Hampton Pirates
MEAC (16-17, 8-8)
In the MEAC, Hampton was just an average team. Outside of the MEAC, they were a bad team. The conference slate was not tough by MEAC standards and the Pirates still failed to pick up a big win. Later in the season, a six game losing streak that finally ended February 7th seemed to put an end to Hampton’s season. However, the team did win four of their last seven heading into the MEAC tournament. And once the tournament began, Coach Edward Joyner had his team ready to play and make an improbable run to the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/21 Northern Arizona (75-66), 2/7 UMES (64-61), 3/13 vs Norfolk State (75-64)
Bad Losses: 1/17 North Carolina A&T (61-64), 1/24 at Savannah State (66-68), 1/26 at SCSU (56-65)
Coach: Edward Joyner
Why They Can Surprise:
Hampton can play decent defense at times and they will have to do so this week in order to make it out of Dayton and into the Round of 64. Meanwhile, the backcourt must knock down shots. The backcourt does have four solid scoring options and it can be difficult to contain all of them. Brian Darden, who averages 9.7 points per game, is the best shooter of the bunch, knocking down two per game. Reginald Johnson can hit shots too, but he will also attack the basket effectively. So will Quinton Chievous, a big 6-6 senior. The star of the backcourt though is point guard Deron Powers. Powers does a superb job of taking care of the ball and has enough of an outside shot to keep the opposing defender honest.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Most teams that come out of the MEAC have trouble matching up in the frontcourt. Jervon Pressley is a big 6-8, 250 pound forward who can push people around in the paint. Senior Emmanuel Okoroba at least provides some depth off of the bench. However, neither are great rebounders and that will be a concern for the Pirates in the NCAA Tournament. Neither is Dwight Meikle and his return is questionable following an ankle injury suffered in the Pirates’ first MEAC tournament game. The fact that Hampton did what they did without Meikle is impressive, but they still miss him. He was the team’s top scorer, rebounder and shot blocker and this team is not nearly as dangerous when he is sitting on the bench.
Probable Starters:
Deron Powers, Junior, Guard, 10.5 ppg, 3.7 apg
Brian Darden, Junior, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Reginald Johnson, Junior, Guard, 11.9 ppg, 1.6 apg
Quinton Chievous, Senior, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Jervon Pressley, Junior, Forward, 6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Ke’Ron Brown, Junior, Guard, 4.6 ppg, 1.5 apg
Dwight Meikle, Junior, Forward, 13.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Emmanuel Okoroba, Senior, Center, 2.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Charles Wilson-Fisher, Freshman, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.2 (227th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.2 (230, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.4 (302, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.4 (97, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.4 (260, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 29.2 (333, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 63.9 (324, 10)
Rebound Margin: 0.7 (166, 7)
Assists Per Game: 10.4 (306, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.4 (316, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 CBI First Round loss to Penn State
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Duke
2006 NCAA Opening round loss to Monmouth
2002 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Connecticut
2001 NCAA Round of 64 win over Iowa State
2001 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Georgetown
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
