Eagles open conference schedule with pair of big games

By Gary McCann - gmccann@heraldonline.com

Next week is huge for Big South Conference teams, with nine league games scheduled from Thursday through Saturday.

None will be bigger than two at the Winthrop Coliseum against defending champion Radford on Thursday and conference contender High Point on Saturday, both at 7 p.m. Radford and High Point swept the Eagles during the regular season last year.

A year ago, the Eagles had to open on the road at VMI and Radford and dug themselves an 0-2 hole they were never able to exit. This year, it's Radford's turn. The Highlanders play at Presbyterian on Saturday.

Also on Thursday, Charleston Southern goes to Liberty, VMI hosts Coastal Carolina and High Point visits Presbyterian. On Saturday, VMI entertains Charleston Southern and Liberty hosts Coastal Carolina. On Friday, UNC Asheville, picked to finish second in the league behind Radford, goes to Gardner-Webb.

In past years, teams that were able to hold serve at home and steal a few on the road put themselves into contention. Last season, the road teams won 42 of 90 conference games, a .467 winning percentage. That was the highest winning percentage for road teams since the league changed its postseason tournament format to home sites in 2002-2003.

Radford won the league last year in part because the Highlanders were 9-0 on the road. Radford is trying to win back-to-back regular-season titles for the first time since the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons.

Coastal Carolina, picked to finish eighth in the league, is off to a 4-2 start, its best since the early 1990s. The Chants appear to be far better than that eighth-place choice, and we'll know more come next Saturday after those two road games.

SIGNINGS UPDATE — Gardner-Webb with four and Coastal Carolina and High Point with three each added more players than any other league teams during the November early signing period.

G-W coach Rick Scruggs said his group was “probably the best early group of signees we've ever had.” He landed 6-8 forward Santoine Butler of Oldsmar Christian School in Hephzibah, Ga.; 6-10 center Michael Byron of San Antonio, Texas; 6-0 point guard Luke Davis from Raleigh, N.C. Ravenscroft; and 6-9 forward T.J. Hallice from Metrolina Christian Academy in Indian Trail, N.C.

Coastal coach Cliff Ellis signed junior college transfers Daniel King and Willie Kirkland, both rated among the top 100 jucos in the nation, and 6-9 Travis Wilkins, who originally committed to Cincinnati. Wilkins, who will have three years of eligibility, averaged 11 points at USC Salkehatchie last year. He originally committed to play at the College of Southern Idaho this year, but decided to remain in South Carolina. He is reportedly finishing up his associate's degree at Denmark (S.C.) Technical College.

First-year High Point coach Scott Cherry signed 6-3 guard Justin Cheek from Charlotte's Ardrey Kell High School; 6-8 forward Travis Elliott of Anderson High in Lauderdale, Fla.; and 6-8 forward Georges Massoda from Country Day High in Lewisville, N.C. Eliott at 225 pounds and Massoda at 230 add some big depth to the Panthers' front court. Massoda, a native of Cameroon, also has been known as Georges MaNogue.

Liberty signed 6-0 guard John Caleb Sanders from Houston, younger brother of Flames point guard Jesse Sanders, and 6-8 forward Stephen Baird of San Antonio. The two played AAU ball together in Texas. Sanders averaged 28 points as a high school junior.

Charleston Southern added 6-3 shooting guard Matt Kennedy from West Ashley High in Charleston. He was a 45 percent 3-point shooter as a junior.

Defending league champion Radford added 6-3 shooting guard Jareal Smith from Johnson High in Savannah, Ga. He was the Region 3-AAAAA player of the year. He also plays quarterback and kicks in football, runs cross country and plays baseball.