2014-15 Men's Basketball Season Preview
11/5/2014 1:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Free Exhibition Set for Friday Night at 7 p.m.
Georgia Southern Men's Basketball opens the 2014-15 season with a new league around a core of talent which made the program's first appearance in the SoCon Semifinals in eight seasons. Five seniors will play significant minutes this season including a pair of players which sat out last season. The 2014-15 season starts on November 14th at Illinois.
Averaging more than 19 points per game a year ago, Jelani Hewitt will look to show that his breakout season in 2013-14 was not a fluke. Hewitt made two and a half threes per game last year and slashed to the basket for the rest of his points as he led the Southern Conference in scoring.
A newcomer to the Eagle program, but not to fans of Georgia Southern Basketball, is Trent Wiedeman who will play his senior campaign for Georgia Southern after three seasons at College of Charleston. A large body in the middle, Wiedeman was an All-SoCon honoree at CofC when Coach Byington was an assistant there.
Angel Matias and Curtis Diamond also return for their senior campaigns in the Blue and White. Joining the Eagles before last season's run; both Matias and Diamond announced their presence with authority, making an impact on the court for the Eagles. Angel started every game with three double doubles. Curtis was second on the depth chart at point guard and is poised to move up to the first team at the point.
Kyle Doyle averaged more than 21 minutes a year ago at his forward position, and is once again poised to make a name for himself on the inside.
Additionally, eight newcomers join the Eagles for 2014-15 with seven freshmen and a junior college transfer joining the ranks.
The GCAA Junior College Freshman of the Year a year ago, Amonte Potter averaged 16 points per game last season at Chattahoochee Technical College and will compete at the guard position for the Eagles this season. The Eagles picked up two players from Winston-Salem Prep with Coye Simmons and Mike Hughes coming to Georgia Southern. Simmons tallied over 1,000 career points and rebounds on a 6-foot 8-inch frame. Hughes was an all-state player at guard with 16.6 points per game as a senior.
Jake Allsmiller comes to Georgia Southern from Nashville, Tennessee, where he knocked down nearly four three-pointers per game at Christ Presbyterian Academy. He made 457 career three-pointers, ranking third among the state's more prolific shooters from downtown. Freshman Shawn O'Connell also checks in at 6-8 following a high school career at Milton H.S. in Roswell. He scored 13.0 points per game as a senior and was twice named all-region.
Devonte Boykins comes to Statesboro after four seasons at East Rutherford High School in Forest City, N.C., where he scored 1,552 career points. He was a standout in the classroom as well, graduating with honors and serving as Senior Class President.
Jonathan Sanks is a 6-4 guard from Warner Robins where he averaged 13 points per game as a senior at Berkmar High School. Aubrey McRae is a freshman guard from Augusta where he averaged 19.3 points per game as a senior at Glenn Hills High School.
The Eagles have a public exhibition game set for Friday, November 7th, against North Greenville. The 2014-15 season opener is on November 14th with a trip to face Illinois while the Eagles first home game is on Tuesday, November 18th, against Trinity College.
Season tickets are on sale now for a substantial savings of the single game price. General admission season tickets start at just $65 with reserved seats available starting at $90. Fans can purchase a reserved combo ticket for Men's and Women's Basketball games from $120.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.
Averaging more than 19 points per game a year ago, Jelani Hewitt will look to show that his breakout season in 2013-14 was not a fluke. Hewitt made two and a half threes per game last year and slashed to the basket for the rest of his points as he led the Southern Conference in scoring.
A newcomer to the Eagle program, but not to fans of Georgia Southern Basketball, is Trent Wiedeman who will play his senior campaign for Georgia Southern after three seasons at College of Charleston. A large body in the middle, Wiedeman was an All-SoCon honoree at CofC when Coach Byington was an assistant there.
Angel Matias and Curtis Diamond also return for their senior campaigns in the Blue and White. Joining the Eagles before last season's run; both Matias and Diamond announced their presence with authority, making an impact on the court for the Eagles. Angel started every game with three double doubles. Curtis was second on the depth chart at point guard and is poised to move up to the first team at the point.
Kyle Doyle averaged more than 21 minutes a year ago at his forward position, and is once again poised to make a name for himself on the inside.
Additionally, eight newcomers join the Eagles for 2014-15 with seven freshmen and a junior college transfer joining the ranks.
The GCAA Junior College Freshman of the Year a year ago, Amonte Potter averaged 16 points per game last season at Chattahoochee Technical College and will compete at the guard position for the Eagles this season. The Eagles picked up two players from Winston-Salem Prep with Coye Simmons and Mike Hughes coming to Georgia Southern. Simmons tallied over 1,000 career points and rebounds on a 6-foot 8-inch frame. Hughes was an all-state player at guard with 16.6 points per game as a senior.
Jake Allsmiller comes to Georgia Southern from Nashville, Tennessee, where he knocked down nearly four three-pointers per game at Christ Presbyterian Academy. He made 457 career three-pointers, ranking third among the state's more prolific shooters from downtown. Freshman Shawn O'Connell also checks in at 6-8 following a high school career at Milton H.S. in Roswell. He scored 13.0 points per game as a senior and was twice named all-region.
Devonte Boykins comes to Statesboro after four seasons at East Rutherford High School in Forest City, N.C., where he scored 1,552 career points. He was a standout in the classroom as well, graduating with honors and serving as Senior Class President.
Jonathan Sanks is a 6-4 guard from Warner Robins where he averaged 13 points per game as a senior at Berkmar High School. Aubrey McRae is a freshman guard from Augusta where he averaged 19.3 points per game as a senior at Glenn Hills High School.
The Eagles have a public exhibition game set for Friday, November 7th, against North Greenville. The 2014-15 season opener is on November 14th with a trip to face Illinois while the Eagles first home game is on Tuesday, November 18th, against Trinity College.
Season tickets are on sale now for a substantial savings of the single game price. General admission season tickets start at just $65 with reserved seats available starting at $90. Fans can purchase a reserved combo ticket for Men's and Women's Basketball games from $120.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.
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