2018-19 MONTEVALLO MEN'S BASKETBALL
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball program has advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 11 of the past 15 years under head coach Danny Young since his arrival prior to the 2003-04 season.
The Falcons have been notably absent from the national tournament in each of the past two seasons, but a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers have infused the program with excitement heading into the 2018-19 season.
"Expectations are lofty," said Montevallo coach Danny Young. "We hope to win a conference championship, go on to the NCAA Tournament and a chance to win a national championship."
Montevallo continued its streak of 15 consecutive conference tournament appearances after earning the No. 7 seed in the Gulf South Conference Tournament a year ago. Senior forward Jeremiah Curtis, who is the Falcons' most experienced returner after averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, believes the latest wave of transfers will have a big impact in their first season.
"We've got a good group of guys in the returners and the guys that are new," Curtis said. "We'll be ready."
Curtis, who joined the Falcons as a transfer from Compton Community College prior to last season, is one of five players returning who have suited up in the Purple and Gold and is one the lone returning starter. Senior guard Zach Jackson played a key role off the bench in his first season with the program as a transfer from Lawson State Community College after averaging 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Senior guard Tyler Updike also contributed off the bench with 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in his first season after transferring in from UNC Wilmington. Sophomore forward Alek Medenica averaged 1.9 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per game in limited action in his first season at Montevallo.
The most experienced player in the program is redshirt sophomore guard Micah Fuller, who has spent three years with the Falcons but missed last season with an injury. Fuller, a Bessemer, Alabama native and Bessemer City High School graduate, appeared in 20 contests as a freshman during the 2016-17 season and averaged six points while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc.
Senior forward De'Marco Owens, a transfer from McNeese State University, leads the talented class of newcomers. Owens averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game during his junior season at McNeese State following two productive seasons at Moberly Area Community College.
The Falcons also welcome five junior college transfers to the fold in 2018-19.
Guard D'Angelo Streeter averaged 19.3 points and 2.4 assists per game at Easfield College two years ago. Guard Cam Copeland averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 assists per game last season at Cleveland State Community College.
Forward Wade Lowman averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season at Cuyahoga Community College, while guard Carl Johnson contributed 15 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in his most recent season at Enterprise State Community College. Guard Kaleel Solomon joins the Falcons as a sophomore after averaging 5.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in his lone season at Eastern Florida State Community College.
Montevallo will also welcome a pair of freshman guards in Jack Youmans and Ben Glass. Youmans is a Naples, Florida native and a graduate of Naples High School. Glass graduated from Ohatchee High School in Ohatchee, Alabama.
The Falcons will face a challenging non-conference schedule before Gulf South Conference play begins.
Montevallo opens the season with games against the University of Tampa and Saint Leo University in the Gulf South Conference-Sunshine State Conference Challenge. The Falcons will also face Indiana University Southeast and Salem University in the Kentucky Wesleyan Thanksgiving Classic in late November.
Curtis believes the Falcons are ready for the challenge.
"The early season, I think that's the most important part of the season," Curtis said. "I think it will be important for us to get a good start this weekend. We learned a lot in our scrimmages, especially the Alabama game."
Young, the winningest coach in Montevallo men's basketball program history after leading the Falcons to Eight NCAA Division II "Sweet 16" appearances, likes the preparation he has seen from his team heading into the 2018-19 season.
"We have a lot of guys that I think have the same type of skill set," Young said. "It's been very competitive. They compete against each other and push each other to get better, which has helped us become better overall."
