Top 25 talk

[Greek Tragedy]

Not really a Top 25 question, but at least I won't forget to check this board.

Is Kalamazoo the closest D3 to Sturgis, Michigan?

[Just Bill]

Not really a Top 25 question, but at least I won't forget to check this board.

Is Kalamazoo the closest D3 to Sturgis, Michigan?

I think that would be Trine in Angola, Indiana. 36 miles.

[HOPEful]

Not really a Top 25 question, but at least I won't forget to check this board.

Is Kalamazoo the closest D3 to Sturgis, Michigan?

I think that would be Trine in Angola, Indiana. 36 miles.

Agreed. Trine would be a 45 minute drive. Kalamazoo, Olivet, and Albion would all be just over an hour. Technically, St. Mary's in South Bend is a D3 College, as well.

[dunkin3117]

Thoughts on a team out of the IIAC cracking the Top 25 to start the season.  Wartburg had an impressive run into the Sweet 16 last year and finished #18 in the final poll, but have lost 3 starters.  Nebraska Wesleyan returns all but 1 (bench player) from a roster that went 18-8 and had a share of the regular season title with Loras, who also went 18-8, and also lost 3 of its starters.  In my opinion, all 3 have a shot at breaking through the top 25 at some point in the year, curious to know everyones thoughts.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think Nebraska Wesleyan has the best shot. They return nearly everyone and it seems a lot of the teams in the conference seem to lose multiple players of impact.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think Nebraska Wesleyan has the best shot. They return nearly everyone and it seems a lot of the teams in the conference seem to lose multiple players of impact.

They don't really have a schedule conducive to it, unless they got undefeated for quite a while.

Also, notice they've got a Grinnell game on the schedule.  NebWes doesn't play The System, but they run like crazy and routinely score over 100 points.  With a young team just getting more experienced every year, that one could be a barn burner.  System vs System games are usually a disappointment, but if one team is willing to give up easy buckets and the other is really good at finding them quickly, there could be a lot of offense.

[Greek Tragedy]

I understand that Neb. Wesleyan's schedule hardly screams demanding, but I think they'll be the best team in the IIAC based on returning players. BVU and Wartburg both play several WIAC teams and Lora's has an OK schedule too, but if I don't think they'll win all those games, obviously they won't be ranked. I think NWU has a better shot to go undefeated in the nonconference than the other teams posting solid 1 or 2 loss nonconference records. I guess we'll see!

[nescac1]

One caveat on Swathmore -- their pre-season roster lists only seven returning players (one of whom wasn't a rotation guy last year).  In addition to graduating two senior starters, they apparently lose four non-seniors who did not return, one of whom was a significant contributor.  I believe they only have five frosh recruits coming in, so barring some more guys joining the squad it will likely be an incredibly thin roster, and -- unless at least three frosh are ready to play right away -- it may be tough to live up to a top-10 billing with so little depth, especially if they don't have great luck with injuries.  On the other hand, Cam Wiley, Zack Yonda, and highly-regarding frosh Conor Harkins should form a nationally-elite backcourt, and they have some good young centers to anchor the middle.  But there is little margin for error ...   

http://swarthmoreathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

One caveat on Swathmore -- their pre-season roster lists only seven returning players (one of whom wasn't a rotation guy last year).  In addition to graduating two senior starters, they apparently lose four non-seniors who did not return, one of whom was a significant contributor.  I believe they only have five frosh recruits coming in, so barring some more guys joining the squad it will likely be an incredibly thin roster, and -- unless at least three frosh are ready to play right away -- it may be tough to live up to a top-10 billing with so little depth, especially if they don't have great luck with injuries.  On the other hand, Cam Wiley, Zack Yonda, and highly-regarding frosh Conor Harkins should form a nationally-elite backcourt, and they have some good young centers to anchor the middle.  But there is little margin for error ...   

http://swarthmoreathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

You can't really rely on a roster at this point.  They may well be down a few players, or they may just be waiting until the season starts to add the rest or somebody hasn't filled out their bio information sheet yet - there's a lot of reasons.  I tend not to trust it until Nov 15th, but I'm a little cautious.  Still, all their big names are on it right now.  I think they'll be ok.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I have a rule that I don't trust a player(s) is on a team until, they appear at practices, on the roster, in a uniform, at a game, and then into a game. LOL

Until all of those are met and in order (most likely)... I don't trust rosters.

[4samuy]

Just got a look at the most recent publication of Small College Hoops and their preseason rankings.

1. Augustana
2. Whitman
3. Marietta
4. Chris. Newport
5. Amherst
6. Emory
7. Wis. River Falls
8. Williams
9. Hanover
10. Ramapo

[WUPHF]

Just got a look at the most recent publication of Small College Hoops and their preseason rankings.

1. Augustana
2. Whitman
3. Marietta
4. Chris. Newport
5. Amherst
6. Emory
7. Wis. River Falls
8. Williams
9. Hanover
10. Ramapo

[HOPEful]

Hahaha... WUH, that meme literally made my laugh out loud in my office. Thank you!

[WUPHF]

Thanks!  Emory may finish with the UAA player of the year and the freshman of the year and may very well finish second in the league (though that is not saying much this season), but they are not a Top 25 team.  Definitely not a Top 10 team.  Not yet.

[Greek Tragedy]

Hahaha... WUH, that meme literally made my laugh out loud in my office. Thank you!

Yeah. The early days of The Office was, by far, my favorite show.