Really exciting that the start of practices are less than a week away. I think this year has the potential to be one of the most unique years in recent NESCAC history. With so many question marks and departures I'd say 6 times are all valid contenders for the top spot. A couple specific teams/players that will be fun to watch unfold throughout the season:

An Amherst team without Toomey. Toomey was responsible for a ridiculous amount of their offense last year. If we had next-level stats, his usage rate would have been through the roof with no other NESCAC player even in the picture. Take his departure, as well as Kalema and Killian and you have a high percentage of your offense gone. I think Connor Green is going to thrive given the new opportunities. He'll be used more in ball screens and have more chances to create for himself and others (which he rarely did last year). The hype around Dawson is growing and I am really tempted to believe it. I can't wait to see what he can do.

When does Tuft's potential turn into production? For years Tuft's has been deemed "the most talented team in the NESCAC". With so much "potential" I can only wonder when they're going to break through. This very well could be the year. With a healthy Ferris and the best front court in the league, they could be one of the toughest teams to beat. Tarik Smith will have to step up as a floor general but they certainly won't lose any rebounding battles so they always have that to fall back on.

A Maker-less Williams. As Kevin App steps on to the scene he certainly has his work cut out for him. With the departure of Mayer, Robinson and Epley it will be very interesting to see if they can maintain their previously potent offense in a new system. I really think their success depends on three guys. Hayden Rooke-Ley, Dan Wohl and Dan Aronowitz. Many would throw Greenman into this conversation as well but I think his role won't actually change much from late in the season last year. He'll take 6-9 shots a game and be solid distributor and court general, exactly what they need him to do. Rooke-Ley will have a chance to be an all league player (assuming health isn't an issue). It will be interesting to see if Wohl can translate from his supporting cast role (which he played SO well last year) into a go-to-guy down the stretch of big games. Aronowitz is the wildcard of the group. If he can grow as an offensive threat I really think they could surprise a lot of people. I think he could become a 10-12 ppg, 6 rpg guy if given quality minutes. Killcullen is an offensive weapon who is a match up nightmare for opposing centers. The only worry with him is his interior defense which will have to improve if they want to compete for a championship.

A maturing group in Middleton. I think Wesleyan will be in the mix for a championship come March. They're a year older and they have very good guard play as well as emerging big men. However, if they're going to compete for a championship they're going to need somebody to step up as an all-league player and right now I don't know who that is. It could be Rafferty, Mackey, Edmonds or Davis. After leading them in scoring, Rafferty is probably the most likely candidate out of the bunch. If he can score at a more efficient rate he, as long with the Cardinals as a team, will be a tough matchup.

I'm interested if anyone has any information on the freshmen group this year. I have heard very little about any of them. It will be very interesting to see if any of them can impact programs the way so many from the Class of 2017 did last year.

All in all, it should be a great year! Can't wait to get it all started.

I could have very easily put George under honorable mention after his pretty impressive debut in the league last year. However, to be honest I don't see his role on the offensive end expanding much bigger. So much of what Amherst does offensively is run entirely through their guards. Yes Toomey is gone so maybe we won't see repeated ball screens on the top of the key for 35 seconds straight but despite his absence their strength this year will once again be guard play. With guys like Green and Dawson I don't envision them rolling the ball down to George and watching him go to work. Don't get me wrong, George will have a HUGE impact this year. He brings great length on defense and is an active rebounder on both ends. I don't think he has the skill set (yet) or will even have the opportunity to post consistent all league numbers on the offensive end. It's interesting, because he is without question a D1 talent but that is because what he does well (defend and stay active on both ends) translates to any level. I think he will be a two time DPOY (junior and senior year) as well as a 4 year starter and potentially two time all league player. However, I just don't see him posting impressive enough numbers this year to make the breakthrough. As for the Arizona transfer I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I left him off simply because my lack of knowledge about his abilities.

I am a long time reader and a first time poster. I am a big fan of college basketball at all levels but there is something about the passion (specifically on this board) that people have for the NESCAC that I am drawn to. I am a former player myself and since leaving the league have stayed closely connected to all of it's happening. I must say, in comparison to years past I am confident in saying that this year will be the hardest to predict. After the departure of so much talent it will be very interesting to see who and what teams rise to the top. Figured the best way to initiate myself is by making some bold predictions... So here they are:

Player of the Year:
Jayde Dawson- Had the opportunity to watch him play several times in highschool and the reality of it is he is a far superior athlete to anyone else in the league. His combination of quickness, speed and strength will be boarder line unstoppable this year. He will score with consistency (efficiency is the only question mark) and will be most effective in transition. I think he is relatively unknown by many here on this board but I think you all will be thoroughly impressed.

First Team:
John Swords- the big man continues his upward trend of improving every year. His offensive game is continuously improving and on the defensive end his presence is unlike anyone else in the league. Look for him to post similar numbers.
Jayde Dawson- as mentioned above he will take the league by storm.
Chris Hudnut: He will build upon his impressive sophomore campaign  by continuing to post big numbers. In my eyes, he is one of the few (maybe even only?) offensively gifted low post scorers left this year. He will continue to improve along with Colby as a team.
Dan Wohl: he's been an essential component to the Ephs success over the last two years but now it is his time to step up. An expanded role as well as added weight on his shoulders I believe will bring out the best in Wohl. His athleticism and versatility will make him one of the most dangerous players in the league.
Jaquan Starks: He's Trinity's most gifted and dangerous scorer and I think he will lead them further then they've been in the last 3 or 4 years. He is capable of scoring in bunches and I think he'll do just that. His matchup with Dawson has the potential to be a GREAT guard battle.

Second Team:
Hunter Sabety- I'm guessing that many may have him on their first team but I actually believe that the re-emergence of Palleschi will in fact hurt Sabety's production. They essentially do the same thing on both ends and it will be a challenge to play them both at the same time for expansive minutes for a variety of reasons. I think he will add on to his impressive first year in the league but he won't solidify himself as a first teamer just yet.
Hayden Rooke-Ley: Believe it or not I actually contemplated listing HRL as a first teamer. Granted this is all assuming he stays healthy for the entire year (which has been a reoccurring issue over his career) but I think he could actually end up being Williams' best player. He is tough physical kid who can flat out shoot and with an expanded role he has the potential to flourish.
Patrick Stewart: He showed signs of being an all league player last year and I think he will continue to improve as he fills out that wirey frame. He will play a major role as Colby has a chance to be near the top of the league near the seasons end.
Connor Green: He started out last year torching the nets and expect to see more of that this year as well. With the absence of Killian and Toomey, Green will take on an expanded role and in many games much of the scoring load will be on him and Dawson. The biggest question mark with him is efficiency. Regardless, he will certainly post an impressive number under PPG.
Harry Rafferty- This pick may surprise some but expect Rafferty to be MUCH improved from last year. Wesleyan as team is one year older and as a result the floor general will have less issues to worry about. I think as a team they will vastly improve and Rafferty's numbers across the board will sky rocket as well.

Honorable Mention:
Mike Boornazian
Hunter Merryman
Dylan Sinnickson
Lucas Hausman
Mike Greenman
Tom Palleschi
Steve Haladyna
Jack Mackey

Rookie of the Year:
Sean McNally- After the departure of almost all of Conn Colleges talent, McNally will be the highlight in their new freshmen class who is expected to turn around the direction of their program. He will get major minutes and has the skill set to score in a variety of ways. His length in skill is comparable to a poor mans Duncan Robinson. Expect him to be the guy for the Camels in years to come.

My team predictions will soon follow but I first wanted to stir up some debate on individual awards. I am interested to hear feedback and criticism. I'm looking forward to a great year! How many days until November 1st?!