Bumblin' B's

[Mr. Ypsi]

Meaning no offense to njlincolnlion, but we all know he will predict a glorious future for Lincoln.  (Just as I'll remind people over and over [and over ] that IWU, after placing 3rd nationally in 1996 and graduating 4 of 5 starters, won the whole she'bang in 1997, so next year...!)  Does anyone else think Lincoln will remain nationally competitive, or was Kyle Myrick a 'Larry Bird at Indiana State' sort of situation?

[This is NOT meant as a challenge or a smart-ass put-down - I know almost nothing about Lincoln aside from Myrick, and am truly wondering how others see it.  Are they truly a team on the rise, or a one-year wonder due to a gifted player?]

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think they have a solid team coming back.  Myrick's assists will be harder to replace than his points, in my opinion, but Yullie seems to have shown he can recruit well.  They are independant, so as long as they don't schedule themselves into a corner, I think they can be competitive for a tournament bid.

[gordonmann]

I'd take that a step further -- I think they'll end up in the Top 25 at some point next year (other than the preseason).

The difference between the 2004-2005 Lincoln team that lost in the first round of the playoffs and the 2005-2006 team that lost in the Sweet 16 was the growth of guys besides Myrick.

Hickson and White are very good young post players.  Wylie is a threat from outside.  And Byard will be able to blossom next year offensively.

They'll still be one of the strongest teams in the Mid-Atlantic region and that assumes they don't add any new pieces...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The difference between the 2004-2005 Lincoln team that lost in the first round of the playoffs

Were they in the ECACs last year?  I know they didn't make the NCAA field; they got left out in favor of NJCU.

[mattgrubb]

somebody needs to keep us updated on Myrick and his transition to the pro game

[njlincolnlion]

Mr. Ypsi:

As Gordon Mann and Hoops Fan pointed out, Lincoln have a very good year during the 2004-2005 season (Coach Yuille's first season as Head Coach).  The Lions missed the NCAA's due to two close losses to NJCU (As pointed out by Hoops Fan) that played as an independent that season.  Coach Yuille's first season had Jarrett Kearse ( a transfer) who was first team All American, while Kyle Myrick was honorable mention.  The 2004-2005 season was Kearse and Myrick, while this past year, Kyle had a better supporting cast.  As a side note, John Bunch (Monmouth University - NJ 7'2" center led the nation in blocked shots as a Lincoln Freshman, before he transferred to the D1 school.

Coach Yuille (A Lincoln University & Overbrook High School - Philadelphia Alum) has done an outstanding job selling Lincoln to Philly HS players.  Assistant Coach Eugene Lett, also has Philly AAU ties also, and Asst. Coach Brian has ties to the Baltimore MD area High Schools.

In summary, Lincoln has been developing a program, and the Last two years proved the Lions were no "one hit wonder".  Coach Yuille has the Lions "pointed in the right direction", and should be a D3 "player" for the future.

[njlincolnlion]

mattgrubb:

As information about Kyle Myrick's post collegiate career unfold, I'll post it here in D3 Hoops.

[Knightstalker]

I think the one thing that Lincoln needs to do for basketball is to get affiliated with a conference.  Nobody is going to want to play them if they keep on building like they have.  they are fine in T&F as an independent but for bball they need to change in my opinion.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Isn't the I-7 looking for an 8th now?

[scottiedoug]

Knightstalker:  I was wondering along the same path....Is Lincoln independent in bball on purpose?

[Ralph Turner]

I think the one thing that Lincoln needs to do for basketball is to get affiliated with a conference.  Nobody is going to want to play them if they keep on building like they have.  they are fine in T&F as an independent but for bball they need to change in my opinion.

Knight, they are a state-affiliated school and just west of New Jersey.

Is the NJAC an option?

Would Lincoln's adding football make them even more attractive as a conference member?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The NJAC is too competitive for Lincoln.  Why would they join a conference that has so many good teams every year unless it was a last option.  I think they'd be better off getting into one of the other M-A conferences, although I think remaining independent is the best option, so long as they can continue to schedule decent competition in basketball.

[Knightstalker]

If Lincoln continues their success they will have a hard time scheduling quality teams as an independent, that is part of why NJCU went back to the NJAC after the bid to join the Skyline failed.  If you are a good program many schools with the current selection criteria are hesitant to play you.  I don't think they would fit in the NJAC due to the driving distances for the North NJ games and the NJAC is at ten teams right now which is the perfect conference size in D3 basketball.  I would think the MAC, CAC and Centennial would all be interested in Lincoln.  I think Lincoln is an institution that would be an asset to any conference they join.  They have an outstanding T&F program and basketball team and it is an excellent school.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Am I wrong or aren't they smack in the middle of the "new as yet unnamed conference, which recently lost its 8th member?"

[Mr. Ypsi]

Guys, thanks for the feedback on Lincoln.