VIDEO | Brian Good Interview
VIDEO | Season Preview (Johnson, Dawkins, Cottingham)

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2019-20 season this weekend, playing a pair of games in the Tip-Off Challenge, hosted by Belmont Abbey College. The 'Dogs face Limestone Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the season opener before taking on the Crusaders Saturday night. Wingate is coming off a 17-13 season, going 12-8 in league play to finish in a tie for fourth in the SAC standings.

The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the preseason SAC standings, returning three starters off of last year's 17-win team. Wingate is led by preseason first team All-SAC point guard Frankie Johnson, along with fellow senior Jakob Dawkins. Jarren Cottingham was a member of the All-SAC Freshman Team last season. The Bulldogs advanced to the SAC Tournament semifinals for the fourth straight season.

"This is always a fun time of year for coaches," head coach Brian Good says. "We've been working hard with great enthusiasm."

The Bulldogs have seven newcomers on this year's team, plus a pair of players who sat out last season. "Like always, some of the new players have picked things up quicker than others," Good says. "Time will tell, but I believe this will be one of our best recruiting classes."

The seniors Johnson and Dawkins, along with redshirt junior Rashaard Pringle will all be important upperclassmen on a team with 12 freshmen and sophomores. "Frankie, Jakob and Rashaard have all stepped into leadership roles," Good says. "All three of them do it in a different way, which is great."

"We don't spend much time worrying about expectations and goals," Good says. "Our mission is to become the best version of ourselves possible. The rest will take care of itself."

POSITION BREAKDOWNS

GUARDS

The senior Johnson is back for his second year with the Bulldogs. The Citadel transfer earned honorable mention All-SAC honors last year, leading the SAC in steals and assist-to-turnover ratio while ranking second in the conference in assists. Johnson averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season, adding 1.9 steals per contest. "Frankie is just solid in every facet of the game," Good says. "He's also one of the most competitive players in practice each day."

Cottingham saw his role increase as the season went on last year, going on to earn All-SAC Freshman Team honors, averaging 9.5 points per contest while shooting 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range, adding 38 assists and 25 steals in 22 contests. "Jarren has picked up right where he left off," Good says. "His athleticism along with his shooting ability allows him to score in multiple ways."

Redshirt sophomore Francis Sio appeared in 29 of 30 games last season, knocking down 19 threes while averaging 4.9 points per contest, adding 30 assists, 26 rebounds and 13 steals. "We are extremely pleased with the improvements Francis made in the offseason," Good says. "He's become a true "combo" guard that will help us at both positions."

Wingate will rely on two more young players to play key roles in the back court this season in freshman Donell Nixon and sophomore Andreas Wilson. Wilson appeared in 15 games as a freshman, scoring 16 points while adding six rebounds and four assists. Nixon was named the 5A Region 8 Player of the Year at Buford High School, leading them to state titles two of the last three years.

"Donell is a terrific ball handler and passer with a high basketball IQ," Good says. "Andreas is a very good three-point shooter with great range that can stretch the defense."

WINGS

The senior Dawkins is in his second season at Wingate, after compiling 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last year, adding 38 steals and 25 blocks. Dawkins scored 20 points or more in four of Wingate's final seven contests last season. "We will ask Jakob to do many things and he is very capable," Good says. "He can score the ball in a variety of ways as well as guard the other team's best player."

Pringle is ready for his first action as a Bulldog, after sitting out last season. "Rashaard gives us a versatile wing that we sorely missed last year," Good says. "He can score inside and out and can defend multiple positions."

Junior Miguel Priest joins the Bulldogs after spending two years at Spartanburg Methodist College, where he was named the Defensive Player of the Year while adding 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. "Miguel is an experienced player that will help solidify our bench," Good says. "He has some of the same versatility that Pringle and Dawkins have."

Also playing key roles on the wing will be freshman Shaman Alston and redshirt sophomore Kendrick Tucker. Alston earned 5A All-State honors at Nations Ford High School, where he was a four-year All-Region player. Tucker returns after missing all of last season due to injury. He appeared in 20 games as a true freshman in the 2017-18 season.

"Shaman is one of our best players at creating his own shot," Good says. "After missing a year due to injury, it may take Kendrick some time, but he will help us with his ability to score in various ways."

POSTS 

Redshirt junior Quantra Taylor started 29 of 30 games last season, averaging 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the field, adding a team-best 30 blocked shots. "Quantra worked hard in the offseason at his game," Good says. "We will count on him to give us a strong inside presence on both ends."

Also playing a role down low for the Bulldogs will be freshman Vontrez Roberts, who was an All-Region player at the Academy of Richmond County, where he was also named the team's MVP and was a Scholar-Athlete. "Vontrez's learning curve is tremendous and he will be a formidable backup to Quantra," Good says.

SCHEDULE

Wingate opens the schedule at the Tip-Off Classic, taking on Limestone Friday at 5:30 p.m. before facing host Belmont Abbey Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Wingate then opens up a five-game home stand on Nov. 13, welcoming Virginia State to Cuddy Arena. Wingate opens league play Saturday, Nov. 23 against Lincoln Memorial at 4 p.m. "Our November is filled with big games," Good says. "We always play high quality non-conference opponents, but because of our expanding league we have important conference games as well. We will learn quickly who we are and what areas we need to work on."

After the five-game home stand, the 'Dogs hit the road, traveling to Carson-Newman Nov. 30. Wingate does not return home until Jan. 4 to host Mars Hill. The regular season wraps up Feb. 29 at home against Tusculum, with the SAC Tournament starting March 4. The semifinals and finals will be March 7-8 in Greenville, S.C. at Timmons Arena.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
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 13 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 113 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 122 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.