November 6, 2009

2009-10 Roster
2009-10 Schedule

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University men's basketball returns four starters among 10 lettermen for 2009-10. Seventh-year head coach Mike Gillian and his staff of assistant coaches Bill Reinson, Doug Thibault, and Tim Fudd have added two newcomers to the program as expectations are lofty for this season. The Lancers were 17-14 last year, the program's highest win total since beginning NCAA Division I scheduling in 2004-05, and the most wins overall since 2000-01, a +8 turnaround from the previous season that tied for 18th-best in Division I. Longwood will open at the University of Virginia on Friday night, November 13, at 7 p.m. in John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. The Lancers open their home schedule against Navy on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. in Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville.

The four returning starters include seniors Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton), Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph), and Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond), along with junior Durann Neil/Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy).

“The four returning starters we have back were instrumental in our achieving a winning record in the 2008-09 season,” said Gillian. “With their cumulative experience, we are expecting them to lead us down a similar path in 2009-10.”

Smith (6-5, 230), a guard-forward and team captain, stayed healthy all season for the first time since 2005-06, and started 30 of 31 games while averaging career-bests of 30.0 minutes, 14.8 points, and 6.4 rebounds. He shot 52% from the field and 65% at the free throw line, adding career-bests of 54 steals and 26 blocks while posting career-highs of 26 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and five steals. Smith led the team in both scoring and rebounding 11 times with 26 double-figure scoring games, four 20-point games, six 10-rebound games, and five double-doubles. He was named to the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team, averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games versus West Virginia, Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, and Delaware State. Smith ranked 65th nationally in Division I field goal percentage, and he begins his final season with 975 career points, 484 career rebounds, and 60 career blocks (seventh-best all-time).

“Dana is coming off a breakout season. He clearly understands all the aspects of how our team plays on both ends of the court. He sets a consistent example for all of our guys to follow.”

Swecker (6-1, 180), a guard and team captain, started 30 of 31 games last year as well, averaging career-bests of 30.6 minutes and 10.9 points. He shot 39% from the field, including 37% on three-point field goals, and 84% at the free throw line, adding a career-best 72 steals while posting career-highs of 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, seven steals, and seven three-pointers. Swecker led the team in scoring five times with 19 double-figure scoring games, and was a team-best 20-22 (91%) at the free throw line during final three minutes of six-point games. He ranked 24th nationally in Division I steals, and begins his final year with 654 career points, 125 career three-pointers (fifth-best all-time), and 105 career steals.

“Kevin has a legitimate shot to become Longwood's all-time three-point field goal shooter this year. He now does so much more than that on the court, though. He's challenged himself to be involved in all aspects of the game, and when he does that well, it enhances our chance to win.”

Robinson (6-7, 200), a forward, started 21 of 31 games last year and averaged career-bests of 20.0 minutes, 7.2 points, and 4.2 rebounds. He shot 49% from the field and 75% at the free throw line, adding career-bests of 15 steals and nine blocks while posting career-highs of 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Robinson led the team in scoring one time, and in rebounding five times with 10 double-figure scoring games. He also led the team in dunks with 11, and begins his final year with 393 career points and 244 career rebounds.

“For us to be successful we need to do a great job working to be good in the post area. Billy is a big part of that. Between the combination of him and Antwan, they put up outstanding numbers last year, and they have both improved.”

Neil (6-1, 185), a guard, also started 30 of 31 games last year and averaged career-bests of 22.5 minutes, 7.1 points, and 3.9 assists. He shot 34% from the field, including 34% on three-point field goals, and 51% at the free throw line, adding a career-best 28 steals while posting career-highs of 18 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and six three-pointers. Neil led the team in scoring two times with seven double-figure scoring games. He ranked 35th nationally in Division I assist turnover ratio (2.24).

“We are expecting Durann to pick-up right where he left off a year ago. He was very solid running the team and taking care of the ball. As his career progresses, people will also see that he's capable of doing some more scoring as well.”

A trio of top returning lettermen include senior #E.J. Dawson#/Fort Belvoir (Mount Vernon) along with sophomores Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) and Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch).

“These three players quickly became very, very important to us a year ago. We have gotten to the point where the quality of depth on our roster allows us to play the style of basketball we want to play. They give us this depth and all three are certainly capable of finding their name in the starting lineup as we move through this season.”

Dawson (6-2, 185), a guard, played in 31 games last year and averaged career-bests of 15.4 minutes, 3.0 points, and 2.3 assists. He shot 31% from the field and 67% at the free throw line, adding a career-best 18 steals while posting career-highs of 11 points, six assists, and four steals. Dawson had the one double-figure scoring game and led the team in rebounding two times, and he begins his final season with 118 career assists.

“E.J. is a senior now and proved to be a solid backup point guard behind Durann last year. He can defend multiple positions, knows how to run the team, and rebounds very well from a perimeter position. E.J. will be involved at a lot of important moments during games this season.”

Carter (6-6, 225), a center, started nine of 30 games last year and averaged 17.0 minutes, 8.9 points, and 5.5 rebounds. He shot 56% from the field, and 67% at the free throw line, adding 20 steals and 18 blocks while posting high games of 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and three steals. Carter led the team in scoring four times with 13 double-figure scoring games, and led the team in rebounding 11 times with three double-doubles.

“This much is certain, Antwan will be playing a whole lot for us this season. The talent is there. As he continues to develop as a player, his role on the team will definitely expand. He and Billy were fantastic last year and the two of them continue to push each other to new heights every day.”

Washington (6-0, 170), a guard, started one of 31 games last year and averaged 14.8 minutes and 5.2 points. He shot 37% from the field, including 39% on three-point field goals, and 44% at the free throw line, adding 19 steals while posting high games of 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four three-pointers. Washington led the team in scoring one time with three double-figure scoring games.

“Martiz plays at a very high energy level. He comes into the game and gives the team a boost with the way he guards the ball and sets the tone for the defense. We're also going to rely on him to continue as another three-point threat, as he's already proven capable of for us.”

The other returning lettermen include juniors Jeffrey Ryan/Beacon, N.Y. (Newburgh Free Academy) and Earl Gee II/Chesterfield (Manchester), as well as sophomore Jan van der Kooij/Tiendeveen, The Netherlands (Roelof van Echten).

“Our other three returners have an opportunity to challenge for major playing time this year. All three have college game experience and when they get on the court have to now be ready to turn their effort into game performance.”

Ryan (6-7, 185), a forward, started one of 27 games last year and averaged career-bests of 8.7 minutes, 2.9 points, and 1.8 rebounds. He shot 42% from the field, and 75% at the free throw line, adding career-bests of six steals and five blocks while posting career-highs of 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Ryan had one double-figure scoring game.

“Jeff's minutes will be expected to go up significantly this year. He played primarily as a backup to Dana last year and will continue to do that as well as play at times in the post. He brings additional energy and athleticism to our frontcourt.”

Gee (5-10, 155), a guard, started one of 21 games last year and averaged career-bests of 5.2 minutes, 2.3 points, and 1.0 assists. He shot 44% from the field, and 80% at the free throw line, adding career-bests of nine steals and one block while posting career-highs of seven points, two rebounds, and five assists.

“When Earl gets into the game, we look for him to continue the pressure everyone has established on the other team's point guard. We all feel he's now ready to do that, and a little more on a more consistent basis,”

van der Kooij (6-7, 218), a forward, started one of 13 games last year and averaged 3.8 minutes and 1.5 points. He shot 32% from the field, including 33% on three-point field goals, and did not get to the free throw line, adding two steals and one block while posting high games of six points and seven rebounds.

“Jan has skill, plays hard, and now that he's had a chance to experience the speed of the college game and the size and strength of the players, he's ready to show his abilities.”

Two newcomers join the program in Aaron Mitchell/Matoaca (Matoaca) and Ian Persaud/Landover, Md. (Bowie), both transfer student-athletes from junior colleges.

“The new guys fit our style of play very well. They are both athletic and multi-dimensional players. Aaron in particular is a very explosive and talented player. We are expecting him to be able to fill in at least part of what we'll miss with the departure of Ryan Bogan.”

Mitchell (6-2, 188), a guard, is from Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Florida where he averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds last year. He earned first-team All-Sun Coast Conference honors.

Persaud (6-2, 160), a guard, is from Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland where he averaged 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds last year. He played in the Maryland JUCO All-Star game.

“We're obviously excited to get started, just like everyone else around the country,” explained Gillian. “Our program has certainly come a long way in the past four seasons and we are now challenged to continue on that path in 2009-10. The significant experience of our returning players means that we have a core group that understands what it takes to be successful competing at this level. When that is combined with the knowledge that our players have proven to improve from year to year, it has us feeling good about where we are right now.”