South Alabama Jaguars
2021-2022 Overall Rank: #139
Conference Rank: #2 Sun Belt
Coach Richie Riley has done pretty well at South Alabama over the last two seasons. This season could be even better, but it may take some time to get all of the new players on the same page. The Jaguars lost quite a few players to the transfer portal, including star Michael Flowers, but Coach Riley has managed to bring in some big names of his own to rebuild around returning starters Kayo Goncalves and Jamal West.
2020-21 Record: 17-11, 10-7
2020-21 Postseason: None
Coach: Richie Riley
Coach Record: 54-39 at South Alabama, 83-81 overall
Key Departed Players:
Michael Flowers, Guard, 21.0 ppg
Tyreke Locure, Guard, 13.5 ppg
John Pettway, Guard, 10.7 ppg
Sam Iorio, Forward, 7.6 ppg
K.K. Curry, Forward, 5.5 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Kayo Goncalves, Senior, Forward, 9.9 ppg
Jamal West, Sophomore, Forward, 5.7 ppg
Andrew Anderson, Sophomore, Guard, 0.0 ppg
Adam Sizemore, Junior, Guard, 0.0 ppg
Key New Players:
Alex Anderson, Freshman, Forward
Jay Jay Chandler, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Texas A&M
Javon Franklin, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Auburn
Tyrell Jones, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Auburn
Marshall Kearing, Junior, Forward, JC Transfer
Emanuel Littles, Senior, Forward, Transfer from North Alabama
Charles Manning Jr, Senior, Guard, Transfer from LSU
Greg Parham, Senior, Guard, Transfer from VMI
Tyler Shirley, Freshman, Forward
Diante Smith, Junior, Forward, Transfer from TCU
Lance Thomas, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Memphis
Projection:
SEC fans will know quite a few of the new players suiting up for the Jaguars. Charles Manning spent the last two seasons at LSU where foot injuries slowed him. But when healthy, he was a major scoring threat. Jay Jay Chandler comes from Texas A&M where he proved to be an efficient offensive threat. Speedy point guard Tyrell Jones and forward Javon Franklin come from Auburn where they both saw very limited playing time. It does not end with the SEC though. Diante Smith was a key reserve forward for TCU last year and Lance Thomas is finally hoping to show what he can really do after spending time at Louisville and Memphis. Emanuel Littles spent three seasons on the other side of the state, averaging 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds with North Alabama last season. But the most productive transfer is Greg Parham. As a guard at VMI last year, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.0 assists. Coach Riley has put together a talented roster. Some of that talent is not proven, but if he can get the best out of those players, this will be a South Alabama team that can seriously push for a Sun Belt title.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.1 (100th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 70.9 (191, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (172, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (49, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.1 (29, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.2 (62, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.8 (142, 4)
Rebound Margin: -2.4 (260, 11)
Assists Per Game: 11.2 (294, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (79, 3)
