Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

 
#75 Drexel Dragon
Colonial
2003-04: 18-11, 13-5, 2nd 
2003-04 postseason: NIT

By Joel Welser
 

Last season Drexel had eight players who were consistent and solid.  All of those players had at least 2.9 rebounds per game.  These guys play as a unit and only lose one piece of that puzzle, which should help the Dragons contend, once again, for the Colonial title.  Sean Brooks, Phil Goss, Jeremiah King, Kenell Sanchez and Bashir Mason form a formidable fivesome for James ‘Bruiser’ Flint’s squad.

Who’s Out: Tim Whitworth was second on the team with 14.1 points per game.  The 6-6 forward was a huge scoring threat for the Dragons, including a 30 point outing at William & Mary.  Whitworth won’t be easy to replace, but there are plenty of players ready to take over the minutes.  Jermaine Miller is transferring from Drexel.  The 6-8 forward only averaged 1.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in a limited role for Drexel.

Who’s In: Frank Elegar is a great pick up for Drexel.  He will fight for the starting spot to replace Whitworth in the frontcourt.  The 6-8, 200 pound, Bronx native is an all around solid player.  Even if he doesn’t get the starting gig, Elegar will see some quality minutes his freshman year.  Guard Randy Hampton will also be joining the Dragons for the 2004-2005 season.

Who to Watch: Drexel has lots of players to keep an eye on, but Sean Brooks is the returning leading scorer.  The 6-6 forward averaged 14.4 points, 5.9 boards, 1.8 assists and nearly one block per game as a junior.  Those numbers could very well all go up for his senior campaign.  He may be undersized as far as height is concerned, but at 250 pounds, Brooks is a big presence under the basket.  Head coach James Flint needs Brooks to stay out of foul trouble.  He had at least four fouls in 16 of 29 games and was only able to average 24.3 minutes per game.  It’s not just on the defensive end where Brooks needs to be wiser.  Last year he averaged 2.7 turnovers per game.  Once again the poor decision making needs to improve.  Brooks has the physical prowess to be a big time player, but he needs to become a senior leader in order to take the Dragons to the next level.  

Projected Conference Rank: Drexel will be solid again and surpass their NIT season of a year ago with a 1st place finish in the CAA and a trip to the NCAAs.  Virginia Commonwealth, Old Dominion, Hofstra and George Mason will all be vying for that top spot as well, but the Dragons return too much firepower to not be the favorites.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA
 

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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