The Halfcourt Trap 9/12

The Halfcourt Trap Vol. II, No. 3

Before we get started, a couple of things. First, the loss of Don Haskins is an immense one for college basketball. The man was simply a legend. I implore everyone to read Dan Wetzel’s Yahoo Sports column on the Bear. Also, get well soon to coaching icon Don Meyer. The former David Lipscomb, and current Northern State, coach was seriously injured in a car wreck recently. There is no better teacher or classier gentleman in the game.

Now, on to the Trap. East Carolina has captured the college football world’s imagination with its two upsets out of the gate. Here are six off the radar hoops squads poised to make noise in ‘08-’09.

1. UTEP. Tony Barbee’s buliding program is about to pay off. Stefon Jackson and Randy Culpepper will score in droves. The X factor is Memphis transfer Kareem Cooper. If healthy and in shape, he makes the Miners a threat to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
2. Jacksonville. In 2005-06, the Dolphins won 1 game in Coach Cliff Warren’s initial campaign. Now, behind point guard Ben Smith and a deep frontcourt, they are poised to challenge Belmont for Atlantic Sun supremacy.
3. St. Louis. After taking some lumps in the first season of the Rick Majerus Era, the Billikens are poised to contend in the Atlantic 10. Senior guards Tommie Liddell and Kevin Lisch provide leadership and scoring for a team receiving a nice influx of talent.
4. Tennessee-Martin. Coach Bret Martin held his breath while scoring ace Lester Hudson contemplated entering the NBA Draft. With Hudson’s return, as well as that of guard Marquis Waddle, the Skyhawks are talented enough to be in the OVC title chase. Improved frontcourt play could well lead to a ticket to the Big Dance.
5. Cleveland State. Gary Waters was the initial architect of the recent success at Kent State. Now, he is poised to return to the NCAA Tournament with Cedric Jackson and J’Nathan Bullock leading the way. The Vikings should displace Butler atop the Horizon League.
6. Middle Tennessee State. A team that looked utterly atrocious at the start of ‘07-’08, the Blue Raiders recovered well enough to reach the Sun Belt final. Behind the inside-outside tandem of Desmond Yates and Theryn Hudson, Kermit Davis has his best shot yet to get MTSU to postseason play.

Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.