2016-17 Preview: Wildcats Open Season Saturday Night at Belk

Saturday, November 12

DAVIDSON

8:00 p.m.

Davidson College

APPALACHIAN STATE

Tickets

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

2016-17 Preview: Wildcats Open Season Saturday Night at Belk

11/9/2016 11:31:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Head Coach: Bob McKillop (Hofstra, 1972)
Career Record: 516-313 (28th season), Record at Davidson: Same

APPALACHIAN STATE MOUNTAINEERS (0-0)
Head Coach: Jim Fox (SUNY Geneseo, 1995)
Career Record: 21-39 (3rd season), Record at App. State: Same

GAME INFORMATION
Date | Time: Saturday, November 12, 2016 | 8 PM
Location: Davidson, N.C.
Site (Capacity): John M. Belk Arena (5,295)
Radio: Davidson Radio Network -- John Kilgo (pxp) and Jarod Latch (analyst)
Radio Stations: WBCN 1660 AM | WHIP- 1350 AM | WGNC 1450 AM and 101.1 FM
TV: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel
Video: Atlantic 10 Network
Live Stats: DavidsonWildcats.com

SERIES NOTES
Series Record: Davidson leads, 42-32
Streak: Won 5
Last Meeting: Jan. 11, 2014, Won 78-66 (Belk)
Last Davidson Win: Jan. 11, 2014, Won 78-66 (Belk)
Last ASU Win: Jan. 5, 2011, App. St. Won 74-66 (Belk)
First Meeting: 1945-46 Season; Davidson Won 52-39
Davidson Record at Home: 21-14
Davidson Record on Road: 17-18

Davidson Record at Neutral Site: 4-0
Bob McKillop's Record: 20-16

Gibbs and Aldridge lead a talented cast of veterans and newcomers
Written By John Kilgo

Coach Bob McKillop's 28th season of directing Davidson basketball promises elements of excitement and mystery. A strong cast of returning players led by two stars will welcome a host of newcomers. Putting all of these talented pieces in place should help counter some problems that the Wildcats faced last season, their second as members of the A-10.

Everything in college basketball, of course, is relative. We say "problems," but McKillop's program has reached the point where standards and expectations are high. Davidson was 10-8 in conference regular season play last year, which was good enough to send the Wildcats to another postseason tournament. Most would accept it and throw a celebratory parade.

But the program as it stands in 2016-17 wants – and expects – more. Davidson's two-year regular season record in the A-10 stands at an impressive 24-12. Not bad when you consider the program was picked to finish 12th among 14 teams when it entered the league two years ago after decades of dominating the Southern Conference.

One of Davidson's goals when it entered the A-10 was to gain the respect of its new neighbors. That mission has been accomplished. The eye is on championships now, as well as sustained success competing against tough league opponents.

To achieve those lofty goals, it helps to have two of the best players in the A-10 leading Davidson's roster. Senior guard Jack Gibbs, who averaged 23.5 points a game last season, is considered by many to be the best player in the conference. By eating smarter and working hard in the gym, Gibbs lost 20 pounds in the off-season, which he believes has made him quicker and even more capable of taking the pounding that he routinely takes – and dishes out – in league play.

He has a frontcourt teammate with strong skills and versatility in Peyton Aldridge, a 6-8 junior who scored 15.5 points a game a year ago while leading the team in rebounding at 6.5. Aldridge scores inside and out, is a superb passer, and has ballhandling ability good enough that he could bring the ball up court and even play some point guard if needed.

Put all these parts together and Davidson should have uncommonly good depth, size and scoring ability. But one of the staples of McKillop's program has been defense, which should improve this season. It's certainly a point of emphasis after allowing opponents to shoot 46 percent from the field last season, a number that is unacceptable by the program's standards. Davidson was also outrebounded by four a game, another mark that needs reversing.

Summing up: There is exceptional talent and size on the roster. Exceptional and talented leaders in Gibbs and Aldridge. It's a team that features a healthy blend of veterans and newcomers. An offensive attack that should be balanced inside and outside, making it a hard team to guard. And maybe, just maybe a chip on its shoulder.

Let's look at the individual parts.

The Backcourt
Jack Gibbs, 6-0, senior: It all starts here for Davidson. Gibbs has the ball in his hands a lot, and while he doesn't scoff at last season's record, he clearly expects more from himself and his team this season.

"Defense is definitely one of our points of emphasis," Gibbs said. "Coach has been driving that point home in every practice and every meeting."

"He had a great junior season," McKillop says of Gibbs, "but he keeps getting better. He had a productive off-season of working on his quickness, stamina and ballhandling. He has dramatically improved his dribbling. He's certainly one of the best guards in the A-10."

Jordan Watkins, 6-1, junior: He averaged 5.7 points a game last year. His role this season is expected to be more advanced. Off-season shoulder surgery slowed his work, but McKillop said he still had a productive summer and fall.

"Jordan is becoming a very good defender, and is showing that he can compete at a high level night in and night out in the A-10," McKillop said. "He's always been able to shoot, and now he's a more confident ballhandler, which is an asset because he will get a chance to play some at point."

Rusty Reigel, 6-2, junior: McKillop labels him "our surprise from last season."

Reigel, whose brother Will is a Davidson assistant coach, played more minutes last season as it went into February and March. The result, McKillop said, was an increase in Reigel's confidence.

"He has an insatiable work ethic," McKillop said, "and always has himself ready to play."

KiShawn Pritchett, 6-6, R-freshman: McKillop can't be blamed for lighting up when he talks about Pritchett's potential. After undergoing multiple knee surgeries, Pritchett might soon be healthy enough to show his basketball skills, which are considerable. McKillop sees enough in individual drills to say, "Man, could he ever help us!"

Pritchett is a good shooter and ballhandler, and with his size, power and reach could be a superb rebounder and defender. He's hoping it happens this season.

Jon Axel Gudmundsson, 6-4, freshman: He comes to Davidson from Iceland, and he might soon carve out playing time for himself as a freshman. He impressed coaches early on by his willingness to work hard and put in extra time learning Davidson's system.

McKillop describes him this way: "Quick feet, tough, multi skilled, excellent shooter who will play on and off the ball."

Oskar Michelsen, 6-9, junior: He played in 32 games for Davidson last season, so he is experienced and ready to improve on last year's scoring average of 4.3 points a game. He's a good 3-point shooter, but once he shows an ability to get to the basket, his overall game should improve by leaps and bounds.

"He's added muscle and strength," McKillop says. "It will help him be better at attacking the basket, as well as defending and running the court. He can play in the frontcourt and backcourt rotations."

Out of Sight: Fans of Davidson basketball don't get to see much of some of the most valuable members of the roster. They're members of the Scout Team. Their job is to push the rotation players in practice every day, a demanding task that takes superior conditioning, competitiveness and determination.

Those backcourt players include Manu Giamoukis, 6-1, senior: McKillop: "Manu is the leader of our scout team. He pushes everyone on the team to be at his best." Michael Brown, 5-10, freshman: Quick and instinctive. Thinks every loose ball should belong to him. Kamau Faines, 6-2, junior: McKillop: "He worked hard to improve his quickness, strength and stamina, with good results. He has a knack for scoring." Cal Freundlich, 6-2, freshman: Tough, a hard worker who is respected by all of his teammates. Malcolm Wynter, 5-10, freshman: Good instincts and quickness should make him a valuable member of the Scout Team.

The Frontcourt
Peyton Aldridge, 6-8, junior: Along with backcourt star Jack Gibbs, he gives Davidson a one-two punch that should complicate things for opponents who must devise ways to stop a versatile offense.

"He's stronger and quicker and playing at his highest level," McKillop said. "He's a versatile player that can play every position on the court."

Andrew McAuliffe, 6-8, senior: A veteran player who doesn't mind mixing it up. Unselfish and team-oriented, McAuliffe seems to get better as the season progresses. Knows everything about the Davidson system and will have a chance to contribute big as a member of the lineup rotation.

Nathan Ekwu, 6-7, junior: The lights came on for Ekwu in the latter part of last season. His confidence soared as he became a rim protector and rebounding machine for the Wildcats down the stretch.

"He needs to be an offensive threat in addition to his great rebounding and defense," McKillop said. "He's shown in practice that the confidence in his shot is there. Now he needs to take that to game night."

Will Magarity, 6-11, R-junior: Magarity sat out last season under NCAA rules after transferring from Boston College. His presence in the lineup this season should make Davidson better inside offensively and defensively.

"Will can shoot, and with range, too," says his frontcourt teammate Peyton Aldridge.

Says McKillop: "Will has all the natural talent to be really good. Size, quickness and skill sets are all there. He'll have to knock the rust off his game after sitting out last season. In addition to his scoring ability, he gives us new dimensions as a shot-blocker and frontcourt defender."

Dusan Kovacevic, 6-10, R-freshman: He figured big in Davidson's plans last year before a knee injury resulted in season-ending surgery. He has since recovered and worked to build strength and improve his athleticism.

"His skills fit the Davidson system perfectly," McKillop said. "He has a great touch, is a good 3-point shooter, and moves well without the ball. He adds depth to our frontcourt."

Connor Perkey, 6-8, senior: Is recovering from hip surgery. A great teammate and valuable team member. Excellent practice player who competes effectively against the rotation players in practice. Says McKillop: "His team-first attitude helps us win."

The Davidson Way
If teams show a weakness in the A-10, you can bet that it's going to be exploited. League opponents began sagging off some of Davidson's inside players last season, clogging up the middle and making it more difficult for the Wildcats to run their offense.

"With so many defenders in the paint, it disrupted our cuts," senior Jack Gibbs said. "But with the improvement our returning players have made, plus the talent of our newcomers, I don't think that strategy will work against us this season."

Davidson has many offensive weapons with the ability to attack inside and out.

"We will run and attack and shoot the three," McKillop said. "The hope is that we will have good scoring balance inside and outside."

But McKillop quickly turns the conversation back to defense. During Davidson's first year in the A-10, it had the league's Player of the Year in senior Tyler Kalinoski. Not only did he score, he was also the team's defensive leader. Loose balls, long rebounds, clutch plays were all his specialties. His absence was strongly felt.

"Our goal this year is to be a team of defenders," McKillop said. "With our size and strength, our rebounding should improve. But it must be a collective effort from point guard to center."

Going into its third year in the A-10, Davidson is now familiar with the gyms, the crowds, travel, everything. It's all good.

"I love playing in this league," Gibbs says. "You know that in every game you're going up against good athletes and excellent players."

Says Aldridge: "It's fun and challenging. We know in advance that we have to be at our best every night. There are no easy games."