Men's Basketball 11/8/2009 7:00:00 PM Presbyterian College Athletics

PC Men's Basketball Season Preview

There has not been a team like the 2009-10 Presbyterian College squad in an extremely long time in the program's history. The 2009-10 team, under the direction of head coach Gregg Nibert, will be talked about throughout the nation this year. In addition to not having any seniors on the team, the three key student-athletes from a season ago are redshirting in order to benefit the program in the long run - and in the team's first season of postseason play eligibility.

Nibert and his staff knew heading into the recruiting process a few years ago that they were going to redshirt the juniors on the team in order to have the best chance to vie for a conference title in two seasons. Due to that, this year's team is extremely young but also very talented. The team bodes one redshirt-junior, two sophomores, five freshmen and one redshirt-freshman who will be in uniform the first night of the season.

"We lost two senior starters from a year ago in Bryan Bostic and Travis Sligh," Nibert said. "Now we have three players redshirting. Right now, we have just three that have had any college experience. It may be the most inexperienced team in Division I and the most inexperienced team I've ever had.

"However, for the future of our program, our freshmen will gain valuable experience during the non-conference season which will prepare us for the tough Big South play. All nine student-athletes will play every game and how fast they adapt to the collegiate game will depend on any success we have this year and for the future. It will help the younger athletes for this season and next."

The Blue Hose will count on three student-athletes that have been around the program since last year in Kevin Davis, Chase Holmes and Jake Troyli.

"We are really excited about Chase, Kevin and Jake," Nibert said. "Patience will be the key this year, but we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are anxious to see how everyone will come in and play and see what they can do this year.

"We have to make sure we have no injuries. We have the ability and the quickness where we will transition off turnovers and missed shots, hoping to convert into fast breaks. If we don't have an easy basket, we will be a ball control type team. We may not have the inside play, but we have several different guys that can drive and will post up guards."

GUARD

Sophomore Kevin Davis, who saw limited time a year ago, will be looked to in order to fill the shoes left by Pierre Miller, who is redshirting. Davis steadily improved over the summer and will take over the reigns this season. Despite not taking many shots, he saw time in 25 contests, hitting 41 percent of his jumpers.

"Kevin is a true point guard," Nibert said. "He is a vocal leader and is one of the hardest workers we have. He knows how to get us in our offense and will help out our defense."

True freshman Travis Smith did it all at Porter-Guad School. A four-year all-state selection out of Johns Island, S.C., Smith averaged 16.5 points, seven assists and five rebounds as a senior. A two-time team MVP, Smith also played against tough competition with his Team Georgia Elite AAU squad.

"Travis is a 6-3 point guard who can really defend," Nibert said. "He can get to and finish around the basket. Travis can shoot a tremendous pull-up jumper and knock down the three-point shot. He is a good fit for us."

At the two-guard spot, the Blue Hose will turn to a pair of freshmen. Rookie Khalid Mutakabbir and Zach Faircloth will each see prolonged playing time as Josh Johnson redshirts this season.

Mutakabbir, who comes from Peachtree Ridge H.S., led his team to the Sweet 16 as a senior. During his senior campaign, Mutakabbir averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The third student-athlete to score at least 1,000 points in the school's history, Mutakabbir was selected to the Deep South Classic all-tourney boys team.

"Khalid is one of the hardest workers and is in the best shape of any freshman ever to come in here," Nibert said. "He has good size and can take the ball to the basket. Khalid can score a variety of ways and with his athleticism, he can be one of our better defensive players.

Faircloth led Terry Sanford H.S. to the state championship game his senior campaign. A McDonald's All-American nominee, Faircloth was a first-team all-state selection and earned a spot in on the East all-star team.

"Zach is one of the top leapers on the team," Nibert said. "In addition to his 40-inch vertical, Zach is one of the fastest players on the squad. His athleticism and quickness is something we haven't had in a while. He can use his jumping ability and speed in order to finish strong around the basket."

WING

Sophomore Chase Holmes returns from a solid freshman campaign that saw him earn Big South New Balance Freshman of the Week accolades after erupting for a career-high 24 points in the win over VMI a year ago. An explosive student-athlete, Holmes finished his freshman season in fine style, scoring in double figures in each of his last four games.

"Chase lost six pounds since last season and is in twice as good of shape as he was a year ago," Nibert said. "He can really take the ball to the basket with anyone in the league. This year, we will give him more freedom because of his strength and his ability to get to the rim. We need to get him the ball in the open floor. With an improved outside shot, he has the ability to keep people honest."

Mutakabbir will also see some time at the wing position.

FORWARD

Redshirt-junior Walt Allen sat out a year ago and is looking to make an impact this season. Throughout his first two seasons prior to sitting out, Allen saw playing time in 44 games. He connected on 35.4 percent of his three-point shots while averaging 3.1 points per game.

"We are really glad that he's back and ready to go," Nibert said. "He is one of our smartest players and is a great passer, shooter and understands the game. Walt is one of our most experienced players and has been around the program for four years. We need his enthusiasm, passion and leadership. He is one of our captains this year."

Also seeing time at the power forward spot will be Troyli. At Pinellas Park H.S., he was a North District all-star selection. A second-team all-state honoree, he averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game.

"Jake really has tremendous athleticism," Nibert said. "He has great skills and can guard three positions because of his size and quickness. He will be called upon and help us in scoring. We need him to take some of the scoring load on his shoulders."

Ryan Hargrave is a versatile student-athlete from Alexander Central H.S. Hargrave averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior. With a terrific nose for the ball, he established a school record with 377 rebounds his senior campaign while netting a single-season record 579 points a year ago. An excellent scorer, Hargrave netted 1,466 points for his career.

"Ryan can post up and score at the basket," Nibert said. "He can shoot the three and is a great passer. With good all-around skills, he could be a good post defender and rebounder."

Jay Reynolds brings a lot of size to the program. At 6'10, 250 lbs., he tallied 14.9 points and 9.8 rebounds as a senior at Maryville H.S. A two-time all-region honoree, Reynolds earned all-district honors for his sophomore campaign.

"Jay is a really hard worker," Nibert said. "He has the body of someone we have not had in the program in a while. He will be a great defensive post player. He can use either hand and can play good defense. We will be looking for Jay to be a rebounder and screener for us. He will also get some baskets for us when running the floor."

SCHEDULE

Despite not having their five starters from a season ago, the Blue Hose will face arguably its most demanding schedule in addition to one of the most challenging in the Big South and in the country.

"We are playing a tremendous amount of high-caliber teams," Nibert said. "We play teams from the Big 10. We also play the defending national champion in North Carolina as well as former NCAA Champion Florida.

"We will start the season at Clemson while also playing Marquette from the BIG EAST. Our tough non-conference schedule will prepare us for our Dec. 3 game against High Point and the rest of the Big South games that follow."

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Players Mentioned

#23 Bryan Bostic: SF; 6' 3"; Senior

#42 Travis Sligh: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#21 Walt Allen: F; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

#2 Kevin Davis: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#32 Zach Faircloth: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#15 Ryan Hargrave: F; 6' 6"; Freshman

#31 Chase Holmes: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#22 Josh Johnson: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#4 Pierre Miller: PG; 5' 10"; Junior

#24 Khalid Mutakabbir: G; 6' 4"; Freshman

#44 Jay Reynolds: F; 6' 10"; Freshman

#5 Travis Smith: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 Bryan Bostic
: 6' 3"; Senior
: SF

#42 Travis Sligh
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#21 Walt Allen
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: F

#2 Kevin Davis
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#32 Zach Faircloth
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#15 Ryan Hargrave
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: F

#31 Chase Holmes
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#22 Josh Johnson
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#4 Pierre Miller
: 5' 10"; Junior
: PG

#24 Khalid Mutakabbir
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: G

#44 Jay Reynolds
: 6' 10"; Freshman
: F

#5 Travis Smith
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G