Top 25 talk

[scottiedoug]

It is true that the GSAC board is less interesting without Wilburt.  

The matter of visitor discomfort playing at Rust arose here in the context of remarks about why certain schools do not choose to play Rust, especially at Rust.  Rust fans do a great job of supporting their team and often there are not a whole lot of white people in the gym.  For some visitors, this is unusual and, I suspect, some choose not to visit at all.

Mr. Sager...you should go!

[Gregory Sager]

Reply to Gregory Sager in part:

1.  Fisk was an original member of the NCAA Division III back in 1974 along with Rust and LeMoyne Owen.

There were at least six HBCU institutions that were D3 charter members: Rust, Fisk, LeMoyne-Owen (which won the first D3 men's basketball title in '75), Lane, Miles, and now-defunct Bishop. (I think that Lincoln joined later, although I could be wrong about that.) I wasn't sure if Rust was a charter member or joined a year or two later until someone informed me yesterday that it was, indeed, a charter member.

2.  Nobody mentioned any television deals but certain D3 schools in recent years were CLEARLY angling for  superconferences in D3 to keep (or acquire) automatic bids.  Get your head out of the sand.

Evidence,  please.

3.  No sour grapes here and no need to shine the apple on Fisk's move to the NAIA. But what's good for Fisk may more than likely be good for Rust more than anyone else on this board cares to thinks!

Based upon what? Look around, Wilburt. The past 30-to-35 years have been very unhealthy ones for the NAIA. It has hemorrhaged schools at an alarming rate. And the schools that have joined it over that period have generally not been the equal in terms of numbers, programs, facilities, tradition, resources, and reputation of the schools that have left.

Fisk is now down to six intercollegiate sports. Given the school's economic troubles, contraction in athletics was probably a good move. But it forced Fisk's hand; you can't retain membership in the NCAA on any level (not just D3) with only six intercollegiate sports. Rust, on the other hand, has fourteen intercollegiate sports. It more than qualifies for D3 membership, which requires a minimum of twelve sports.

Yes, there are NAIA schools that offer a wide variety of sports, a la NCAA schools. But they're becoming fewer and fewer; those are the type of schools that have migrated to the NCAA's D2 and D3. The NAIA model is becoming more and more that of a consortium of schools that have Fisk's profile of offering only a handful of sports. Indeed, there's NAIA schools out there that only offer two or three sports, total.

And that's OK. It's great that the NAIA is out there to accommodate those schools. But don't make the mistake of thinking that Rust is in the same boat as Fisk. It clearly isn't.

Again I wish Rust the best this upcoming season, and I look forward to the games with Fisk this season!  I wish you the best as well Gregory Sager!

Thanks, Wilburt. Right back atcha.

This is very amusing to me. It seems that whenever I post on the d3hoops board I have a following of folks that appear to take a certain amount of glee in taking issue with my opinions and assertions and further glee in knocking down my points.   Perhaps this may be done to shine the apple on the glorious Division III  , or I may be the resident whipping boy, who knows, but I am sure that the GSAC discussions are very dull without my input in recent months!

I don't follow the GSAC board, but I, for one, do miss your presence here in the Multi-Region Topics rooms. We need contrarians, and you're as contrary as they come, Wilburt. I'm a bit surprised that you're still here; posters who follow schools that leave D3 tend to vanish from this site when their schools vanish from the D3 rolls. We've had regulars from William Penn, Lincoln, UC-San Diego, and Lake Erie that were never heard from again after their schools left the division. You're the first fan of an ex-D3 school that's stuck around. I guess that that means that you either still have a lingering love-hate relationship with D3 (or this website) or that you need an outlet for disputation.

It is true that the GSAC board is less interesting without Wilburt. 

The matter of visitor discomfort playing at Rust arose here in the context of remarks about why certain schools do not choose to play Rust, especially at Rust.  Rust fans do a great job of supporting their team and often there are not a whole lot of white people in the gym.  For some visitors, this is unusual and, I suspect, some choose not to visit at all.

What a disappointing thing to read. What is this, 1930? For crying out loud, if you're so uncomfortable around people who have a different skin color than yours that you can't even share a gym with them out of fear or disapproval or ill will or whatever, then you ought to take a good long look in the mirror at what kind of a person you really are. (This is not directed at you, scottiedoug; I realize that you're just reporting the phenomenon.) Has the South really changed that little over the past half-century? That's disheartening ... and disgusting.

Mr. Sager...you should go!

Are you telling me to leave the Top 25 room or to go to a game at Rust?

Holly Springs, MS is a long, long way from Chicago, but I'd love to see a game at Rust sometime. I remember very well the trip that the Bearcats made to the North Park gym back in the 1989-90 season. The frenetic and uptempo style favored by the Bearcats -- they did hockey-line subs of five every other minute or so -- made for a game that was played at a breakneck pace. North Park small forward Dan Hill, a deadeye shooter, got hot and hit thirteen three-pointers. He was so deadly that Rust put a box-and-one on him, which cracked us up to no end, as Hill was easily the slowest person on either team ... and yet he kept getting open shots, mostly because Vikings point guard Danny James (a D1 transfer from Alabama-Birmingham) kept finding ways to get him good looks. James set a school record by dishing out 18 assists that night, most of them to Hill (who scored 43 points). North Park ended up winning, 123-90. Rust brought a large and enthusiastic contingent of fans, and, combined with the usual crowd of vocal Vikings fans, it made for a rockin' house that night.

If Rust ever wants to make another road trip to the Windy City, I'll do whatever I can to help make it possible for the Bearcats to schedule another game with North Park. As NPU's broadcaster, I'd thoroughly enjoy calling a game like the one back in the 1989-90 season.

[RustCollege]

Reply to Gregory Sager in part:

The matter of visitor discomfort playing at Rust arose here in the context of remarks about why certain schools do not choose to play Rust, especially at Rust.  Rust fans do a great job of supporting their team and often there are not a whole lot of white people in the gym.  For some visitors, this is unusual and, I suspect, some choose not to visit at all.

What a disappointing thing to read. What is this, 1930? For crying out loud, if you're so uncomfortable around people who have a different skin color than yours that you can't even share a gym with them out of fear or disapproval or ill will or whatever, then you ought to take a good long look in the mirror at what kind of a person you really are. (This is not directed at you, scottiedoug; I realize that you're just reporting the phenomenon.) Has the South really changed that little over the past half-century? That's disheartening ... and disgusting.

Mr. Sager...you should go!

Are you telling me to leave the Top 25 room or to go to a game at Rust?

Holly Springs, MS is a long, long way from Chicago, but I'd love to see a game at Rust sometime. I remember very well the trip that the Bearcats made to the North Park gym back in the 1989-90 season. The frenetic and uptempo style favored by the Bearcats -- they did hockey-line subs of five every other minute or so -- made for a game that was played at a breakneck pace. North Park small forward Dan Hill, a deadeye shooter, got hot and hit thirteen three-pointers. He was so deadly that Rust put a box-and-one on him, which cracked us up to no end, as Hill was easily the slowest person on either team ... and yet he kept getting open shots, mostly because Vikings point guard Danny James (a D1 transfer from Alabama-Birmingham) kept finding ways to get him good looks. James set a school record by dishing out 18 assists that night, most of them to Hill (who scored 43 points). North Park ended up winning, 123-90. Rust brought a large and enthusiastic contingent of fans, and, combined with the usual crowd of vocal Vikings fans, it made for a rockin' house that night.

If Rust ever wants to make another road trip to the Windy City, I'll do whatever I can to help make it possible for the Bearcats to schedule another game with North Park. As NPU's broadcaster, I'd thoroughly enjoy calling a game like the one back in the 1989-90 season.

That is sad to read for somebody to be sayin something like that because i know it is not 1930 i am with you a 100% on that this is basketball people.........Wow thats some history never new about rust vs north park i know that game was crazy and i know rust would love to go but the way everything is now it may be hard be we need to see what we can do to make that happen

[Pat Coleman]

It seems that whenever I post on the d3hoops board I have a following of folks that appear to take a certain amount of glee in taking issue with my opinions and assertions and further glee in knocking down my points.

Probably because you really only show up here to run down Division III and you don't have a lot of facts to back up your assertions.

[hopefan]

Sager - you take that train down to St Louis on Friday and we drive on down to Holly Springs on Saturday to see Webster-Rust... a quick 5 hour drive ...   RustCollege needs to take us out for some great Southern food to make the day complete though!!!!

[Gregory Sager]

As much fun as that sounds, Hopefan, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to say no. The afternoon that NPU is down in St. Louis playing Fontbonne I will be in the crackerbox keeping score for the North Park women as they face Aurora.

[Titan Q]

Not quite set in stone, but my current preseason Top 25...


#1 UW-Stevens Point (29-4 overall, 12-4 WIAC/West) – 2009-10 national champion
Starters Returning: (4) F Louis Hurd, 6-5 SR (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg),G Jared Jenkins, 6-4 SR (11.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), F Scott Hoelzel, 6-6 SR (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Nick Krull, 6-7 SR (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Starters Lost:  (1) PG Matt Moses, 6-2 (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: PG Jerel Harris, 5-10 SO (7.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)


#2 Eastern Mennonite (25-5 overall, 14-2 ODAC/South) – Elite 8, lost to Guilford
Starters Returning: (5) G/F Todd Phillips, 6-3 SR (17.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 rpg), G/F D.J. Hinson, 6-4 SR (15.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G George Johnson, 5-10 SR (15.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), F Eli Crawford, 6-2 SR (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), F Orie Pancione, 6-5 SR (7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Andrew Thorne, 6-4 SO (3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#3 Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW/Midwest) - Elite 8, lost to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (5) G Sean Johnson, 6-1 SR (17.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg), C Doug Sexauer, 6-7 SR (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Jordan Zimmer, 6-5 JR (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), PG Travis Rosenkranz, 6-0 SR (8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.1 apg), F John Koschnitzky, 6-6 JR (5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: C Ryan Connolly (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 6-9 JR


#4 Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW/Midwest) - Sweet 16, lost to Illinois Wesleyan
Starters Returning: (4) PG Steve Djurickovic, 6-3 SR (24.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.3 apg), C Tyler Pierce, 6-5 SO (12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Max Cary, 6-3 JR (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), F Mitch Thompson, 6-6 SO (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg),

Starters Lost: (1) G Cody Hilton, 5-11 (3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve:  G Malcom Kelly, 6-0 SO (7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#5 Randolph-Macon (26-7 overall, 11-5 ODAC/South) - Final 4, lost to UW-Stevens Point

Starters Returning: (5) F Brandon Braxton, 6-5 SR (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G Eric Pugh, 6-0 SR (10.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.2 apg), G/F Jordan Brown, 6-4 SR (10. 2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G Calvin Croskey, 6-0 JR (8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G/F Kevin Voelkel, 6-5 SR (2.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: F Danny Jones, 6-6 SR (13.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#6 Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC/Great Lakes) – Sweet 16, lost to Guilford

Starters Returning: (4) G Ian Franks, 6-4 SR (17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Nathan Balch, 6-1 SR (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F/C Bryan Wickliffe, 6-5 SR (11.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg), F Justin Hallowell, 6-7 JR (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost : (1) G Brandon Johnson, 6-2 (6.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Matt Fegan, 6-1 JR (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#7 St. Norbert (23-4 overall, 14-2 MWC/Midwest) - Round of 32, lost to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (5) G Dave Wipperfurth, 6-2 SR (15.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), C Chris Peterson, 6-5 SR (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G John Taylor, 6-0 SR (10.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg), F Steve Papke, 6-4 SR (7.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G/F Paul Mallers, 6-3 SR (5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G Mike Brumm, 5-11 SO (4.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg)


#8 Franklin & Marshall (26-5 overall, 15-3 Centennial/Mid-Atlantic) – Elite 8, lost to Randolph-Macon
Starters Returning: (4) F James McNally, 6-6 SR (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), G Georgio Milligan, 6-2 JR (13.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.9 apg), F Mike Baker, 6-6 SR (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg), G Justin Driver, 6-0 SR (2.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Anthony Brooks, 6-2 (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Steve Tolliver, 6-2 SR (6.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#9 John Carroll (21-7 overall, 15-3 OAC/Great Lakes) - Round of 32, lost to Guilford
Starters Returning: (5) G Corey Shontz, 6-1 JR (14.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.0 apg), F/C Matt Crozier, 6-7 JR (12.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Joey Meyer, 5-11 JR (8.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg), G Michael Hartnett, 6-2 JR (4.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg), F Patrick Sweeney, 6-2 JR (2.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: F Maurice Haynes, 6-4 SR (8.6 ppg, 4.3 apg)


#10 Rhode Island (22-8 overall, 12-2 LEC/Northeast) - Sweet 16, lost to Brandeis
Starters Returning: (4) G Antone Gray, 5-9 SR (14.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.8 apg), G/F Mason Choice, 6-4 JR (13.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg), F/C Darius Debnam, 6-4 SR (7.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), G Nick Manson, 6-0 SR (7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Jake Grimes, 6-3 (14.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Carl Lee, 6-3 SR (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)



#11 Middlebury (25-4 overall, 8-1 NESCAC/Northeast) - Round of 32, lost to Rhode Island
Starters Returning: (4) F Ryan Sharry, 6-8 JR (13.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G Jake Wolfin, 6-2 SO (10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.9 apg), G Nolan Thompson, 6-3 SO (10.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), C Andrew Locke, 6-10 SR (9.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Tim Edwards, 6-4 (8.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Ryan Wholey, 6-4 SR (8.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)


#12 Williams (30-2 overall, 9-0 NESCAC/Northeast) – lost in national championship game to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (2) G James Wang, 6-0 JR (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Harlan Dodson, 6-8 SR (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G/F Blake Schultz, 6-3 (19.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Alex Rubin, 6-4 (9.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg), C Joe Geoghegan, 6-8 (7.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Troy Whittington, 6-5 SR (11.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg


#13 Anderson (23-6 overall, 13-3 HCAC/Midwest) - Round of 32, lost to Carthage
Starters Returning: (4) F Brock Morrison, 6-3 JR (14.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg), C Andrew Jones, 6-6 SR (13.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Andrew Bowman, 6-7 SR (11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg), G Gabe Miller, 6-3 SR (11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Ty Riddle (14.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) - was a junior last year...had one semester eligility left but decided to enter work world

Top Returning Reserve: G Phil Hogan, 5-11 SO (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#14 St. Mary's (26-4 overall, 14-2 CAC/Mid-Atlantic) – Sweet 16, lost to Franklin & Marshall
Starters Returning: (4) G Alex Franz, 6-1 SR (13.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg), C Sam Brown, 6-8 SR (9.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), G James Davenport, 6-3 JR (6.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Brian Grashof, 6-7 JR (6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Camontae Griffin, 5-9 (21.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Mike Fitzpatrick, 6-6 SR (8.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)


#15 Virginia Wesleyan (22-5 overall, 12-4 ODAC/South) - Round of 32, lost to St. Mary's
Starters Returning: (4) F Donald Vaughn, 6-5 JR (15.5 ppg, 8.0 ppg), F Chris Astorga, 6-5 SO (8.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Ed Roberts, 5-10 JR (3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg), F Trevor Watson, 6-4 JR (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Stephen Fields, 6-2 (21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.2 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Quantrell Simmons, 6-6 SR (8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#16 Hope (21-8 overall, 11-3 MIAA/Great Lakes) – lost in 1st Round to St. Norbert
Starters Returning: (4) G Peter Bunn, 6-2 SR (16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), F Will Bowser, 6-5 SR (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Andy Venema, 6-8 SR (9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), G David Krombeen, 6-3 JR (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Starters Lost: (1) C Chris Nelis, 6-4 (12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Nate Snuggerud, 6-5 SO (6.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#17 MIT (22-5 overall, 10-2 NEWMAC/Northeast) – lost in 1st Round to DeSales
Starters Returning: (4) F Noel Hollingsworth, 6-9 JR (20.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg), G Mitchell Kates, 6-1 SO (13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Will Tashman, 6-8 SO (8.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), G Eric Zuk, 6-5 SR (1.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) Billy Johnson (8.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Jimmy Burke, 5-11 SO (9.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg)


#18 WPI (20-7 overall, 7-5 NEWMAC/Northeast) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) G Jeffrey Robinson, 6-1 SR (19.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Kyle Nadeau, 5-8 SR (9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Ben Etten, 6-4 SR (9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg), C Matt Carr, 6-7 JR (5.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) C Bennett Lessard, 6-8 (3.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Fernando Perez, 6-3 JR (11.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg)


#19 Plattsburgh State (21-8 overall, 13-5 SUNYAC/East) – lost in 1st Round to SUNYIT
Starters Returning: (4) G Chris Ruiz, 6-4 SR (17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), G Steve Thomas, 6-4 SR (17.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Errol Daniyan, 6-6 SR (15.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Carl Munnerlyn, 5-9 SR (11.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) F Farris Thomas, 6-5 (4.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Top Returning ReserveL F RJ Ponesse, 6-10 SR (3.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)


#20 Manchester (17-10 overall, 10-6 HCAC/Midwest) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (5) G Mitch Schaefer, 6-4 SR (11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G/F Tyler Henn, 6-5 SR (9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G Jordan Moss, 6-4 JR (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), G Nathan Ferch, 6-3 SR (8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Jason Spindler, 6-10 JR (7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G Tyler Delauder, 6-1 SR (8.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg)


#21 Augustana (16-10 overall, 9-5 CCIW/Midwest) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F Kyle Nelson, 6-9 SR (14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), PG Brian DeSimone, 6-1 JR (6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Troy Rorer, 6-2 JR (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F Brandon Kunz, 6-7 SO (4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Matt Pelton, 6-3 (12.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Chris Anderson, 6-4 JR (7.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg)


#22 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC/West) – Round of 32, lost to Wooster
Starters Returning: (2) G Phil Negri, 6-3 SR (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Alex Edmunds, 6-4 JR (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Dustin Mitchell, 6-9 (18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), G Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Mike Bendall, 6-6 (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Nolan Free, 6-1 SO (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)


#23 St. Thomas (23-4 overall, 19-1 MIAC/West) - lost in 1st round to Anderson
Starters Returning: (2) G Tyler Nicolai, 5-11 SR (14.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), G Alex Healy, 6-4 SR (12.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Joe Scott, 6-4 (10.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), G Teddy Archer, 6-1 (5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg), C Sam Eicher, 6-6 (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Tommy Hannon, 6-8 JR (5.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)


#24 Loras (15-11 overall, 10-6 IIAC/West) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F Tim Kelly, 6-4 JR (13.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) G Mike Gleason, 6-2 SR (11.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg), G Connor Mooney, 5-10 SO (11.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 4.2 apg), F Jordan Harrelson, 6-4 JR (5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) F Alex Brant (5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Dan Pawelski, 6-9 JR (9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#25 Ramapo (18-9 overall, 7-6 NJAC/Atlantic) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F/C LaQuan Peterkin, 6-6 JR (15.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg), G Anthony LoRusso, 6-1 JR (9.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), G Garret Thiel, 6-2 JR (8.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Davian Plunkett, 6-6 JR (8.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Andre Kenny, 6-3 (15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.1 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Stephon Treadwell, 6-5 SO (4.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg)




Really just a crapshoot, but that's what I got.

[Titan Q]

By region, my current preseason Top 25 goes...

Midwest - 6
Northeast - 5
West - 4
South - 3
Great Lakes - 3
Mid-Atlantic - 2
East - 1
Atlantic - 1

[RustCollege]

what about Nov 13 how about yall come on that day.......Hey Pat Coleman how about you come catch a Rust Game this year

[David Collinge]

Sager - you take that train down to St Louis on Friday and we drive on down to Holly Springs on Saturday to see Webster-Rust... a quick 5 hour drive ...   RustCollege needs to take us out for some great Southern food to make the day complete though!!!!

Plus, Holly Springs is a gorgeous little town, well worth a visit, and a mostly beautiful drive from Memphis to boot.

[Pat Coleman]

what about Nov 13 how about yall come on that day.......Hey Pat Coleman how about you come catch a Rust Game this year

I can't rule it out but not sure how much money/time I have to travel this year. If I go, it won't be for an exhibition game or anything that takes place before Nov. 15.

[cubs]

Not quite set in stone, but my current preseason Top 25...


#22 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC/West) – Round of 32, lost to Wooster
Starters Returning: (2) G Phil Negri, 6-3 SR (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Alex Edmunds, 6-4 JR (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Dustin Mitchell, 6-9 (18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), G Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Mike Bendall, 6-6 (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Nolan Free, 6-1 SO (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Really just a crapshoot, but that's what I got.

I have a pretty good source that has told me that Free will not be playing this season for Whitewater, and PG Negri is still having back issues that plagued him last season.  Take those two out of the rotation, and the Warhawks look "thin" in terms of experience.  While Negri may still be on the roster once the season rolls around, one has to wonder just how effective he will be.

River Falls is the team in the WIAC that I would keep an eye on as the season goes along.  Just have a hunch that they will be solid this season.

[Titan Q]

Not quite set in stone, but my current preseason Top 25...


#22 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC/West) – Round of 32, lost to Wooster
Starters Returning: (2) G Phil Negri, 6-3 SR (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Alex Edmunds, 6-4 JR (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Dustin Mitchell, 6-9 (18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), G Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Mike Bendall, 6-6 (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Nolan Free, 6-1 SO (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Really just a crapshoot, but that's what I got.

I have a pretty good source that has told me that neither Free will not be playing this season for Whitewater, and PG Negri is still having back issues that plagued him last season.  Take those two out of the rotation, and the Warhawks look "thin" in terms of experience. 

River Falls is the team in the WIAC that I would keep an eye on as the season goes along.  Just have a hunch that they will be solid this season.

If that's correct, I won't vote for UWW in the preseason.  Even with those guys, I struggled with including the Warhawks to be honest.

[Hugenerd]

Not quite set in stone, but my current preseason Top 25...


#1 UW-Stevens Point (29-4 overall, 12-4 WIAC/West) – 2009-10 national champion
Starters Returning: (4) F Louis Hurd, 6-5 SR (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg),G Jared Jenkins, 6-4 SR (11.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), F Scott Hoelzel, 6-6 SR (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Nick Krull, 6-7 SR (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Starters Lost:  (1) PG Matt Moses, 6-2 (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: PG Jerel Harris, 5-10 SO (7.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)


#2 Eastern Mennonite (25-5 overall, 14-2 ODAC/South) – Elite 8, lost to Guilford
Starters Returning: (5) G/F Todd Phillips, 6-3 SR (17.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 rpg), G/F D.J. Hinson, 6-4 SR (15.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G George Johnson, 5-10 SR (15.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), F Eli Crawford, 6-2 SR (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), F Orie Pancione, 6-5 SR (7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Andrew Thorne, 6-4 SO (3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#3 Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW/Midwest) - Elite 8, lost to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (5) G Sean Johnson, 6-1 SR (17.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg), C Doug Sexauer, 6-7 SR (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Jordan Zimmer, 6-5 JR (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), PG Travis Rosenkranz, 6-0 SR (8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.1 apg), F John Koschnitzky, 6-6 JR (5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: C Ryan Connolly (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 6-9 JR


#4 Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW/Midwest) - Sweet 16, lost to Illinois Wesleyan
Starters Returning: (4) PG Steve Djurickovic, 6-3 SR (24.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.3 apg), C Tyler Pierce, 6-5 SO (12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Max Cary, 6-3 JR (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), F Mitch Thompson, 6-6 SO (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg),

Starters Lost: (1) G Cody Hilton, 5-11 (3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve:  G Malcom Kelly, 6-0 SO (7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#5 Randolph-Macon (26-7 overall, 11-5 ODAC/South) - Final 4, lost to UW-Stevens Point

Starters Returning: (5) F Brandon Braxton, 6-5 SR (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G Eric Pugh, 6-0 SR (10.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.2 apg), G/F Jordan Brown, 6-4 SR (10. 2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G Calvin Croskey, 6-0 JR (8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G/F Kevin Voelkel, 6-5 SR (2.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: F Danny Jones, 6-6 SR (13.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#6 Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC/Great Lakes) – Sweet 16, lost to Guilford

Starters Returning: (4) G Ian Franks, 6-4 SR (17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Nathan Balch, 6-1 SR (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F/C Bryan Wickliffe, 6-5 SR (11.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg), F Justin Hallowell, 6-7 JR (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost : (1) G Brandon Johnson, 6-2 (6.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Matt Fegan, 6-1 JR (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#7 St. Norbert (23-4 overall, 14-2 MWC/Midwest) - Round of 32, lost to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (5) G Dave Wipperfurth, 6-2 SR (15.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), C Chris Peterson, 6-5 SR (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G John Taylor, 6-0 SR (10.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.3 apg), F Steve Papke, 6-4 SR (7.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G/F Paul Mallers, 6-3 SR (5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G Mike Brumm, 5-11 SO (4.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg)


#8 Franklin & Marshall (26-5 overall, 15-3 Centennial/Mid-Atlantic) – Elite 8, lost to Randolph-Macon
Starters Returning: (4) F James McNally, 6-6 SR (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), G Georgio Milligan, 6-2 JR (13.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.9 apg), F Mike Baker, 6-6 SR (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg), G Justin Driver, 6-0 SR (2.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Anthony Brooks, 6-2 (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Steve Tolliver, 6-2 SR (6.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#9 John Carroll (21-7 overall, 15-3 OAC/Great Lakes) - Round of 32, lost to Guilford
Starters Returning: (5) G Corey Shontz, 6-1 JR (14.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.0 apg), F/C Matt Crozier, 6-7 JR (12.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Joey Meyer, 5-11 JR (8.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg), G Michael Hartnett, 6-2 JR (4.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg), F Patrick Sweeney, 6-2 JR (2.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: F Maurice Haynes, 6-4 SR (8.6 ppg, 4.3 apg)


#10 Rhode Island (22-8 overall, 12-2 LEC/Northeast) - Sweet 16, lost to Brandeis
Starters Returning: (4) G Antone Gray, 5-9 SR (14.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.8 apg), G/F Mason Choice, 6-4 JR (13.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg), F/C Darius Debnam, 6-4 SR (7.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), G Nick Manson, 6-0 SR (7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Jake Grimes, 6-3 (14.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Carl Lee, 6-3 SR (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)



#11 Middlebury (25-4 overall, 8-1 NESCAC/Northeast) - Round of 32, lost to Rhode Island
Starters Returning: (4) F Ryan Sharry, 6-8 JR (13.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G Jake Wolfin, 6-2 SO (10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.9 apg), G Nolan Thompson, 6-3 SO (10.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), C Andrew Locke, 6-10 SR (9.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Tim Edwards, 6-4 (8.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.1 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Ryan Wholey, 6-4 SR (8.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)


#12 Williams (30-2 overall, 9-0 NESCAC/Northeast) – lost in national championship game to UW-Stevens Point
Starters Returning: (2) G James Wang, 6-0 JR (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Harlan Dodson, 6-8 SR (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G/F Blake Schultz, 6-3 (19.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Alex Rubin, 6-4 (9.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg), C Joe Geoghegan, 6-8 (7.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Troy Whittington, 6-5 SR (11.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg


#13 Anderson (23-6 overall, 13-3 HCAC/Midwest) - Round of 32, lost to Carthage
Starters Returning: (4) F Brock Morrison, 6-3 JR (14.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg), C Andrew Jones, 6-6 SR (13.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Andrew Bowman, 6-7 SR (11.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg), G Gabe Miller, 6-3 SR (11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Ty Riddle (14.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) - was a junior last year...had one semester eligility left but decided to enter work world

Top Returning Reserve: G Phil Hogan, 5-11 SO (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#14 St. Mary's (26-4 overall, 14-2 CAC/Mid-Atlantic) – Sweet 16, lost to Franklin & Marshall
Starters Returning: (4) G Alex Franz, 6-1 SR (13.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg), C Sam Brown, 6-8 SR (9.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), G James Davenport, 6-3 JR (6.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Brian Grashof, 6-7 JR (6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Camontae Griffin, 5-9 (21.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Mike Fitzpatrick, 6-6 SR (8.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)


#15 Virginia Wesleyan (22-5 overall, 12-4 ODAC/South) - Round of 32, lost to St. Mary's
Starters Returning: (4) F Donald Vaughn, 6-5 JR (15.5 ppg, 8.0 ppg), F Chris Astorga, 6-5 SO (8.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Ed Roberts, 5-10 JR (3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg), F Trevor Watson, 6-4 JR (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Stephen Fields, 6-2 (21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.2 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Quantrell Simmons, 6-6 SR (8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#16 Hope (21-8 overall, 11-3 MIAA/Great Lakes) – lost in 1st Round to St. Norbert
Starters Returning: (4) G Peter Bunn, 6-2 SR (16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), F Will Bowser, 6-5 SR (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Andy Venema, 6-8 SR (9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), G David Krombeen, 6-3 JR (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Starters Lost: (1) C Chris Nelis, 6-4 (12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Nate Snuggerud, 6-5 SO (6.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#17 MIT (22-5 overall, 10-2 NEWMAC/Northeast) – lost in 1st Round to DeSales
Starters Returning: (4) F Noel Hollingsworth, 6-9 JR (20.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg), G Mitchell Kates, 6-1 SO (13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Will Tashman, 6-8 SO (8.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), G Eric Zuk, 6-5 SR (1.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) Billy Johnson (8.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Jimmy Burke, 5-11 SO (9.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg)


#18 WPI (20-7 overall, 7-5 NEWMAC/Northeast) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) G Jeffrey Robinson, 6-1 SR (19.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Kyle Nadeau, 5-8 SR (9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Ben Etten, 6-4 SR (9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg), C Matt Carr, 6-7 JR (5.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) C Bennett Lessard, 6-8 (3.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Fernando Perez, 6-3 JR (11.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg)


#19 Plattsburgh State (21-8 overall, 13-5 SUNYAC/East) – lost in 1st Round to SUNYIT
Starters Returning: (4) G Chris Ruiz, 6-4 SR (17.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), G Steve Thomas, 6-4 SR (17.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Errol Daniyan, 6-6 SR (15.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Carl Munnerlyn, 5-9 SR (11.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) F Farris Thomas, 6-5 (4.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Top Returning ReserveL F RJ Ponesse, 6-10 SR (3.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)


#20 Manchester (17-10 overall, 10-6 HCAC/Midwest) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (5) G Mitch Schaefer, 6-4 SR (11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G/F Tyler Henn, 6-5 SR (9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G Jordan Moss, 6-4 JR (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), G Nathan Ferch, 6-3 SR (8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Jason Spindler, 6-10 JR (7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G Tyler Delauder, 6-1 SR (8.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg)


#21 Augustana (16-10 overall, 9-5 CCIW/Midwest) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F Kyle Nelson, 6-9 SR (14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), PG Brian DeSimone, 6-1 JR (6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Troy Rorer, 6-2 JR (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F Brandon Kunz, 6-7 SO (4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Matt Pelton, 6-3 (12.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Chris Anderson, 6-4 JR (7.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg)


#22 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC/West) – Round of 32, lost to Wooster
Starters Returning: (2) G Phil Negri, 6-3 SR (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Alex Edmunds, 6-4 JR (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Dustin Mitchell, 6-9 (18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), G Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Mike Bendall, 6-6 (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Nolan Free, 6-1 SO (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)


#23 St. Thomas (23-4 overall, 19-1 MIAC/West) - lost in 1st round to Anderson
Starters Returning: (2) G Tyler Nicolai, 5-11 SR (14.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), G Alex Healy, 6-4 SR (12.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Joe Scott, 6-4 (10.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), G Teddy Archer, 6-1 (5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg), C Sam Eicher, 6-6 (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Tommy Hannon, 6-8 JR (5.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)


#24 Loras (15-11 overall, 10-6 IIAC/West) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F Tim Kelly, 6-4 JR (13.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) G Mike Gleason, 6-2 SR (11.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg), G Connor Mooney, 5-10 SO (11.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 4.2 apg), F Jordan Harrelson, 6-4 JR (5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) F Alex Brant (5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Dan Pawelski, 6-9 JR (9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#25 Ramapo (18-9 overall, 7-6 NJAC/Atlantic) – not in 2009-10 tournament
Starters Returning: (4) F/C LaQuan Peterkin, 6-6 JR (15.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg), G Anthony LoRusso, 6-1 JR (9.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), G Garret Thiel, 6-2 JR (8.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Davian Plunkett, 6-6 JR (8.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Andre Kenny, 6-3 (15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.1 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Stephon Treadwell, 6-5 SO (4.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg)




Really just a crapshoot, but that's what I got.

When do you guys tally these up for the preseason poll?

Also, when is the preseason AA team announced?

[THE U - TD]

I think UTD still deserves a Top 25 spot.

They lost in the elite 8 2 years ago in overtime, made it to Sweet 16 last year after losing 2 starters to injuries, putting up one of the better fights UWSP got in the tournament at UWSP.  (I will say from what I heard the UWSP fans and players were extremely nice and very complimentary of UTD, and it was a truly great environment to play in.  The players said it was a great experience, except for the losing part of course, so kudos to all the UWSP fans.)

UTD lost a few seniors (Fleming, Hillen, Eppink, Rodgers, Maish), but they still have a great returning group with postseason experience in Chris Barnes, Brandon Greene, Jimmy Witten, and Curtis Davis among many others.  They also have a great recruiting class coming with a mix of freshmen and transfers.  On top of that UTD has an excellent coach in Terry Butterfield who has a great system that has created a successful program over the past few years.

The ASC is a very unique conference and tough to win in and I think is often underrated.  I understand that the best way to gain respect for a conference is to win in the national tournament, and I think UTD has helped bring respect for this conference.

With the success UTD has had the last couple years along with a great group of returners and a great incoming group of players, I think UTD is still a top 25 team until someone proves that otherwise.