Season Preview: Men’s Basketball Sophomores and Newcomers Look to Make an Impact
The second in a three-part men’s basketball season preview.
Marc Gignac
10/31/2019
STATESBORO – The knock on almost all college basketball freshmen at the mid-major level is a lack of consistency.
There will be some nights where everything comes together, and some nights in which they look like they’ve never played in a game before. Then, there are some nights when both of those descriptions are fitting within five minutes of each other.
Many a coach has said the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores, and the 2019-20 Georgia Southern roster contains a quartet of sophomores ready to take the next step.
Two Eagles, Elijah McCadden and Calvin Wishart, saw a pretty good chunk of playing time and found themselves in the starting lineup at times during the season. Two others, Will Dillard and David Viti, redshirted the campaign. All four will likely see time in the rotation at some point this season.
McCadden’s length and versatility allow him to play a number of positions. He played in 32 games, started six and averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 49 percent from the field. He scored in double figures eight times and averaged 21.8 minutes a game.
“I don't know if anybody has improved as much as Elijah has,” said Georgia Southern coach Mark Byington. “He was able to play 22 minutes a game as a freshman last year because he's athletic and he's smart, and I think his game and his skill set is at another level right now to where he can drive by anybody and he's shooting the ball very well. He had a game in Spain where he made five 3s. He should one of the best defensive players on the floor, and he can play anywhere from point guard all the way down to the 4 spot for us. We are majorly going to lean on him this year because of his talent and how much he has improved. I'm really excited for him because he's put in a lot of hard work, and it's showing.”
Wishart will look to step into the point guard role as well as play off the ball. He played in 30 contests, starting the last 16 of the season, and he averaged 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game.
“Calvin is going to be leaned on this year and will have to be consistent and bring it every night,” said Byington. “I think his defense has improved, and he is really good with the ball in his hands. He didn't really get a chance to show that as much last year, but the ball is going to be in his hands more, and he's going to have to make a play, be it scoring, finding somebody or getting us into something.”
Sharpshooter David Viti has worked to become a more versatile player and will push for playing time.
“David is the best shooter on our team, and every time he shoots a 3, it's almost shocking when it doesn't go in,” said Byington. “He's learned there are more parts of the game, and he's really improved in those areas, like ball-handling, defense and toughness. I think he's taken a good jump, especially this summer. I can see things clicking with him, and the game is slowing down for him. I think he's getting quicker and more athletic, and I think he's able to see things and process information faster.”
Will Dillard has battled injury and illness since his arrival in Statesboro, and but when healthy, has shown the ability that made him a consensus 3-star recruit coming out of high school. He was impressive during the Eagles’ three contests in Spain in early August and is currently working his way back from a medical issue.
“In Spain, I thought Will was one of our top six or seven guys, and that's great for coming off a redshirt year,” said Byington. “He played really well in Spain, but we haven't been able to see much of him on the court since then.”
Georgia Southern signed a trio of newcomers to the program last fall, and they will battle to get into the rotation.
Local product Trevion Lamar, who played at Jenkins High School in Savannah, averaged 18.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals a game at Northern Oklahoma Junior College last season but missed the final 15 games of the season with an injury. The junior guard was named a second-team national JUCO Super Sophomore in Street & Smith's Preseason Preview prior to the 2018-19 campaign.
“This summer, we had to be cautious with Trevion, and the best thing for him right now is that he's getting healthy,” said Byington. “We're seeing constant improvement with him each day. He has a very good feel for the game and sees the game very well. He has toughness, knows how to pass, is extremely long with a 6-11 wingspan and he's a guy who can make shots. He can play multiple positions and play in a lot of different lineups because of his versatility.”
Freshman guard Jalen Cincore out of Bartlett High School in Memphis was rated one of the Top-10 players in Tennessee's class of 2019.
“Jalen really does some good things on the court, but right now the game is going so fast for him, just like a normal freshman,” said Byington. “He has a lot of positive attributes - he can really make shots, he can attack the rim and he's very long - a legit 6-5 with a long wingspan. As his defense improves and his being able to process information improves, things are going to keep getting better and better for him. He's done a really good job and should be in the mix for some playing time this year.”
Freshman forward Mackenzie McFatten averaged 11.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and two assists a game at Coffee High School and played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Junior-Senior All-Star Game.
“Mackenzie is coming back from an injury and getting close to being cleared on the court,” said Byington. “He's done a great job with his rehab, and we're just waiting for him to be able to get on the court and then figure out what the next step might be for him.”
Byington and his staff have recruited consistently well since arriving on campus six years ago, and the development of the sophomore class as well as the talent level of the newcomers gives the Eagles plenty of options.
The Eagles open the campaign at No. 24/23 Auburn Nov. 5 on the SEC Network. Season tickets are on sale now, and tickets start at just $100. Single-game home tickets are also on sale, and all tickets can be purchased at GSEagles.com/tickets.
