Men's Basketball | 11/8/2017 2:13:00 PM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2017-18 season this weekend, traveling to Limestone to face the Saints and Belmont Abbey in the annual Tip-Off Challenge. The Bulldogs went 20-11 last year, posting a 16-6 record in league play to finish third in the SAC standings. Wingate earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and the fourth time in the past six years.

The Bulldogs will have a different look this season after graduating five seniors. Wingate has one returning starter and seven returning letterwinners from last year's NCAA Tournament team. Wingate earned that at-large bid despite starting the season 3-7 overall and 1-4 in league play. The Bulldogs have been picked to finish fifth in the preseason SAC coaches poll.

"We enter this season with as little returning experience as I can recall," head coach Brian Good says. "Practice has been fun from a coach's standpoint as the competition for positions has been fierce. I am looking forward to watching this team develop as the season progresses."

Position-by-position breakdown

Point Guards:
The Bulldogs have plenty of depth at the point guard spot, led by graduate student Kerigan Farley (Hickory, N.C.), who returns after suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year's season opener. Transfers Emarius Logan (Columbia, S.C.) and Chiamaka Browne (Syracuse, N.Y.) will see plenty of time, along with sophomore Jeremy Williams (Salem, Va.) and freshman Jarren Cottingham (Charlotte, N.C.).

"We have several guys that should be capable of running the point for us this year," Good says. "Obviously, we are thrilled to have Kerigan Farley back. His experience and ability to make others better will help us tremendously. Emarius Logan will see minutes at both the point and the wing. Despite being new to our program he brings tons of experience from his last two seasons. Chiamaka Browne can give us a different look when he is at the point. At his size he will allow us to do some different things on both ends of the floor. Jeremy Williams will be counted on to give us valuable minutes as well. He was thrown into the fire last year as a freshman which will help him be more prepared for this season. Jarren Cottingham is an exciting freshman point guard. He has great quickness and athleticism."

Wings:
Senior guard Zeriq Lolar (Orlando, Fla.) is the leading returner scorer for the Bulldogs, averaging 11.4 points per game last year while knocking down 50 triples. He was one of just two Bulldogs to start all 31 contests last season. He will be joined at the wing position by transfer Marco Haskins (Fredericksburg, Va.) along with sophomore Charlie Hovasse (Colorado Springs, Colo.), redshirt freshman Stephen Misenheimer (Albemarle, N.C.) and freshman Kendrick Tucker (Roanoke, Va.).

"Zeriq Lolar will be expected to take on a bigger role as a Senior," Good says. "His leadership will be important for us this season. Marco Haskins had a terrific season in the CIAA last year. We are expecting him to contribute in the same manner for us. Charlie Hovasse had a great off-season. We will need him to take on a bigger role for us this season. Stephen Misenheimer was able learn more of our system while he redshirted last year. He works hard and gives us a big wing that can shoot. Kendrick Tucker will give us depth at this position. He can score in a variety of ways and is improving with each practice."

Forwards:
Senior Devarious Christian (Charlotte, N.C.) will be relied upon as the starting forward this season. He appeared in 19 games last year, compiling 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Redshirt Junior Neico Robinson (Easley, S.C.) will also see time at the forward spot, along with freshman Tristan Huebner (Miami, Fla.).

"Devarious Christian returns with the opportunity to play his true position," Good says. "Although he will still spend some time in the post, his game from the perimeter has really improved. Neico Robinson will be counted on to bring his energy and athleticism. He has been an important part of our team the last three years and now will get more of an opportunity on game day. Tristan Huebner gives us some much-needed depth. His skill set is very good and will continue to improve with experience."

Posts: 
Wingate has a pair of big men to share the duties inside this year, led by senior Lee McCall (Indian Land, S.C.). He played in every game last year, shooting 54 percent from the field while collecting 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, blocking 27 shots on the year. Redshirt freshman Quantra Taylor (Indian Land, S.C.) will also see plenty of time after red-shirting last year.

"Lee McCall will be counted on to have a great senior season," Good says. "He has improved each year. We expect this one to be no different. He has had a great pre-season. Quantra Taylor really benefitted from his redshirt year. He had a chance every day in practice to go against veterans. He is a terrific rebounder and his size will create problems for opponents."

Wingate opens the season this weekend in the Tip-Off Challenge at Limestone, taking on the Saints Friday night at 7:30 p.m. before facing Belmont Abbey Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Wingate's home opener is the following Wednesday, Nov. 15 against UNC Pembroke. "As always, we try to create a schedule that will challenge us and help us grow," Good says. "The conference challenge tip-off is always a great way to start the season. We know we will be tested right out of the gate from Limestone and Belmont Abbey. The first two months will give us the opportunity to find out who we are and more importantly, where we need to improve." After traveling to Florida for a tournament over Thanksgiving, Wingate returns home to open SAC play against Newberry and Mars Hill Nov. 29 and Dec. 2.


WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,600 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 11 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 96 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 96 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 105 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.