Men's Basketball Preseason Report No. 3
10/28/2008 4:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. --- As they enter the second full week of practice, the Georgia Southern men’s basketball team is still playing “getting to know you” according to head coach Jeff Price.
The Eagles return nine letterwinners from last year’s 20-12 team but have six newcomers, including three JuCo transfers, many of whom will be asked to contribute immediately.
“We are obviously still early in the season and in the feeling-out process because we have so many new players,” said Price. “Our guys are working pretty hard, we just have to be more familiar with each other and that takes time.”
Georgia Southern held their first scrimmage of the preseason on Sunday against Coastal Carolina.
“I saw both good and bad,” said Price. “We’re very athletic and we can get up and down the floor pretty well. I have some concerns about our physical abilities on the frontline and hopefully we’ll have an answer for that. Either our guys will understand how they need to be more physical or we’ll find ways to play to disguise it.”
SHOOT ?EM UP
Much like the point guard position, the No. 2 guard will be manned by several different players, notably sophomore Willie Powers. Along with Powers, juniors Antoine Johnson and Antonio Hanson can effectively produce at both the point and shooting guard positions.
“We just have so many guys that can play that combo position,” said Price. “Willie, A.J. and Antonio are all very capable of playing that spot. All of those guys are going to have to play and all of them are going to have to contribute.”
Powers is the team’s lone returning All-SoCon honoree, having earned All-Freshman team status last year after averaging 11.5 points and 2.6 assists per outing.
“Willie is the steady person on our team,” said Price. “We know what we have and what we’re getting. He’s been here a year and a half and is an experienced player in our program as opposed to our new guys.”
The new season begins Nov. 10 against Houston in Durham, N.C. For ticket information call 800-GSU-WINS.
