Hampton Pirates
Head Coach
| Kevin Nickelberry |
3rd year |
| 07-08 |
0-0 |
| MEAC |
0-0 |
| FCR |
229 |
Previous Season Wins
MEAC
Final 07-08 Standings
Key Contributors
| Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
|
|
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|
|
| G |
| 2 |
Vincent Simpson |
6-1 |
170 |
Jr |
|
Returning Starter | 11.1 |
2.3 |
1.9 |
|
| G |
| 21 |
Michael Freeman |
6-8 |
220 |
Jr |
|
Returning Starter | 7.7 |
4.9 |
0.7 |
|
| F |
| 1 |
Matthew Pilgrim |
6-8 |
225 |
Jr |
|
| 7.7 |
5.2 |
0.8 |
|
| F |
| 0 |
Donte Harrison |
6-9 |
205 |
Ae |
|
| 5.4 |
4.7 |
0.3 |
|
| F |
| 12 |
Theo Smalling |
6-7 |
220 |
Jr |
|
Returning Starter | 4.1 |
6.0 |
1.1 |
|
| G |
| 13 |
Jordan Brooks |
5-9 |
170 |
So |
|
Returning Starter | 3.1 |
1.9 |
2.1 |
|
| G |
| 0 |
Brandon Tunnell |
6-0 |
185 |
So |
|
| 3.1 |
0.7 |
0.6 |
|
Starters Lost
| Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
|
|
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|
|
| G |
| 3 |
Rashad West |
6-1 |
175 |
Sr |
|
2nd Team All-MEAC | 17.2 |
3.1 |
2.9 |
|
| F |
| 15 |
Adrian Woodard |
6-4 |
200 |
Sr |
|
| 6.6 |
5.6 |
0.9 |
|
Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry returns for his second season at Hampton with a solid nucleus to build on. The Pirates finished 15-16 in Nickelberry's first season but with four starters returning the future appears to be very bright. This will clearly be one of the teams to beat in the MEAC this season.
The Guards -- --Rashad West is the most complete player in a MEAC. He can score, rebound, defend and look for the open man, and he's a big reason Hampton is the team to beat in MEAC. The 6-1 senior guard knows how to make his teammates better, and that could make all the difference. Vinny Simpson a 6-1 sophomore is capable of running the offense. Simpson logged 24 minutes a game as a freshman. His ball handling skills should allow West to play off the ball at crucial moments of the game.
The Forwards Up front the Pirates have a pair of 6-8 sophomores in Mike Freeman, who gives Hampton a strong presence around the basket and Matthew Pilgrim who can score and rebound. The Pirates have two solid reserves in senior Adrian Woodard and soph Theo Smalling.
The Center -- Nickelberry has signed two 6-10 post players who will need to make some contributions this season, Milade Lola-Charles and Oluwaseyi Oseni.
The Schedule is soft, they open with Tulsa and play Virginia on the road and have a home encounter with VCU. Hampton returns its top players for a run at the league title. Guard Rashad West and forwards Michael Freeman and Matthew Pilgrim combined to average over 43 points per game last year but the Pirates need more production from the rest of the team -- no other player averaged in double figures. Still, Kevin Nickelberry's club will be one of the teams to beat in the MEAC this season, especially with such a talented frontcourt that many schools in the league won't have an answer for. Look for a solid season from start to finish culminating in the MEAC title and 22 wins.
