Hampton Pirates
Record: 21-10 (13-3 MEAC)
Head Coach: Edward Joyner Jr. (7th season)
Season Recap: The Pirates have found a consistent formula after winning consecutive MEAC Championships for the first time since 2001-02. Head coach Edward Joyner Jr’s squad is led by guard Quinton Chevious, an All-MEAC selection who ranked 12th in the nation with 11.0 rebounds per game and led the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounding. Complementing Chevious’ explosiveness is Reginald Johnson, who has averaged 19.5 points per game in MEAC play this season.
Hampton played one of the weakest schedules in the country—ranking 342nd in basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy's strength of schedule metric—and will be in for a tough test in its opening game against top-seeded Virginia.
How they make a run: The Pirates ride Chevious’ do-it-all ability from the wing to surprise the Cavaliers in a shocking first-round upset.
How they falter: Johnson and the rest of the Hampton defense fail to secure enough rebounds against Virginia's frontcourt, and the Pirates lack of depth ensures an early exit against stiff competition.
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