COLUMBIA, S.C – The Benedict College men's basketball team opens the 2019-20 season on Friday against Florida Tech in the South Region Tip-Off Tournament in Montgomery, Ala.
The Tigers are coming off a season where they went 4-24, with 17 of those losses coming by 10 or more points. However, Benedict finished the season strong, only losing by two points against Lane College in the SIAC Tournament.
"Our guys have been working extremely hard in the weight room and with individual skills" said Benedict head coach Artis Maddox. "I think we have a good group of guys in that locker room and I have high expectations for all of them."
Notable players returning for the Tigers include Deshawn Graham, Tyrease Mapp, and Romello Jones. Graham averaged 11.5 points per game, three rebounds per game, and shot 46.2 percent from the three-point line on 19 minutes per contest. "I expect us to stay motivated throughout the season on our quest for a National Championship" said Graham.
Mapp experienced an injury-plagued season in 2018-19, where he only played eight games. In those eight games, Mapp averaged 10.8 points and six rebounds, 3.1 of which were offensive rebounds.
Jones led Benedict in minutes per game with 28.5. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Jones showed brief stints of success last season dropping a season high 27 points against Virginia Union University, leading to the Tigers' first victory on the season.
Benedict has nine newcomers on the roster, headlined by 6-10 center Deon Joyner, a transfer from Chowan; and 6-9 freshman Brandon Favors, the younger brother of NBA star Derrick Favors. Also joining the Tigers are guard Nyquan McCombs, Deandre Simpson, Aboubacar Camara, forward Tajh Green, and freshmen Kanaris Cummings, Malachi McCoy, and Jamile Stanley.
The Tigers are looking to have a bounce back season. "The group of guys we have work very hard. They get along with each other on and of the court, and they're grasping everything we tell them, which is what you want as a coach" said Assistant Coach Phil Jackson.
Benedict will take on Rollins on Saturday. The home opener is Wednesday at 7 p.m. against West Georgia.
