Take A Knee’s 2009-10 SBC Basketball Preview

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Probable Starters:

PG.  James Washington 5’10” 170 Jr.
(7.5ppg, 4.6apg @ Indian Hills CC)

SG.  Calvin O’Neil 6’4” 190 Sr.
(5.6ppg, 3.7rpg, 0.8apg)

SF.  Montario Haddock 6’5” 230 Sr.
(9.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.1apg)

PF. Desmond Yates 6’7”  225 Sr.
(17.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 0.3apg)

C.  Theyrn Hudson 6’10” 250 Sr.
(2.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 0.3apg)

MTSU Certainties:

The 2-3-4 spots.  Yates is the best player in the conference, Haddock can be nearly unguardable at times, and some combination of O’Neil, JC transfer Rod Emmanuel  (6’3” 190 Jr.) and freshman David Murray (6’4” 210) should be more than adequate holding down the 2 guard spot.

Additionally, Haddock, O’Neil, and Murray are all versatile enough to play stretches at any position in the heart of Kermit Davis’s lineup.

MTSU Questions:

Improvement inside, replacements outside.

MTSU received good news when center Theryn Hudson was granted a medical redshirt. He is the most likely candidate to provide an interior presence; one that was sorely lacking last season as Yates played much of the year out of position at the 5.

The Raiders also essentially lost two starting point guards in their main ball-handler (Nigel Johnson) and playmaker (Kevin Kanaskie). They’ll have to count on a group of unproven players to fill in a key spot on the floor. It’s not impossible, but it is a question mark in an area that was a notable strength over the past few seasons.

A Nice Luxury Would Be:

A freshman forcing his way into the conference freshman of the year discussion.

Between Murray, John-David Little (6’3” 180 Fr.) James Gallman (5’11” 175 Fr.) and J.T. Sulton (6’7” 200 Fr.), Kermit Davis has a solid nucleus for the future in Murfreesboro.

Murray’s versatility and Gallman and Little’s ability to play the point make them the most likely to contribute immediately, but Sulton is long and athletic and could prove to be the eventual replacement for Yates at the four.  Or, he could be the next Dino Hair.

This Team is Special If…:

…They can put last year’s disappointment behind them.

With the likes of Kanaskie, Johnson, Demetrius Green, and Yates, the 2008-09 Blue Raiders squad was thought to be a lock for post season play.  But for much of the year, the team found itself mired  in mediocrity en route to an 18-14 record and a loss in the conference quarterfinals.

A talent like Yates automatically makes the Raiders a contender. The question is, can Kermit Davis bounce back from a season of drastic underachievement and get more from a less talented supporting cast?

Email the author: jhemingway.sbc@gmail.com