Liberty League 2015

[Ommadawn]

With a full slate of official season openers scheduled for September 1, another exciting Liberty League season is about to begin. SLU has a new coach, but the story line seems the same: It looks like it will be the Saints at the top of the table, with everyone else vying for a possible second NCAA playoff berth for the conference.  RPI is poised to return as the conference runner-up, but Hobart has had another strong recruiting year and appears ready to improve upon its 4th place finish in 2014.  What teams are going to surprise this year? What will the standings be at the end of the season?

[stlawus]

There really isn't much reason for SLU to run the table again this year.  The loss of Mark Provost is definitely a negative, but SLU is very deep in the midfield position and shouldn't have any problem with a like for like replacement.  Chandler Short had a great freshman campaign at the wing, and will now be starting at the 7 with the departure of Samaroo.  Additionally, starting striker Morgan Smith was out for almost the entire year after he tore his ACL against SUNY Potsdam.  He relies heavily on speed, so hopefully he didn't lose ability after a year of rehab.  Our starting RB graduated, but that spot is in capable hands with Suitor and some of the other recruits.  Besides those positions every single starter returns, including All American Harry Copeland at CB.  SLU had a significant amount of injuries last season and still maintained to have a successful year, so if everything falls into place they'll be poised for a good run.  Perhaps THIS is the year they make it past Amherst.

[deutschfan]

Thanks Omma for starting a new thread for the technologically challenged.  I am going to hold off on my season predictions until I see the rosters.  While it is difficult to pick impact freshman, roster absences like Charlie Kelly from Hobart last year have season long implications.  However, I will share my four year grades for each of the LL programs.  As befits fine academic institutions these days, no one will get below a C-.

SLU:  A+  4 NCAA trips; 3 Regular Season LL Titles; 2 LL Championships; 4 LL Playoff Appearances
Vassar: A-  2 NCAA trips; 1 Regular Season LL Title; 1 LL Championship; 4 LL Playoff Appearances
RPI:  B+  1 NCAA trip; 1 LL Championship; 3 LL Playoff Appearances
Hobart: B  1 NCAA trip; 2 LL Playoff Appearances
Skidmore, Union, RIT: C+  1 LL Playoff Appearance
Clarkson:  C
Bard:  C-

[Saint of Old]

Give me Liberty...

A very tough conference.
Unlike some above, I really don't think the boys from Canton will have an easy season.
Changing a coach after a quarter of a century will have an effect on any program.
Like the Williams boyz, the Saints are lucky enough to have someone at the head who has climbed the ultimate mountain with the team in a different role.

RPI should be good. They are losing two seniors (one who was a leader up top and another from the back) who were all-time greats for their program. Whoever inherits the #7 shirt will have big shoes to fill. A Program that is on the cusp of greatness, similar to Vassar, and has been for a long time. Underclass men will have to step up, but Coach Clinton could have a big year.

Vassar, as mentioned above has been a good team for a while now, but want to take the next step. To do so they will have to outplay RPI. One of the few teams that has proven they can win in Canton when it gets cold.