Hampton Pirates
MEAC (19-15, 12-4)
Hampton won their last eight regular season games to capture a share of the MEAC regular season title. The young core of players has grown up and has shown vast improvement in many areas throughout this campaign and dating back to last season.
Big Wins: 12/20 Appalachian State (86-53), 2/19 Savannah State (114-102), 3/1 at Norfolk State (74-71)
Bad Losses: 1/6 at UMES (83-92), 1/27 Florida A&M (71-75), 2/3 at North Carolina A&T (84-92)
Coach: Edward Joyner
Why They Can Surprise:
The group of guards, led by Jermaine Marrow, is arguably the best in the MEAC. Marrow, a 6-0 sophomore, leads the team with 19.0 points and 5.3 assists per game. His outside shooting has not been consistent this season, but obviously Marrow can do plenty of scoring in other areas. Malique Trent-Street and Kalin Fisher are the other main scoring threats for the Pirates. Trent-Street is mostly a slasher, while Fisher is also a threat to occasionally hit some long balls. Where this group deserves the most credit is with their defense. In 2016-2017, Hampton’s perimeter defense struggled. This year they have been much tougher, especially when it comes to three-point field-goal defense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Hampton’s lack of three-point shooting will be an issue against tougher teams in the tournament. The Pirates will need to find a way to put points on the board and this is not a team that gets too many easy buckets off turnovers, so knocking down three-pointers is their best option. The frontcourt will also be tested, especially on the defensive end. Trevond Barnes and Charles Wilson-Fisher are decent shot blockers and Greg Heckstall can stretch the defense with his shooting ability, but those three will face tougher opposition and will have to be ready to step up if Hampton wants to make things interesting.
Probable Starters:
Jermaine Marrow, Sophomore, Guard, 19.0 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.9 rpg
Kalin Fisher, Junior, Guard, 12.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 4.5 rpg
Malique Trent-Street, Senior, Guard, 13.9 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.1 rpg
Akim Mitchell, Junior, Guard, 8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Trevond Barnes, Junior, Forward, 7.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Key Role Players:
Greg Heckstall, Sophomore, Guard, 8.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Charles Wilson-Fisher, Senior, Forward, 6.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Lysander Bracey, Sophomore, Guard, 5.1 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.6 (78th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.9 (220, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.2 (155, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.9 (63, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (326, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.6 (327, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 78.3 (9, 1)
Rebound Margin: 1.8 (119, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.8 (96, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.9 (169, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 CBI First Round loss to Coastal Carolina
2016 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Virginia
2015 NCAA Opening 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 3/4
