CONFERENCE PREVIEW: BIG SOUTH

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Chad

In terms of competitive balance, the Big South, at least on paper, could be one of the most exciting conferences to watch this season.  With VMI (who made a run all the way to the CIT semifinals last year) off to join the Southern Conference this season, the Big South will drop its divisional format as it now has 11 members.  Returning this season, and among the league favorites, are defending regular season champion High Point (NIT last season) and defending conference tournament champion Coastal Carolina (Round of 64 loss to Virginia last season).  The preseason pick to win the league, however, is the lone additional returning postseason participant, Radford.  The Highlanders played in the CBI last year, and even picked up a road win there over Oregon State.

Radford returns virtually everyone off of a team that won 22 games last season.  They are led by Javonte Green who figures to again be among the leading scorers in the Big South.  Coastal Carolina also brings most of its NCAA tournament team back, and again gets the added benefit of being the predetermined host of the conference tournament.  High Point is led by John Brown, a player capable of starring at almost any program in the country.  Every other significant contributor is back as well this season for the Panthers.  UNC-Asheville, Winthrop and Gardner-Webb also return deep teams with proven leaders.  While an at-large bid would be a complete shock in this conference, these teams could be very dangerous both in the non-conference part of the season as well as in postseason play this year.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1.  Radford: With everyone returning, and pieces such as R.J. Price and Ya Ya Anderson to complement Green, this could be a very strong season for the Highlanders
2.  Coastal Carolina: Elijah Wilson, Warren Gillis and Josh Cameron are all returning double digit scorers.  Badou Diagne could step up and become a big time contributor as well
3.  High Point:  Five returning starters, including Devante Wallace and Adam Weary in addition to Brown, should have the Panthers right in contention for another league title
4.  UNC-Asheville: Andrew Rooney averaged over 20 points per game, and Will Weeks returns from a knee injury down low.  The combination of these two alone could make this a surprise team
5.  Winthrop: The Eagles will be fun to watch with four returning starters on a team that loves to play a fast tempo, high scoring style
6.  Gardner-Webb: Jerome Hill and Tyler Strange should both post good numbers, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs will need to find other players to help them
7.  Presbyterian: Another team with all five starters back including Jordan Downing who averaged over 20 points per game, but the Blue Hose need to play much better defense to improve after a 26 loss season
8.  Campbell: A few good pieces with the likes of Reco McCarter and D.J. Mason, but does not appear strong enough to contend with the top teams
9.  Charleston Southern: A solid backcourt with Arlon Harper and Saah Nimley, but team does not appear to have much up front at all
10.  Liberty: Three best players are gone from a 21 loss team, could be another long season
11.  Longwood: A mass exodus by way of transfer crushed the Lancers in the offseason, and they will now be lucky to avoid the conference basement

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CONFERENCE PREVIEW: BIG SKY

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Chad

The Big Sky Conference welcomes back Idaho this season, expanding to 12 members.  It also says goodbye — to Montana head coach Wayne Tinkle who took the job at Oregon State.  The Grizzlies also lost two of their top three scorers from last season’s team and look to be taking a step back in the conference standings after battling Weber State for the top spot in the conference the last few seasons.  Weber State, who won the conference regular season and tournament titles last season before losing to Arizona in the Round of 64, looks to be among the favorites this season again.  The Big Sky’s three other postseason participants from last season, North Dakota, Northern Colorado and Portland State (all in the CIT) may slide back this season as well while a few other schools look to take a step up in the standings.

Our preseason pick to win the Big Sky is the Eastern Washington Eagles.  The Eagles are led by one of the conference’s best players in Tyler Harvey, who averaged over 21 points per game last season.  They also have a ton of pieces around him, including three other returning double digit scorers and a deep bench.  In addition to being challenged by defending champion Weber State, Northern Arizona and Sacramento State may both also contend for the conference’s top spot.

While Idaho does not appear to be a team that will factor into the conference’s title race, the expansion of the Big Sky to 12 teams has led to a change in the conference tournament.  The Big Sky has expanded its conference tournament field, starting this year, from 7 teams to 8.  The regular season champion will continue to host the tournament, though the conference will no longer re-seed in the semifinal round.  In other words, the only advantage left to the regular season champion is the ability to host the tournament games (still a huge advantage).  They will, however, no longer get a bye into the semifinals and get the right to face the lowest seeded quarterfinal winner.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1.  Eastern Washington: Harvey is going to score a ton, but will be helped by Venky Jois, Parker Kelly, Drew Brandon, Ognjen Milijokiv and more.
2.  Weber State: Joel Bolomboy is a big time talent, and may be the best frontcourt player in the conference.  There are enough other pieces here to have a chance at a repeat.
3.  Northern Arizona: Quinton Upshur and Kris Yanku lead a deep team.  Keep an eye on 7-1 Geoffrey Frid down low too.
4.  Sacramento State: Everyone returns from a team that was fun and exciting to watch last season.  This could be one of the Hornets’ best seasons ever.
5.  Portland State: Iziahiah Sweeney is a freshmen with huge potential.  If he is ready to play, when added to the likes of Gary Winston and DaShaun Wiggins, this team could be dangerous.
6.  North Dakota: Their best players from last season are all gone, but the addition of transfer Estan Tyler (UMKC’s top scorer two years ago) will help the rebuild process.
7.  Montana: Jordan Gregory is the only significant returnee as the post-Wayne Tinkle era begins.
8.  Northern Colorado: Tevin Svihovec and Tim Huskisson will need to lead the way for this team to compete.
9.  Idaho State: Chris Hansen and Jeffrey Solarin will score points, but the Bengals will have to rely on a freshman point guard this year.
10.  Idaho: With Stephen Madison gone, this could be a long first season back in the Big Sky for the Vandals.
11.  Montana State: Brian Fish takes over as the new head coach, but he needs to rebuild this program from the ground up.
12.  Southern Utah: The good news is that the entire starting lineup is back.  The bad news is this starting lineup only led them to two wins last season and does not appear to be ready to win many more than that this year.

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CONFERENCE PREVIEW: ATLANTIC SUN

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Chad

Next up in our preseason conference previews is the Atlantic Sun Conference.  The ASun of course made tons of noise two years ago when Florida Gulf Coast became the first 15 seed to ever reach the Sweet 16.  Mercer followed up FGCU’s run by winning last season’s automatic bid and going on to defeat Duke in the NCAAs.  Gulf Coast also played in the postseason last season, losing to Florida State in the NIT, while South Carolina-Upstate and East Tennessee State both played in the CIT.

Two of those four postseason participants, Mercer and ETSU, moved on after last season and are now members of the Southern Conference.  Their exits, combined with USC-Upstate’s loss to graduation of Torrey Craig, leaves Florida Gulf Coast as the clear favorite to win the conference this year.  Brett Comer and Bernard Thompson return for their senior seasons and give the Eagles the best backcourt in the conference.  However, FGCU should be challenged by a solid Lipscomb team featuring twin brothers Martin and Malcolm Smith, who are two of four returning players for the Bisons that averaged over 13 points per game last season.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1.  Florida Gulf Coast: Comer and Thompson will get help from three transfers, Julian DeBoise (Rice), and Brian Greene, Jr and Nick Pellar (both from Auburn)
2.  Lipscomb: The Smith twins are joined by J.C. Hampton and Josh Williams to give the Bisons a very strong chance
3.  North Florida: Beau Beech and Dallas Moore will lead the way, but they need to cut down on the turnovers (one of the worst teams in the nation in this category last year)
4.  Northern Kentucky*: Chad Jackson returns from a redshirt season to join five returning starters
5.  Kennesaw State: With most of last season’s roster back, this team could surprise
6.  Jacksonville: Jarvis Haywood should score a ton of points this season, but the team will need newcomers to step up as not much else is back
7.  USC-Upstate: Not having Torrey Craig will make this a tough season, though Ty Greene and Mario Blessing are seniors with experience in the backcourt
8.  Stetson: Brian Pegg will have to star for this team to have any chance to avoid the conference basement

*Northern Kentucky is ineligible for the NCAA tournament as a third year transitional team.  They will participate in the ASun tournament.  In the event NKU wins the tournament, the team they defeat in the finals will receive the conference’s automatic bid.

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Conference Preview: America East

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Chad

We begin this year’s conference previews in the America East conference (because it is the first one alphabetically of course).  Vermont rolled through the conference regular season last year, losing only once in 16 games.  However, the first two rounds of the conference tournament were held on UAlbany’s home court, and the Catamounts were upset in the semifinals by the Great Danes who went on to capture the league’s automatic bid.  Albany also picked up a win in the First Four over Mount St. Mary’s before losing to the #1 seeded Florida Gators.  Vermont did go to the NIT, losing there to Georgia.  Stony Brook also secured a postseason bid, falling to Siena in the CBI.

While there are no changes in the membership to the America East this season, there has been a major change to the conference tournament.  After Vermont had to go on the road in the conference tournament last season despite running away with the regular season title, the conference has chosen to go away from the “pre-determined site” format and instead will play all conference tournament games at the home court of the higher seeded team.

Vermont may not be able to capitalize on the change in the conference tournament format as pretty much everyone from last season’s team is gone this year.  Albany will, however, be up there in the standings with Peter Hooley and Sam Rowley returning to lead the way.  Stony Brook will be strong as well, with one of the league’s top players down low in Jameel Warney.  However, the pick to win the America East this year is the Hartford Hawks.  Hartford has a roster featuring six seniors that contributed significant minutes last season.  The veteran leadership could have the Hawks dancing for the first time ever this year.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Hartford: Mark Nwakamma is one of the conference’s top players for a deep senior-loaded team
2. Albany: Hooley and Rowley will look to make up for three lost starters from last year’s team
3. Binghamton: A dark horse in the conference, five returning starters plus some good recruiting has the Bearcats heading in the right direction
4. Stony Brook: Jameel Warney will lead the way, but there are some holes with four starters gone
5. Vermont: This will be a rebuilding year, but a strong recruiting class should make them tough as they gain experience during the season
6. UMBC: Rodney Elliott leads an improving team, but still a ways to go here
7. Maine: This is a rebuild project for new head coach Bob Walsh
8. UMass-Lowell*: In their second year of Division 1 play, but with Akeem Williams and Kerry Weldon gone, expect a step back from last year’s surprise 8-8 conference record
9. New Hampshire: This looks like another long season in Durham, NH

*UMass-Lowell is ineligible for the NCAA and America East tournaments as a second year transitional team.

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Hoops HD 2014-15 Season Preview #1

Posted on October 21, 2014 by David Griggs

It’s that time of the year again!! It’s Preseason Preview Time!! It’s the endless debates that are based off of nothing other than speculation, and that won’t mean anything in about six weeks, but that we all still love. It falls under the category of college basketball discussion, and it’s a reminder that the season is approaching.

Galen hosts the panel of Kyle, Chad and David as they talk about the Top 25, some of the teams that are outside the top 25 that could still be major players, and teams that appear to be overrated.

 

 

Below is an audio only file for all you radio lovers out there.

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Daisha Simmons

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Chad

This is a fascinating story if you have not been following it.

Daisha played for Alabama last year and she wanted to transfer to Seton Hall this year to complete her MBA and be closer to her sick mother and brother. Alabama refused to release her and the NCAA rules that she can use her final year of eligibility but has to sit out this season (meaning she would have to remain in school one extra year and be unable to start making the money her family needs for medical issues for another year).

While I have often criticized the “BS” rules where players have had their one year of sitting out waived, this is as good and as legitimate as any story out there. Hell, men’s players have gotten to play right away after a transfer for just saying that their cousin’s dog needs its toenails clipped.

The fault here is apparently on Alabama. Had they released her, she could have played right away. Alabama is denying responsibility though becauise an appeal to the NCAA was denied. Daisha has now hired an attorney and a suit was filed against Alabama alleging Title IX violations, claiming this and other conduct by the school did not have proper academic or athletic bases — essentially arguing that Daisha was treated unfairly because of her gender. I am not certain if the NCAA was named as well but honestly they should have been.

There is no real rhyme and reason to how these transfers have been handled the last few years, but given the approvals we have seen, Daisha’s treatment by Alabama and the NCAA is utterly ridiculous.

 

(Check out our forums for a discussion on this issue!)

https://hoopshd.com//boards/index.php?board=2.0

 

UPDATE:  Alabama has released Daisha so she can play this season for Seton Hall.  They did so due to negative publicity…perhaps including this very article???

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