MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[kiko]

I agree with Chuck that the NESCAC powers appear to be a bit high, but, given the track record of Amherst and Williams for reloading, I would not discount the chances of either team before the season's even started. I just don't know if I'd have them in the top ten at this point.

I agree with this -- I'm not taking a bet that puts the NESCAC big dogs outside of the top ten.  They have had too much sustained success in recent years for me to not put them on the short list of top teams going into the season.  We often quibble with their relatively open road to Salem in the playoffs, but they have proven time and again once there that their top tier rankings are very much deserved.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Agreed - by the end of the season I would not be surprised to see either (or both) in the top ten.  But definitely not now.  Amherst not only lost all their top players to graduation, they lost their coach.  Williams merely lost the two best players in D3 - Mayer and Robinson.  Both do have some good players returning, but right now I can't see either in the top ten (maybe not even in the top 25).

[madzillagd]

Amherst still has Hixon as the coach but they did lose Toomey and company. Williams lost coach Maker, Robinson, Mayer, Epley & 2 backups that got minutes off the bench.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Amherst still has Hixon as the coach but they did lose Toomey and company. Williams lost coach Maker, Robinson, Mayer, Epley & 2 backups that got minutes off the bench.

My bad - it was Williams, not Amherst, who lost their coach.

While it would infuriate partisans of both sides, to an outsider, Amherst and Williams seem like the same school!

[iwu70]

Thanks for all the views on the pre-season rankings.

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Amherst still has Hixon as the coach but they did lose Toomey and company. Williams lost coach Maker, Robinson, Mayer, Epley & 2 backups that got minutes off the bench.

My bad - it was Williams, not Amherst, who lost their coach.

While it would infuriate partisans of both sides, to an outsider, Amherst and Williams seem like the same school!

Once upon a time, they were.

[Gotberg]

Amherst still has Hixon as the coach but they did lose Toomey and company. Williams lost coach Maker, Robinson, Mayer, Epley & 2 backups that got minutes off the bench.

My bad - it was Williams, not Amherst, who lost their coach.

While it would infuriate partisans of both sides, to an outsider, Amherst and Williams seem like the same school!

Once upon a time, they were.

Greg - any new information on NPU newbies?

[Gregory Sager]

I think that the three to watch will be 6'5 junior transfer Connor Griffin and a pair of freshmen, 6'3 Jordan Robinson from Hoffman Estates HS and 5'7 Colin Lake from Whiteford, MI (he of the much-scrutinized YouTube video). There's, by my count, eleven freshmen and three transfers coming in, but the three players I've mentioned appear to be the newbies most likely to play heavy minutes for NPU in 2014-15.

[Gotberg]

I think that the three to watch will be 6'5 junior transfer Connor Griffin and a pair of freshmen, 6'3 Jordan Robinson from Hoffman Estates HS and 5'7 Colin Lake from Whiteford, MI (he of the much-scrutinized YouTube video). There's, by my count, eleven freshmen and three transfers coming in, but the three players I've mentioned appear to be the newbies most likely to play heavy minutes for NPU in 2014-15.

Thanks - where did Connor Griffin transfer from?

[AppletonRocks]

I think that the three to watch will be 6'5 junior transfer Connor Griffin and a pair of freshmen, 6'3 Jordan Robinson from Hoffman Estates HS and 5'7 Colin Lake from Whiteford, MI (he of the much-scrutinized YouTube video). There's, by my count, eleven freshmen and three transfers coming in, but the three players I've mentioned appear to be the newbies most likely to play heavy minutes for NPU in 2014-15.

Does NPU still have a solid golf team?

[Gregory Sager]

I think that the three to watch will be 6'5 junior transfer Connor Griffin and a pair of freshmen, 6'3 Jordan Robinson from Hoffman Estates HS and 5'7 Colin Lake from Whiteford, MI (he of the much-scrutinized YouTube video). There's, by my count, eleven freshmen and three transfers coming in, but the three players I've mentioned appear to be the newbies most likely to play heavy minutes for NPU in 2014-15.

Thanks - where did Connor Griffin transfer from?

Milwaukee Area Tech, a community college.

[AndOne]

At least a sufficient number of his CC credits will successfully transfer. Many times student-athletes get poor advice at CCs as to which courses to take in preparation for transfer to a NCAA four year institution. Accordingly, after 2 years, its often discovered that not all credits will be accepted at the NCAA school, and the student-athlete ends up at an NAIA school or spending a 3rd year at the CC, but not playing basketball due to his CC eligibility being used up.

[middhoops]

Amherst still has Hixon as the coach but they did lose Toomey and company. Williams lost coach Maker, Robinson, Mayer, Epley & 2 backups that got minutes off the bench.

My bad - it was Williams, not Amherst, who lost their coach.

While it would infuriate partisans of both sides, to an outsider, Amherst and Williams seem like the same school!

To be sure Amherst and Williams are long time rivals.  Didn't know they were once the same school and I have family who went to both.
Williams is surely over rated after losing so very much.  Don't sell Amherst short, though.  Not only was their bench totally stocked last season; they have two D1 transfers who are expected to contribute significantly this season.
Keep your eye on David George.  He is the most athletic big guy in the NESCAC and a true defensive intimidator. 
Williams will be good, but clearly in rebuilding mode.  Not a top 25 team once league play begins.

And lest my name not tell you; I am not an Amherst fan.

I enjoy this board.

[Mr. Ypsi]

At least a sufficient number of his CC credits will successfully transfer. Many times student-athletes get poor advice at CCs as to which courses to take in preparation for transfer to a NCAA four year institution. Accordingly, after 2 years, its often discovered that not all credits will be accepted at the NCAA school, and the student-athlete ends up at an NAIA school or spending a 3rd year at the CC, but not playing basketball due to his CC eligibility being used up.

Shame, shame to those CCs, especially if the transfer is to a fairly local 4-year.  My younger son started at Washtenaw CC (to save his old man some tuition dollars - thanks, son, for the thought, but what am I gonna do with the $20,000 or so that will be left over in your MESP account when you graduate from EMU?); every single credit transferred without a hitch.  If the transfer is to an out-of-state school, I can understand not knowing the 4-year's requirements (though a quick internet search should solve the problem); to a more local 4-year, disgusting if a counselor doesn't know.

[AndOne]

Happens pretty frequently Ypsi. Furthermore, I'd bet its not very often when a JUCO kid transfers to a D3 that the D3 is too far away, especially in a well populated area where there are several 4 year schools from which to choose. Its not like a transfer to a D1 where a kid might go to a JUCO in Iowa or Kansas and end up at a D1 in California or South Carolina.