MBB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Darryl Nester]

The HCAC men's preseason poll was posted this morning.  In brief:

Team	Points (First-place votes)
Franklin	75 (5)
Defiance	73 (3)
Transy	55
Hanover	52
Bluffton	42
MSJ	34
Anderson	30 (1)
Manchester	26
RHIT	18

At least in the minds of the coaches, there is a bit more preseason clarity than there was in last year's poll, when 5 points separated #4 from #9:

1. Franklin (4) -- 72
2. Transylvania (3) -- 63
3. Hanover -- 49
4. Mount St. Joseph (1) -- 39
5. Anderson -- 39
6. Manchester -- 38
7. Defiance -- 36
8. Rose-Hulman (1) -- 35
9. Bluffton -- 34

[HCACBBALL]

Should be a interesting year in the HCAC.  I would say that AU is going to make a rise up the list.  However, if I had to make a decision who will win the conference I would go with Defiance.  They are quietly building a great program. 

[Darryl Nester]

Manchester's roster is posted.  We had previously noted on this board the 16 freshmen on MSJ's roster (that number is now down to 14).  Manchester has that beat with 18 freshmen, along with 4 sophomore transfers, as part of a conference-high 33-man roster.  (MSJ is a distant second with 24.)

HCACBBALL -- I agree that Defiance should be tough this year.  Last year's squad had no seniors, and three of the top four scorers are back (Mike Floyd did not return after scoring 10.4ppg as a freshman).

[wc4252]

I am surprised to see Transy that high.  I know they are always solid but I can't see them finishing ahead of Hanover.  I would also agree that Anderson will move up that list, it'll be interesting to see how the young talent comes together with the new guys.  I look for a top 5 finish out of them.

[RO_24]

Bluffton traveled to Witt for a scimmage on Saturday, and came away with an 8 point victory.   Although Witt is down this year, Bluffton looked to play well together and sustain the runs made by Witt when they made them.  I'm hoping that the referees will not be as tic-tacky as they were Saturday or games will be lasting 3-4 hours...I bet an over/under for fouls would range upwards of 90 called in the 40 minute game..Ridiculous...

All-in-all Bluffton looked pretty good, now hopefully we can stay healthy and get everyone back before the opener.  Scrimmage at home Friday against B-W. 

how did everyone else look in their first Pre-Season scrimmage?

[rreucher24]

That's nice to hear.

What kind of offense did coach have 'em running?

[wc4252]

Anderson scrimmaged Ball State and played pretty solid.  They were able to keep it close and even had it within 1 in the second half before BSU pulled away toward the end to a 20 point win.  The talent level is definitely up at AU and from what I saw this team's athleticism is going to cause some problems in the HCAC.  It looks like Coach Slyder has brought back the uptempo O and pressure D that brought some success a few years ago.

[RO_24]

Bluffton scrimmaged BW last night in Bluffton and came away with a 2 point W.  Lost the first half by 2 and won the second half by 4.  BW isn't a Top 25 team though, they had a couple good players, but I didn't see a Top 25 team here...
Hopefully Bluffton will be able to keep it going heading into their opener next weekend in PA. 

[Darryl Nester]

All rosters are posted now (RHIT's came up some time last week).

Over the weekend, Manchester's roster dropped to a more manageable size of 21, as 12 names disappeared, including 8 of their 18 freshmen, and 3 of their 4 sophomore transfers.  I had assumed they would lose a few people eventually, but I hadn't expected such a big group all at once; perhaps this was the coach's decision, rather than 12 individual choices.

Conference rosters now range in size from 14 (HC) and 15 (RHIT) to 23 (MSJ).

Good luck to all conference teams this coming weekend.  Rod:  Cheer extra loud on my behalf for the Beavers.

[M and L]

what do you do with 25 kids on your roster?

[David Collinge]

what do you do with 25 kids on your roster?

Play a JV schedule.

[Mr. Ypsi]

what do you do with 25 kids on your roster?

Play a JV schedule.

Or get tips from Grinnell.

[Darryl Nester]

Bluffton over Westminster, 82-79
Hanover over Denison, 63-51
Rose-Hulman over Montclair State, 68-56
Franklin 77, Olivet 53
MSJ 116, St. Joseph's 73
Defiance falls to Wilmington, 57-59

5-1 so far ... No report (that I could find, yet):
Anderson
Transy
Manchester

[hopefan]

Darryl  - I did a brief write up of Transy game in SLIAC room  -  they lost pretty badly to Webster..70-54

[Darryl Nester]

Thanks, hopefan.  Additionally, Anderson lost to Thomas More 75-84, and Manchester beat Taylor-Fort Wayne 79-69.