Upstate really emerged on the scene last season after going 21-13 and tied for second in the Atlantic Sun. With Freshman of the year and MVP of the A-Sun already under his belt F Torrey Craig (16.4 ppg) is looking for a A-Sun title. Three other starters return including G Ty Greene (11.4 ppg) who had a big freshman year.
#2 Mercer
The College insder tournament champs return four starters and a key reserve player. Langston Hall will is a first team all A-Sun player who averaged 11.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg a year ago. The only concern is the bench which is mostly unproven.
#3 Florida Gulf Coast
The Eagles continue to improve under Andy Enfield. This year they could improve again with transfer Eric McKnight being eligible. All five starters return and one key reserve. This could be a historic year for Florida Gulf Coast since moving up to the D1 ranks.
#4 North Florida
Four starters return for the Osprey and Travis Wallace had 10.9 ppg of the bench a year ago. Granberry is looking to have a big senior year after taking North Florida to new heights in 2011-2012.
#5 Jacksonville
The backcourt is tough with Powell, Cabell, and Mcdougald who combine for 31.8 ppg. The Dolphins aren't to big and will need C Tyler Alderman to make an immediate impact.
#6 Stetson
All five starters return, but the team only won 6 A-Sun games a year ago. All four signees arrived to campus early and gained valuable experience going into their first season. The Pegg brothers will be key for Stetson to have success.
#7 Lipscomb
Burgason's departure hurt the Bison last season and they only won two games after he left. The key for Lipscomb will be freshman signee John Ross Glover. Glover attended prep school last year where he averaged 31 ppg. The top two returning players for Lipscomb are G Jacob Arnett and G Deonte Alexander.
#8 East Tennessee State
Three players that averaged 10 points or more are gone. The Bucs will need senior guard and leading returning score Marcus Dubose to play at a higher level. ETSU has a big home game vs. VCU this season.
#9 Kennesaw State
Markeith Cummings may be one of the top NBA prospect in the league, but his team is one of the worst. Depsite Cummings have huge years, year after year, the Owls have struggled to surround him. Delbort Love is back after being named A-Sun freshman of the year. Is this the year the Owls rise from the bottom?
#10 Northern Kentucky
New to the D1 level. They may not have a D1 roster, but they have a D1 arena. Two players return that averaged 10 ppg or more. Look for the Rossi twins who came from my HS (Franklin HS in OH) to make an impact.
First Team All A-Sun
G Sherwood Brown, Florida Gulf Coast G Langston Hall, Mercer G Torrey Craig, USC Upstate F Markeith Cummings, Kennesaw State C Adam Pegg Stetson
