Hampton Pirates
MEAC (21-10, 13-3)
As usual, Hampton hit the road often in nonconference play, but this group played very well. Sure they got blown out by SMU and Colorado, but most of their other losses were close and they managed to pick up a road win over American and knock off Northern Arizona and Louisiana-Monroe at home. That may not sound all that impressive, and it really isn’t, but it is good for a MEAC team and prepared the Pirates to win the MEAC regular season title.
Big Wins: 11/17 at American (61-48), 12/23 vs Louisiana-Monroe (75-64), 1/30 Norfolk State (86-76)
Bad Losses: 12/22 vs Nicholls State (81-84), 2/6 at Maryland-Eastern Shore (70-73), 3/3 at Norfolk State (63-83)
Coach: Edward Joyner
Why They Can Surprise:
Hampton won the conference with tough defense and tenacity on the glass. The defensive prowess comes largely from the shot blocking ability of Jervon Pressley and Dionte Adams. Pressley, a 6-8, 250 pound senior, is the more productive of the two, averaging 6.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, but Coach Edward Joyner usually starts Adams and both will play about 20 minutes per game. Those two are solid on the glass, but what makes Hampton so tough on the glass is 6-6 guard Quinton Chievous. Listed as a guard, Chievous spends most of his time at the four spot and averages 17.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Chievous is a special player and a great slasher. However, against bigger teams, Hampton may need to play Adams and Pressley together a bit more and utilize Charles Wilson-Fisher off of the bench and slide Chievous down to the three spot. Despite Chievous’ big scoring numbers, it is point guard Reginald Johnson who leads the team with 18.3 points per game.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Despite having three very good scorers, including guard Brian Darden, Hampton can be extremely inefficient on that end of the floor. Johnson takes a lot of shots, but hits just 30.2 percent of his attempts from long range. Darden takes a ton of three-pointers, but his three-point shooting percentage is just 33.5. If this team is going to beat anybody, they have to knock down shots. Their rebounding ability will be negated by the tougher postseason teams that they are going to see and they will not be able to win with just Chievous attacking the basket. Hampton must get production from Darden and Johnson from long range and at least a threat from Pressley or Adams in the post.
Probable Starters:
Reginald Johnson, Senior, Guard, 18.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.7 spg
Lawrence Cooks, Junior, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 1.5 apg, 3.6 rpg
Brian Darden, Senior, Guard, 13.2 ppg, 1.9 apg, 2.1 rpg
Quinton Chievous, Senior, Guard, 17.0 ppg, 2.1 apg, 11.0 rpg
Dionte Adams, Senior, Forward, 5.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Kalin Fisher, Freshman, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Jervon Pressley, Senior, Forward, 6.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Charles Wilson-Fisher, Sophomore, Forward, 2.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.8 (161st in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.4 (241, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.5 (314, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (102, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (221, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 30.0 (327, 11)
Free-Throw Percentage: 64.7 (324, 11)
Rebound Margin: 4.5 (54, 1)
Assists Per Game: 12.0 (261, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.0 (296, 9)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA First Round win over Manhattan
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 3/6
