Scouting The Lancers
November 12th, 2009 by David Scott (UVA91 DUKE89)
With the UVa Men’s Basketball season getting under way tomorrow night in the John Paul Jones Arena, I figured this would be the best time to get to know our first opponent of the 2009-10 season, the Longwood Lancers. After coming off a season in which the Lancers recorded their highest win total since joining NCAA D1 competition (17), this is certainly not a game the Hoos can just show up and win. And while I believe Coach Bennett will have his team prepared for Friday’s game, it was only a year ago that the mighty Liberty Flames came to the JPJ and walked away victorious. So pardon me for not taking this one for granted …
Led by seventh year head coach Mike Gillian and assistants Bill Reinson, Doug Thibault and Tim Fudd, Longwood registered a +8 win total from the 07/08 season to the 08/09, marking the 18th best turnaround in NCAA D1 basketball. The Lancers return four starters from that squad in Dana Smith, Kevin Swecker, Billy Robinson, and Duran Neil.
Smith, a 6-5 combo guard, is the leading returning scorer from a year ago, averaging career-bests of 30.0 minutes, 14.8 points, and 6.4 rebounds.
Swecker, a senior guard and team captain, started 30 of 31 games last year, averaging 30.6 minutes and 10.9 points per game. Swecker also ranked 24th nationally in Division I steals during the 08-09 campaign.
Robinson and Neil, both juniors, combined for 51 starts between the two of them last season. Neil, who will be playing primarily point guard this year, ranked 35th nationally in assist to turnover ration (2.24) last season while chipping in 7.9 ppg. Robinson, a 6-7 200 pound forward, provides some length and athleticism for the Lancers’ front court.
Longwood also returns three top lettermen from last year’s squad in EJ Dawson, Antwan Carter, and Martiz Washington. Though it is unclear who will be the fifth starter of this trio, all three should see quality minutes on Friday night.
*stats courtesy of Longwoodlancers.com
