By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
It looks like a remake for the Elon men’s basketball team.
Yet for team members, they view that as exciting rather than overwhelming.
“Being here and nobody has a designated role,” said guard Randall Pettus II, a transfer from Northern Kentucky. “Everybody is just competing for a spot, that was very fun.”
Fans might need to pay close attention to introductions with all the newcomers. The entire starting unit from a year ago is gone, with four of those players hitting the transfer portal along with a few other role players. Not to mention the departure of four-year player Sam Sherry, who was one of the most consistent producers in scoring and rebounding.
So there’s ample opportunities under fourth-year coach Billy Taylor. The Phoenix opens the season next week with a November 5 game vs. Belmont Abbey at Schar Center.
“There has been a lot of transition, but I’m excited about the people that we have in the room,” Taylor said. “I think we’ve got great character. I think we’ve got talent. I’m excited for people to get the opportunity to see once everything is put together what we’re able to accomplish.”
Elon finished with a 17-16 record last season for its most wins since going 18-14 in 2016-17.
Junior swingman Isaac Harrell is the only returnee among players in the regular rotation for the Coastal Athletic Association team.
“It’s different than last year,” Harrell said. “We don’t have as much size. But I think the way we play and how hard we play is what is going to make up for that. This group is really connected.”
As many of the team’s now-former players were targeted by power-conference teams last spring, Taylor realized he would be restocking the roster. The lineup will look different, if for no other reason Elon no longer possesses one of the country’s tallest rosters.
“We’ve got more speed, more athleticism, little bit more depth,” Taylor said.
Guard student guard Ja’Juan Carr arrived from Division II UNC Pembroke after beginning his collegiate career with UNC Wilmington. Chandler Cuthrell should be a physical force in the lane after time at Purdue Fort Wayne. Bryson Spell played at Liberty and Kacper Klaczek came from Albany.
Sophomore Bryson Cokley is formerly of George Mason, while freshman DeMarco Johnson could be a factor.
Time has been precious in preparing for the season with summer workouts leading to fall activities and a mid-October scrimmage at Norfolk State.
“You don’t really know until you get a chance to play another opponent to see how we play and how we respond to adversity,” Taylor said. “Really too early to make any clear judgments about what we’re going to become.”
Even with the season about to begin, Taylor knows patience will be required.
“It’s just a matter of seeing how it all comes together,” he said. “The early part of the season everybody is trying to figure themselves out. Everybody’s roster has turned over. We don’t expect to be a finished product November 5, but we want to be playing good basketball, understand our values and hopefully get to a place where we’re playing good basketball and playing our best as we move into CAA play.”
Elon had a solid opening month a year ago, and later faded with losses in eight of its final 10 games.
“To the public, there are so many unknowns,” Harrell said. “But I think in this building, we know what we have. We have a team that’s going to play fast, we’re going to play hard. We’re going to shoot 3s. We’re going to find the open guy.”
