MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

New York leads Amherst 17-16 early in the first.  Let's get it done Violets!

Reset: Amherst goes on a run and leads 25-21.  The Amherst gym looks like a 1970's era A-Frame vacation home.

Reset: Amherst leads 40-28 at the half.

Washington University and North Central tip off at 7:00 CST.

[WUPHF]

I probably need to hang up my www.d3boards.com login and password for the season before I lose every last bit of karma that I am not sure I deserved in the first place.

Tough loss by Washington University to North Central.  Final score: 72-68.  Not much to say about the game tonight.  I stand by what I said about the officials.  Horrible.  But North Central earned the win.

Props to Dylan Richter who had an incredible senior season.  He has clearly established himself as one of the best players ever to wear the green and white uniform.

November is a long way away, but I am already pumped about next season with Palucki and Tuescher joining Aboona, Cooney and Klimek in the starting line-up.  Look for Burt and Burnett to make a name for themselves as well.

[hopefan]

Props to Dylan Richter who had an incredible senior season.  He has clearly established himself as one of the best players ever to wear the green and white uniform.

WUH   I hate to disagree... but I think the stats speak differently

162 out of 373 from the field   .434
75 out of 210 from 3's      .357
4.0 rebounds per game
57 assists vs 44 turnovers

a good season yes.... incredible, not to me.....   one of best to wear green and white.... I can't put him in the top 10 over the last 20 years, and if I thought hard enough, maybe not in the last 10 years.....

to me, he was a kid who I spoke of as having AA potential when I watched him as a frosh, who evolved into more of mainly a streaky 3 point shooter than the kid I remember who took many fantastic runs at the basket when he was a frosh.... Seeing so many kids get Better during their years as a Bear, I just don't think I saw that out of DR.....

[Titan Q]

He has clearly established himself as one of the best players ever to wear the green and white uniform.

I guess defining "one of the best" is completely subjective, but that seems a little too strong for me.  I'd have to think about it, but I don't think I'd put Dylan Richter in my Wash U top 15 (over my 22 years of following D3). 

It just seems to me that Richter was too inconsistent over his career to be "one of the best."  I don't know, maybe I'm being too hard on him...it's just that I can't put him anywhere near the category with Ruths, Wallis, Jeffries, Alexander, Thompson, etc.

[Marty Peretz]

Dylan was, in part, the victim of a lot of difficult circumstances in his time at WU. He came in as one of the most highly-touted WUSTL recruits in school history. That was at a time when the team was coming off its first title and attracting more attention than it probably ever will again. They were fully expected to win another two titles in his first two seasons and took one him his freshman year. With the amount of talent at the 2/3 position that year (Cam Smith, Aaron Thompson even Tyler Nading was really a 3 man at his core), he wasn't  going to see a ton of time no matter how good he was. He played well in stretches but got injured during the stretch run and never really found his way into the core rotation, in part because he wasn't needed. You had a national title team bringing back 4 starters and an all-American pg who'd brought the team to the final 4 as a sophomore but was injured as a junior. Then, Richter's sophomore year, pretty much everyone returned besides Nading. Again, where were you gonna play him? You had an all-American 2 guard in Thompson and perhaps the best glue guy in D3 in Cam Smith. Then part of the problem his junior year was that the team lost so much talent from the year before that they really had to learn how to play under new circumstances. Spencer Gay and Richter were both very solid, but they lacked the supporting cast or experience to win some close games and the year proved to be a disappointment. This year, Richter was clearly the guy for the first time in his career and he played terrificly well. UAA POY speaks for itself. Once he was given the spotlight, he shined. And, frankly, there was no way he was going to be a star during his first two seasons due to all the talent they had on the roster. Additionally,  Mark Edwards plays the same way, no matter the personnel. Great guy, but there's no denying that fact. Truth is, Richter might be remembered as one of the most athletic players in WU history, but Edwards' style doesn't necessarily favor a pace which would benefit Richter from D1. He runs his wings off of a lot of screens and favors the catch-and-shoot, 4 out type sets. On occasion, that leads to a backdoor cut and a Rihter alley-oop, but overall, it favors guys who are great shooters. Dylan wasn't touted as a great shooter when he came in and I give him all the credit in the world for leaving Wash.U as a much improved shooter.

Talent-wise, he is absolutely one of the top 5 guys I've seen in my time following Wash.U. (8 or so years but with familiarity of the five or so years prior), but he's also undergone some of the most unfortunate of circumstances from an individual level (ie, so many greats in front of him). For him to have led this young group the way he did is a clear sign of how much he matured in his time at Wash.U. For that, he ought to be brought and the WU hoops family ought to be as well.

[WUPHF]

I hate to disagree... but I think the stats speak differently

162 out of 373 from the field   .434
75 out of 210 from 3's      .357
4.0 rebounds per game
57 assists vs 44 turnovers

Feel free to disagree.  All of you know infinitely more about basketball than I do (obviously) and I appreciate the feedback.  I think the arguments for and against what I said are well detailed and so there is not much more to add.

I described his season as incredible in part because he had several incredible games (Augustana, Wheaton, and Emory come to mind).  It is hard to imagine the season without him, but it seems certain that it would have ended in Chicago a week ago.

[WUPHF]

...the category with Ruths, Wallis, Jeffries, Alexander, Thompson, etc.

Incidentally, why does the name Tyler Nading never seem to get mentioned with the others?  I know it is mistake to suggest that one player was critical to a championship run (a mistake I did make in my previous post) but it is hard for me to imagine a championship in 2009 without Tyler Nading.  The next season, there was talk of the surprise let down and early exit for a team that included everyone but Nading, but I think I may have been the only one that suggested that the graduation of Nading was a particularly big factor.  He obviously had to share the court with several great, but he did win his fair share of accolades.  Maybe he was next on your list. 

I guess my question to anyone that cares to answer: where would Tyler Nading fall on the list of Washington University greats?

[hopefan]

...the category with Ruths, Wallis, Jeffries, Alexander, Thompson, etc.

I guess my question to anyone that cares to answer: where would Tyler Nading fall on the list of Washington University greats?

  somewhere ABOVE Dylan Richter...... ... Sorry WUH, I couldn't resist....No harm intended

[hopefan]

Well WUH, 35,000 voters can't be wrong, so I must be!!      Congrats to Dylan Richter for being voted in to play in the D3 All Star Game!!

[WUPHF]

Well WUH, 35,000 voters can't be wrong, so I must be!!  Congrats to Dylan Richter for being voted in to play in the D3 All Star Game!!

Let me hear you say yeah!  Awesome!

And, you never need to apologize to me.  Especially after all the non-SLIAC related posts I have made on the SLIAC boards over the years.  I almost posted about the Maryville women winning the GLVC championship but then refrained.

[sac]

Dylan Richter was drafted yesterday

http://lincolnshire.suntimes.com/sports/13485684-419/mens-basketball-ex-stevenson-player-richter-drafted-by-harlem-globetrotters.html

[madzillagd]

NYU has created a blog for their global activities.  Lots of pics & video...

http://teamnyuglobal.tumblr.com/

[martin]

From November of 2011, but an interesting story about two of Chicago's incoming Freshman - who are listed on UofC's 2012-13 roster:

A true recruiting coup
By Joe Henricksen on November 2, 2011 8:42 PM | 7 Comments | No TrackBacks


When basketball commitments start rolling in, the college program that nabbed the player always receives the proverbial recruiting "steal," "coup" and "great get" from just about everyone who can type on a keyboard. Some are a little blown out of proportion, because if they were all recruiting "steals," "coups" and "great gets" as they all seem to be, then no college coach would ever get fired.

But when the City/Suburban Hoops Report says the University of Chicago, a solid Division III program and one of the nation's great academic institutions, has landed one of the biggest recruiting steals, take it to heart because this one is legit.

University of Chicago coach Mike McGrath received a pair of whopping commitments from the Whitney Young tandem of Jordan Smith and Nate Brooks. Academics, as much as anything, played a huge factor in the decision as the two players sport impressive ACT scores of 31 and 32, respectively, and there are few places in America where a degree is more valued than from the University of Chicago.

But from a basketball perspective, this Division III program on the South Side of Chicago will welcome a pair of players with Division I talent, size and athleticism. That's a rare commodity at the Division III level, even if the quality of basketball in Division III is significantly better than the average basketball fan realizes.

Smith is a 6-3, big-bodied 2-guard who the Hoops Report has among the top 30 prospects in the senior class. He uses his strength and frame to get to the rim, while also possessing a jumper that extends out to the three-point line. Brooks, meanwhile, is an unpolished, undersized 4-man as a Division I prospect but a potential difference-maker in Division III hoops with his body and jaw-dropping hops. He's agile, runs the floor, is extremely athletic and dunks just about everything when he's at the rim.

"They fell in love with the University of Chicago and what it can do for them long term," says Whitney Young coach Tyrone Slaughter, whose program has never had a non-qualifier in his time as head coach of the Dolphins. "There were other opportunities for them at the Division I level, but there is no better situation or set of circumstances for them than the University of Chicago. It's right there in their back yard, and it's a chance for them to play together for four more years."

McGrath identified Brooks early. He started working and selling the academic/basketball combination and opportunity vigorously. He had Brooks' ear. Soon it became apparent the University of Chicago had piqued the interest of Smith as well, so McGrath and assistant coach Drew Adams went to work on trying to land the tandem.

Mission accomplished. Now McGrath has a jumpstart at landing what could be a monumental Division III recruiting class for his program, which welcomed talented freshman guard Royce Muskeyvalley from state champion Rock Island and Deerfield product Ryan Davis, a 6-2 point guard, this season.

Division III recruiting typically doesn't heat up until the winter and lingers into the spring as high school prospects wait ... and wait ... and wait ... for the Division I scholarship offer that, many times, never materializes. With Smith and Brooks, it's a completely different deal. The mindset and maturity for both Brooks and Smith is unique in comparison to the average, basketball-playing teenager. Their primary concern was finding a way to combine basketball and academics in the best way they could and take full advantage of what they call a "one-of-a-kind opportunity."

"The University of Chicago provides an academic opportunity as a top 10 university in the world," says Brooks. "I did have a couple of Division I offers, but I just felt I would be selling myself short if I didn't take this opportunity. This is a chance to still play the game I love while getting a world-class education."

When Smith hears anyone question his decision -- choosing small college basketball over Division I basketball -- he says he has just one word for them.

"Education," Smith says with a laugh. "No one will match that education. Academics was obviously a big part of my decision, but when I visited the campus I liked the atmosphere, I liked the team and felt really comfortable. I'm not from the South Side, so that will be something new for me as well. I'm thrilled with my decision and being able to play with Nate and to spend my four years of college there."

The two teammates, who will figure prominently for a Whitney Young team that will be among the top teams in the state again this season, were aware of what was out there for them -- and the possibilities for them down the road if they played the season out. But unlike so many other players, these two took to heart the academic reputation of Chicago and the lifelong opportunities an elite education can bring over playing a lesser-known academic institution that just so happens to play Division I basketball.

[martin]

Northwestern beat Chicago 70-46 in an exhibition game last night.

One of Chicago's returning starters, Derrick Davis, did not play.  Chicago started Royce Muskeyvalley at guard and four forwards, , Charlie Hughes, Sam Gage, Matt MacKenzie and Alex Pyper. All four are 6-5 or 6-6.  Chicago has a transfer from D-1 American (Patriot League) Wayne Simon, a 5-11 guard.  He played 19 minutes.  The two big name freshmen from Whitney Young, Nate Brooks and Jordan Smith, played 16 and 13 minutes.

[martin]

Chicago opened with an 81-52 win over Maranatha Bible.  Not much of a test - we will know a lot more after the UAA/SCAC challenge this weekend. But Chicago may be a surprise this season.  It depends on how quickly some freshmen grow up.

Jordan Smith, a 6-4 guard from Chicago power (and alma mater of Michelle Obama) Whitney Young, started and led the Maroons with 15 points in 24 minutes.  His high school teammate Nate Brooks, a 6-5 205 bundle of talent, came off the bench with 4 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.  Two other first years contributed.  Josh Steinberg, a 6-4 guard, had five points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.  Eric Robinson, the Maroons tallest player at 6-8, had six points in ten minutes.  Wayne Simon, a 5-11 junior guard who transferred in from D1 American U, had ten points in 22 minutes.  So 95 of 200 minutes from new players.  If they can blend in with Sam Gage, Charlie Hughes and the rest, the Maroons could be a factor in UAA play. 

I think Brooks has enormous potential.  Here he is as a high school junior.  and another.  As seniors, Smith and Brooks could not get past Derek Rose's alma mater, Simeon, which was the state champion.  Simeon was led by a junior Jabari Parker who is ranked as the number 1 or 2 recruit in the country.  Simeon is ranked number 1 in the 2013 national high school polls.   Young's best player was a sophomore, Jahlil Okafor.  He is expected to be named the number one recruit in the country when he is a senior.

Brooks and Jordan had been competing successfully in some of the toughest, if not the toughest, high school basketball in the country.  They may transition to D3 competition fairly quickly.  And they did not sneak into UofC - 32 on the ACT.