MEAC report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

Like most MEAC teams, the Wildcats struggled against high-powered conferences in the non-conference season.

After winning its opening game 90-60 against Florida Atlantic, Bethune-Cookman dropped seven consecutive games and in that bunch were Miami, Georgetown, Florida and Illinois.

The Wildcats' start to the conference season was somewhat rocky, too, as they won just two of their first five MEAC games.

Bethune Cookman then got on track, winning four MEAC games in a row before losing a non-conference game to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on the road. The Wildcats came back and reeled off four more MEAC wins on the road for an eight-game conference winning streak.

With the conference title in sight, the Wildcats did a big, fat belly flop to lose the top seed in the conference tournament. After the eight-game win streak, Bethune-Cookman dropped three conference games in a row before winning at Norfolk State.

A glance at 2001

Superb guard Freddie Cole is gone to graduation. His instant offense will be missed. Tyris Livas graduates at point guard, making two sizable holes in the backcourt that need to be filled.

Delvin Thomas, the team's third leading scorer and a steady forward, also departs, as does rugged inside player Valder Ned. Those are the only seniors graduating, but that's also four starters, so coach Horace Broadnax will need to pull some magic next season.

Bethune-Cookman got by with 6-6 post players this season, but it needs to get bigger next yar. Brothers Jerry and Jesse Daniels, 6-9 and 6-8 freshmen, respectively, this year, wait in the wings after seeing limited time in 27 games this year. Their height should help.

Larry Gilbert, the team's second-leading scorer this year, is back, and needs to increase his scoring output next season.

The coach

Horace Broadnax, the two-time MEAC coach of the year, should be back unless he's courted by a school in a more high-profile conference. He's certainly not going to lose his job after the results he's put up at Bethune-Cookman.

Who'll be back

Larry Gilbert, a 6-4, 200-pound junior and the team's second-leading scorer at 9.1 per game. He'll need to increase his scoring output next season.

Antoine "T.T." Toliver and Derricus Lockwood, key subs this year, will most likely move into the starting lineup.

Brothers Jerry and Jesse Daniels are two big freshmen at 6-9 and 6-8, and could greatly enhance the Wildcats who were quite short in stature this year down low with two 6-6 forwards.

Brent King, a 6-5 sophomore forward this year, also should be a key contributor.

Who's Gone

A lot of losses here, including four starters led by leading scorer Freddie Cole, third-leading scorer Delvin Thomas, leading rebounder Valder Ned and point guard Tyris Livas. It's fine departing group for the Wildcats.