Top 25 talk

[Titan Q]

My ballot as of today...


#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 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)


#11 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


#12 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)


#13 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)


#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 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)


#23 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)


#24 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)


#25 - ??  Any thoughts on who the best candidate not listed above is?


(I bumped UW-Whitewater out...just can't seem to get comfortable with them in at this point.  I'd love to put another WIAC team in, but I am not clear at all on which team is picked #2.  Sounds like UW-River Falls is a team to watch for but I just can't pull the trigger on a 9-16/3-13 team on the preseason ballot.)

[Titan Q]

Here are the remaining teams from that running list we had going a couple weeks ago (candidates among teams that were not in the final 2009-10 poll).  I've already included the ones I feel good about in my top 25...not sure I'm thrilled about any of the teams below.

Again, it seems like there should be a second WIAC team in.  It also seems like there should be a UAA team, but I just don't see one that belongs in the preseason poll.  Second NCAC team?  Second OAC team?  NWC candidate?  SCAC?

Open to any and all suggestions.  In the absence of a clear choice, this is where as a voter you sometimes end up falling back on a strong program - Wittenberg, Wash U, Amherst, etc.




Amherst (14-11 overall, 3-6 NESCAC) – Northeast
Starters Returning: (4) G Conor Meehan, 6-4 SR (14.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.2 apg), F Jeff Holmes, 6-7 JR (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg), G Taylor Barisse, 6-5 JR (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg), G/F David Waller, 6-6 JR (7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G/F Steven Wheeler, 6-6 (14.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Willy Workman, 6-6 SO (6.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg)


Buena Vista (15-12 overall, 10-6 IIAC) – West
Starters Returning: (3) G Troy Ticknor, 6-1 SO (12.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg), F/C Doug Bissen, 6-7 JR (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg), F Wes Nordquist, 6-7 SO (11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Starters Lost: (2) G/F Nathan Parker, 6-4 (10.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Kevin Osborn, 6-0 (3.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Jeff Janssen, 6-4 JR (8.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg)


Calvin (19-9 overall, 12-2 MIAA) – Great Lakes
Starters Returning: (3) F Danny Rodts, 6-6 SR (9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), F Tom Snikkers, 6-4 SO (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Trent Salo, 5-9 SR (5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (2) C John Mantel, 6-9 (14.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), F Matt Veltema, 6-6 (12.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Brad Schnyders, 6-6 SR (6.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg)


DePauw (20-8 overall, 11-5 SCAC) – South
Starters Returning: (2) G Steve Lemasters, 6-3 SR (12.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), G Sean Hasely, 6-3 JR (11.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G Tony James, 5-10 (10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.3 apg), F Tom Callen, 6-4 (8.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg), F David Gray, 6-6 (4.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Drew Wills, 6-3 SR (6.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

[Ethelred the Unready]

Hey, don't sleep on Rust.  I hear they're pretty good   

[sac]

Hey, don't sleep on Rust.  I hear they're pretty good   

[beachcv]

Just a simple kudos to Titan Q for a tremendous amount to time and effort with the top teams, including the listing of players with height, year, statistics, etc.  Excellent research.

[KnightSlappy]

If it's those four you're pondering, I'd say take Calvin and DePauw and flip a coin. They had the best team resumes last year.

[Hugenerd]

I would put WashU in at the #25 spot.  I know they lost a lot, but they are always deep.  Many of their backups would start on a lot of good D3 teams. This is a team that was #1 for most of the year last year and ended #6.

[Titan Q]

I would put WashU in at the #25 spot.  I know they lost a lot, but they are always deep.  Many of their backups would start on a lot of good D3 teams. This is a team that was #1 for most of the year last year and ended #6.

To your last sentence...With 4 starters gone -- including two All-American guards (Sean Wallis and Aaron Thompson), their starting center (Zack Kelly), and their best defender (Cam Smith) -- does Wash U's 2009-10 record and rankings even matter in terms of this year's preseason Top 25?  I mean, those guys were absolutely instrumental to everthing the Bears accomplished last year.

I think what you are saying more is, "Wash U is a 'Top 25 program'...I assume they have good players ready to step in...I expect them to reload, not rebuild, and be a Top 25 team this year."  Now to that, I don't have a big problem.  I do think there are numerous programs that have earned the "Top 25 benefit of the doubt", so to speak.  I'm sure most D1 pollsters would include a rebuilding Kansas team over a potential Missouri Valley breakthrough on a preseason ballot.  I do try my best to avoid voting for teams based simply on name though.  Sometimes teams actually do have to rebuild.

I should also add that, having seen Wash U play so many times the last few years, I can confirm that their 2010-11 team will have some really good players (Gay, Richter, Knepper, and Toth for example) -- you are right that many of their reserves last year would have started elsewhere in D3.  And I know their freshman class is strong.  

I feel like Wash U has so many questions heading into 2010-11 (biggest for me  - Who is the point-guard?  Do they have enough 3-point shooters?  What does the bench look like?) that it's hard to vote for them in the preseason poll. My thinking is that I'd like to get past November 22 -- after Wash U has played two WIAC teams and Augustana -- before looking at them as a Top 25 candidate.  But heck, as you see, I'm struggling to find a 25th team that doesn't have a bunch of questions.

[gordonmann]

Awesome job, Q.

I like to use my No. 25 spot on a team that is off the radar if I think it can be competitive with those in consideration for that slot.  From this neck of the woods, keep an eye on Gettysburg.  The Bullets played well down the stretch, have a great player in Andrew Powers and some really nice young pieces (Zurn, Trelease).   

[Titan Q]

Awesome job, Q.

I like to use my No. 25 spot on a team that is off the radar if I think it can be competitive with those in consideration for that slot.  From this neck of the woods, keep an eye on Gettysburg.  The Bullets played well down the stretch, have a great player in Andrew Powers and some really nice young pieces (Zurn, Trelease).   

Thanks Gordon...Gettysburg looks like a strong candidate!


Gettysburg (15-11 overall, 12-6 Centennial/Mid-Atlantic) - not in 2009-10 NCAA tournament...lost @ F&M by 4 in CC tournament
Starters Returning: (4) C Andrew Powers, 6-6 SR (19.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Kevin Kennedy, 6-5 SR (11.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), G/F Alex Zurn, 6-4 SO (11.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Tim Lang, 6-7 JR (2.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Brendan Hagar, 6-1 (5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.5 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Brendan Trelease, 6-3 JR (7.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

[Titan Q]

Just noticed that IWU and Gettysburg play December 29 @ Cal Lutheran...one of those interesting cross-region games we don't get enough of in Division III.

http://www.iwusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

[nescac1]

Looks like it's going to be an uber-competitive year in D-III this season.  Looking at the top group of teams, only two powerhouses from last year (Guilford and Wash U.) were really decimated by graduation / totally senior dominated.  This year, on the other hand, almost every projected top team, certainly each team in the top eight, is loaded with key seniors.   It seems like this is one of those years where almost everyone is peaking, and next year will be fairly wide open and very difficult to project again. 

And the powers that be are gonna have a HECK of a tough time picking the D-III all star game.  This has to be one of the best classes of D-III talent in recent history.  Other than James Wang and McCrary (locks), and Noel Hollingsworth and Donald Vaughn (possibles), are there even any non-seniors with much of a shot of cracking any of the five pre-season all-American teams?

[gordonmann]

Just noticed that IWU and Gettysburg play December 29 @ Cal Lutheran...one of those interesting cross-region games we don't get enough of in Division III.

Cool!  I think Pat and Dave McHugh should spring for us to cover the game in our respective capacities.

[Hugenerd]

Looks like it's going to be an uber-competitive year in D-III this season.  Looking at the top group of teams, only two powerhouses from last year (Guilford and Wash U.) were really decimated by graduation / totally senior dominated.  This year, on the other hand, almost every projected top team, certainly each team in the top eight, is loaded with key seniors.   It seems like this is one of those years where almost everyone is peaking, and next year will be fairly wide open and very difficult to project again. 

And the powers that be are gonna have a HECK of a tough time picking the D-III all star game.  This has to be one of the best classes of D-III talent in recent history.  Other than James Wang and McCrary (locks), and Noel Hollingsworth and Donald Vaughn (possibles), are there even any non-seniors with much of a shot of cracking any of the five pre-season all-American teams?

Take a look at Mitch Kates, Northeast region rookie of the year last year.  I am biased, but I think he is as good as any point guard in the Northeast, including the aforementioned Wang.  Those of you who have seen him play know what I am talking about. 

[Titan Q]

are there even any non-seniors with much of a shot of cracking any of the five pre-season all-American teams?

Last year's D3hoops.com national Rookie of the Year Derek Raridon, a 6-6 combo forward from North Central, should have a good chance.  His freshman year stats...

21.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 43-100 3-pt, 155-189 FT (.820)


Like Steve Djurickovic (Carthage), he is the son of a CCIW head coach (Todd Raridon) and would surely be at a higher level if not for his natural ties to North Central.  I've seen Djurickovic enough now to confidently say he is a mid-major D1-caliber player.  I'd have to see Raridon more to get a better feel for where he could play.