Jason Forte, Senior,
Guard, 6.1 points per game
Mildon Ambres, Junior,
Forward, 7.7 points per game
David Cornwell,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
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