MBB: University Athletic Association

Marty Peretz · December 13, 2009, 06:00:32 PM

Quality video of the 'dancin bears' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzn5Ro04PMs

Happy Holidays.

Hugenerd · December 18, 2009, 10:51:54 PM

WashU is 5th in NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings:

http://www.mitathletics.com/genrel/2009-10/NCSARankings_121809

hopefan · December 21, 2009, 11:44:38 AM

Nobody has mentioned Wash U was without 2 starters in the game with Fontbonne on Saturday - Center Zach Kelly out with Mono, Forward Kaleb Knepper out with a concussion - not sure of their status for the tourney in Wooster.... Replacements Alex Toth and Spencer Gay both scored in double figures, but were forced to log significant minutes as the bench is shortened big time.....

Toth looks good every time he gets in, especially as a starter, as long as he stays out of foul trouble. The kid is STRONG, but with a very reasonable touch on his shot.
Disappointing, however, has been the play of 6th man Dylan Richter - seems to be trying too hard to make things happen instead of flowing with the offense, and his shooting needs lots of help....still, lots of potential.
Will be interesting to see how Wash U comes up with a point guard for next year... with both Sean Wallis and Ross Kelly playing in their final season, there will be no experience at point to go with a lineup that will likely include Ricther, Knepper, Toth, and Gay....

Hugenerd · December 21, 2009, 12:14:43 PM

Quote from: hopefan on December 21, 2009, 11:44:38 AM
Nobody has mentioned Wash U was without 2 starters in the game with Fontbonne on Saturday - Center Zach Kelly out with Mono, Forward Kaleb Knepper out with a concussion - not sure of their status for the tourney in Wooster.... Replacements Alex Toth and Spencer Gay both scored in double figures, but were forced to log significant minutes as the bench is shortened big time.....

Toth looks good every time he gets in, especially as a starter, as long as he stays out of foul trouble. The kid is STRONG, but with a very reasonable touch on his shot.
Disappointing, however, has been the play of 6th man Dylan Richter - seems to be trying too hard to make things happen instead of flowing with the offense, and his shooting needs lots of help....still, lots of potential.
Will be interesting to see how Wash U comes up with a point guard for next year... with both Sean Wallis and Ross Kelly playing in their final season, there will be no experience at point to go with a lineup that will likely include Ricther, Knepper, Toth, and Gay....

If they get a 3rd championship, I am sure they are willing to develop a point guard starting next season. They have looked rather impressive so far this year.

WUPHF · December 21, 2009, 12:31:29 PM

Thanks for the update. I was out of town over the weekend and so I did not attend the game. This is the only local game I will miss all year.

I am glad to see Alex Toth stepping up. It seems to me that both Toth and Richter have struggled this year, though both have had good games. Dylan Richter looked very good against Pomona-Pitzer, for example.

I had not heard that Caleb Knepper was out with a concussion. That is horrible news.

Not knowing what the Coach has in mind for next season, I do think that Ben Hoener from Parkway South may make a great replacement at PG, though obviously, this is going to be a much different team next season with the loss of Wallis, Kelley, not to mention, Kelly, Thompson, and Smith.

Titan Q · December 21, 2009, 12:43:39 PM

Quote from: hopefan on December 21, 2009, 11:44:38 AMWill be interesting to see how Wash U comes up with a point guard for next year... with both Sean Wallis and Ross Kelly playing in their final season, there will be no experience at point to go with a lineup that will likely include Ricther, Knepper, Toth, and Gay....

I saw freshman Ben Hoener (Parkway South) play twice last year. I think he is going to be a very solid Division III PG. He is quick, can score in a variety of ways, and is a great leader on the floor. Hoener won't score like he did in high school (averaged 20+ ppg I think), but he won't be asked to either. A little quick guy, he reminds me a lot of IWU's Travis Rosenkranz (and had similar high school numbers).

There will be a transition period for Hoener next year (as there is with any new varsity player), but I think he'll be good by mid-season 2010-11.

Great programs always have that "next wave" of players on the bench. Wash U has it in Dylan Richter (who I project as an All-American when he finally figures it out), Gay, Toth, Hoener, etc.. Mark Edwards and the Bears have it rolling.

hopefan · December 21, 2009, 01:28:18 PM

Wash U also has a soph guard named Jake Seymore who may get a shot at point next year... I'm slightly aware of him as he was recruited heavily by my alma mater RPI two years ago. Stronger and a little bigger than Hoener... But those two seem to be the only candidates unless a new face comes in and beats them out.... both are getting their only minutes in blow-outs.... but obviously a heck of an education in practice.

WUPHF · December 21, 2009, 03:59:30 PM

Quote from: Titan Q on December 21, 2009, 12:43:39 PM
I saw freshman Ben Hoener (Parkway South) play twice last year. I think he is going to be a very solid Division III PG. He is quick, can score in a variety of ways, and is a great leader on the floor. Hoener won't score like he did in high school (averaged 20+ ppg I think), but he won't be asked to either. A little quick guy, he reminds me a lot of IWU's Travis Rosenkranz (and had similar high school numbers).

There will be a transition period for Hoener next year (as there is with any new varsity player), but I think he'll be good by mid-season 2010-11.

I agree with you on everything you said here. My only comment: if you watched Parkway South play two games, you must really watch a lot of basketball. Nothing wrong with that, though. I wish I could watch much more.

QuoteWash U has it in Dylan Richter (who I project as an All-American when he finally figures it out).

I hope (and think) you are right about this prediction.

Marty Peretz · December 21, 2009, 05:25:48 PM

Richter will be fine. Part of the reason he's struggled a tad is because with Gay playing so well and Smith being solid as always, there jusy aren't that many minutes available. I'm not terribly concerned.

Hoener will get time, but also look out for a kid named Nash Oh next year. Very, very talented and the victim of playing on a team with so many excellent players at his position. Suburban DC kid who put up big numbers in HS and will get a chance. Same for Sean Stanley who starred at New Trier. Seymour and JD Elder are also both able back-ups who would get quality minutes at most UAA schools. Finding someone to fill in at the 2 is more of a concern I think. Richter is more of a tweener and slasher so if the Bears are looking for a pure shooter, they'll have to do that through recruiting.

I think WU will be an 18-7, 17-8 type team next year, but with the way Knepper, Toth, and Gay have been playing, we could see another UAA banner hanging in the Field House. It's too early to speculate at this point.

WUPHF · December 21, 2009, 05:46:51 PM

Quote from: Marty Peretz on December 21, 2009, 05:25:48 PM
I think WU will be an 18-7, 17-8 type team next year, but with the way Knepper, Toth, and Gay have been playing, we could see another UAA banner hanging in the Field House. It's too early to speculate at this point.

Any thoughts on Austin Curry? I thought he looked liked a player with a lot of potential in the few games he played including the 3-6 and four rebound performance in four minutes against MacMurray.

hopefan · December 21, 2009, 09:24:27 PM

I'm a little more optimistic than Marty - I really think they could continue on as a nationally ranked team with that returning nucleus. I think of Elder more as a two guard and not a bad shooter, though Aaron thompson has spoiled us badly - Coach looks at Seymore as a point.... I hadn't heard about Nash Oh - will keep my eyes open for him....Curry looks like a good athlete.. likely will play a backup role to Richter next year..He had a tough night against Fontbonne the other night....

Marty Peretz · December 21, 2009, 10:27:14 PM

The word is that Oh and Hoener are almost equals talent-wise. Very little difference at this point. It's almost a moot point anyway since you have two pg's on the roster who have led their squad to national titles, so either of the frosh seeing time this year just ain't gonna happen unless there's an injury. Word on Curry is that he's solid but will never be a major contributor. He's been a pleasant surprise but he was never touted as a guy who was expected to be in the regular rotation. Next year's team actually might be more talented and athletic than this one, but they will not have the leadership that the last few years' teams have had. People simply don't understand how much Wallis, Thompson, Smith and previously Nading epitomized wu basketball. Their initiative, more so arguably than that of Edwards himself, has been the catalyst in turning WU from a 17-8 team to a 24-1 team. I really believe that. At the D3 level in particular, you simply can't discount that type of leadership. It remains to be seen who will fill that void. Since this squad has such a nucleus of leaders, no one has had to give much thought to who will emerge in the leadership role next year. I honestly believe that Toth, Gay, and Richter are D1 type athletes. Monster talents all. But the steady and system-based play of AT, Sean, and Cam is almost machine-like in its efficacy and that keeps the whole team moving. Edwards will have an almost entirely new job next year. Right now, AT, Sean, and Cam coupled with the Kellys are almost all coaches on the floor. When they depart, things will be very interesting. Talent wise, the sky is the limit, but they will have to learn to win by themselves and that will be the most enjoyable (and at times I'm sure frustrating) part to watch.

Titan Q · December 21, 2009, 10:50:35 PM

Quote from: Marty Peretz on December 21, 2009, 10:27:14 PM
I honestly believe that Toth, Gay, and Richter are D1 type athletes. Monster talents all.

Richter could find a home on the roster of some low D1 team. (Like SIU-E, where his H.S. teammate Kevin Stineman plays.) But list some D1 teams Toth and Gay could play for...I don't see that at all.

hopefan · December 21, 2009, 11:04:48 PM

TQ, either you or Greg wrote a rather low evaluation of Toth in the past too-- I think saying he was not thought of highly coming out of HS --I'm telling you, for D3, this kid is an absolute force on the boards, STRONG, mobile around the basket with the ball, and able to hit the 15 foot j when he pops to the post. I really think HE is the potential go to man of the future.... He only lacks the quickness to the ball that Ruths had....

Marty - I agree 100% with all the good words about this years seniors and that GS kid

Titan Q · December 22, 2009, 07:52:15 AM

Quote from: hopefan on December 21, 2009, 11:04:48 PM
TQ, either you or Greg wrote a rather low evaluation of Toth in the past too-- I think saying he was not thought of highly coming out of HS --I'm telling you, for D3, this kid is an absolute force on the boards, STRONG, mobile around the basket with the ball, and able to hit the 15 foot j when he pops to the post. I really think HE is the potential go to man of the future.... He only lacks the quickness to the ball that Ruths had....

Marty - I agree 100% with all the good words about this years seniors and that GS kid

Saying he is not a Division I athlete is a low evaluation?

I think Toth is a very good Division III player...I watched him have numerous big games last year as a freshman. But Marty said he is a "DI type athlete", and I think that is a huge stretch.