It may be summer but college basketball programs never truly hit an 'offseason.' There's almost always some kind of action for each of the 24 D2 basketball conferences, and something to discuss, including a 2015-16 review, BennettRank and how each program performed versus the pre-season polls. There have been coaching changes key losses. There are players to watch for once the season gets underway.
It’s on to the Central Region as we profile the Great American Conference.
[divider]
2015-2016 GAC Standings | BennettRank (BR) Recaps
|
COLLEGE |
PRESEASON BR |
POLL |
OVERALL RECORD |
CONF. RECORD |
FINISH |
FINAL BR |
|
141 |
1 |
20-11 |
17-5 |
1 |
102 |
|
|
138 |
2 |
22-8 |
17-5 |
2 |
114 |
|
|
130 |
3 |
19-13 |
16-6 |
3 |
141 |
|
|
189 |
5 |
17-12 |
13-9 |
4 |
217 |
|
|
153 |
7 |
17-13 |
13-9 |
5 |
202 |
|
|
204 |
6 |
13-16 |
12-10 |
6 |
224 |
|
|
176 |
4 |
15-14 |
10-12 |
7 |
238 |
|
|
214 |
8 |
11-17 |
9-13 |
9 |
269 |
|
|
225 |
11 |
9-18 |
9-13 |
8 |
273 |
|
|
202 |
10 |
8-19 |
7-15 |
10 |
274 |
|
|
231 |
9 |
8-20 |
6-16 |
11 |
286 |
|
|
225 |
12 |
7-19 |
3-19 |
12 |
303 |
|
|
* Provisional NCAA Member not eligible for GAC or NCAA post-season. |
||||||
[divider]
NCAA Tournament Recap
CENTRAL REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS (First Round)
Northwest Missouri 78, Ouachita Baptist 63
Augustana (S.D.) 100, Harding 85
[divider]
Coaching and Membership Changes
Northwestern Oklahoma State: Shawn Dirden takes over as head coach of the Rangers, replacing Brad Franz, who led NWOSU to a 9-18 record and a berth in the GAC playoffs last season. Franz will remain with the university as the school’s athletic director.
“His team will play very hard, will be well coached and will be ready to work towards the goal of being one of the top teams in the Great American Conference. He has worked for some excellent coaches and programs and knows what it takes to build a winner. I have every confidence in his abilities to build our program in all aspects.” — Franz
Oklahoma Baptist: The NCAA admitted Oklahoma Baptist into Provisional Year Three of their transition from NAIA to D2. OBU will be eligible for GAC or NCAA post-season competition for the 2017-2018 season should they complete their final provisional year.
“The progression toward NCAA Division II membership is a clear reflection of the hard work and dedication of our athletics department staff, coaches and student-athletes. We are proud of their efforts and are excited to move forward as we continue this great chapter in history for OBU athletics.” — Oklahoma Baptist president Dr. David Whitlock
[divider]
All-GAC Performers
Key Losses
Stirling Thomas, G, East Central: 19.5 ppg (First Team)
Jacob Gibson, G, Harding: 17.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg (First Team)
Tirrell Brown, F, Ouachita Baptist: 17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg (First Team)
C.J. Rodriguez, G, Southern Nazarene: 17.1 ppg (First Team)
Martell Collins, F, Southwestern Oklahoma State: 18.5 ppg (First Team)
Blake McNair, G, Harding: 12.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg (Second Team)
Andre Brown, F, Arkansas-Monticello: 10.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg (Honorable Mention)
Sami Bzai, G, Southeastern Oklahoma State: 13.7 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Jaron Davis, G, Southern Arkansas: 12.2 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Key Returnees
Braxton Reeves, Sr. G, East Central: 15.1 ppg (First Team)
Tyler Corley, Sr. G, Arkansas Tech: 14.4 ppg (Second Team)
Will Francis, Sr. G, Harding: 13.6 ppg (Second Team)
Adrian Motley, Sr. F, Northwestern Oklahoma State: 17.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg (Second Team)
Justin McCleary, Sr. G, Ouachita Baptist: 13.2 ppg (Second Team)
Lakee Westbrook, Sr. G, Ouachita Baptist: 14.9 ppg (Second Team)
Ishmael Donzo, Sr. F, East Central: 11.8 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Kevin Kozan, Sr. G, Henderson State: 12.4 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Steven Green, Sr. G/F, Oklahoma Baptist: 17.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg (Honorable Mention)
Anton Cook, Sr. G Southeastern Oklahoma State: 15.0 ppg (Honorable Mention)
C.J. Elkins, Soph. G, Southern Arkansas: 11.5 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Denarious Lockhart, Sr. F, Southern Arkansas: 9.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg (Honorable Mention)
Deshon Portley, Sr. G, Southern Nazarene: 10.9 ppg (Honorable Mention)
Markeise Champion, Sr. G, Southwestern Oklahoma State: 13.8 ppg, 3.3 apg (Honorable Mention)
[divider]
Circle the Date
Jan. 14, Harding vs. Ouachita Baptist: The Bisons will have a chance to avenge their loss to Ouachita in the GAC tournament championship game when the two teams square off in Arkadelphia; the return contest is set for Feb. 9 in Searcy.
