After an Elite Eight finish earlier this year, the Lee men’s basketball team seeks to improve on a memorable, history-making campaign.

Last season ended abruptly when they lost to Oklahoma City Stars 86-66. The Flames outscored the two-time national champs in the second half, 49-41, but were unable to overcome the first-half deficit the Stars had created.

Though the team could not win the national championship, the season was not a disappointment. The Flames finished the 2007-08 regular season 31-1 - one highlighted by a win over Division I school East Carolina and a 92-79 SSAC Championship victory over Emmanuel College.

The Flames start out fourth in the National Association Intercollegiate Athletics national poll behind the Mountain State Cougars, whom the Flames beat 73-72 in last year’s regular season. The Georgetown Tigers, who finished the regular season undefeated and in first place, are two spots behind the Flames.

The Flames lost three of the top four scorers from last year, including First Team All-American Brad Harris, along with Kellen Pickel, Freddie Williams, Cole Rose, Ricky Harper and Jeff Steve.

Returning starter Elmar Kuli-Zade is regarded as one of the best point guards in the nation and will quickly pick up any slack Harris left. Last season, Kuli-Zade scored a total of 422 points and led the team with 126 assists.

To compliment Kuli-Zade in the backcourt, the team acquired Stephen McClellan in the offseason from UTC.

“He’s not just a shooter, he has NBA range. He shoots with confidence and is a good, solid all-around player,” said Coach Tommy Brown.
“I feel that as a first-year transfer at Lee its my job to come in and help fill the role of the players from lost from last year in the best way possible. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help this team become a legedary team and I know every other player has the same goal in mind-to win the national championship,” said McClellan.

The Flames were second in the NAIA last year in average rebound margin with a plus 8.7. The team will try and top the high number they set last year. The four returning big men from last year, Paco Diaw, Joe Fulp, Harold Griffin and Desmond Blue, combined last year for 675 rebounds last year and steadily improved over the summer. This year they are joined with the addition of Division I transfer Nate Minnoy, who played for both Purdue and Central Michigan before transferring to Lee.

“Nate will be an All-American type player. I have a feeling we’ll be more of an inside-out team this year,” Blue said.

“With this team we could literally start 11 of our roster which comes in handy when we get to national tournament play,” Blue said, “Our expectations for this year are to grow closer as a team since many people are new and to do something that hasn’t been done, win the national championship for Lee.”

With all this said, could this be the year? Expectations are very high and this season looks to be great fun for fans at the very least. The team is currently on a 19 game home win streak and looks to improve it.

“I know we will come out ready to play for every game. I hope that we can play together and continue to grow as a team as the season progresses. I expect us to repeat as league champs and make a run at that national championship,” said forward Chad James.

The Flames start their season at home on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. against rival Tennessee Temple.