College Basketball Conference Preview #1 - MEAC Conference
The MEAC Conference only has eight members but will still be highly competitive as always as we enter the 2024-25 Season. Look for Howard to set the pace and win the Conference once again and make it three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Bison return two starters in senior guards Marcus Dockery and Bryce Harris. Look for senior forward Dom Campbell and senior guard Joshua Strong - both returning reserves - to have solid seasons as well. Howard will be pressed hard by Norfolk State who they beat in the Semifinals of the Conference Tournament this past March. The Spartans return four starters and will be led by senior guards Christian Ings and Jaylani Darden who could both be 1st Team All MEAC Players this season. Head Coach Robert Jones is no stranger to winning and the Spartans will be a tough out all season long. Look for senior forwards Kuluel Mading and Tyrel Bladen - the other returning starters - to combine with sophomore forward Chris Fields Jr. to form an experienced inside attack. Morgan State will be right on the heels of both the Bison and the Spartans as the Bears return a handful of experienced players and have added a few transfers as well. The Bears bring back four starters and will be led by senior forward Will Thomas and senior guard Wynston Tabbs. Look for several newcomers including junior center Marland Harris (Junior College transfer) and senior guard Amahrie Simpkins (Junior College transfer) to both have huge impacts. The other returning starters - senior forward Christian Oliver and junior guard Rob Lawson - are in line to have huge seasons as well. I predict Morgan State to finish 3rd in the MEAC this season. South Carolina State hopes to build on last season's 4th place finish and has four starters returning to help accomplish this goal. The Bulldogs will be led by a pair of seniors guards in Michael Teel and Omar Croskey. Look for senior forward Caleb McCarty and sophomore center Drayton Jones - the other returning starters - to have solid seasons as well. Sophomore guard Mitchell Taylor - a returning reserve - is in line for a breakout season.
Delaware State welcomes back three starters in senior guard Martaz Robinson - a candidate to be MEAC Player of the Year this season - along with senior forwards Alston Andrews and Ray Somerville. Look out for senior guard Corey Perkins - a returning reserve - to have a huge season if he is healthy as well as sophomore guard Dean Shepherd - the other returning reserve - to provide additional scoring off the bench. I predict the Hornets to finish 5th in the MEAC this season. North Carolina Central Head Coach Levelle Moton looks to finish what the Eagles started last season after they finished 2nd in the MEAC Conference in 2023-24. The Eagles only return one starter in junior guard Po'beigh King. Look for a pair of returning reserves in senior guards Keishon Porter and Timmy Adedire to have breakout seasons and for junior forward Perry Smith Jr. - another returning reserve - to be a major contributor as well. It may take a few years for the Eagles to challenge for the MEAC Title and I predict them to finish no better than 6th in the final standings. Coppin State is coming off a dismal 2-27 campaign and has nowhere to go but up. Head Coach Larry Stewart enters his 2nd season at the helm with three starters returning in sophomore guards Ryan Archey, Camaren Sparrow, and Aa'Reyon Munir-Jones. Senior guard Zahree Harrison and sophomore forward Kahli Horton - both returning reserves - will provide the Eagles with additional scoring and rebounding off the bench. I predict the Eagles to finish in 7th place in the final Conference Standings. However, if Stewart can get his returnees and newcomers to buy in and his transfers to mesh seamlessly then Coppin State could turn some heads in Conference Play. Maryland Eastern Shore has nowhere to go but up after a lackluster 9-20 campaign last season which included a 4-10 Conference record. New Head Coach Cleo Hill Jr. has his work cut our for him. The Hawks only bring back one starter in junior guard Toby Nnadozie and will need several returnees to play bigger roles - most notably sophomore guard Antwan Wilson. If the newcomers and transfers - including junior forward Jalen Ware (Austin Peay transfer) - can provide reliable production then the Hawks could possibly finish in the middle of the pack. I predict them to finish 8th but they could surprise some teams if everyone stays healthy and they get a few lucky breaks. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the MEAC. Enjoy all of the games!
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