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Atlantic Sun Preview: Which team will capitalize on Belmont’s departure?


Langston Hall and Mercer are the Atlantic Sun favorites (US Presswire)

In the past seven seasons, Belmont has won or shared the Atlantic Sun title four times, made five NCAA tournament appearances and finished no worse than second in the regular season standings.

Such dominance raises the following question: How will the league fill the void now that the Bruins are off to the Ohio Valley Conference?

Nobody appears ready to inherit the role of the Atlantic Sun's flagship program from Belmont, but there are three or four teams capable of succeeding the Bruins as league champs next spring. In particular, Mercer, Florida Gulf Coast and South Carolina Upstate have enough returning talent to challenge for the league crown.

The slim favorite next season is probably Mercer, which returns four starters from a 27-win team that finished tied for second in the Atlantic Sun last season and won the CIT tournament. Guard Langston Hall is a player of the year candidate in the league and forward Daniel Coursey is the conference's premier shot blocker.

If Mercer falls short of its league title aspirations, Division I newcomers USC Upstate or Florida Gulf Coast could be in position to claim their first Atlantic Sun championship. The Spartans boast reigning league player of the year, Torrey Craig, and an improving supporting cast, while the Eagles feature a more balanced attack headlined by returning guard Sherwood Brown and Iowa State transfer Eric McKnight.


MAKING A LIST
Best shooter: Jerron Granberry, North Florida
Best playmaker: Russell Powell, Jacksonville
Best defender: Daniel Coursey, Mercer
Coach on the rise: Andy Enfield, Florida Gulf Coast
Coach on the hot seat: Scott Sanderson, Lipscomb
Three must-see games: 1. Miami at Florida Gulf Coast, Nov. 13 (Marquee home opener for the Eagles); 2. Mercer at Georgia, Dec. 18 (The Bears beat Georgia Tech last year. Can they do it to Georgia?); 3. VCU at East Tennessee State, Jan. 2 (Big coup for the Bucs getting VCU at home)

I certainly think Mercer is the best team this year. After that it could be anyone. I think ETSU could finish anywhere from 2-6 in the conference depending on how the teams chemistry is.

Mullins did say after killing football that basketball would go to the next level. I think he has achieved that.

(09-30-2012 08:39 AM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Mullins did say after killing football that basketball would go to the next level. I think he has achieved that.

He certainly has. As ETSU continues its slide in athletics, there are those on here who do not believe that Mullins should be fired. Let's find a way to ease him out without "offending" anyone. What if he don't want to leave? Can ETSU afford to wait him out? How much more offensive can it get to the reputation of ETSU as he continues "administering" the school's athletic decline? Even without Belmont, ETSU is becoming just another also-ran in our flagship sport. What a sorry, sorry state of affairs. ETSU always looking out for the in-crowd, good 'ol boys/girls at the expense of the university. How long will Noland put up with this athletic department?

If you've got the dollars, call Dr. Noland Monday morning. Walk in there with a suitcase full of cash and tell him that here's Mullins buyout money and some seed money towards the PAC. Otherwise, move on and let Dr. Noland do his job.
ETSU has had the good ol' boys club for years, including some folks that you might hero worship. Don't forget that.

(09-30-2012 09:43 AM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(09-30-2012 08:39 AM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Mullins did say after killing football that basketball would go to the next level. I think he has achieved that.

He certainly has. As ETSU continues its slide in athletics, there are those on here who do not believe that Mullins should be fired. Let's find a way to ease him out without "offending" anyone. What if he don't want to leave? Can ETSU afford to wait him out? How much more offensive can it get to the reputation of ETSU as he continues "administering" the school's athletic decline? Even without Belmont, ETSU is becoming just another also-ran in our flagship sport. What a sorry, sorry state of affairs. ETSU always looking out for the in-crowd, good 'ol boys/girls at the expense of the university. How long will Noland put up with this athletic department?