Ian ClarkBy Paul Seaver (TheArenaPulse)
This post is part of The Arena Pulse's 2011-2012 Season Preview. For other previews, go to the '11-12 Season Preview page.
As college basketball turns the page into another new season, The Arena Pulse will examine and predict some of the things to watch within the various conferences across the nation.
Let's take a look at the Atlantic Sun Conference:
Defending Regular Season Champion: Belmont
Defending Tournament Champion: Belmont
Top Returning Scorer: Markeith Cummings (Kennesaw State, 18.3 ppg)
Belmont head coach Rick Byrd has a deep and talented roster this season. Their best quality: experience. Last year, Belmont won 30 games, a regular season title, and the Atlantic Sun's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
While the Bruins will make the switch to the Ohio Valley Conference in 2012-13, their final season in the A-Sun could present a similar scenario to last season. Then again, it might be even better.
Ian Clark is the squad's top player, but their is plenty of additional talent surrounding him. Belmont boasts Mick Hedgepeth and Scott Saunders down low, a duo that combined for 20.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last season.
While Belmont will have their eyes on another 30+ win season, their goals of making the Big Dance will be the top priority, but as college basketball suggests each and every year, nothing is guaranteed.
East Tennessee State, led by Tommy Hubbard and Isaih Brown, should be in the mix, while Kennesaw State returns the league's top scorer in Markeith Cummings (18.3 ppg) and the league's top rebounder in Ladaris Green (8.5 rpg).
While the pair of teams should finish amongst the upper half of the conference, the question and challenge of competing with Belmont will be a tall task.
North Florida, who remains on the rise under head coach Matthew Driscoll, returns its top five scorers from a year ago. The experience should present an opportunity for continued improvement, but will it be enough to challenge for the league's top spot?
No team from the Atlantic Sun Conference has won a game within the NCAA Tournament since 2001. Georgia State, who is no longer a member of the conference, holds that honor, but as the 2011-12 season approaches, Belmont will have the aspiration of changing that fact. Can the Bruins take the next step and build off their tremendous success from a season ago?
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Belmont
2. East Tennessee State
3. Kennesaw State
4. North Florida
5. Jacksonville
6. Lipscomb
7. Mercer
8. Florida Gulf Coast
9. USC Upstate
10. Stetson
The Arena Pulse Preseason Player of the Year:
Ian Clark (Belmont)
The Arena Pulse Preseason All-Atlantic Sun First Team:
G Ian Clark (Belmont)
G Tommy Hubbard (East Tennessee State)
C Mick Hedgepeth (Belmont)
F Markeith Cummings (Kennesaw State)
F Isiah Brown (East Tennessee State)
*Photo: Ian Clark *Credit: espn.go.com
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Original Story:
http://www.thearenapulse.com/2011/10/...
