HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The 2015-16 Coker College men's basketball team is preparing for its third season in the South Atlantic Conference. After postseason appearances in the first two seasons in the SAC, head coach Dan Schmotzer, who enters his 29th year at the helm, is confident this roster can do the same and then some.
"Our goal everyday is to improve," said Schmotzer. "We have done that since we started in September through skill development work and weight training. But of course the ultimate goal is to win a conference championship and get into regionals, and that's not Disneyland talk."
The Cobras are coming off a 2014-15 season where they finished with a 12-15 overall record and an 11-11 record in conference play. They Navy and Gold thrived at home last season, posting an 8-5 record in front of the Coker faithful in the DeLoach Center. This season Coker is picked seventh in the 2015 SAC Preseason Poll. Lincoln Memorial University is the preseason favorite, picking up nine first-place votes.
"The conference is a beast," said Schmotzer. "We have to come out with the goal of winning a championship. But I think one of the toughest things we will have to adjust to is the new 30-second shot clock."
The 2015-16 roster is made up of 15 returners and 11 new faces. Schmotzer lost two seniors from last season's roster, including SAC leading scorer Errick Bethel. However, six returners recorded 15-plus minutes per game last season, so the head ball coach will look to them for leadership, experience and solid play on the court.
"On paper, we have a great roster," said Schmotzer. "I love our returning class, it is full of a great group of kids, I love our transfers and our freshmen have really come on strong."
Headlining the Coker roster is junior Donte Samuels. Samuels was named to the preseason All-SAC second team after a fantastic sophomore campaign where he averaged 13.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds and shot over 51 percent from the field. His efforts landed him on the 2014-15 All-SAC honorable mention team.
"Donte is like a coach out there on the floor," said Schmotzer. "He is an extension of what I want to do out there and is a great leader."
Big things will also be expected out of the seven seniors on the Navy and Gold's roster. Guards Trey Marshall and Aubrey Daniel will be relied upon offensively, while the big man duo of Jalen Watson and Trey James will look to better their 12 combined double-digit rebound games from last season.
"You can't win without senior leadership," said Schmotzer. "Jalen and Trey put some time into the game this summer and that is evident. Howard Davenport will be asked to play some big minutes as well. We need all those guys to step up if we want to be successful."
However, Schmotzer was quick to pinpoint that the 11 fresh faces on this roster will be asked to step into big roles in order for the Navy and Gold to be successful. Indiana University of Pennsylvania transfers Nathan Lemke and Stefan Osborne, along with Jake Barrett highlight a strong transfer class.
"I love our transfer class with the Aussies and Jake," said Schmotzer. "All of those guys are challenging hard right now for a starting spot."
Freshmen Larry Cooper, Chase Brewington and MJ Phifer have really impressed the coaching staff this preseason and will be called upon to play some valuable minutes this season.
"Larry is a guy that has come out of the blue," said Schmotzer. "He is so athletic and has been a pleasant surprise. Chase and MJ are two other guys that have made really good first impressions.
The Cobras schedule features a road matchup against UNC Wilmington of the Colonial Athletic Association to go along with a 22-game in conference schedule, which is highlighted with two games against The Sporting News preseason nationally ranked No. 4 Lincoln Memorial University.
The Coker men's basketball team kicks off their season on Nov. 13 at the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge in Due West, S.C. on the campus of Erskine College.