Top 25 talk

[Gregory Sager]

There is no doubt that there will be a few teams each from the UAA and CCIW who end up being very strong this year -- but it just seems like neither conference has anything close to an obvious top-10 team, and a lot of uncertainty and competitive balance from top to bottom.  I imagine something like 4-5 teams in each could get a first place vote in a pre-season conference poll.  Makes it very difficult to figure out who the inevitable top 25 squads emerging from those leagues will ultimately be ...

That seems like an accurate read of both leagues to me.

[WUPHF]

Agreed! This should be a particularly fun season for both leagues for those reasons.

[Next Man Up]

Elmhurst lost All-American Rhode, plus top players Genco, Thomas, and Millitello. They still have Hooker and Johnson, but are they really still a Top 25 team after these significant losses?

Wheaton lost All-American Adom, plus Alioth, Anthony, and Uvegas. Top 25 without these top guys?

IWU lost All-American Leritz, plus Noe, Yoder, and Lambesis. However it seems what they have returning still puts them in the Top 25.

[Next Man Up]

Mount Union is going to be pretty good, but you probably only need to list them once. 

North Central (IL) will be in there with Matt Helwig back, I believe.

North Central, honest? Are you talking about the same Matt Helwig who somehow couldn't even make All-American? Pshaw! 

[WUPHF]

IWU lost All-American Leritz, plus Noe, Yoder, and Lambesis. However it seems what they have returning still puts them in the Top 25.

Is that a statement or question?

It is crazy because they are one starter in Mitchell (25 mpg) and then two reserves in Sroka (20 mpg) and Heflen (20 mpg) who will be surely starters and then a lot who knows?

[Next Man Up]

IWU lost All-American Leritz, plus Noe, Yoder, and Lambesis. However it seems what they have returning still puts them in the Top 25.

Is that a statement or question?

It is crazy because they are one starter in Mitchell (25 mpg) and then two reserves in Sroka (20 mpg) and Heflen (20 mpg) who will be surely starters and then a lot who knows?

Preseason wise, I personally question the prospect. However, the Green Weenies will likely be voted #1 in the CCIW Coaches Poll, and I don't believe the Top 25 Voters will exclude the CCIW team voted to that position from the Top 25.

[Greek Tragedy]

Mount Union is going to be pretty good, but you probably only need to list them once. 

North Central (IL) will be in there with Matt Helwig back, I believe.

North Central, honest? Are you talking about the same Matt Helwig who somehow couldn't even make All-American? Pshaw! 

He was 1st team All Region, unanimous 1st team all conference. Aside from Augustana's David Carr, Matt Helwig is the only 1st team all conference player coming back.

Pretty sure NCC will be pretty good and Helwig will be in the All American convo.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Mount Union is going to be pretty good, but you probably only need to list them once. 

North Central (IL) will be in there with Matt Helwig back, I believe.

North Central, honest? Are you talking about the same Matt Helwig who somehow couldn't even make All-American? Pshaw! 

He was 1st team All Region, unanimous 1st team all conference. Aside from Augustana's David Carr, Matt Helwig is the only 1st team all conference player coming back.

Pretty sure NCC will be pretty good and Helwig will be in the All American convo.

I think it's safe to say Helwig was prominently involved in the conversations about 5th Team All Americans last year.

[nescac1]

Watch out for Johns Hopkins, which just posted its roster.  They have three grad students listed - returning starters Ethan Bartlett and Tom Quarry, plus UVA grad transfer Jayden Nixon (listed as Nix for some reason).  Although a walk-on at UVA, Nixon was very highly regarded coming out of high school (would have been a top D3 recruit) and played four years in practice v. national championship level competition, earning a scholarship after one year.  Although Delaney is a big loss, they are still very (maybe just as?) talented at PG between Nixon and Lincoln Yeutter, another former D1 guy who is an elite two-way athlete and I figure could really step up with a more defined role this year.  Sydney Thybulle seemed to figure it out down the stretch, a physical dude who could be a big-time center for them as a senior. 

More on Nixon here: https://www.si.com/college/virginia/basketball/jayden-nixon-to-play-fifth-year-at-johns-hopkins

[Stretch4]

Hopkins has been flying under the radar a bit this off-season/pre-season in discussions on top 25 level teams. I am sure they are fine with that. They are definitely loaded with 4 returning starters (which include a 1st team all conference player and an honorable mention all conference player), a very talented former D1 player in Yeutter who will certainly break out from Delaney's shadow this year, and the UVA grad transfer you mentioned. Tons of experience on the roster and a good deal of quality depth on the team. As the two-time defending Centennial Conference champion, it is interesting how JHU still seems to play second fiddle to Swarthmore in terms of national recognition from the conference. JHU has Christopher Newport in game 1 this year, so big opportunity.     

[nescac1]

To be fair to the prognosticators on Hopkins, I'm not sure folks were aware of (a) the two returning starters attending graduate school and (b) the D1 transfer; that's probably three of Hopkins' top six players.  Take away those three guys (plus Delaney), I don't think Hopkins is a top 30 team.  But with them?  To me at least, very clearly top 20 with a lot of upside beyond that.  I agree that, looking at Swarthmore's roster and given how Swarthmore ended last season, Hopkins should be the Centennial favorite, then Swarthmore, then probably Gettysburg. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Of course Swat is going to get a lot of attention. Just looking at their roster...back in April, they were returning 6 of their top 7 guys with only Conor Harkins not returning. Obviously, a lot has changed since then. Look at all the developing rosters from JCU getting 4 D1 transfers and Mount Union welcoming back Colleen Gurley, among other things. I'm sure we still have a few surprises in store once rosters come out.

[PauldingLightUP]

2023 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship is set for 6pmET on Saturday March 18th on CBSSN per Paramount release.

[hotdawg]

I know HCAC doesn't get much love but I think Hanover should be in Top 25 consideration.  Great Season last year ... won 21 games including at Wabash (turns out they were pretty good eh?) and bring a ton of talent back.   Have great shooting with wings who can guard.  Also return Munoz who could be POY in the conference  ... Versatile/Skilled Big man.  Hanover is going to be a Nightmare to guard.

[ziggy]

I know HCAC doesn't get much love but I think Hanover should be in Top 25 consideration.  Great Season last year ... won 21 games including at Wabash (turns out they were pretty good eh?) and bring a ton of talent back.   Have great shooting with wings who can guard.  Also return Munoz who could be POY in the conference  ... Versatile/Skilled Big man.  Hanover is going to be a Nightmare to guard.

The preseason Top 25 is supposed to come out today but I've been tracking a projected poll based on individual voters revealing their ballots. Seven voters have done that so far, so here is a look at the top 25 based on those ballots only: https://twitter.com/d3datacast/status/1585270025589604353

I can say going deeper in the data, Hanover has not been one of the 41 different schools to be named on at least one ballot.