#CAAHoops Preview: Elon Men's Basketball
Miles McQuiggan
ELON, N.C. (Nov. 2, 2022) - In 2021, Elon shook up the CAA Men's Basketball Championship with a toppling of the No. 1 seed and a run to the conference title game.
Two seasons later, with a new coach and many new faces, the Phoenix looks to build a consistent contender and not allow their tournament run in Virginia to be a blip.
The cupboard was not bare for
Billy Taylor but there was offseason work to be done at a faster pace, as Taylor accepted the position in mid-April. Taylor, who launched Lehigh into the NCAA Tournament in his second year in that job and recently helped Iowa to multiple NCAA Tournaments as an assistant, is well-versed in elevating programs.
"Getting the job in April and having the ability to build a roster and staff, we're really trying to put the plan in progress," said Taylor. "Obviously it's a journey, and as any coach will say, 'day-by-day,' to build the culture and to build a winning tradition for a long time here at Elon.
Taylor returns a pair of notable contributors who can knock down shots in three-point specialist
Zac Ervin and
Torrence Watson, the latter of whom was limited by injuries a year ago. The Phoenix also bring in a group led by
Sean Halloran, who was a two-time all-conference selection down the road at Belmont Abbey.
Elon will look to improve on a 3-11 non-conference mark from a year ago that was lowered by one of the nation's toughest non-league slates with seven high-major opponents and two Final Four teams. The Phoenix will play in a multi-team event in Asheville and visit both NC State and Indiana, in addition to hosting Radford and UNCG in quality regional home games. Elon will play its first five games in North Carolina as a new group gets acclimated to playing together for a first-year staff in Schar Center.
Some early-season familiarity and a good routine will be welcome to Elon as it looks to build a consistent winner.
Elon
Head Coach: Billy Taylor
2021-22 Record: 10-22, 7-11 CAA (7th)
Postseason: CAA Quarterfinals
Returning Starter (1)
Zac Ervin, G/F 7.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 35.0% 3FG
Other Key Returner
Torrence Watson, G 20 GP/8 GS before season-ending injury, 25.2 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Notable Newcomers
Sean Halloran, G 14.4 PPG at Belmont Abbey, Two-time Conference Carolinas 2nd Team, all-time assist leader at Belmont Abbey
John Bowen III, F 4.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG in 20-21 at UNCW
Max Mackinnon, G NBL1 North Men’s Youth Player of the Year, 20.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.2 APG
LA Pratt, G 19.5 PPG, 3x All-4A, WPIAL Champion, Roundball Classic MVP
Deandre Smart, Fr. F – 21-22 at Loomis Chafee; Averaged 15 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.3 APG at New Hampstead (Ga.) HS. 3x all-region, all-state.
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