Coaches are happy when freshmen become sophomores. Head coach
Brian Good and the Wingate University men’s basketball program are very happy the Bulldogs return four sophomores who played major minutes during the 2009-10 season. Good has assembled a great supporting cast as the Bulldogs hope to move up the South Atlantic Conference ladder in 2010-11.
Sophomore forward
Odell Turner was the SAC Freshman of the Year in 2010. He led the Bulldogs with 12.1 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game last season. Turner was listed in the SAC top 15 in scoring (14th), rebounding (fifth), field goal percentage (13th, 49.0 percent) and blocked shots (seventh).
One of three Bulldogs to start every game this season, Turner also led the team in double-doubles (points, rebounds) with three. Wingate was 3-0 when Turner posted a daily double. In addition, Turner was the top freshman scorer in the league last year. He was joined on the 2010 All-Freshman team by forward
Quan Alexander (11.0 points per game) and guard
Paidrick Matilus (11.6 points per game).
Turner and Alexander started 28 games each as the Bulldogs compiled a 14-14 overall record
in 2009-10. Matilus started 24 contests. Sophomore point guard
Ethan Kincaid (4.8 points per game and a team-best 74 assists) started 11 games. Good believes Kincaid was often overlooked as a freshman. “Ethan gets after the basketball,” Good says. “His play defensively gives the other point guard fits.”
Good looks forward to the contributions his sophomores will make this year. “Our sophomores are very experienced sophomores,” Good says. “The experience they received…preparing for games and following the scouting reports…is invaluable. They were thrust into an accelerated learning environment (last year).”
All-SAC junior guard
Jaime Vaughn “was built for a leadership role,” Good says. “Jaime has worked hard during the off-season. He is physically stronger and tougher. His personality makes him a great leader.”
Last year, Vaughn landed in the SAC top 10 in three league statistical categories. He was third in three-point field goal percentage (43.7 percent), fourth in free throw percentage (81.2 percent) and eighth in three-point field goals made per game (1.86). He led the Bulldogs in each of the aforementioned categories. He was second on the team with his 11.7 points per game average.
In SAC games, Vaughn was the top Wingate player with his 12.2 points per game contribution. Vaughn shot better from the floor (48.1 percent to 45.1 percent) and from three-point land (49.3 percent to 43.7 percent) in league contests. He topped the 20-plateau five times last season.
Redshirt freshman forward
Michael Tankersley will see his first action this year after missing his initial season due to injury. “Tank has had a great pre-season,” Good says. “He spent last year observing and getting better. He understands our terminology…His presence and work ethic make us better.”
Guards
Chase Smith,
Michael Bilal and
Eddie Lewis will also make key contributions. A junior, Smith saw action in 25 games last season. Classmate Bilal participated in 18 contests, while sophomore Lewis made a push at the end of the season. He saw time in 14 games.
Six newcomers dot the roster. Freshman forward
Jeffrey Parker “gives us a dimension we did not have last year,” Good says. “He is a player who can block shots and change shots around the basket. Jeffrey is very capable of taking over a game. He plays long…with quick feet. Jeffrey is helping Odell (Turner) become a better player.”
Freshman forward
Robert Carpenter “has the ability to shoot the basketball,” Good says. “Robert was well-coached (in high school). He is able to pick up things very quickly.” Carpenter’s skill at scoring the basketball will mean he should see early court time for the Bulldogs.
Guard
Nick Ross and forwards
Corey Davis,
Andre Holder and
Darion Ryans round out the Wingate roster. A 6-9 junior transfer, Holder is the tallest Bulldog. Redshirt freshman forward
Mark Clyburn will have a chance to make an impact following football season.
Wingate opens the 2010-11 campaign at Armstrong Atlantic State on Nov. 15. Each year, the Bulldogs play one of the toughest schedules in the region. The 2010-11 slate is no exception, as Wingate will play Queens and Limestone in the SAC/Conference Carolinas Tip-Off Classic at Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bulldogs host Coker, Shaw and Francis Marion for the 2010 OrthoCarolina Classic. Wingate hits the road to face Conference Carolinas front-runner Mount Olive.
The always-treacherous SAC schedule adds another dimension this year with the addition of 2010 NCAA Division II play-off participant Anderson (S.C.) University. Wingate opens SAC play Saturday, Dec. 4 with a home contest against Lincoln Memorial. The Bulldogs visit Carson-Newman the following Monday. League play begins in earnest when the calendar turns in January.
2009-2010 Season Outlook
