| Malcolm Miller finished second on Southern with 15.5 points per game last season. (The Advocate photo) |
2013 Record: 23-10, SWAC Conference Champions
Returning Starters: 2
Games vs. Ranked Opponents: Marquette, Florida, Arizona And Baylor
Possible Out-Of-Conference Wins: North Florida, Arkansas-Little Rock, Denver,
Top Player: Malcolm Miller
Despite not starting a single-game last season, Miller wound up being arguably Southern’s best player in his first-season with the team. The 6’6 swingman finished second on the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (4.9 per game) while averaging just under 25 minutes per game. With last year’s leading scorer Derrick Beltran gone, expect all those numbers to increase in 2013 as Miller will be the unquestioned go-to-guy for coach Roman Banks
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| Calvin Godfrey began his college career at Iowa State. (Flickr.com photo) |
Newcomer To Watch: Calvin Godfrey
A Top 100-level talent coming out of high school in 2010, Godfrey has been something of a basketball nomad the past couple of years. Godfrey originally signed with Iowa State out of high school, but his stint there lasted just one year as he was busted with weed. His next stop was Howard College in Texas, where he put up 12 points and 7 rebounds per game in the JUCO ranks. He then signed a letter of intent with Louisiana State, but was released after he was declared ineligible. And now, Godfrey has landed in Baton Rouge.
Assuming Godfrey gets on the floor for the Jags, he should contribute right away. At 6’9, 210 pounds, his size and length should spell trouble for SWAC opponents this season, especially when teamed up with Javan Mitchell.
Outlook: Under coach Roman Banks, Southern has quickly built itself into a burgeoning basketball power in the SWAC. The Jags have finished second during the regular season in each of the last two years, and won the SWAC Conference Tournament this past spring. The Jags lost leading scorer Derrick Beltran and his backcourt mate Jamel Grace, but they do have Malcolm Miller who can score in bunches. They also have Mitchell and several talented newcomers, which should give them a chance to make a run at another SWAC conference tournament title and NCAA bid.