Men's Basketball | 11/10/2016 1:27:00 PM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2016-17 season this weekend, traveling to Mars Hill to take on Limestone and Belmont Abbey Friday and Saturday in the Tip-Off Challenge. The Bulldogs are coming off a 23-10 season, going 16-6 in league play. Wingate played in the SAC Tournament title game for the fourth time in the last six years, while also earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five seasons.

The Bulldogs return plenty of firepower from a team that advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional semifinals last year. Wingate returns four of five starters and nine of its top 10 scorers from last season. The Bulldogs had three players earn preseason All-SAC honors and were picked second in the preseason SAC poll. Wingate is also receiving votes in the NABC preseason top-25 poll.

"I think hungry would be an understatement," head coach Brian Good says. "If preseason and early practices are any indication, this group has a chance to have a very exciting season. They hold each other accountable, which is rare, and they have great chemistry. Coaching this team has been very fun and I look forward to this year's  journey."

Position-by-position breakdown

Point Guards:
Senior Kerigan Farley (Hickory, N.C.) will take over as the starting point guard after playing a key role off the Bulldog bench last year. One of two team captains this year, Farley finished second on the team in assists last season, appearing in all 33 contests.

"Kerigan is more than ready to step into the starting point guard role left by Xavier Griffin's graduation," Good says. "His play on the floor will be important but his leadership and basketball IQ will be a huge asset."

Wingate will rely on a pair of freshmen in the backup role this season in Jeremy Williams (Monroe, N.C.) and Caron Corpening (Hickory, N.C.), along with senior CJ McVay (Matthews, N.C.). "Our two freshmen point guards will give us great support off the bench," Good says. "Jeremy and Caron are both extremely quick and aggressive. Both can be great on-ball defenders. As a senior back-up point guard, CJ brings a strong understanding of our system and our team."

Shooting Guards: 
Wingate has good depth and experience at shooting guard, with a pair of players who have served as starters and key bench players during their time at Wingate. Senior Anthanee Doyle (Holly Springs, N.C.) knocked down a team-best 69 threes last year, averaging 10.1 points per game. Junior Zeriq Lolar (Orlando, Fla.) connected on 37 triples for the Bulldogs during the 2015-16 season, contributing 7.5 points per contest.

"We have the luxury of returning two starters at this position," Good says. "Anthanee got the nod to start last season while Zeriq started most of the 2014-15 season. They have both improved over the summer and have had great head-to-head battles in practice."

Wings: 
The Bulldogs are led by a pair of dependable players on the wing position, including 2016 All-SAC Freshman team selection Mike Baez (Huntersville, N.C.). The sophomore also earned a spot on the All-SAC Tournament team last season and is a preseason first team all-conference honoree this year. He was second on the team with 13.3 points per game as a freshman, scoring in double figures in each of Wingate's last nine contests including all five postseason games. Senior Josh Dominguez (Matthews, N.C.) contributed 6.8 points per game last year, shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from three-point range.

"Mike will look to build off of a very good freshman season and I have little doubt that he will," Good says. "His game has improved in the off-season. Josh is what I call a "glue guy". He will knock down open shots but does it out of the offense. Things run smoothly when he is on the floor as he can do several things that make us better. 

The Bulldogs have two more freshmen who will look to contribute at the wing position in Charlie Hovasse (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Stephen Misenheimer (Albemarle, N.C.). "We added two freshmen in Charlie and Stephen that will provide us added depth," Good says. "Both guys have the ability to shoot the ball."

Forwards: 
The forward position will be anchored by All-SAC honoree Isiah Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.). The preseason first team all-conference selection led the Bulldogs with 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in steals, ranking second in blocks and third in assists. Also seeing time at the forward position will be redshirt sophomore Neico Robinson (Easley, S.C.) and junior Devarious Christian (Charlotte, N.C.).

"Isiah will once again be counted on to do a variety of things," Good says. "He knows how to score, feed others and is vital to our effort on the glass. He also brings tremendous effort and enthusiasm on the defensive end. Neico's athleticism gives him the ability to make plays. Devarious will see opportunities at both the 4 and 5 spot. He has the ability to knock down shots as well as score around the basket."

Posts:
The Bulldogs have a pair of big men that will play key roles down low for the Bulldogs, led by senior captain Keith Griffin (Concord, N.C.). The preseason All-SAC selection finished second in the conference in blocked shots per game last year, adding 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest while shooting 58.3 percent from the field. Junior Lee McCall (Indian Land, S.C.) appeared in all 33 games with 14 starts as a sophomore, averaging 4.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while blocking 29 shots on the year. Wingate's third post is freshman Quantra Taylor (Indian Land, S.C.), coming from the same high school as McCall.

"Keith is poised for a great senior season," Good says. "He is one of the smartest posts I've coached and knows how to make adjustments throughout the game to give him an advantage. His leadership will also be vital. Lee continues to improve in skill and strength. I expect to see a jump in Lee's consistency this season. Quantra provides us with quality depth at the post. He has a great motor and enthusiasm. He is getting better with every practice."

After opening the season at the Tip-Off Challenge, the Bulldogs hit the road again Wednesday, traveling to UNC Pembroke. Wingate opens conference play at Tusculum next weekend, while playing its first home game Nov. 22, welcoming Lenoir-Rhyne to town.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 10 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 86 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 86 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 95 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.