Men's Basketball | 11/13/2015 8:52:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2015-16 season this weekend, traveling to Belmont Abbey to take on Limestone College and Belmont Abbey College Friday and Saturday. Wingate went 15-14 during the 2014-15 season, with a 12-10 record in SAC play. The Bulldogs were 14-13 the season before, while picking up back-to-back SAC Tournament titles in 2012 and 2013, making consecutive trips to the NCAA regional semifinals.

The 2015-16 Bulldogs will have plenty of experience returning. Wingate returns four of five starters and 11 letter winners. Five of the top six scorers from last season return. "This is as deep of a team as I've had," head coach Brian Good says. "We can throw three teams of five out in practice and have every position covered. Our practices are very competitive. Who is starting will be based on how the competition goes in practice. Every player has to earn it every day. That's made things fun."

Wingate's position-by-position breakdown for the season shows the quality of depth the Bulldogs possess this year.

Point Guard:
The Bulldogs have several options at point guard, with three point guards on the roster and two more players capable of playing the position. Senior Xavier Griffin (Marshville, N.C.) has been the starting point guard in each of the past two seasons. The leading returning scorer from last year averaged 10.7 points per game as a junior, handing out 2.8 assists per contest to go along with 3.1 rebounds per game. "Xavier is leading like a four-year senior and he's also playing like one," Good says. "I've been happy with Xavier. We needed him to step up as a team leader and he has."

Redshirt sophomore Kerigan Farley (Hickory, N.C.) will also see time at the point guard spot this year. The transfer from Montreat missed the 2014-15 season due to injury. "Kerigan has a very high basketball IQ," Good says. "It hasn't taken him long to figure out what we do."

Rounding out the point guard position is junior walk-on CJ McVay (Matthews, N.C.). He has appeared in 18 career games, earning a start during his freshman season. "CJ is probably the best teammate that we have," Good says. "He's the best guy you can have on your bench. He always has positive things to say and is a very important guy in the locker room."

Shooting Guard:
Junior Anthanee Doyle (Holly Springs, N.C.) will be primarily playing the shooting guard spot for the Bulldogs in his second season at Wingate. The Chattanooga transfer appeared in all 29 games last year, primarily in a backup point guard role. Good looks for him to be more comfortable at the shooting guard spot. "He hasn't been saddled trying to be a point guard this year," Good says. "He's a natural two-guard, so it was tough for him trying to learn point guard position last year having never done it. I think one of the best things Anthanee brings is his toughness."

Sophomore Zeriq Lolar (Orlando, Fla.) will also see plenty of minutes at shooting guard. He had a solid freshman year, finishing third on the team with 8.2 points per game while knocking down 37 triples, more than any other Wingate returner this year. "Zeriq has made great strides defensively in year two," Good says. "Concepts are becoming habits for him. He's also a really good shooter."

Fellow sophomore Bryan Rouse (Greensboro, N.C.) will also be counted on at shooting guard this year. Rouse appeared in 27 of 29 games as a freshman, contributing 3.1 points per game. "Bryan brings a great energy on the offensive end," Good says.

Wing:
The Bulldogs have a trio of players who will see time at the wing position, led by junior Josh Dominguez (Matthews, N.C.). After a solid freshman year, Dominguez appeared in just nine games last year, battling through multiple injuries. "Josh missed a lot of games and a ton of practice last year, but he has been able to improve physically," Good says. "He got a lot stronger. Josh is a very good shooter and it's good to have someone with his size at that position."

Freshman Mike Baez will see playing time at the wing position while also serving as a backup at both guard spots. "Mike can do a lot of things on the offensive end," Good says. "He shoots it really well, drives it and is a really good passer. He's a smart basketball player and is learning our stuff pretty quickly."

Also seeing time on the wing will be redshirt sophomore Zach Davis (Charlotte, N.C.). A transfer from UNC Asheville, Davis has not played the last two years, recovering from injury. "Zach is very talented, he's just a little rusty right now," Good says. "We are trying to get him back in a competitive basketball mindset."

Forward:
The primary forward this year will be junior Isiah Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.). The 2013-14 SAC Freshman of the Year did it all for Wingate last year, leading the team in rebounds and steals while ranking second in assists and blocked shots and third in scoring. "Nobody works harder in the offseason to physically improve himself than Isiah," Good says. "He's a better basketball player because of it. He's definitely become one of our team leaders as a junior. Isiah has played a ton of college basketball in two years. He contributes in lots of different ways."

Serving as the primary backup will be redshirt freshman Neico Robinson (Easley, S.C.). Robinson red-shirted for the Bulldogs last year. "Neico is an energy guy," Good says. "He hasn't learned everything he needs to yet, but you know with Neico you'll get tremendous effort."

Post:
Wingate brings plenty of size and depth inside, starting with junior Keith Griffin (Concord, N.C.). He started every game last year, averaging 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, ranking third in the SAC in blocked shots. "Keith's biggest attribute is that he is a very experienced post player at this point in his career," Good says. "He rebounds it well, can score on the block and can affect shots in the paint."

Senior Herbert Harrison (Marietta, Ga.) is in his second season at Wingate. He appeared in 19 games last year, making five starts while contributing 3.8 points per contest. "Herb has some perimeter skills that give us another dimension at that position," Good says.

Another key player down low for the Bulldogs will be sophomore Lee McCall (Indian Land, S.C.). He appeared in every game during his freshman season, averaging 3.2 points and 4.1 boards per game, ranking third on the team with 17 blocks. "Lee is driven," Good says. "The best thing about him right now is he is trying to improve his game every day. His skill set just keeps getting better."

Also fighting for time at the post is sophomore Devarious Christian (Charlotte, N.C.). Christian saw playing time in two games during his first season at Wingate. "Devarious is still trying to catch up after not being able to play last year," Good says. "He's a very crafty, long and athletic post player."

The Bulldogs open up the season Friday, facing Limestone at 5 p.m. at Belmont Abbey. Wingate takes on Belmont Abbey Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The 'Dogs have once again set up a very challenging schedule, which includes four games against ranked teams before Jan. 1. Wingate's home opener is against defending regional champion Mount Olive, while the non-conference slate will also see top-20 teams in UNC Pembroke and Augusta University come to Cuddy Arena.

"I don't know how you can get your team to be as good as it can be unless you play good competition," Good says. "In my opinion, scheduling low-level, non-Division II games just to get wins doesn't allow your team to reach its potential."

Wingate opens conference play Nov. 24 at Lenoir-Rhyne, while playing back-to-back SAC home contests against Newberry and Tusculum Dec. 8 and 13.