Top 25 talk

[CollegeGolf18]

11 - Wabash
13 - Wittenberg
21 - Wooster

Being an NCAC fan (Wabash '18), I wanted to hear your thoughts on your order for these three NCAC teams. Witt seems to be the strongest group only losing Balser, no?

I know the NCAC a little better than most I would say just because I've dove deep into it for the past 6+ years and I think I'd order these three teams Witt, Wabash, Wooster. I do love hearing others' opinions and am just curious about why you ordered them the way you did!

No problem if you don't have time!

Edit: I realize that might have possibly come off a little dickish. I would say I know the NCAC a little better than the average pollster, not you.

[nescac1]

Nice work on Street & Smith, Dave!  Way to get results.  On the downside, it will likely provide a lot less fodder for entertainment ... bummer . 

I too am curious about WPI being ranked so high in your poll.  I like them as a bottom-tier-top-25 team (as they so often are) this year, with everyone back from a deep, quality team with a lot of solid but no truly great players, but five seems like quite a jump!  Especially when I think Babson and Springfield can make an equally good case, roughly, in the NEWMAC this year. 

Also interesting to see Salem State so high ... I like them this year, easily the class of the awful MASCAC and they have two legit stars returning, but the rest of the roster seems like a ?.  They often get good JUCO transfers so maybe Dave knows something on that front?  They play much of the class of New England in non-league play (Willliams, Amherst, WPI, Babson, Endicott, Gordon, MIT, possibly Tufts), so they will certainly get a chance to show what they can do vs. strong competition. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think you see my thoughts on the NCAC this year. I think Wabash will be stronger after last year's experience and bringing all that talent back. Witt will be strong, though the loss of Balser will be noted, but I think they can overcome that. Wooster I included for two reasons: They always seem to be in the Top 25 even years I doubt them and eventually vote for them; this is Steve Moore's last season and I think the team is going to rise to the occasion (or at least try to).

The NCAC isn't in the top five of conferences, but they are safely in the Top 10/15 for sure. The depth - or lack - is what kills the conference, but Wabash is clearly helping with that equation.

The Great Lakes is going to be a mud pit once again with a lot of teams getting stuck thanks to tough games and outcomes. I think last year it ended up beating up the best teams a bit too much and we didn't get to see the best in the NCAA tournament. I will be interested to see if that holds true this year. Wild cards like Mount Union could make things far more difficult in the region.

[CollegeGolf18]

I think you see my thoughts on the NCAC this year. I think Wabash will be stronger after last year's experience and bringing all that talent back. Witt will be strong, though the loss of Balser will be noted, but I think they can overcome that. Wooster I included for two reasons: They always seem to be in the Top 25 even years I doubt them and eventually vote for them; this is Steve Moore's last season and I think the team is going to rise to the occasion (or at least try to).

The NCAC isn't in the top five of conferences, but they are safely in the Top 10/15 for sure. The depth - or lack - is what kills the conference, but Wabash is clearly helping with that equation.

The Great Lakes is going to be a mud pit once again with a lot of teams getting stuck thanks to tough games and outcomes. I think last year it ended up beating up the best teams a bit too much and we didn't get to see the best in the NCAA tournament. I will be interested to see if that holds true this year. Wild cards like Mount Union could make things far more difficult in the region.

Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree with you although Danyon Hempy scares me and I feel that if he gets going they can beat anyone.

Wabash will be better this year, no doubt. I just worry about their dismal depth at the five and if they finally prove they can win on the road...those are my two big questions.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Nice work on Street & Smith, Dave!  Way to get results.  On the downside, it will likely provide a lot less fodder for entertainment ... bummer . 

I too am curious about WPI being ranked so high in your poll.  I like them as a bottom-tier-top-25 team (as they so often are) this year, with everyone back from a deep, quality team with a lot of solid but no truly great players, but five seems like quite a jump!  Especially when I think Babson and Springfield can make an equally good case, roughly, in the NEWMAC this year. 

Also interesting to see Salem State so high ... I like them this year, easily the class of the awful MASCAC and they have two legit stars returning, but the rest of the roster seems like a ?.  They often get good JUCO transfers so maybe Dave knows something on that front?  They play much of the class of New England in non-league play (Willliams, Amherst, WPI, Babson, Endicott, Gordon, MIT), so they will certainly get a chance to show what they can do vs. strong competition.

I think WPI is going to put it together this year. It's a flyer. No doubt, but something about what they have and maybe others being "down" might help them this time around. We shall see. It isn't a hill I'm going to die on for sure.

Salem State - took a flyer especially with 20+ point scorers returning. I think Nichols has gone through too much change to stay consistent. I looked at Endicott and decided a wait and see was better. I liked what I saw coming back from Salem State. That said, after I submitted my ballot I did go back about 15 minutes later wondering if I had put in the wrong team and meant someone else for the Salem State spot. I decided to just follow my gut instead. Though - my gut hasn't always been right LOL.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think you see my thoughts on the NCAC this year. I think Wabash will be stronger after last year's experience and bringing all that talent back. Witt will be strong, though the loss of Balser will be noted, but I think they can overcome that. Wooster I included for two reasons: They always seem to be in the Top 25 even years I doubt them and eventually vote for them; this is Steve Moore's last season and I think the team is going to rise to the occasion (or at least try to).

The NCAC isn't in the top five of conferences, but they are safely in the Top 10/15 for sure. The depth - or lack - is what kills the conference, but Wabash is clearly helping with that equation.

The Great Lakes is going to be a mud pit once again with a lot of teams getting stuck thanks to tough games and outcomes. I think last year it ended up beating up the best teams a bit too much and we didn't get to see the best in the NCAA tournament. I will be interested to see if that holds true this year. Wild cards like Mount Union could make things far more difficult in the region.

Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree with you although Danyon Hempy scares me and I feel that if he gets going they can beat anyone.

Wabash will be better this year, no doubt. I just worry about their dismal depth at the five and if they finally prove they can win on the road...those are my two big questions.

The five spot I can understand being a concern, but also going small (which they can do) could prove to be an asset. They have 94% of their scoring coming back. That isn't something to shake a stick at and I think they also have a true center with more experience that could make things challenging.

Winning on the road is always a challenge especially in the NCAC - I can't take that much stock in that in the preseason right now. If they are struggling later in the season with that, then I'll use that accordingly. I try not to look at schedules as part of my ballot right now because there are too many unknowns.

[nescac1]

Haha, fair enough re: Salem!  Sean Bryan is one of the less-talked-about REALLY good players around.  He can flat out play, and would be a star anywhere.  But they have basically no one of note returning after the two stars.  I see they have two JUCO guys on the roster, so perhaps they will help right away. 

[Titan Q]

11 - Wabash
13 - Wittenberg
21 - Wooster

Being an NCAC fan (Wabash '18), I wanted to hear your thoughts on your order for these three NCAC teams. Witt seems to be the strongest group only losing Balser, no?

I know the NCAC a little better than most I would say just because I've dove deep into it for the past 6+ years and I think I'd order these three teams Witt, Wabash, Wooster. I do love hearing others' opinions and am just curious about why you ordered them the way you did!

No problem if you don't have time!

Edit: I realize that might have possibly come off a little dickish. I would say I know the NCAC a little better than the average pollster, not you.

Wabash travels to Bloomington, IL this Friday to scrimmage Illinois Wesleyan.  While not a real game, I'm interested to see how that plays out.  I should get pretty good scoop from that scrimmage from fans who attend.

I am very high on Wabash entering the season.

[CollegeGolf18]

I think you see my thoughts on the NCAC this year. I think Wabash will be stronger after last year's experience and bringing all that talent back. Witt will be strong, though the loss of Balser will be noted, but I think they can overcome that. Wooster I included for two reasons: They always seem to be in the Top 25 even years I doubt them and eventually vote for them; this is Steve Moore's last season and I think the team is going to rise to the occasion (or at least try to).

The NCAC isn't in the top five of conferences, but they are safely in the Top 10/15 for sure. The depth - or lack - is what kills the conference, but Wabash is clearly helping with that equation.

The Great Lakes is going to be a mud pit once again with a lot of teams getting stuck thanks to tough games and outcomes. I think last year it ended up beating up the best teams a bit too much and we didn't get to see the best in the NCAA tournament. I will be interested to see if that holds true this year. Wild cards like Mount Union could make things far more difficult in the region.

Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree with you although Danyon Hempy scares me and I feel that if he gets going they can beat anyone.

Wabash will be better this year, no doubt. I just worry about their dismal depth at the five and if they finally prove they can win on the road...those are my two big questions.

The five spot I can understand being a concern, but also going small (which they can do) could prove to be an asset. They have 94% of their scoring coming back. That isn't something to shake a stick at and I think they also have a true center with more experience that could make things challenging.

Winning on the road is always a challenge especially in the NCAC - I can't take that much stock in that in the preseason right now. If they are struggling later in the season with that, then I'll use that accordingly. I try not to look at schedules as part of my ballot right now because there are too many unknowns.

Great points. They will show a small ball lineup quite a bit this year from what I hear. Excited to see how they look against Centre - could be a tough one.

[CollegeGolf18]

11 - Wabash
13 - Wittenberg
21 - Wooster

Being an NCAC fan (Wabash '18), I wanted to hear your thoughts on your order for these three NCAC teams. Witt seems to be the strongest group only losing Balser, no?

I know the NCAC a little better than most I would say just because I've dove deep into it for the past 6+ years and I think I'd order these three teams Witt, Wabash, Wooster. I do love hearing others' opinions and am just curious about why you ordered them the way you did!

No problem if you don't have time!

Edit: I realize that might have possibly come off a little dickish. I would say I know the NCAC a little better than the average pollster, not you.

Wabash travels to Bloomington, IL this Friday to scrimmage Illinois Wesleyan.  While not a real game, I'm interested to see how that plays out.  I should get pretty good scoop from that scrimmage from fans who attend.

I am very high on Wabash entering the season.

I think they'll be very, very good. I tend to temper expectations so I am not too disappointed when the season is over. I am ready for basketball though, no doubt. That Centre game will be an early test.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I saw Wittenberg two years ago opening weekend at the Great Lakes Invitational at Marietta and my takeaway was "I think I just saw my 2019-2020 preseason #1."  That freshman class (and sophomores) now juniors and seniors are very talented and it's hard to replace the experience they've gotten playing so many minutes together these past two years.  I didn't end up voting them #1, but I've got them very high and expect great things from them.

Wooster got a couple of well-pedigreed transfers - seems like they want to make Coach's last year a good one.  I agree on Hempy; they could be dangerous.  I ended up putting Wabash third, I think - mostly because they didn't finish the year well and I try not to automatically elevate a team just because they bring so much back.  Sometimes a squad is what they'll be, even if they don't graduate anyone.  I want Wabash to prove something on the floor before I put a lot of weight behind them.

I voted Salem State as well.  Two really talented guys can take you a long way, especially in that conference.  Also, those are two guys more talented than we've seen in the MASCAC of late.  I'm willing to give that preseason love to proven players.  My weakness is definitely potential, so I try hard to edit myself early on "what could be" verses what we've actually seen.

[Titan Q]

As someone who is northeast based, I have to say I don't quite understand all of the love for WPI. I understand they return a top player from injury and the majority of their lineup--but they were the 5 seed in the NEWMAC last season and didn't even make the conference championship game. Can someone please explain this to me?

In the voter information packet, WPI really jumped out.

* 19-9 last year
* They technically have 6 starters back (last year's 5, plus an injured starter who returns)
* 99% of scoring back
* 97% of rebounding
* 98% of assists

In looking at that, I was sold on including them -- I had WPI #24.

When you vote in the preseason poll, you are basically trying to predict the final poll.  I feel pretty confident a team with those credentials will have a big season and finish the season somewhere in the poll.

We'll see.

[SpringSt7]

The NEWMAC is tough but the championship game last season was Emerson and an 11-15 Springfield team. MIT really fell off after Jurko got hurt. I can see them getting votes, but man, that is high. Like, really high.

[CCD3Basketball]

Bob and I have 20 of the same teams on our ballots.

Did you vote for Yeshiva 5 times?

I've been trying to subtly hint at this, but I did not vote for Yeshiva this year.  I happen to think they've got Top 25 talent, but they didn't finish last season strongly enough for me to justify a vote (especially with so many deserving squads out there).  I am excited they're coming to the Eastern Shore in a couple weeks, though.  I'll get to see them in person early.  Hopefully the votes will come soon.

They've got quite the Eastern Shore road trip; 8pm on Saturday night against Salisbury and 2pm on Sunday afternoon against Washington College; a couple of pretty scrappy teams. We'll see what they've got in the tank pretty early.

[CollegeGolf18]

I saw Wittenberg two years ago opening weekend at the Great Lakes Invitational at Marietta and my takeaway was "I think I just saw my 2019-2020 preseason #1."  That freshman class (and sophomores) now juniors and seniors are very talented and it's hard to replace the experience they've gotten playing so many minutes together these past two years.  I didn't end up voting them #1, but I've got them very high and expect great things from them.

Wooster got a couple of well-pedigreed transfers - seems like they want to make Coach's last year a good one.  I agree on Hempy; they could be dangerous.  I ended up putting Wabash third, I think - mostly because they didn't finish the year well and I try not to automatically elevate a team just because they bring so much back.  Sometimes a squad is what they'll be, even if they don't graduate anyone.  I want Wabash to prove something on the floor before I put a lot of weight behind them.

I voted Salem State as well.  Two really talented guys can take you a long way, especially in that conference.  Also, those are two guys more talented than we've seen in the MASCAC of late.  I'm willing to give that preseason love to proven players.  My weakness is definitely potential, so I try hard to edit myself early on "what could be" verses what we've actually seen.

Who are Wooster's transfers? Your stance on Wabash is mine exactly, let's see if they can replicate 9-0 again through the early conference slate - this time with 6 road games.