Top 25 talk

[nescac1]

I think SUNY-Plattsburgh (returns top four players, all of whom will be seniors, from 21 win NCAA team), MIT (very young and thin team made NCAA last year, now much more experienced, and far deeper, with a very solid top three players in Kates, Hollingsworth, and Tashman), and Amherst (noted above, returns all but one rotation player and should have better luck with injuries, rare that they don't finish in top 25) all belong somewhere in the 15-25 range. 

One dark horse is Ramapo: SOMEONE from NJAC has to emerge (WPU is decimated by graduation and Stockton also loses its key players), and they return 4/5 top scorers, all of whom were only sophomores.  They may still be a year away, but could surprise this year. 

[nescac1]

Oh, one more I'll add, WPI, basically everyone should be back from a 20 win team, and they are always on the fringes of the top 25 it seems.  Obviously five from New England is too many, and I'd put them below the top three NESCAC teams and MIT, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them end up in the top 25.  The only other potential New England contender is Western Conn, who graduates no players from a 19 win team that missed a conference title by one point. 

[Titan Q]

I'll throw 2 IIAC teams on the table that were both very young last year...

Buena Vista (15-12/10-6) - returns 3 all-conf players

Loras (15-11/10-6) - returns 3 all-conf players


I wouldn't put both in, but I'd probably take a flyer on whichever is picked to win the league this year.


Hope (21-8/11-3) and Calvin (19-9/12-2) too, of course.

[Titan Q]

So the running list of teams that deserve Top 25 consideration (after the 16 from the final 2009-10 poll I listed above) is...

Amherst
Augustana
Buena Vista
Calvin
Hope
Loras
MIT
Ramapo
SUNY-Plattsburgh
UW-River Falls
WPI


Keep the ideas coming.

[sac]

You might take a look at DePauw.  20-8 last season.

http://www.depauw.edu/ath/mbasket/

[Titan Q]

Another team that I think deserves a good look - Manchester (HCAC, Midwest region).

Last year the Spartans were 17-10.  Their losses were...

- Grace College (NAIA)--on last second shot
- Illinois Wesleyan (Elite 8)-- on last second 30-footer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj4Sd-TFhvM
- Ball State (D1)— 9 point game with 5 minutes to go...ended up losing by 14.
- Anderson (Round of 32) 3 times -- twice at the buzzer
- Defiance (1st round loser to Whitewater) - twice
- Hanover (12-4 in HCAC)
- Mount St. Joe - only "bad" loss?


Manchester returns its top 7 players...maybe a Top 25 sleeper.

[Titan Q]

Thanks sac...good call.

[Titan Q]

Running list of Top 25 candidates (of teams not in final poll of 2009-10)...

Amherst
Augustana
Buena Vista
Calvin
DePauw
Hope
Loras
Manchester
MIT
Ramapo
SUNY-Plattsburgh
UW-River Falls
WPI

[Viking Mike]

Titan Q-

Great work on your preseason picks.  I do like IWU over Carthage this year for the title.  I pick my Vikings for third.

If my Vikes can improve their perimeter shooting, it could be a very good year.  We will miss Pelton's leadership and shooting, but we do have some experienced guards returning.  The return of Voilles will definately help as he can be deadly from the arc.  I expect him to play a lot on the perimeter this year to help with outside shooting.  Anderson also has a deadly eye and can really light it up.  We do have lots of "BIGS" who will take turns battling down low for any rebounds.  We may not be a great shooting percentage team, but we will have lots of possessions and opportunities at the basket.  Nelson will be a beast down low and I look for him to have an All American type year.  DeSimone is solid at the point.

Augie's schedule HAS to be one of the toughest in the country.  Besides atleast 2 games against top 10 teams Carthage and IWU, the Vikes have Wash U, Anderson, Whitewater, Buena Vista, and possibly St Norbert (tourney final?) on their "to do list".  I think Titan Q has all of these teams in his top 25!!!

Should be a great year in the CCIW!!! Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wooscotsfan]

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.

I wouldn't put John Carroll (JCU) in the top tier yet because they lost several key players.

John Carroll graduated 5 players from the 11-12 player rotation that Coach Moran runs.

Rudy Kirbus - 12.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 22 mins/game  D3Hoops Great Lakes 1st Team, All-OAC 1st Team
Chris Zajac - 7.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 20 mins/game All-OAC honorable mention
Brian Dandrea - 5.0 ppg, 17 mins/game, solid defender
Tyler Kirsch - 4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 17 mins/game
TJ DiSanto - 2.2 ppg

So, JCU graduated over 32 points/game which they will need to replace.  Coach Moran does tend to plug new recruits into his rotation system every year.  JCU plays at Wooster in December which will be a good indicator to see if the Blue Streaks deserve to be ranked in the Top 10.

[Titan Q]

DIII News preseason Top 25...

http://fwix.com/dallas/share/f94e320ba7/ut_dallas_mens_basketball_ranked_no_17_in_diii_news_preseason_top_25


1. Wisconsin-Stevens Point
2. Illinois Wesleyan
3. Eastern Mennonite
4. Carthage
5. Williams
6. Randolph-Macon
7. Franklin & Marshall
8. Wooster
9. St. Thomas
10. Washington (Mo.)
11. Rhode Island College
12. St. Mary's (Md.)
13. Guilford
14. Hope
15. Whitworth
16. St. Norbert
17. Texas-Dallas
18. MIT
19. SUNYIT
20. John Carroll
21. Plattsburgh State
22. Anderson
23. SUNY Purchase
24. Middlebury
25. Merchant Marine

Others to watch: Wis. Whitewater, Rch. Stockton, Brandeis, Albertus Magnus, St. John Fisher, Cabrini, Maryville, Birmingham Southern, Albright, Occidental, DePauw, Claremont, DeSales, Chapman, Medaille.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think they just took the final poll from last year, threw every team that got a vote into a hat and drew them out one by one.

[Gregory Sager]

Every year the other publications try a preseason prediction for D3 basketball, and every year it's apparent that they're half-assing it. The d3hoops.com preseason poll is the only one really worth taking seriously -- and even that is a stretch, inasmuch as no preseason poll is worth taking seriously once the season is in earnest and there's genuine data available upon which to build a poll.

[John Gleich]

Every year the other publications try a preseason prediction for D3 basketball, and every year it's apparent that they're half-assing it. The d3hoops.com preseason poll is the only one really worth taking seriously -- and even that is a stretch, inasmuch as no preseason poll is worth taking seriously once the season is in earnest and there's genuine data available upon which to build a poll.

You've gotta give them some credit... at least all of the teams on their poll are actually IN Division III!

[Titan Q]

(Bumping this up)

2009-10 final Top 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)