It’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season. Here’s an early look at our projected ASUN standings for next season.
Please note that this list will be updated as transfers and additions are made.
1. Lipscomb
G KJ Johnson
G Greg Jones
G Miles Miller
F Jacob Hobbs
F Ahsan Asadullah
Key Losses: Andrew Fleming, Michael Buckland
Key Newcomers: Tommy Murr, Will Pruitt
Outlook: As long as Asadullah is playing for the Bisons, they will be a threat. He will certainly be the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year, and Lipscomb is likely to be the preseason favorite. Lipscomb went 8-2 in their final 10 games with their only losses coming to North Florida and against Liberty in the ASUN Championship game.
2. Stetson
G Kenny Aninye
G Rob Perry
F Christiaan Jones
F Joel Kabimba
F Mahamadou Diawara
Key Losses: Jahlil Rawley, Jalen Crutchfield, Cyriaque Foucart
Key Newcomers: Gabriel Wuor, Giancarlo Valdez, Keith Lamar, Stephan Swenson, Josh Smith
Outlook: The Hatters came out of nowhere under first year head coach Donnie Jones this past season and threatened for a regular season title through much of the season. If they are able to keep their core pieces together, who were mainly freshmen, they can contend in the ASUN for the foreseeable future.
3. Liberty
G Darius McGhee
G Elijah Cuffee
F Kyle Rode
F Shiloh Robinson
F Blake Preston
Key Losses: Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz, Caleb Homesley, Scottie James, Myo Baxter-Bell
Key Newcomers: Micaiah Abii, Drake Dobbs, Jonathan Jackson, Isiah Warfield,
Projected Bench: Micaiah Abii, Drake Dobbs, Jonathan Jackson, Marten Maide, Isiah Warfield
Outlook: One thing we’ve come to know about a Ritchie McKay led team is don’t count them out. Yes, Liberty has a lot to replace, but by the time conference play comes along they will be right in the mix. Want an example of the 2020-21 Flames? Look no further than the 2019-20 Virginia Cavaliers.
4. North Florida
G Ryan Burkhardt
G Emmanuel Adedoyin
F Dorian James
F Carter Hendricksen
F Josh Endicott
Key Losses: Wajid Aminu, JT Escobar, Ezekiel Balogun, Ivan Gandia-Rosa, Garrett Sams
Key Newcomers: Garrett Hursey, Josh Berenbaum, Jadyn Parker, Jacob Crews, Jonathan Aybar
Outlook: Much like the Flames, the Ospreys lose a ton of production from a team that shared the ASUN regular season title. They do return Carter Hendricksen and should have enough talent to be competitive in league play.
5. NJIT
G Zach Cooks
G Levar Williams
G Diego Willis
F San Antonio Brinson
F Souleymane Diakite
Key Losses: Shyquan Gibbs, Reilly Walsh
Key Newcomers: Adetokunbo Bakare, Mekhi Gray
Outlook: After suffering through a season where the Highlanders finished 8th in conference play, behind the league’s leading scorer Zach Cooks, NJIT hopes to return to their winning ways next season. They return the majority of their contributors including Cooks, San Antonio Brinson, and Souleymane Diakite.
6. North Alabama
G Jamari Blackmon
G Tavon King
G Emanuel Littles
F James Anderson II
F Mervin James
Key Losses: Christian Agnew, Logan Windeler, Cameron Diggs
Key Newcomers: Will Soucie, Duke Miles
Outlook: The Lions have a very young nucleus and could have been one of the preseason favorites until leading scorer Christian Agnew decided enter the transfer portal. Still, UNA has some talented young players led by Blackmon and James who should continue to keep the Lions competitive.
7. Jacksonville
G Kevion Nolan
G Deanthony McCallum
G Mo Arnold
F Destin Barnes
F Bryce Workman
Key Losses: David Bell, Aamahne Santos
Key Newcomers: Tyrese Powers, Zameron Boozer, Cameron Boozer
Outlook: The Dolphins will have to overcome the loss of two of their leaders in David Bell and Aamahne Santos, but leading scorer Destin Barnes returns and JU will get Samford transfer Kevion Nolan in their lineup after sitting out this past season.
8. FGCU
G Jalen Warren
G Caleb Catto
G Sam Gagliardi
F Eli Abaev
F Justus Rainwater
Key Losses: Zach Scott, Tracy Hector Jr.
Key Newcomers: Luis Rolon, Victor Rosa, Zachary Anderson, Eli Abaev
Outlook: The once storied ASUN program has fallen on tough times under Michael Fly. They have suffered losing seasons in consecutive years for the first time since 2011 & 2012. Now, they must deal with the loss of Zach Scott who has elected to transfer after averaging 11 points per game this season.
9. Kennesaw St
G Kasen Jennings
G Chris Youngblood
G Brandon Stroud
F Mayson Quartlebaum
F Antonio Spencer
Key Losses: Ugo Abineke, CJ Washington, Pietro Agostini, Adili Kuerban, Tyler Hooker, Bryson Lockley
Key Newcomers: Kasen Jennings, Chris Youngblood, Brandon Stroud, Mayson Quartlebaum, Cole Larue
Outlook: The Owls may have only won one game this past season under first year head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, but they add the top recruiting class in the ASUN, ranked as high as a top 50 class in the country. Youngblood is a 4-star rated recruit, while Stroud and Jennings are each 3-star rated prospects. Despite the 1-28 record, there is some hope in Kennesaw.
10. Bellarmine
G Cobe Penny
G Dylan Penn
G CJ Fleming
F Pedro Bradshaw
F Ethan Claycomb
Key Losses: Ben Weyer, Chris Palombizio, Alex Cook, Parker Chitty
Outlook: Bellarmine joins the ASUN next season as they begin their transition from Division II. The Knights have built themselves into a DII power under 15th year head coach Scott Davenport as they have advanced to 12 straight DII NCAA Tournaments including 4 Final Fours and a National Championship in 2011. This past season, Bellarmine won 20 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before it was canceled. They will have to replace two of their top three leading scorers in Alex Cook and Ben Weyer.
