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June 30th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Belmont
Bruins
Overall Rank:
#131
Conference
Rank: #1 Atlantic Sun
2005-06:
20-11, 15-5, 1st (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 After years of
being so close,
Belmont finally made the NCAA Tournament last
year, where they lost to their Bruin counterparts, and national
runners-up, UCLA in the first round. Despite losing two
starters, the team from Nashville has a quality coach in Rick
Byrd and a winning mentality. It doesn’t hurt that there is
plenty of talent returning and some newcomers ready to come
aboard and make an immediate impact.
Who’s Out:
If the production and leadership of Brian Collins cannot be
quickly replaced, there will be some early headaches at
Belmont. Collins averaged 10.8 points, 4.4 assists and 4.4
rebounds during the team’s magical run in 2005-2006. Dan Oliver
started nearly every game, but only averaged 18.4 minutes per
contest. Oliver wouldn’t score much either averaging only 3.6
points per game, but he proved to be invaluable doing the dirty
work. Big man Michael Modlin and small forward Adrian Jones
didn’t rack up major minutes, but had the ability to steal some
minutes off the bench every game.
Who’s In:
Forward Will
Peeples will return to the court after sitting out last season
with a knee injury. The 6-6 Little Rock, Arkansas native
averaged 5.5 points and 3.4 boards en route to earning
conference All-Freshmen honors in 2004-2005. Peeples has the
versatility to help replace Oliver in the paint. Shane Dansby,
a transfer from Murray State, can help out on the glass. The
6-4 wing did not see too much action two years ago for the
Racers, but he is extremely athletic and can play more of a role
for the Bruins. The wings will find some more depth with
redshirt freshman Keaton Belcher and true freshman Jordan
Campbell. Belcher has good size at 6-8, and he can step out and
hit from behind the arc. Campbell, a 6-4 Indianapolis product,
will find it hard to find too many minutes, but has the ability
to make an impact if given the opportunity. Cole Rose played
two years at Freed-Hardeman University before transferring and
redshirting last season. Rose, a 6-3 combo guard, won’t light
up the scoreboard, but he can drive and dish and his defense
will give him some quality playing time. Center Mike Dejworek
rounds out the group of newcomers. The 6-11 German averaged
13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds last year at Mount Pisgah Christian
School in Georgia. Dejworek is a smart player with
international experience and is ready to take his game to
Nashville.
Who to Watch:
It
isn’t all about the new guys. The bulk of the playing time will
be divvied up by the talented group returning. The backcourt is
where one of the more interesting battles for a starting spot
may take place. Justin Hare and Josh Goodwin are the team
leaders and returning starters and have their spots locked up,
but the question comes with sophomore guard Andy Wicke. Wicke
is deserving of a starting role, but he averaged 8.5 points off
the bench last year and Coach Byrd might want to keep him in
that role. If Dansby impresses during the off-season, don’t be
surprised if Wicke wins the sixth man award in the A-Sun.
Final
Projection:
Lipscomb returns
a talented squad and Kennesaw State is a sleeper team poised to
make some noise, but Belmont is the clear preseason favorite to
return to the big dance. What separates the Bruins is the
presence of big man Boomer Herndon. The 6-11, 260 pound
Nashville native averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds his first
season for Belmont after transferring from Tennessee. As a
senior, he’ll dominate the interior even more.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Justin Hare,
Junior, Guard, 15.6 points per game
Josh Goodwin,
Senior, Guard, 12.3 points per game
Andy Wicke,
Sophomore, Guard, 8.5 points per game
Will Peeples,
Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season
Boomer Herndon,
Senior, Center, 14.6 points per game
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