2008-09: 16-16, 9-7 MEAC
2008-09 postseason: MEAC Tournament first round
Coach: Jerry Eaves (61-121 overall/7^th season)
Predicted Order of Finish in the MEAC: 6^th
 

HOT TOPICS: Eaves discusses facilities
THE VIEW: MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

KEY LOSSES:  G Ed Jones (12.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg); C Julian McClurkin (2.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg); C Chad Webster (1.5 rpg); G Nicholas Wilson (10.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

RISING STAR: Sophomore guard Nic Simpson averaged just 6.8 minutes per game last season. But there is no shame in that considering a lot of freshman under head coach Jerry Eaves play sparingly before earning major minutes as juniors and seniors. Simpson (6-3, 190, Ft. Thomas, Ky.) could be ahead of the curve. Simpson could make his way into the Aggies starting lineup this season, his 3-point jump shot appears to have improved. He hit seven 3-pointers and scored 34 points in the Aggies annual Blue-Gold game on Saturday.

EMERGING LEADER: Leadership from the Aggies point guard will be of the upmost importance with the number of freshmen N.C. A&T has on the roster. Senior Tavarus Alston (6-0, 190, Greensboro, N.C.) stepped into a starting role last season after spending two seasons as a reserve. Alston had a good season (ranked second in the MEAC in assists), but more than points and assists from Alston this season, Eaves could be looking for an Alston who will bring his freshmen along quickly.

UNSUNG HERO: Fifth-year senior center James Porter sat out last season in order to have some bulk in the post this season. Porter made 15 starts as a junior and averaged 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Porter’s contribution to the Aggies has more to do with where he plays versus how many points and rebounds he produces. Porter’s presence at center allows junior Thomas Coleman to slide to the power forward position. Coleman’s presence at power forward makes him harder to defend. Porter can also defend the opponent’s strongest post player, which allows Coleman to roam and do what he does best – block shots.

KEY DATES IN ’10: January 5 @ Corbett Sports Center vs. Carson Newman – This will be the Aggies first trip home after a month of playing on the road against the top schools in the nation. Although Carson Newman is a Division II school, it will be important for the Aggies to play well with a tough conference season approaching; February 22 @ Corbett Sports Center vs. Winston-Salem State – It will be the second meeting between the two teams. The question is however, will it be the last meeting between the two rivals considering WSSU’s move back to Division II; March 4 @ Corbett Sports Center vs. Norfolk State – This game usually determines seeding in the MEAC Tournament. The Aggies have lost their final conference game over the last two seasons, which has dropped their seeding each time.

HOW IT WILL TURN OUT: There is no question that the Aggies have the talent to compete for an MEAC title this season. There are a total of eight freshmen and sophomores on the roster. Their success will completely rely on how quickly the youth comes around this season. Head coach Jerry Eaves relaxed his conditioning a bit during the preseason in an effort to help his team peak in March versus February. He will use November and December to find out what pieces fit where as he pushes toward a March run.

PROJECTED STARTERS

G Tavarus Alston (11.1 ppg, 4.1 apg) – He is all you want from a point guard. He sees the floor well, and he is extremely fast with the ball in his hand. He also provides scoring for the Aggies.

G Nic Simpson (1.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg) – Simpson connected on just two of his 20 3-pointers last season. You can put money on the fact he will be much more successful from the perimeter this season. More minutes will lead to more production for him this season.

F Robert Johnson (9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg) – Johnson is an excellent mid-range shooter. He shoots so well from 10-15 feet; he shot 49.4 percent from the field despite shooting 30.2 percent from 3-point range.

F Thomas Coleman (7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg) – Coleman’s offensive numbers are not overly impressive, which is perhaps why his defensive prowess has not been recognized by the conference. Coleman led the conference in blocks and was 14^th in the nation in the same category. His offensive numbers should improve this season. He scored 21 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and had five blocks in the Blue-Gold game on Saturday.  

C James Porter (1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg in 2007-08) – Porter provides the Aggies much-needed height upfront. He also provides them with experience and another low-post defender.

OTHER KEY RETURNERS

G Marc Hill (3.2 ppg, 1.6 apg) – Hill provides the Aggies with an outstanding backup at the point guard position. He is perhaps even faster than Alston and the Aggies don’t lose much with him on the floor because he is a pass-first guard. 

G Jared Williams (0.6 ppg, 0.1 rpg) – Williams is the son of a coach, so his fundamentals are excellent. He could still be a year away from being a major contributor for N.C. A&T.

G Dwane Joshua (7.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 34% from 3-point range) – Joshua comes in with the same assignment he had last season – shoot the ball from beyond 20-feet. Joshua is an excellent shooter.  The Aggies look to rack up points with him knocking down threes. He hit 5 threes and scored 33 points in the Aggies Blue-Gold game.

F Brock Moorman (0.8 ppg, 0.6 rpg) – Moorman could be a key reserve once the Aggies enter conference play. He is an excellent rebounder, and gives the Aggies more athleticism when he is on the floor.

NEWCOMERS: Jerry Eaves confesses to this being is finest recruiting class over his seven-year tenure at North Carolina A&T. Persistence led to the Aggies landing Austin Witter (6-8, 190, Princeton Junction, N.J.). Witter has the height to play in the frontcourt, but he has the skills of a shooting guard. He led West Windor High School to 24 wins, while shooting 47 percent from 3-point range. DaMetrius Upchurch (6-7, 210, Raleigh, N.C.) will provide the Aggies some muscle in the post. The Greater Neuse River Player of the Year averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.2 blocks as a senior at Garner High School. For the second straight year, the Aggies dipped into the deep talent pool at Bishop McNamara. A year ago, the Aggies signed point guard Marc Hill out of Bishop McNamara. This year Lawrence Smith (6-5, 195, Bowie, Md.) will be the latest signee out of McNamara.  Smith averaged 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds for nationally-ranked McNamara. R.J. Buck (6-3, 192, Lusby, Md.) could be the surprise of the class. His athleticism and willingness to play defense could earn him a spot in the rotation. Adrian Powell (6-6, 188, Conover, N.C.) brings versatility to the class. Powell can play point guard, shooting guard and small forward.