Hampton University men’s basketball team ready to prove Pirates can compete in first season in the CAA

The Colonial Athletic Association’s response to the addition of Hampton University in men’s basketball seems to be “Show Me!” Russell “Deuce” Dean, the Pirates’ leading returning scorer, responded “Why?”

“There are at least two teams ahead of us on the (CAA preseason predictions) list that we beat last year,” Dean, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, said, referring to William & Mary and fellow CAA newcomer North Carolina A&T. “This is a big motivator for us, because we’ve only gotten better.”

Nevertheless, as the Pirates begin their season Wednesday on the road against a James Madison team that has just departed the CAA, it is understandable why some want visible proof they are indeed better. The Pirates are coming off of a 9-19 season and graduated two of their best players while another transferred.

The biggest loss was do-everything guard Najee Garvin, who led the Pirates with averages of 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds. The graduation of 7-footer Dajour Dickens (5.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.7 bpg) — the second-leading shot blocker in the Big South — and the transfer of DeAngelo Epps (6.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg) means the Pirates must replace their three leading rebounders from last year.

Pirates’ coach Edward “Buck” Joyner Jr. acknowledges there’s no way to replace Dickens’ shot-blocking presence, but he believes his team can rebound and defend the paint well. Kyrese Mullen, a 6-7, 240-pound freshman from Norfolk will be a big key.

“He’s the first bruiser we’ve had inside in years,” Joyner said. “What he lacks in height he makes up for in body size.”

Luc Therrien, a 6-10 sophomore, will also be counted on to make a leap forward after averaging 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds as Dickens’ backup last year. Jordan Nesbitt, a 6-7 sophomore, should also help with rebounding after averaging 8.2 points and 4.3 rebounds a year ago for St. Louis University.

Nesbitt’s impact is expected to go well beyond that.

“He did a lot of things for them and he should be the same player for us, but with better numbers,” Joyner said. “It’s surprising how much energy he brings that impacts the whole team.”

“Said Dean, “God-willing he’ll average 16-plus points for us and be a big part of what we do.”

Marquis Godwin added, “I’m very confident that Jordan coming in will be a big help to us. He’s an exciting player who will get tons of minutes and bring hype to our team.”

The addition of Nesbitt and talented point guard recruit Tre Thomas from Washington D.C., along with the return of Dean (14.9 ppg), Godwin (8.1 ppg) and Raymond Bethea Jr. (5.6 ppg), gives Joyner the kind of versatile and interchangeable backcourt players he likes.

Dean is best known for his off-balance, 30-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Pirates a 58-57 upset win over Norfolk State a year ago and became the No. 1 highlight on ESPN Sports Center that night. He says the make gave him the confidence to “shoot from anywhere on the court.” Joyner said Dean and Godwin, already long-range threats, are stronger and in better shape, which will help their all-around games.

The non-conference schedule is eclectic as the Pirates play two games in Santa Barbara, California, two in Las Vegas and play on the road at Wake Forest and Georgia. Although separated by less than a 20-minute drive, Hampton and Norfolk State will play in Las Vegas in December and Newark, New Jersey, in February.

“We’ve always had a tough non-conference schedule, but this will be one of the toughest, if not the toughest since I’ve been here,” said Joyner, who has guided the Pirates to three NCAA tournaments in his 13 seasons. “We wanted this to prepare us for the CAA so we’re able to come out fighting.

“We’re working hard to improve us, and be our best version of us, and when we get to the (CAA) conference games we’re going to let the chips fall where they may.”

Hampton men’s basketball at a glance

Last year: 9-19, 5-11 Big South (10th)

Coach: Buck Joyner (205-219 in 13 seasons)

Season opener: Wednesday at James Madison, 7 p.m.

CAA predicted order of finish as selected by CAA coaches/media: 1. Towson, 2. Hofstra, 3. Delaware, 4. Charleston, 5. UNC Wilmington, 6. Northeastern, 7. Drexel, 8. William & Mary, 9. Stony Brook, 10. Monmouth, 11. North Carolina A&T, 12. Elon, 13. Hampton.

Schedule

November

9: at James Madison, 7 p.m.; 12: Regent, 7:30 p.m.; 16: at East Carolina, 7 p.m.; 21: at UC Santa Barbara, 9 p.m.; 22: vs. North Alabama (at UC Santa Barbara), 6 p.m.; 26: at Wake Forest, TBD; 30: at Georgia, 7 p.m.

December

3: vs. Howard, 5 p.m.; 7: vs. Loyola (Md.), 7 p.m.; 11: Bowling Green, 4 p.m.; 17: Norfolk State (in Las Vegas), 7 p.m.; Texas Southern (in Las Vegas), TBD; 29: at Charleston, 7 p.m.; 31: at UNC Wilmington, 2 p.m.

January

5: vs. Hofstra, 7 p.m.; 7: vs. Northeastern, 4 p.m.; 11: William & Mary, 7 p.m.; 16: North Carolina A&T, 7 p.m.; 19: at Drexel, 7 p.m.; 21: at Monmouth, 2:30 p.m.; 26: vs. Delaware, 7 p.m.; 28: vs. Stony Brook, 4 p.m.

February

2: vs. William & Mary, 7 p.m.; 4: Norfolk State (at Newark, N.J.), TBD; 8: at Towson, 7 p.m.; 11: vs. Charleston, 4 p.m.; 13: at Elon, 9 p.m. 16: at Hofstra, 7 p.m.; 18: vs. Drexel, 4 p.m.; 23: vs. Monmouth, 7 p.m.; 25: at North Carolina A&T, 2 p.m.

March

3-7: CAA Tournament, Washington, D.C.