Mercer's senior leadership in backcourt this season
After having two seniors last year, both who played on the inside in T.J. Hallice and Darious Moten, there is a role reversal for Mercer's seniors this season.
All three seniors for this year's team play on the perimeter: guards Phillip Leonard, Jibri Bryan and Jestin Lewis.
Mercer's season begins Friday against Allen at Hawkins Arena.
"It's a huge component of what we need to happen," Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said of the seniors taking over as leaders. "Their voice needs to continue to be strong. They have experience. Those are the three seniors, all three are guards, and they are going to make a huge impact on this team. They need to make an impact with their communication and their attitude, which they are doing right now just as well along with their play, which I think they will do."
Bryan is entering his sixth year with the program after receiving a double medical hardship from the NCAA. He averaged 7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game last year.
"We're excited about him being here because I think last year he could have had more of a voice, but he chose not to," Hoffman said. "I think he'll have more of a voice this year because of the experiences he has been a part of in six years. He's seen it all and knows what it takes for us to win and knows when I say something, he knows what I mean by it. The freshmen may not know yet what I mean. I may say something, but it may not come across exactly in the terms they can get their head around."
Bryan is looking forward to sharing his experiences with his younger teammates. He started all 35 games last year.
"It doesn't really feel any different," Bryan said. "It's just that I have to step up and communicate more than I have the years before, but other than that, everything's the same. I've been in this system for six years, so I'm pretty acclimated to it. I am just helping the younger guys get used to it. That's the biggest challenge for me."
Leonard also started all 35 games last year and averaged 8.1 points per game in his second year with the program. He led the Southern Conference in assists.
"He was on the (2013-14) team that went to the NCAA tournament. He didn't play a big role, but he led the league in assists last year," Hoffman said. "We expect him to have a tremendous season, and I believe he's ready for that."
Jestin Lewis joined the program last year and played in all 35 games, averaging 13.5 minutes and 4.3 points per game off the bench.
"I feel more comfortable with the system, basically just being able to play more without thinking as much," Lewis said. "I have to be more vocal as a leader and ... lead by example this year for the younger guys."
This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Mercer's senior leadership in backcourt this season ."