Oct. 26, 2000
Samford senior forward Marc Salyers was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team and predicted to be the 2000-2001 Player-of-the-Year during the Trans America Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Media Day on Tuesday.
The 6-9, 220-pound Salyers was the TAAC Tournament MVP in 1999 and 2000 and was a first-team All-TAAC selection last season. Salyers led the team in scoring in 1999 with 16.8 points per game and finished second in field goal percentage in the TAAC, sixth in rebounds with 7.2 per game, and ninth in free throw percentage. He joins Mercer's Scott Emerson, Georgia State's Shenard Long and Stetson's Sebastian Singletary as selections to both the coaches' and media preseason All-Conference teams.
Marc Salyers personifies a winner," Samford Head Coach Jimmy Tillette said during media day. "He is the most competitive player I've coached in my 25 years. He has exceeded expectations, and he is one of the best players I've ever coached."
As for Samford in 2000-2001, head coach Jimmy Tillette said Tuesday that he understands the expectations of his team, and also expects a challenging season from different teams this season.
"We understand the expectations because we've had some success, and even though we lost some quality players the Samford community expects us to find a way," Tillette said. "I believe that Georgia State has the best collection of players coming back, and I would probably pick us third behind them and UCF as well. And I also expect teams like Mercer and Stetson to challenge this season as well. and he likes what he has seen so far in preseason practice, but says it is imperative that his team mesh together as a unit quickly in order to continue the Bulldogs' success on the hardcourt.
"I am pleased with the enthusiasm and intensity that our players have exhibited so far, and I think that the older guys like Marc and Derrick (Jones) are helping in that area," said Tillette. "We have six veterans and seven freshman this year, so I think we have a good nucleus. But establishing a new chemistry is important, because with the young guys, it just depends on the day and the biorhythms."
Samford's three seniors - Salyers, Derrick Jones and Gabe Skypala - are joined by junior guard Chris Weaver, junior guard/forward Corey Green and sophomore Cornell Felton. Tillette says that replacing Mario Lopez will be the most difficult transition, and he is looking for Felton to eventually assume the starting point guard position. However, Samford will probably begin the season with Weaver due to his experience. Tillette also expressed feelings that the "real Derrick Jones" would be seen this season, and also addressed two of his older freshmen - Tyson Dorsey and redshirt Sebastian Sachse - and their roles on this year's team.
"Because of the academic requirements from the countries they're from, Sebastian from Germany and Tyson from Canada, these are two older and unique freshmen. They are further along than normal freshmen from a maturity aspect, and they're both nice kids. I expect that both of them will have a chance to start this season."
Samford's schedule is highlighted with a non-conference matchup with Xavier and holiday tournaments at Fresno State and Green Bay. The Bulldogs play an exhibition game against VASDA USA on Monday, Nov. 13, and open the regular season at Louisiana-Monroe on Sat., Nov. 18.
TAAC Preseason Polls
Men's Basketball Head Coaches Preseason Poll
TEAM (first place votes) - Points
1. Georgia State (7) - 104
2. UCF (2) - 88
3. Samford (1) - 85
4. Mercer - 62
5. Stetson - 48
6. Troy State - 47
7. Jacksonville - 46
8. Jacksonville State - 37
9. Campbell - 33
10. Florida Atlantic - 10
Tournament Champion: Georgia State (7)
Preseason All-TAAC Team
Scott Emerson, Mercer
Shenard Long, Georgia State
Kevin Morris, Georgia State
Marc Salyers (Player-of-the-Year), Samford
Sebastian Singletary, Stetson
Men's Basketball Media Preseason Poll
TEAM (first place votes out of 24 ballots) - Points
1. Georgia State (20) - 251
2. Samford (3) 213
3. UCF - 173
4. Troy State - 138
5. Mercer - 130
6. Stetson - 122
7. Jacksonville State - 119
8. Campbell - 92
9. Jacksonville - 73
10. Florida Atlantic - 33
Tournament Champion: Georgia State
Preseason All-TAAC Team
Marc Salyers (Player-of-the-Year), Samford
Scott Emerson, Mercer
Adam Fellers, Campbell
Shenard Long, Georgia State
Sebastian Singletary, Stetson
