Season Outlook - 2008-2009

The Southeastern University men's basketball team enters the 2008-2009 season with a mixture of youthful promise and senior leadership.

The Fire went 24-10 last year, but missed out on the NCCAA II National Tournament for the first time since 2003.

Returning for the Fire this season will be seniors Sergio Negrin and Thomas Williams.

Negrin will be the starting point guard, getting back into action after missing nearly the entire 2007-2008 season with a broken wrist.

Williams is a two-year starter for the Fire, having transferred to Southeastern from Seminole Community College in 2006. He was a 2007 South Region Second Team selection and will now be teaming up with Negrin to supply the senior leadership needed for a successful season.

The only junior on this year's roster is Ben Brown, who played for the Fire in 2005-2006 and averaged 10.5 points and 2.86 assists per game. Brown is an exceptional scorer and should see a significant number of game minutes at the guard position.

Four sophomores will play a huge role in this team's success. Guard Nate Marshall was named the 2008 South Region Freshman of the Year, averaging 13.8 points and 2.3 assists per game last year. Marshall also shot 45.5% from three-point land last season and is the team's best scorer.

Starting at center will be R.J. Hendrickson, who comes into the 2008-2009 season physically stronger and more experienced in defending interior players. Hendrickson played in 20 games last season, averaging 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Two other sophomores, Paul Austin and Garrett Hicks, will bring depth to the Fire backcourt. Austin played for the Fire in 2006-2007, making an appearance in 35 games. Hicks played in six games last season and is considered one of the team's best three-point shooters.

Head Coach John Dunlap also brought in seven freshmen this season to help rebuild for the future. However, many of these freshmen will be contributing immediately because of their tremendous athleticism.

Guards Marlon Austin, Ryan Clark, Jordan Witte, and Justin Smith help bring the necessary depth to a team that likes to pressure the ball.

Marlon Austin is projected to start at the guard position. He is an intelligent freshman who can score from any spot on the court, and his athleticism makes him one of the Fire's best defenders.

Forwards Arthur Jackson, Malcolm Pollock, and Seth Spencer will all see valuable minutes.

Jackson, a 6'5 interior player, is strong and physical inside. He will most likely back up Hendrickson at the center position and will get significant minutes due to his rebounding ability and inside scoring potential.

At 6'4, Malcolm Pollock is a tall and athletic forward who is projected to come off the bench and get plenty of minutes.

Spencer, 6'5, plays with a lot of energy and can score inside when called upon.

All of these players help give Coach Dunlap one of the deepest teams he has ever had here at Southeastern.