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MEAC overview

Pirates, Bulldogs will go toe-to-toe again

Special to CNNSI.com

Cy Alexander is hoping to lead South Carolina State back to the NCAA Tournament. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Hampton 2. South Carolina State 3. Coppin State 4. North Carolina A&T 5. Morgan State 6. Bethune Cookman 7. Florida A&M 8. Norfolk State 9. Maryland-Eastern Shore 10. Delaware State 11. Howard

Top storylines

Hampton finished in a tie for second last year in the regular season but lost three league games by just one point. The Pirates finished a half-game out of first place behind South Carolina State.

South Carolina State coach Cy Alexander was rewarded over the summer for his program's excellence with a new contract. The Bulldogs have finished either first or second in the league the last nine seasons.

Delaware State has a new coach -- again. Former North Carolina Central coach Greg Jackson is the new man at Delaware State and is the fifth coach the Hornets have had the last six years. Delaware State graduate Demond Wilkerson should have some stories to tell about his college career -- he played for five head coaches in his five-year stint with the Hornets.

Coppin State and South Carolina State met for the MEAC championship last year and it marked the third time in the last five years the conference kingpins had done so. The Bulldogs have won the title each time the teams have played.

Players to Watch

Top Three Players

Vincent Whitt, G, South Carolina State • A 6-6 senior shooting guard, Whitt is eligible after playing at Clemson and then transferring to South Carolina State. Whitt sat out last year, but practiced with the Bulldogs. Marsilles Brown, G, Hampton • The Pirates' talent begins in the backcourt, where 5-10 senior Brown (16.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg, 58 three-pointers) returns. Brown formerly played at Richmond, where he was chosen the Colonial Athletic Association's Rookie of the Year. Curtis King, F, Morgan State • The 6-7 King was the Bears' second-leading scorer two years ago when he averaged 13.7 points and led the team in blocked shots with 49. He transferred back home to Drexel, then came back last January to Morgan State.

Top Newcomer

Anton Jenifer, G, Morgan State • Jenifer, a 6-0 junior, is from Baltimore and played at two junior colleges before coming to Morgan State. Two years ago at Baltimore Community College, he averaged 44 points, which led the nation's junior-college players. Last year at Catonsville (Md.) Community College, Jenifer averaged 26.9 points.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Steve Merfeld, Hampton • Hampton has steadily made its presence known since joining the MEAC five years ago. Last year, the Pirates made a significant statement. Much was expected from Hampton with several transfers coming in, and the Pirates produced with a 17-win season. In the MEAC Tournament, they just missed going to the championship game after a 64-60 loss to Coppin State.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Frankie Allen, Howard • Howard has arguably put the worst basketball program in the country on the floor the last two seasons, during which the Bison have gone 3-52. This is the program that Allen takes over after leaving Tennessee State.

Mark Your Calendar

Jan. 8, Hampton at Coppin State • Hampton needs a victory in this early road test. Jan. 22, Hampton at South Carolina State • The league favorites collide for the first time. Feb. 24, South Carolina State at Hampton • Unless Coppin State surprises, this should be for the championship.

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