2008 Davidson Wildcats Basketball Preview

The Davidson Wildcats (29- 7 overall, 20- 0 Southern) have been to the NCAA Tournament three years running. Last season, after putting in a perfect conference record, the Wildcats made it to the NCAA Elite Eight. In the process, they beat Gonzaga 82- 76, Georgetown 74- 70 and Wisconsin 73- 56. Their bid for the National Championship came to an end when they lost to the team that would win the National Championship—the Kansas Jayhawks 59- 57.

Forwards Boris Meno and Thomas Sander are both gone. Together, they averaged 14.1 PPG and 10.2 RPG. Junior forward Stephen Rossiter (13.4 MPG, 3.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 60.3 FG%, 64.1 FT%) will see more time while forward Ben Allison, who was redshirted last year as a freshman, will play important minutes. Six-foot-ten frosh Frank Ben-Eze will have an instant impact. Senior forward Andrew Lovedale (21.6 MPG, 6.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 0.5 APG, 54.1 FG%, 65.4 FT%) will be responsible for stepping up and making major strides. He’s got the talent to do so.

The backcourt is defined by one player—Stephen Curry (33.1 MPG, 25.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 48.3 FG%, 89.4 FT%). Curry, who could have gone to the NBA, starts his junior season. Last year, he was first team All-American, and this year, he should repeat that performance. Curry, who has played shooting guard in the past, is a sure ball handler who will move over to the point spot. At times, he’ll switch back to the wing. When he does, sophomore guard Brendan McKillop (4.9 MPG, 2.2 PPG, 0.4 RPG, 0.4 APG, 61.9 FG%, 100.0 FT%) will take over the command position.

Coach Bob McKillop has high expectations for this team. Not only did they put in a perfect conference mark last year, but they came within two points of upsetting powerhouse Kansas. This season, the Wildcats will once again go the Big Dance. How will they do? Chances are two-and-out. Still, the tournament isn’t called March Madness for nothing. This is the team that beat Gonzaga and Georgetown in last year’s Big Dance. One thing is certain the Davidson Wildcats will be a contender.