ROCK HILL, SC--The 2005-06 Winthrop men's basketball team has been ranked 76th in the country by CollegeHoops.Net, a national on-line college basketball web publication. Sportswriter Joel Welser takes a look and ranks the publication's top 144 teams in the upcoming season. The countdown will continue up until the starting day for the 2005-06 season when the No. 1 team will be announced.
Here is a look at Welser's outlook on the Eagles.
Fans of Winthrop haven’t seen a loss at the Winthrop Coliseum in quite some time and it may last another season. If 15-1 wasn’t dominating enough in Big South play, imagine what the Eagles can do with their top nine scorers returning. Coach Gregg Marshall’s squad held in there against Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAAs last year eventually losing 74-64. This year the goal is to win a game, or two, in the big dance.
Who’s Out: Guard Brandon Key is the only player who will not return to Rock Hill, South Carolina. Key, averaged 8.8 minutes per game in 29 outings, scoring 1.8 points per game.
Who’s In: Newcomers DeAndre Adams and Tony Gray will have a tough time finding minutes in the backcourt behind returnees Torrell Martin, James Shuler, Chris Gaynor and Mike Jenkins. Adams, a 5-8, 153 pound point guard, averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a senior last year at South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia. He’s obviously small, but is very quick and tough. Adams will provide a spark off the bench this year and be more of a contributor in the near future. Gray, a Columbia, South Carolina native, redshirted last season and will see his first minutes for the Eagles in 2005-2006. Mantoris Robinson averaged ten points and six rebounds last year at Fork Union Military Academy last year. The 6-5 wing player is versatile and will fill in for Winthrop anywhere between the two guard and the four spot.
Who to Watch: The whole team will be a joy to watch this year, but if you’re looking for the clutch scorer, look no further than Torrell Martin. The 6-5 guard led the team in scoring last year with 13.1 points per game. Martin also added a team high 4.5 rebounds. He’s the Eagles long range threat, making 2.3 shots from behind the arc last season. As an upperclassman, he’ll become more of a floor leader and propel the Eagles back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Conference Rank: Anything but a 1st place finish and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament would be a huge disappointment for Winthrop. Chris Gaynor proved to be a solid point guard last year as a freshman. With a year of experience under his belt, he’ll only be better. The frontcourt is deep with Craig Bradshaw and Phillip Williams returning to their starting roles. Otis Daniels and Billy Houston have plenty of experience coming off the bench.
Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Chris Gaynor, Sophomore, Guard, 6.4 points per game
Torrell Martin, Junior, Guard, 13.1 points per game
James Shuler, Senior, Guard, 12.1 points per game
Phillip Williams, Junior, Forward, 7.4 points per game
Craig Bradshaw, Junior, Center, 8.0 points per game
