College Sports Madness Pre-Season Top 144 (2012-2013)

[swiftmutiny]

#97 VALPARAISO MEN'S BASKETBALL 2012-13 PREVIEW

And just for fun, here is LAST YEAR'S RANKING.

Edit --

#108 GREEN BAY
#130 CLEVELAND STATE

[sectionee]

Nice! I think Kenney comes off te bench still. He seems to do really well being the 6th man/energy guy. I also don't think we will see much of Kurth barring blowout/foul trouble/injury. Pressing defenses could be a problem when Buggs is out until Dority is eligible.
We are getting close to the stArt of a very exciting season!

[vubballfan10]

Nice! I think Kenney comes off te bench still. He seems to do really well being the 6th man/energy guy. I also don't think we will see much of Kurth barring blowout/foul trouble/injury. Pressing defenses could be a problem when Buggs is out until Dority is eligible. We are getting close to the stArt of a very exciting season!

With 2.5 apg last year, do you think Kenney could be a backup PG to begin the season if Kurth is not in the form of his freshman season?  With his rebounding and shot blocking (led the team)  as well as assists, Kenney could legitimately play anywhere from the 1 to 4 spot.

[sectionee]

Kenney makes a lot of good passes, but at times last year he would get turnover happy. Although any of the guys are better options then what Kurth displayed last year. Maybe he will be healthy and back to his old self, but I'm not holding my breath.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

I'm sorry, #97 is ridiculous--especially when we're better than last year when RPI was 95.  But like you said, all the better to show them up again with.  Of course, any site that says "reigns" when they mean "reins" is suspect anyway.

[vubballfan10]

Kenney makes a lot of good passes, but at times last year he would get turnover happy. Although any of the guys are better options then what Kurth displayed last year. Maybe he will be healthy and back to his old self, but I'm not holding my breath.

You are right.  Kenney's assist-turnover ratio was 1.21, which is not great.  If Kurth is not healthy, someone will have to play backup PG until Dority is eligible.  Someone to run the point for 8-10 minutes per night.  Looking at the roster Kurth is the most logical option, considering he does have a lot of experience playing the point, and no one else on the roster does besides Buggs.

[EddieCabot]

I'm sorry, #97 is ridiculous--especially when we're better than last year when RPI was 95.  But like you said, all the better to show them up again with.  Of course, any site that says "reigns" when they mean "reins" is suspect anyway.

I agree with this ... #97 is just silly.  He mentions the addition of guys like Capobianco, Rossi and Dority, but seems to totally underestimate the impact BCS transfers can have in the Horizon League. 

Valpo certainly has the non-conference schedule in place to prove guys like this wrong ... they just have to go out and do it.

[wh]

Eddie - A long time back I criticized you for always being sarcastic and insincere.  Either I pegged you wrong or you have changed over time.  Either way I have come to appreciate your opinions as an outsider, whether I agree or not.

[vubballfan10]

[size=78%] I'm sorry, #97 is ridiculous--especially when we're better than last year when RPI was 95.  But like you said, all the better to show them up again with.  Of course, any site that says "reigns" when they mean "reins" is suspect anyway. [/size]

[size=78%] I agree with this ... #97 is just silly.  He mentions the addition of guys like Capobianco, Rossi and Dority, but seems to totally underestimate the impact BCS transfers can have in the Horizon League. Valpo certainly has the non-conference schedule in place to prove guys like this wrong ... they just have to go out and do it. [/size]

My only question mark with Dority is how long it will take him to get into the flow of the game after missing the first 5-6 weeks of the season.  I think that is something that plagued Ben Boggs last year, and we never saw him at his true best.


While Rossi did play at a BCS School, he played a total of 16 minutes there.  Considering he has essentially not played competitive basketball since high school, he may have some game rust to shake off as well.


I definitely think Capo will be the most reliable and consistent of the 3 BCS transfers

[sectionee]

For a change I think I'm the most pessimistic person here about our team. These transfers have hardly played the last 2 years, same for Kurth. I am coming around on Capo, maybe DM can fill us in on the other guys a bit. We know why we have in Ryan, KVW, Matt Buggs...but Boggs didn't do much last season and Will either got us double digits or was hardly a factor. I'm ready to see these guys in action and hopefully erase any doubts.

[vubballfan10]

Does Jordan Coleman stand any chance in making the rotation, especially since this team is stacked full of guards?

[valpopal]

For a change I think I'm the most pessimistic person here about our team. These transfers have hardly played the last 2 years, same for Kurth. I am coming around on Capo, maybe DM can fill us in on the other guys a bit. We know why we have in Ryan, KVW, Matt Buggs...but Boggs didn't do much last season and Will either got us double digits or was hardly a factor. I'm ready to see these guys in action and hopefully erase any doubts.

Rossi was an ESPN 4-star 92-Scout Grade recruit out of high school. The following ESPN description is of him as a high school junior: "Rossi can flat out shoot it. He is definitely one of the top 10 shooters in the class of 2010 that can stretch a defense. The kid makes tough shots coming off screens and is deadly when he has his feet set ready to catch and shoot." http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/95006/alex-rossi

If we had a freshman of that stature direct from high school, I think we would expect significant contributions. My understanding is that Rossi is fully healthy and brings the added advantage of having matured and strengthened his body the past two years. I may be optimistic, but I expect good things from him this year. 

[sectionee]

Does Jordan Coleman stand any chance in making the rotation, especially since this team is stacked full of guards?

I would think so. Especially if he has any ball handling skills. We will need those to back up Erik the first couple of months.

[vubballfan10]

[size=78%] Does Jordan Coleman stand any chance in making the rotation, especially since this team is stacked full of guards? [/size]

[size=78%] I would think so. Especially if he has any ball handling skills. We will need those to back up Erik the first couple of months. [/size]

http://www.njcaa.org/colleges_college_player.cfm?sid=4&collegeid=1571&category=Roster&slid=2&teamid=122502&athleteid=353796
Here are Coleman's JUCO stats, he did average 3.1 assists, so we shouldn't rule out a few backup PG minutes before Dority becomes eligible.  I will say this: Tommy Kurth will have to earn backup PG minutes before mid-December, they will not just be given to him because he has experience.

[vu72]

For a change I think I'm the most pessimistic person here about our team. These transfers have hardly played the last 2 years, same for Kurth. I am coming around on Capo, maybe DM can fill us in on the other guys a bit. We know why we have in Ryan, KVW, Matt Buggs...but Boggs didn't do much last season and Will either got us double digits or was hardly a factor. I'm ready to see these guys in action and hopefully erase any doubts.

Rossi was an ESPN 4-star 92-Scout Grade recruit out of high school. The following ESPN description is of him as a high school junior: "Rossi can flat out shoot it. He is definitely one of the top 10 shooters in the class of 2010 that can stretch a defense. The kid makes tough shots coming off screens and is deadly when he has his feet set ready to catch and shoot." http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/95006/alex-rossi

If we had a freshman of that stature direct from high school, I think we would expect significant contributions. My understanding is that Rossi is fully healthy and brings the added advantage of having matured and strengthened his body the past two years. I may be optimistic, but I expect good things from him this year. 

Precisely.  If we had signed Rossi, Dority, Boggs, Chadwick or even Coleman out of high school we would be excited ala Butler over their freshman kid.  As for Coleman's contributions, do you really think Bryce would have given a scholarship to a kid would MIGHT be good enough to help NOW??  I don't think so.

So, sectionee, are you going to do some interviews again this season?  I think we would really enjoy hearing directly from these new guys!!

[sectionee]

Probably not. Never got much response doing that stuff. Maybe the itch will come back when the season gets closer, but we'll plan on letting the fellas at Beyond the Arc handle this stuff.

[milanmiracle]

[size=78%] Does Jordan Coleman stand any chance in making the rotation, especially since this team is stacked full of guards? [/size]

[size=78%] I would think so. Especially if he has any ball handling skills. We will need those to back up Erik the first couple of months. [/size]

http://www.njcaa.org/colleges_college_player.cfm?sid=4&collegeid=1571&category=Roster&slid=2&teamid=122502&athleteid=353796
Here are Coleman's JUCO stats, he did average 3.1 assists, so we shouldn't rule out a few backup PG minutes before Dority becomes eligible.  I will say this: Tommy Kurth will have to earn backup PG minutes before mid-December, they will not just be given to him because he has experience.

If he does, they're in trouble, and not just because of his injuries in the past.

[EddieCabot]

I didn't want to start a new thread, so thought I'd just tack it on to this thread.  These guys have Valpo rated a little higher at #72, but I still sense they are underestimating what Capobianco, Rossi and Dority will add to this team.

http://www.roundballchat.com/2012/10/72-valparaiso-college-basketball-countdown/

[LaPorteAveApostle]

I have a hard time taking anyone seriously whose top 100 automatically includes

all the 75 programs in the six major conferences, as well as 25 mid majors

That's...like "We gon' rank ALL the white kidz plus'n 25 of the top my-NOR-iteez!  We opin-MINDED!!!"

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Further proof on how asinine this idea is:

According to RealTimeRPI, last year:

1) HALF (!) the ACC was outside the top 100
2) A QUARTER of the B1G was outside the top 100
3) 40% of the Big 12 was outside the top 100
4) Almost a THIRD of the Big East was outside the top 100
5) HALF the Pac 12 was outside the top 100
6) A THIRD of the ESS EEE SEE was outside the top 100

That's 28 teams, or 37.8% of "power conference schools" that don't merit necessary inclusion in any "top 100".

I want my click back.

[VULB#62]

ON A RELATED "FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH"

Here's a college BB blog from the Boston Globe, called Sully's Court on his prediction for the 2013 Big Dance.  Note that he divides the world as we know it into "Them" and the "One-Bid Leagues."  Note that the OVC and Horizon are in the latter category as is the Summit.  Also note that he picks Detroit to repeat as the HL tourney winner and the NCAA bid-winner  .  Remember, this is from way east and this guy knows very little of what goes on in the heartland unless it involves one of "Them."  My point, I guess, is to point out that the HL gets very little credit outside the central mid-west.  My conclusion is that the HL must pursue it's goal of getting itself out of the "One-Bid League" category and become one of "Them."  Here's the link:  http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/extras/colleges_blog/2012/10/sullys_court_pr_20.html

Here's his prediction (I highlighted some interesting things within):

Time for Sully's Court to predict the field for this season's NCAA Tournament.

ACC (5): N.C. State, North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, Maryland
Atlantic 10 (5): Saint Louis, Temple, UMass, Virginia Commonwealth, Saint Joseph's.
Big East (7): Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, St. John's.
Big 10 (7): Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern.
Big 12 (6): Kansas, Texas, Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
CAA (2): Drexel, Delaware
Conference USA (2): Memphis, Marshall
Missouri Valley (2): Creighton, Northern Iowa
Mountain West (3): UNLV, San Diego State, New Mexico
Pac 12 (3): UCLA, Arizona, Stanford
SEC (4): Kentucky, Florida, Missouri, Georgia
West Coast (3): BYU, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's

One-bid leagues
America East: Vermont
Atlantic Sun: Mercer
Big Sky: Montana
Big South: High Point
Big West: Cal Irvine
Horizon: Detroit
Ivy: Princeton
MAAC: Loyola of Maryland
MAC: Akron
MEAC: Savannah State
Northeast: LIU
Ohio Valley: Murray State
Patriot: Lehigh
Southern: Davidson
Southland: Oral Roberts
SWAC: Prairie View
Summit: Oakland
Sun Belt: North Texas
WAC: Denver

Kinda makes a case for adding Murray State and Oakland.

[wh]

ON A RELATED "FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH"

Here's a college BB blog from the Boston Globe, called Sully's Court on his prediction for the 2013 Big Dance.  Note that he divides the world as we know it into "Them" and the "One-Bid Leagues."  Note that the OVC and Horizon are in the latter category as is the Summit.  Also note that he picks Detroit to repeat as the HL tourney winner and the NCAA bid-winner  .  Remember, this is from way east and this guy knows very little of what goes on in the heartland unless it involves one of "Them." My point, I guess, is to point out that the HL gets very little credit outside the central mid-west. 

I believe Jason Aldean explains it best:

Jason Aldean - Fly Over States

[HC]

Athlonsports has a nice HL preview. Haven't hit my link posting quota since rejoining the board.

[wh]

Athlonsports has a nice HL preview. Haven't hit my link posting quota since rejoining the board.

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-basketball/2012-13-college-basketball-countdown-horizon-league-preview

[HC]

Thanks, wh