All Americans

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · October 21, 2009, 01:53:16 PM

Not to be too obvious, but the few underclassmen from last year's final post-season all americans all seem to be good bets.

Aaron Thompson, Sean Wallis, Steve Djurickovic, DJ Marsh, Richard Jean-Baptiste, Tyler Sanborn.

That's not a bad top 6.

nescac1 · October 21, 2009, 02:44:59 PM

Lots of forwards from New England, all of whom are fairly even, might cancel each other out: in addition to Shelton, Maurice Horton, Jon Pierce, Adam Choice, Blake Schultz, all of whom made all-region last year, are arguably deserving ...

All-around · October 24, 2009, 08:44:46 AM

I've heard great things about Horton. How about Shannon from Emerson?

nescac1 · October 24, 2009, 10:37:23 AM

Shannon will do well in the region awards but given the weak conference he plays in and his lack of monster numbers, I doubt he'd get serious all-american consideration. On the other hand, not a super strong year for guards in New England, with many of the top guys from last year graduating (Bartolotta, Rudin, Snyder, Freeman, the RIC guys, Olson, etc.), so he may stand out from the crowd; NESCAC has several quality all-league type guards returning, but none likely to warrant all-american consideration.

Hugenerd · October 24, 2009, 01:13:07 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 24, 2009, 10:37:23 AM
Shannon will do well in the region awards but given the weak conference he plays in and his lack of monster numbers, I doubt he'd get serious all-american consideration. On the other hand, not a super strong year for guards in New England, with many of the top guys from last year graduating (Bartolotta, Rudin, Snyder, Freeman, the RIC guys, Olson, etc.), so he may stand out from the crowd; NESCAC has several quality all-league type guards returning, but none likely to warrant all-american consideration.

I saw Shannon last year when Emerson played MIT. To be honest, he seemed to have one of his worse games when I saw him, but you could tell why he was a previous small D1 recruit (I think he was at BU previously). The guys is quick and has a very good handle; however, his shot isnt all that quick and not that consistent. You can definitely see how he could play at a higher level because he can penetrate the lane against anybody, so you have to help to stop him before he gets in the lane, and he is a very good passer and very capable at finding his teammates anywhere on the court. However, if you are able to throw bodies at him and get him to pass, Emerson doesnt have too many guys around him that can do damage. I think they had one scorer other than him last year (who played center at 6'3" or so and put up pretty big numbers). This may not be a problem in their league, because Shannon can carve those teams up by himself for the most part, but it is not likely they can do much outside their league unless he gets some more help around him. Regardless what anyone says, people who vote on these awards look a lot at team success. For example, Jimmy Bartolotta was the best player in the NEWMAC for 3 years in a row, and had the numbers to prove it, but he didnt win POY until his senior year when they won 20+ games, won the conference tourney (they finished 2nd in the league in the regular season), and made it to the NCAAs. Unfortunately, that is the nature of these things, people will discount some of his production because of the quality of opponents and how he does against "national-level" opponents.

stag44 · October 27, 2009, 10:55:33 AM

Sure would be nice to see Chris Blees as a pre-season All American.

He is the only Soph in the history of the SCIAC to be player of the year, and was all region in the beastly west.

He's a 6'5 3/4 man who just has a knack for scoring.

I had the pleasure of playing with him for 2 years, and the kid is the toughest guard ive seen in D3. He can punish smaller guards down low and take bigger 4s off the dribble.

Itll be fun watching him this year!

chubbyboybaby · October 30, 2009, 09:03:01 AM

brandon shelton, umd. preseason all american team!! lets give the man some love, hes going to have a big season.

nescac1 · November 06, 2009, 03:03:03 PM

Looks like all of the fairly-equal New England forwards cancelled each other out, with none making the pre-season All American teams. By the end of the season, I'd be shocked if at least a few out of Schultz, Shelton, Horton, Choice, and Pierce aren't recognized in some fashion, depending in part on team success and whether any of them can put up numbers that separate them from their peers.

sac · November 06, 2009, 05:25:24 PM

Anyone know the last time (if ever) one team had two First team pre-season All-Americans?

Mr. Ypsi · November 06, 2009, 05:31:03 PM

Quote from: sac on November 06, 2009, 05:25:24 PM
Anyone know the last time (if ever) one team had two First team pre-season All-Americans?

Adam Dauksas and Keelan Amelianovich, IWU, 2006.

But for WashU to take BOTH guard spots (with Steve Djurickovic around) is really impressive.

Titan Q · November 06, 2009, 07:11:48 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on November 06, 2009, 05:31:03 PM
Quote from: sac on November 06, 2009, 05:25:24 PM
Anyone know the last time (if ever) one team had two First team pre-season All-Americans?

Adam Dauksas and Keelan Amelianovich, IWU, 2006.

But for WashU to take BOTH guard spots (with Steve Djurickovic around) is really impressive.

And Bennett and Kalsow (UW-Stevens Point), 2004-05.

Titan Q · November 06, 2009, 07:16:18 PM

Steve Djurickovic (point-guard) sophomore year stats...

27.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.4 apg

2.3 A:TO
.498 FG
.432 3-pt
.833 FT

Hugenerd · November 06, 2009, 08:35:20 PM

Quote from: Titan Q on November 06, 2009, 07:16:18 PM
Steve Djurickovic (point-guard) sophomore year stats...

27.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.4 apg

2.3 A:TO
.498 FG
.432 3-pt
.833 FT

I hear you, but that is the team-factor of these individual awards that is inherently built in. I made the same argument in the past (for a different player) but the truth is, you need to make a splash on the national scene (NCAAs) before you are recognized on the top team.

Titan Q · November 06, 2009, 10:08:35 PM

Quote from: hugenerd on November 06, 2009, 08:35:20 PM
Quote from: Titan Q on November 06, 2009, 07:16:18 PM
Steve Djurickovic (point-guard) sophomore year stats...

27.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.4 apg

2.3 A:TO
.498 FG
.432 3-pt
.833 FT

I hear you, but that is the team-factor of these individual awards that is inherently built in. I made the same argument in the past (for a different player) but the truth is, you need to make a splash on the national scene (NCAAs) before you are recognized on the top team.

There have been plenty of players make both the preseason and final 1st team without "making a splash." Just looking at this year's 1st Team, I don't think D.J. Marsh has ever played a postseason game.

By the way, I do not dispute the selections of Sean Wallis and Aaron Thompson - no brainers.

Hugenerd · November 06, 2009, 11:48:31 PM

Thats true. They are both (Djurikovic and Marsh) from respected conferences, which helps them. I guess my statement is more true for good players from not as highly touted conferences, where you need to do something against national level opponents first. Djurikovic was just dropped because of the the strength of the top guards in the nation this year.