2024-25 SWAC Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 SWAC Basketball Preview, where we take a look at one of college basketball’s most intriguing conferences, filled with a flurry of newcomers each season. Last year, Texas Southern’s three-year conference championship streak was broken when Grambling State won the title, making its first-ever March Madness appearance. The Tigers then claimed a win in the play-in game over Montana State before facing top-seeded Purdue, where their run ended. Texas Southern has claimed every conference championship since 2017, except for two years: 2019 and last season. The question now is, who will emerge as this season’s champion?

Grambling State once again looks strong, with two double-digit scorers returning, including all-conference candidate Kintavious Dozier and wing Antwan Burnett. They’ve also revamped their frontcourt with NC State transfer and former high-rated recruit Samuel Onu.

Bethune-Cookman could be one of the conference’s most underrated teams, boasting a dynamic backcourt duo of Gianni Hunt from Cal State Northridge and Brayon Freeman, a former Rhode Island starter. They’ve also added Power 5 transfers Antwann Jones (UCF) and Jesus Carralero Martin (Missouri), both expected to play key roles.

Texas Southern, having reached every title game since 2017, returns a familiar frontcourt duo and brings in New Mexico State transfer Jaylin Jackson-Posey and Incarnate Word’s Alex Anderson to lead the backcourt.

Southern’s key players from last season, including all-conference contender Tidjiane Dioumassi and wing Derrick Tezeno, will be joined by a group of transfers seeking bigger roles. Alabama State will have a projected starting five of all returners, headlined by high-level scorers TJ Madlock and D’Ante Bass, with Madlock an all-conference candidate.

Jackson State’s Daeshun Ruffin, a former Ole Miss starter, is the favorite for Player of the Year if he can stay healthy, while center Shannon Grant (from Florida A&M) is expected to be a key contributor at the rim. Alcorn State brings in JUCO talent to their backcourt and added Markus Tankersley from Detroit Mercy, a high-level scorer.

Prairie View A&M will rely on a new starting five, anchored by New Mexico State transfer Tanahj Pettway, a likely top player for the team. Alabama A&M has revamped with TCU transfer Darius Ford at point guard and UTRGV’s Saliou Seye at center.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, known for three-point shooting, will rely on North Texas transfer Christian Moore. Florida A&M, having lost key players, will count on transfers from DII, NAIA, and JUCO levels to adapt to Division I competition.

Mississippi Valley State, traditionally near the bottom of the rankings, may have more hope this season with returning point guard Donovan Sanders, three new JUCO scorers, and center Alvin Stredic back in action after missing last season.

Will Grambling State defend their title, can Texas Southern return to dominance, or will a new contender emerge? Dive into the excitement with our 2024-25 SWAC Basketball Preview.

SWAC Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Grambling State
2. Bethune-Cookman
3. Texas Southern
4. Southern
5. Alabama State
6. Jackson State
7. Alcorn State
8. Prairie View A&M
9. Alabama A&M
10. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
11. Florida A&M
12. Mississippi Valley State

SWAC Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Daeshun Ruffin, Jackson State

Defensive Player of the Year: Ubong Okon, Alabama State

Newcomer of the Year: Brayon Freeman, Bethune-Cookman

Freshman of the Year: Ryan Bolton, Prairie View A&M

Coach of the Year: Reggie Theus, Bethune-Cookman

SWAC Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Daeshun Ruffin, Jackson State

Kintavious Dozier, Grambling State

Tidjiane Dioumassi, Southern

Brayon Freeman, Bethune-Cookman

Shannon Grant, Southern

Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Projected Starters:

PG: Darius Ford (0.6 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 0.1 apg @ TCU)

SG: Dylan McLean (4.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.3 apg)

SF: Lorenzo Downey (6.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.5 apg)

PF: Chad Moodie (7.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.4 apg)

C: Saliou Seye (3.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.5 apg @ UTRGV)

6M: AC Bryant (4.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.5 apg)

Alabama State Hornets

Projected Starters:

PG: CJ Hines (9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg)

SG: TJ Madlock (15.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.3 apg)

SF: Micah Octave (6.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg)

PF: D’Ante Bass (16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 apg) 2 Games

C: Ubong Okon (3.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Amarr Knox (6.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Alcorn State Braves

Projected Starters:

PG: Willie Lightfoot (13.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.3 apg @ JUCO Odessa)

SG: Tyrese Elliott (8.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.0 apg @ JUCO Northwest Florida State)

SF: Markus Tankersley (16.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.2 apg @ Detroit Mercy)

PF: Julian Lual (4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Arkansas State)

C: Djahi Binet (3.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Keionte Cornelius (6.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Jackson State)

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions

Projected Starters:

PG: Trejon Ware (3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.1 apg)

SG: Christian Moore (1.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.1 apg @ North Texas)

SF: Quentin Bolton, Jr. (7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Charleston Southern)

PF: Robert Lewis (4.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Klemen Vuga (2.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Monmouth)

6M: Matthew Spears (9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.5 apg @ D2 LeMoyne-Owen)

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Projected Starters:

PG: Gianni Hunt (10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.0 apg @ Cal State Northridge)

SG: Brayon Freeman (7.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Coastal Carolina)

SF: Antwann Jones (4.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg @ UCF)

PF: Jesus Carralero Martin (2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.6 apg @ Missouri)

C: Daniel Rouzan (11.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Manhattan)

6M: Reggie Ward, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg)

Florida A&M Rattlers

Projected Starters:

PG: Roderick Coffee III (4.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.5 apg)

SG: Milton Matthews (18.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg @ NAIA St. Thomas)

SF: Jordan Chatman (5.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 apg)

PF: Kaleb Washington (11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 apg @ JUCO Butler)

C: Ja’Derryus Eatmon (5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)

6M: Tyler Shirley (11.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 apg @ D2 Clayton State)

Grambling State Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Mikale Stevenson (4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.1 apg)

SG: Kintavious Dozier (13.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)

SF: Antwan Burnett (10.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.6 apg)

PF: Ernest Ross (0.3 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.0 apg @ NC State)

C: Samuel Onu (0.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.2 apg @ FGCU) 2022-2023 Stats

6M: Louis Hutchison (4.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Charleston Southern)

Jackson State Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Daeshun Ruffin (9.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 3.2 apg @ Ole Miss) 2022-2023 Stats

SG: Keiveon Hunt (5.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Jayme Mitchell, Jr. (6.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.8 apg)

PF: Romelle Mansel (5.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg) 2 Games

C: Shannon Grant (10.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.7 apg @ Florida A&M)

6M: Dylan Canoville (3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Southeastern Louisiana)

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Projected Starters:

PG: Donovan Sanders (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg)

SG: Antonio Sisk (18.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 apg @ JUCO Dallas)

SF: Greg Moore (11.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg @ JUCO Walters State)

PF: Jair Horton (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 apg @ JUCO Walters State)

C: Alvin Stredic (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

6M: Kendal Parker (4.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg @ Alabama State)

Prairie View A&M Panthers

Projected Starters:

PG: Jordan Tillmon (8.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Southern Indiana)

SG: Tanahj Pettway (5.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.5 apg @ New Mexico State)

SF: Chauncey Gibson (4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg @ UT Arlington)

PF: Marcel Bryant (3.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Omaha)

C: Evan Williams (1.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Cornell)

6M: Braelon Bush (10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.1 apg @ Northwestern State)

Southern Jaguars

Projected Starters:

PG: Tidjiane Dioumassi (9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.3 apg)

SG: Michael Jacobs (21.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.1 apg @ JUCO Lawson State)

SF: Derrick Tezeno (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 0.7 apg)

PF: Delang Muon (4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.2 apg)

C: Dionjahe Thomas (5.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.0 apg @ McNeese State)

6M: Jordan Johnson (4.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.1 apg)

Texas Southern Tigers

Projected Starters:

PG: Kavion McClain (6.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.4 apg @ Abilene Christian)

SG: Jaylin Jackson-Posey (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg @ New Mexico State)

SF: Alex Anderson (11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.9 apg @ Incarnate Word)

PF: Kenny Hunter (5.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.5 apg)

C: Grayson Carter (7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg)

6M: Duane Posey (6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Northwestern State)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 SWAC Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the WAC. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
• American Athletic Conference Preview
• ACC Conference Preview
• ASUN Conference Preview
• A10 Conference Preview
• Big East Conference Preview
• Big Sky Conference Preview
• Big South Conference Preview
• Big Ten Conference Preview
• Big 12 Conference Preview
• Big West Conference Preview
• CAA Conference Preview
• CUSA Conference Preview
• Horizon Conference Preview
• Ivy Conference Preview
• MAAC Conference Preview
• MAC Conference Preview
• MEAC Conference Preview
• Missouri Valley Conference Preview
• Mountain West Conference
• NEC Conference
• Ohio Valley Conference
• Patriot Conference
• SEC Conference
• SoCon Conference
• Southland Conference
• Summit Conference
• Sun Belt Conference

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)