Rider Broncs
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #100
Conference Rank: #1 MAAC
Many picked Rider to finish last season towards the bottom of the MAAC. With four starters gone it was understandable. However, the Broncs had other ideas and they managed to finish 15-3 in conference play and earn a share of the regular season title. Rider did not live up to their regular season performances during the postseason though. They were shocked by Saint Peter’s in their opener in the conference tournament and then lost to Oregon in the NIT. With their top six scorers back though, Rider will get another opportunity to reach the NCAA Tournament in 2018-2019.
2017-18 Record: 22-10, 15-3
2017-18 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Kevin Baggett
Coach Record: 107-89 at Rider, 107-89 overall
Key Departed Players:
Kealen Washington-Ives, Guard, 3.1 ppg
Paxton Wilson, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Dimencio Vaughn, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 16.1 ppg
Jordan Allen, Sophomore, Guard, 13.5 ppg
Stevie Jordan, Junior, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Tyere Marshall, Junior, Center, 10.3 ppg
Anthony Durham, Senior, Guard, 6.9 ppg
Frederick Scott, Sophomore, Forward, 12.8 ppg
Tyrei Randall, Sophomore, Guard, 3.0 ppg
Karamoko Cisse, Senior, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Devine Eke, Junior, Forward, 2.1 ppg
Key New Players:
Ahmad Gilbert, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Minnesota
Kimar Williams, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Florida International
Projection:
This is still a young team. That was a problem last year when it mattered most, but the hope is this group learned a few things last season. Dimencio Vaughn and Jordan Allen led the team in scoring last season as freshmen. Vaughn averaged 16.1 points per game and added 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Allen was the most prolific shooter on the team, connecting on 38.5 percent of his 239 attempts from beyond the arc. The backcourt also boasts assist man Stevie Jordan and senior Anthony Durham. As if that was not enough backcourt talent, Rider also adds Minnesota transfer Ahmad Gilbert and Florida International transfer Kimar Williams. Those two are experienced seniors and that leadership could prove extremely valuable come March. Tyere Marshall is the big man in the middle. The 6-9 junior averaged 10.3 points and 6.6 rebounds last season. Coach Kevin Baggett will often start four guards, with the 6-5 Vaughn at the four spot, but there is more size on the roster in Frederick Scott. He had a superb freshman campaign, averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds and whether he starts or not, Scott will be on the floor at the end of games.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.9 (26th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 78.3 (308, 9)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.5 (75, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.7 (223, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.6 (174, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.8 (124, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 60.8 (351, 11)
Rebound Margin: 2.6 (86, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (115, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.3 (209, 6)
