Top 25 talk

[Titan Q]

I will take an initial stab at Top 25 candidates from the Midwest...



* Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW 1st)

- Returns all 5 starters, including 2009-10 D3hoops.com P.O.Y./CCIW M.O.P. PG Steve Djurickovic-SR (24.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.3 apg), 3rd Team all-CCIW C Tyler Pierce-SO (12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), and 3rd Team all-CCIW F Mitch Thompson-SO (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

- 2010 NCAA: Beat Aurora and Anderson at home, lost to Illinois Wesleyan (neutral)

- #10 in final poll last year


* Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW 2nd)

- Returns all 5 starters, including 1st Team all-CCIW F/C Doug Sexauer-SR (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 2nd Team all-CCIW SG Sean Johnson-SR (17.0 ppg, 3.1 apg), and 3rd Team all-CCIW PG Travis Rosenkranz-SR (8.2 ppg, 4.1 apg)

- 2010 NCAA: Beat Central (neutral), Won @ Wash U, Beat Carthage (neutral), Lost @ UW-Stevens Point

- #12 in final poll last year


* St. Norbert (23-4 overall, 14-2 MWC 1st)

- Returns all 5 starters, including all-MWC 1st Team SG Dave Wipperfurth-SR (15.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 2nd Team all-MWC C Chris Peterson-SR (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and 2nd Team all-MWC SG John Taylor-SR (10.6 ppg, 4.3 apg)

- 2010 NCAA: Beat Hope (neutral), lost @ UW-Stevens Point

- #20 in final poll last year


* Anderson (23-6 overall, 13-3 HCAC 1st)

- Returns all 5 starters, including all-HCAC F Brock Morrison-JR (14.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg), all-HCAC G Ty Riddle-SR (14.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg), and all-HCAC G Gabe Miller-SR (11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

- 2010 NCAA: Beat St. Thomas (neutral), lost @ Carthage

- #22 in final poll last year



I actually think all 4 of these teams are legitimate preseason Top 10 candidates.  Looks like a very strong year in the Midwest in 2010-11.

[hopefan]

uh oh, already I'm seeing visions of another 'bracket of death'

[Titan Q]

Here is the Sporting News preseason Top 10...

1. UW-Stevens Point
2. Franklin & Marshall
3. Randolph-Macon
4. Wooster
5. St. Norbert
6. Eastern Mennonite
7. Williams
8. UW-Whitewater
9. St. Mary's (Md)
10. Virginia Wesleyan

And their "possible breakthroughs" (listed alphabetically)...

Albright
Anderson
Augustana
Baruch
Cabrini
Carthage
Chapman
DeSales
Gettysburg
Hobart
Hope
Illinois Wesleyan
Ithaca
John Carroll
Maryville
MIT
Plattsburgh
Ramapo
Rhode Island
Ripon
Rochester
St. John Fisher
St. Lawrence
St. Thomas
Scranton
SUNYIT
Texas-Dallas
Wash U
Wesley
Wheaton
Whitworth
Wittenberg
York (NY)

[John Gleich]

UW River Falls could have a breakout year this year.  

They have 3 of the top 7 returning scorers in the WIAC this year, in addition to adding Shane Manor, a transfer from UW Superior who will be eligible this season who averaged 11.5 as a Frosh and 10.5 as a Soph (sat out this last season).  I don't necessarily think they're a top 25 team right now, but they might be on the cusp.

They beat Whitewater on Feb 6th last year and took St. Thomas to a 1 point game earlier in the year.  I'm trying to remember from last year... but I think RF dealt with some injuries that cased them to be just 3-13 in the WIAC last season.

[wooscotsfan]

Top 25 (and likely Top 10 ) Profile for the College of Wooster:

Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC 1st)

The Scots return 4 starters and 9 of their top 10 players.  Starters include Ian Franks-SR 6'4" point guard who was D3Hoops 4th Team last year, Sporting News Preseason All-America First Team (17.9 ppg on 52% FG, 5.1 rpg, 41% three pointers), All-NCAC Nathan Balch-SR 6'1" guard (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 67 three pointers on 41% shooting), All-NCAC Bryan Wickliffe-SR 6'5" forward (11.2 ppg on 61% FG, 7.2 rpg) and Justin Hallowell-JR 6'7" wing (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg).

This will be the third season that these 4 Wooster starters have played together while having won games in the NCAA tourney the last two seasons.  Ian Franks is very tough to defend as evidenced by the 30 points (10 of 16 shooting) that he dropped on Wisconsin-Whitewater in the NCAA tourney last year.

Top returning players from the bench are Matt Fegan-JR 6'1" guard (6.2 ppg, 48 three pointers on 43% shooting), Josh Claytor-SO 6'7" wing (5.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Jake Mays-SO 6'8" post (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg).

Top Freshmen recruits include 6'3" guard Jimmy Orie (27 ppg) Pennsylvania Class A All-State Team and 6'7" forward Sam Runner (15.4 ppg) West Virginia All State 2nd Team

In the 2010 NCAA:  Beat Grove City (home), Beat Wisconsin Whitewater (home), Lost to Guilford (at Guilford)

Ranked #8 in final D3Hoops poll last year

[ronk]

NEPA,
  It's from the Multi-Regional Topics(top 25 Talk) from 2 days ago by Titan Q. Don't know who their analysts are.

Here is the Sporting News preseason Top 10...

1. UW-Stevens Point
2. Franklin & Marshall
3. Randolph-Macon
4. Wooster
5. St. Norbert
6. Eastern Mennonite
7. Williams
8. UW-Whitewater
9. St. Mary's (Md)
10. Virginia Wesleyan

And their "possible breakthroughs" (listed alphabetically)...

Albright
Anderson
Augustana
Baruch
Cabrini
Carthage
Chapman
DeSales
Gettysburg
Hobart
Hope
Illinois Wesleyan
Ithaca
John Carroll
Maryville
MIT
Plattsburgh
Ramapo
Rhode Island
Ripon
Rochester
St. John Fisher
St. Lawrence
St. Thomas
Scranton
SUNYIT
Texas-Dallas
Wash U
Wesley
Wheaton
Whitworth
Wittenberg
York (NY)

[nescac1]

In terms of NESCAC teams, I think both Midd and Amherst warrant potential breakthrough mention.  Each graduate only one player who saw P.T.  Midd, despite flaming out the last few years in the tourney, always puts up gaudy regular season win totals, and this year's team is a lot more experienced.  Probably starts the biggest front court in D-3 (6'10, 6'8, 6'5, all juniors or seniors).  Amherst should be back in the top 25 discussion after an uncharacteristically down year.  They had a ton of injuries last year, were a very young team (three frosh playing big roles, and three sophomore starters), and add someone who is purported to be a big-time impact frosh (Aaron Toomey).  Amherst's Conor Meehan is a potential all-American if he is back at full health. 

As for Williams, I'd say somewhere in the 5-10 range is about right considering all they lose (seven seniors, including a first team all-American).  Key returning players are all-American candidate 6'0 JR PG James Wang (17 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, .56 / .51 / .86 shooting), all-American candidate 6'5 SR C Troy Whittington, (11 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.5 bpg, .71 FGP in only 18 mpg, averaged 15 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 bpg in the last three games of the tournament vs. very tough opponents), and 6'3 SO PG Nate Robertson (5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3 apg, .49 / .31 / .83 shooting, expected to have a big break-out year after deferring as a frosh). 

The rest of the rotation is a bit uncertain other than returning starter 6'8 PF SR Harlan Dodson (6 ppg, 2 rpg, .5 bpg, 3 point specialist).  6'3 SO SG James Klemm was highly acclaimed out of HS and I'm guessing will start; he proved to be a capable perimeter scorer in limited minutes last year (8 mpg, 4 ppg, shooing .50 / .46 / .75), as well as starring for the J.V..  The sixth man will likely be JR 6'8 C Brian Emerson, who also shot well in limited minutes (including 6-9 from three) and is expected to be a solid back-up center.  The rest of the rotation will probably consist of first years: 6'2 G Hayden Rooke-Ley , 6'4 F Taylor Epley (who played well against tough competition in the KY/IN all-star game), and possibly 6'9 C Michael Mayer if the Ephs needs to go to a third center.  Retuning forwards 6'4 Jordan Mickens and 6'5 Parker McClelland could also see spot minutes. 

Other than the top three NESCAC squads and MIT, no one in New England looks particularly strong on paper heading into the season. 

[Titan Q]

A look at returning personnel from the top 15 of the final D3hoops.com poll from 2009-10.  I'll do teams 16-25 over the weekend...

(Let me know if any mistakes.)


#1 UW-Stevens Point (29-4 overall, 12-4 WIAC, national champion) – West
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 Williams (30-2 overall, 9-0 NESCAC, national 2nd place) – Northeast
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)


#3 Guilford (30-3 overall, 14-2 ODAC, Final 4) – South

Staters Returning: (2) F Martin Stephenson, 6-4 SR (6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G T.C. Anderson, 6-0 SR (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Tyler Sanborn, 6-9 (19.9 ppg, 14.1 rpg), G Clay Henson, 6-2 (17.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Rhett Bonner, 6-1 (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Josh Pittman, 6-1 SO (6.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg)


#4 Eastern Mennonite (25-5 overall, 14-2 ODAC) – South
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)


#5 Randolph-Macon (26-7 overall, 11-5 ODAC, Final 4) - South

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 Washington U. – St. Louis (24-3 overall, 13-1 UAA) - Midwest

Starters Returning: (1) F Spencer Gay, 6-6 SR (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (4) G Aaron Thompson, 6-4 (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), PG Sean Wallis, 6-3 (12.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.7 apg), F Cameron Smith, 6-5 (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Zach Kelly, 6-7 (5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Caleb Knepper, 6-6 SR (7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#7 Whitworth (26-3 overall, 16-0 NWC) – West

Starters Returning: (2) F David Riley, 6-5 SR (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Clay Gebbers, 6-1 SR (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Nate Montgomery, 6-8 (16.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Eric Beal, 5-11 (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.7 apg), F Bo Gregg, 6-5 (11.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Jack Loofburrow, 6-6 JR (8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#8 Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC) – Great Lakes

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)


#9 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC) – West
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)


#10 Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW) - Midwest
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)


#11 Franklin & Marshall (26-5 overall, 15-3 Centennial) – Mid-Atlantic
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)


#12 Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW) - Midwest
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


#13 St. Mary's (26-4 overall, 14-2 CAC) – Mid-Atlantic
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)


#14 Brandeis (22-7 overall, 9-5 UAA) – Northeast
Starters Returning: (2) G Tyrone Hughes, 5-9 JR (9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Christian Yemga, 6-5 SR (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Kenny Small, 6-0 (14.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg), F Terrell Hollins, 6-4 (13.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg), G Andre Roberson, 5-9 (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Vytus Kriskus, 6-6 JR (12.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg)


#15 Texas-Dallas (24-6 overall, 19-2 ASC) – South
Starters Returning: (2) G/F Chris Barnes, 6-6 JR (11.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G/F Curtis Davis, 6-1 SR (11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G/F Scott Rodgers, 6-1 (15.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), PG Jared Fleming, 5-10 (11.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, C Jordan Eppink, 6-5 (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Jimmy Witten, 6-6 SR (10.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

[Titan Q]

Just from that group of teams above, my initial short-list of Top 5 candidates is:

* UW-Stevens Point
* Eastern Mennonite
* Randolph-Macon
* Wooster
* Carthage
* Illinois Wesleyan

[nescac1]

Great round-up, Titan Q, thanks.  And I think your top six is pretty much dead-on.   I'd probably go with Williams 7, F&M 8, with the rest of that group falling back a bit ...

[RustCollege]

Here is the Sporting News preseason Top 10...

1. UW-Stevens Point
2. Franklin & Marshall
3. Randolph-Macon
4. Wooster
5. St. Norbert
6. Eastern Mennonite
7. Williams
8. UW-Whitewater
9. St. Mary's (Md)
10. Virginia Wesleyan

And their "possible breakthroughs" (listed alphabetically)...

Albright
Anderson
Augustana
Baruch
Cabrini
Carthage
Chapman
DeSales
Gettysburg
Hobart
Hope
Illinois Wesleyan
Ithaca
John Carroll
Maryville
MIT
Plattsburgh
Ramapo
Rhode Island
Ripon
Rochester
Rust
St. John Fisher
St. Lawrence
St. Thomas
Scranton
SUNYIT
Texas-Dallas
Wash U
Wesley
Wheaton
Whitworth
Wittenberg
York (NY)

[wooscotsfan]

Just from that group of teams above, my initial short-list of Top 5 candidates is:

* UW-Stevens Point
* Eastern Mennonite
* Randolph-Macon
* Wooster
* Carthage
* Illinois Wesleyan

Titan Q - Excellent analysis of the Top 15 from last year's final poll.  k+

Your top 6 looks good to me while acknowledging my slight bias with one of those teams 

To round out the top 10, my votes would go to Franklin & Marshall, St. Norbert, Anderson and Williams.

[Titan Q]

Updated through #25...


#1 UW-Stevens Point (29-4 overall, 12-4 WIAC, national champion) – West
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 Williams (30-2 overall, 9-0 NESCAC, national 2nd place) – Northeast
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)


#3 Guilford (30-3 overall, 14-2 ODAC, Final 4) – South

Staters Returning: (2) F Martin Stephenson, 6-4 SR (6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G T.C. Anderson, 6-0 SR (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Tyler Sanborn, 6-9 (19.9 ppg, 14.1 rpg), G Clay Henson, 6-2 (17.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Rhett Bonner, 6-1 (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Josh Pittman, 6-1 SO (6.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg)


#4 Eastern Mennonite (25-5 overall, 14-2 ODAC) – South
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)


#5 Randolph-Macon (26-7 overall, 11-5 ODAC, Final 4) - South

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 Washington U. – St. Louis (24-3 overall, 13-1 UAA) - Midwest

Starters Returning: (1) F Spencer Gay, 6-6 SR (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (4) G Aaron Thompson, 6-4 (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), PG Sean Wallis, 6-3 (12.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.7 apg), F Cameron Smith, 6-5 (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Zach Kelly, 6-7 (5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Caleb Knepper, 6-6 SR (7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#7 Whitworth (26-3 overall, 16-0 NWC) – West

Starters Returning: (2) F David Riley, 6-5 SR (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Clay Gebbers, 6-1 SR (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Nate Montgomery, 6-8 (16.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Eric Beal, 5-11 (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.7 apg), F Bo Gregg, 6-5 (11.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Jack Loofburrow, 6-6 JR (8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#8 Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC) – Great Lakes

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)


#9 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC) – West
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)


#10 Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW) - Midwest
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)


#11 Franklin & Marshall (26-5 overall, 15-3 Centennial) – Mid-Atlantic
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)


#12 Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW) - Midwest
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


#13 St. Mary's (26-4 overall, 14-2 CAC) – Mid-Atlantic
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)


#14 Brandeis (22-7 overall, 9-5 UAA) – Northeast
Starters Returning: (2) G Tyrone Hughes, 5-9 JR (9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Christian Yemga, 6-5 SR (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Kenny Small, 6-0 (14.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg), F Terrell Hollins, 6-4 (13.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg), G Andre Roberson, 5-9 (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Vytus Kriskus, 6-6 JR (12.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg)


#15 Texas-Dallas (24-6 overall, 19-2 ASC) – South
Starters Returning: (2) G/F Chris Barnes, 6-6 JR (11.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G/F Curtis Davis, 6-1 SR (11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G/F Scott Rodgers, 6-1 (15.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), PG Jared Fleming, 5-10 (11.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, C Jordan Eppink, 6-5 (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Jimmy Witten, 6-6 SR (10.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg)


#16 St. Thomas (23-4 overall, 19-1 MIAC) - West
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)


#17 Virginia Wesleyan (22-5 overall, 12-4 ODAC) - South
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)


#18 William Paterson (25-3 overall, 12-1 NJAC) - Atlantic
Starters Returning: (1) G Gabriel Paul, 6-5 SR (8.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Starters Lost (4) G Joseph Ellis, 6-1 (14.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), F Abdoulaye Ouedraogo, 6-8 (10.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Bobby Dunn, 6-3 (8.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Tim Lucas, 6-3 (8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.6 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Shaun Canty, 6-8 SR (3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#19 Middlebury (25-4 overall, 8-1 NESCAC) - Northeast
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)


#20 St. Norbert (23-4 overall, 14-2 MWC) - Midwest
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)


#21 Chapman (24-3 overall, Independent) - West
Starters Returning: (2) F Justin Riley, 6-5 SR (15.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg), G/F Griffin Ramme (13.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3): PG Kyle Wood, 6-0 (13.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Jared Kaiser, 6-6 (7.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G/F Dan Aguilar, 6-4 (4.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F/C Jon Consani, 6-7 SR (5.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg)


#22 Anderson (23-6 overall, 13-3 HCAC) - Midwest
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)


#23 John Carroll (21-7 overall, 15-3 OAC) - Great Lakes
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)


#24 DeSales (24-6 overall, 13-1 MACF) - Mid-Atlantic
Starters Returning: (2) G Brian Hunter, 6-3 SR (11.1. ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.7 apg), C Jamey Bercier, 6-6 JR (3.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Darnell Braswell, 6-1 (20.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg), G Jimmy Malatesta, 6-1 (6.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), F Matt Zwetolitz, 6-4 (5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Bob Zanneo, 6-5 JR (6.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg)


#25 Central (23-5 overall, 14-2 IIAC) - West
Starters Returning: none

Starters Lost: (5) G Miguel Ley, 6-0 (18.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.0 apg), C Loren Liming, 6-7 (17.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg), F Mark Holan, 6-4 (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), G Justin Madsen, 6-2 (7.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg), F Zach Cooper, 6-4 (5.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Jack Bruns, 6-5 JR (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

[Titan Q]

I guess my preseason "top tier", just from the final Top 25 last year, would be...


* UW-Stevens Point
* Eastern Mennonite
* Randolph-Macon
* Wooster
* Carthage
* Illinois Wesleyan
* St. Norbert
* Franklin & Marshall
* John Carroll

These teams were all very good in 2009-10 and have very few significant questions to answer heading into 2010-11.

My next tier would include...

* Williams
* Middlebury
* Anderson
* Virginia Wesleyan
* St. Mary's

3rd Tier (not completely sure what to make of these two really)...

* UW-Whitewater
* St. Thomas

And finally, teams that were in the final 2009-10 Top 25 that don't seem to be preseason Top 25 candidates to me are...

* Guilford
* Wash U
* Whitworth
* Brandeis
* Texas-Dallas
* William Paterson
* Chapman
* DeSales
* Central

Several of these teams have good players ready to step in, and may end up in the Top 25 this year (like Wash U, for example - they have all kinds of young talent), but it seems they have lost too much to be in the preseason poll.


So who are the teams that were not ranked in the final 2009-10 poll that belong in the 2010-11 preseason poll?  I have 16 teams above that I think are pretty safe bets to be in...that leaves 9 open spots.

[Titan Q]

So who are the teams that were not ranked in the final 2009-10 poll that belong in the 2010-11 preseason poll?  I have 16 teams above that I think are pretty safe bets to be in...that leaves 9 open spots.

I think Augustana deserves consideration...

2009-10: 16-10 overall, 9-5 CCIW (lost by 3 @ Carthage in CCIW tournament)

The Vikings lost their second leading scorer and top perimeter threat, Matt Pelton (12.3 ppg), but they return 4 starters and 8 of thier top 10.  They also get back 6-9 small forward Bryant Voilles who missed last season due to injury.

Augustana has a ridiculous amount of size for a Division III team.  In fact, they will be bigger than some mid-major Division I teams.  The Vikings will probably start 6-2, 6-4, 6-9, 6-7, 6-9...with a boatload of 6-6 and taller players coming off the bench. 

It is yet to be seen if Augustana has enough perimeter firepower to be a great team, but I think they are most likely a Top 25 team.