Top 25 talk

[WUPHF]

We are on the same timeline as always. Men's is coming. Voting has concluded. It is okay.

That was not meant as a slight to you or anyone else involved with D3Hoops.com or the poll.  I just meant that as a too bad the basketball poll is not out because that would be an easy way to get back to the topic of basketball.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

We are on the same timeline as always. Men's is coming. Voting has concluded. It is okay.

That was not meant as a slight to you or anyone else involved with D3Hoops.com or the poll.  I just meant that as a too bad the basketball poll is not out because that would be an easy way to get back to the topic of basketball.

Totally understand. I promise you that you will be rewarded soon enough.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

preseason polls are meaningless

Did someone piss in your Wheaties today, sac? Jeez man... let it go.

And if you are trying to insult or rile up someone like myself ... don't bother. You not caring about preseason rankings is the least of my concerns or priorities. LOL

BTW - I bet you would care about the rankings if your team was vying for #1. LOL

[sac]

let it go......says the man who had 3 opportunities to not post anything..   

[Just Bill]

Pissing in your Wheaties could only improve the taste.

[gordonmann]

Here you go.

http://d3hoops.com/notables/2017/11/preseason-top25-men

Not surprised Whitman is No. 1 but I'm a little surprised it was nearly unanimous. I thought Augustana or even Williams might get a vote or two.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Wow... Gordon giving it out here earlier than it hits social media tomorrow. You guy are lucky. LOL

[sac]

http://d3hoops.com/notables/2017/11/preseason-top25-men

I don't see Olivet.

[gordonmann]

I like to reward my closest friends.

[nescac1]

From a New England perspective, a few thoughts:

The ranked teams look mostly about right.  Tufts, while worthy of a top 25 ranking, looks a bit high to me after losing Tarik Smith (top-notch PG), Drew Madsen and Tom Palleschi (two of their only three bigs, Palleschi when healthy was key to their entire D) to graduation and sharp-shooter Ethan Feldman to transfer.  The Jumbos have loads of wing/guard talent for sure, including some promising newcomers, but a massive hole up front — unclear who will board and protect the paint for this team.  Then again, I thought that Tufts was ranked too high to start last year and they made the Elite 8.  And perhaps the voters know something about a new player to fill the gaping interior hole, since the roster is not out.  Babson, with three higher-level transfers trying to fill the massive Flannery void, is of course the big unknown.  They could be a top-five team or not even in the top 30, depending on how good those newcomers are.   

Smart of the voters who recognized Nichols (just outside of the top 25).  Deonte Bruton and Marcos Echevarria form a legit star backcourt, one of the best anywhere.  So quick, and can really shoot it.  Those two guys, now more experienced, can definitely play and they have two more years together.  Their emerging star big man, Jerome Cunningham, should be better as a sophomore.  And keep an eye on newcomer Cameron Jordan, a guy who is a D-1 talent on the wing.  If he can give them a third major scoring threat to bolster an already-potent offense they could do big things this year.  With Endicott way down, Nichols should run roughshod over their weak league.  Will be interesting to see how they do in back to back road games vs Nescac squads early in the year.  Albertus Magnus, with its usual slate of impact transfers, is as always the regional wildcard.  One of these years they are bound to break through.   

New England looks very rich in individual talent this year, but not nearly as deep in obvious great teams as last season.  Ty Nichols, Jake Ross, Tarchee Brown, Jack Simonds are four really good players — potentially all-American good, especially Ross — with mostly question marks surrounding them.  I do like Springfield's starting five a lot, and Ross is just a monster, but their depth could be very suspect as a bunch of underclassmen on last year's roster, including multiple rotation guys, did not return.  Keene State, in addition to graduating a ton from the Sweet 16 squad, also appears to have suffered some attrition.

[WUPHF]

I am a little surprised to see Rochester and Emory in the rankings...

Rochester in particular as they lost three all-UAA starters and the 45 points and 15 rebounds per game the trio contributed.  They have one of the best point guards in the league and one of the best three point shooters along with three or four more potential starters who provided significant contributions last season. But, they still have a lot to prove.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If anyone is interested, here is my preseason Top 25 ballot and blog: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2017/11/02/daves-top-25-ballot-preseason-17-18/

[WUPHF]

If anyone is interested, here is my preseason Top 25 ballot and blog: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2017/11/02/daves-top-25-ballot-preseason-17-18/

[AndOne]

If anyone is interested, here is my preseason Top 25 ballot and blog: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2017/11/02/daves-top-25-ballot-preseason-17-18/

North Central at #5 
Your sanity will be questioned numerous times.
Actually, I think you are a very smart man. Of course, my sanity is often questioned, so there you go. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

If anyone is interested, here is my preseason Top 25 ballot and blog: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2017/11/02/daves-top-25-ballot-preseason-17-18/

North Central at #5 
Your sanity will be questioned numerous times.
Actually, I think you are a very smart man. Of course, my sanity is often questioned, so there you go. 

I think I stated my thoughts on NCC as ... maybe confused.