The case has been made for Angeloni, he has a lot of support.

Lets see how he progresses throughout the season coming off that big CWS. Hoipkins lost a lot of starters and they will have to win with Emr, Youchak, and Angeloni for Angeloni to stay in the discussion.

I like Matt Tone, and think he should be favored.

1 day of rest? Thats rediculous. That was a win over Salisbury, Is that an actual fact?

Its important to note that the D3 athlete is often very skilled and very intelligent. He/She might have been trained at thier sport from a very young age as well as had great coaching at the often above avg highschools they attend.

D3 athletes tend to be physically unprepared or physically underdeveloped for D1 programs to actively recruit them in highschool. This can explain why top D3 schools can compete with mid to low D1 schools. Where low D1 schools recieve maxed out higschool stars, with little room for improvement, that may have a D1 body and thus get in the door. D3 schools often recieve a physically underdeveloped, yet highly motivated and highly skilled/drilled athletet that is both smart and dedicated to thier sport.

At good D3 programs weight training can be very intense and thus these young and self-motivated athletes arrive in an environment that is very conducive to thier success, allowing them to grow and develop physically. This player who may be a D3 All Conference player in his/her sportt, had he achieved such a physical state in his Jr yr of highschool, would likely have D1 scholarships to his first choice school.

To summarize and conclude... D3 programs are highly competitive. It takes a very self-motivated and determined athlete to achieve the star potential he/she might have experienced in highschool. Where D1 players have thier campus life literally managed from practices, meetings, team meals, lifts, and even school councelling all falling under thier coaches umbrella of controll. The D3 athlete has much more freedom that  a great personal comittment and level of discipline to achieve his/her goals as an athlete. For this reason, D3 recruits sometimes walk on to campus and relize they have stepped into a very heated competition for playing time. The great thing about sports is they constantly challenge us to become better. better people. D3 sports are no exception. The high level of competition within and between progams, as well as the necessary personal drive that is in e/a very comitted athlete at the d3 level is a recipe for molding wonderful successful people!

I agree. How does that change the top 25 landscape? Emr was a HUGE part of the BlueJays success. Does any other team have 3 parts like Youchak, Emr, and Angeloni?

Where is Todd Emr's name? He returns for the BlueJays.

I will be acussed of favoring Hopkins, But i cannot not bring to light Todd Emr in this discussion.

Many do not realize that Emr is using his eligeability and staying with the BlueJays.

He led the nation in hits last year. And as we all saw, he tore up the CWS.

BlueJays should fare well in 09 and i wonder if the Top 25 poll realized that Youchak AND ALL AMERICAN EMR, are returning. As well as Chez Angeloni to lead the pitching staff.

I have Hopkins higher than 7. Give them the #3 spot.

Ralph,

Angeloni did not beat Kitchens. But on short rest he did beat Tim Kiley, with the undefeated season on the line, and Kiley impressed me more than Kitchens did. I would also argue that Kurt Yacko was Chapman's true #1 but was simply too valuable a player and asset in his role to start full time on the hill. Yacko was drafted in the 7th round b/c he had great stuff 90-92 mph fastball and sharp slider (comparable to Angeloni if he were in a closers role).

Angeloni held off Chapman despite Yacko comming in the game and shutting JHU down in the last 4 ins. Thats 2 CGs against Chapman and Trinity. I had Hopkins losing both of them. Angeloni impressed me, i don't doubt him further.

Also, we saw Coach Bob Babb stay with Angeloni throughout the tournament no matter what, a testament to a great coach who trusts his player... But i would have pulled him in a couple of situations. I suspect some of his poor stats come from lacking a Kurt Yacko to come in and save the day when there is trouble.

Your thoughts...

RoxMySox,

That is a dissapointing claim. I agree that Chez Angeloni is on the radar for this discussion and not the front runner, but i believe he is winning the poll because of the Johns Hopkins Fanbase.

No surprise that Kitchens is in seccond with the very lage Chapman fanbase.