Published: Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009 / Updated: Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009 08:16 AM

Big South men's basketball odds and ends

Standings

Predictions

2008-2009 Final Standings

2009-10 Predicted Finish

1. Radford (23)

2. UNC Asheville

3. Winthrop (1)

4. Gardner-Webb

5. VMI

6. High Point

7. Liberty

8. Coastal Carolina

9. Charleston Southern

10. Presbyterian

(As voted by coaches, selected media; first-place votes in parentheses)

3-Pointers

Best bet for

player of the year

Art Parakhouski, Radford

The 6-11 center won the honor last year and will be the front runner from day one. At 270 pounds, he's a dominator inside, has worked hard on his game in the offseason and is likely to draw plenty of NBA scouts to games this season.

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Best bet for defensive player of the year

Mantoris Robinson

Winthrop

The 6-5 senior won the award last year and with good reason. He can check any player from point guard to small forward. He won't block a lot of shots, but he's a lock down perimeter defender who makes taking a jump shot an adventure.

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Best bet for

rookie of the year

Kierre Greenwood

Coastal Carolina

The 6-2 point guard averaged 19 points and nine assists in his senior year at New Creations Prep in Indiana. He steps into a situation where lots of playing time is available and there are no upperclassmen to keep him out of the lineup.

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Team on the rise: Coastal Carolina

Team on the slide: VMI

Best on the bench: Brad Greenberg, Radford

Best home-court edge: Radford

Worst home-court edge: Charleston Southern

Best shooter: Austin Kenon, VMI

Best playmaker: Jesse Sanders, Liberty

Best rebounder: Joseph Harris, Coastal Carolina

Most underrated: John Williams, UNC Asheville

Most versatile: Joey Lynch-Flohr, Radford

Needs a big year: Mantoris Robinson, Winthrop

Don't be surprised if: Coastal Carolina, picked eighth in the preaseaon poll, finishes in the top three. Coach Cliff Ellis has a roster filled with his own recruits and is quietly thinking the Chants could be much better than expected.

BSC tournament

Mar. 2: First round at highest seeds

Mar. 4-6: Semifinals at regular-season champion; finals at highest remaining seed.

Preseason

All-Conference

Art Parakhouski, 6-11 Sr. C, Radford

Joseph Harris, 6-5 Sr. F, Coastal Carolina

Joey-Lynch-Flohr, 6-8 Sr. F, Radford

Grayson Flittner, 6-0 Sr. G, Gardner-Webb

Jamarco Warren, 5-11 Jr. G, Charleston Southern

Nick Barbour, 6-3 So. G, High Point