Winthrop's James Bourne and Larry Brown Expected to Miss the Season

The Winthrop Eagles likely can't wait to get back on the court for the 2014-15 season.  Pat Kelsey's squad went 20-13 a year ago and their season ended with a 76-61 loss to Coastal Carolina in the Big South Championship game.  The Eagles just seemed to run out of gas after a win over Liberty in the Big South Tournament and two big, emotional wins over High Point and Asheville in route to the championship game.

While nearly every piece, beyond Joab Jerome and his 12.3 points per game, is expected back for Kelsey this year the Eagles have run into some early injuries this offseason that will hurt their depth a bit in the frontcourt.  James Bourne, who averaged nearly 20 minutes per game a year ago, will redshirt the upcoming season after tearing his ACL this offseason.  Also, 6'6 forward Larry Brown, who also played nearly 20 minutes per night, is expected to likely miss the whole season in Rock Hill.

The Eagles also lost Brandon Vega, who appeared in 32 games last year, to the transfer market (he'll play at Division II Fairmont State).  Furthermore, it has been rumored that star guard Keon Moore has not hit the hardwood since the Big South Championship game due to injury.

Kelsey has added 6'7 South Miami High School product Joseph Lopez to the fray this year along with a raw, unknown Aussie talent Xavier Cooks, who was just added this week. The Eagles also added Division II scoring machine Roderick Perkins but he'll be forced to redshirt the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules.