This post archived for cleaner presentation (Initial post - end of season 35)

Small news break:  The old St Mary's coach of some 17 years back is in preliminary discussions with several schools in the Heartland, among them Oklahoma Panhandle State , North Alabama and St Edwards.

Yup.  OPSU will hopefully be taking a step forward after this season.  If there was ever a team that needed rescuing, I think that one is it.  So, the assistant McSImmy gets a one year trial to see if he can become one of my desk polishers and then I'll take the keys to the team from his simulated hands.

Incidentally, if anyone has scouted any of the four states that OPSU recruited from., I am curious just what the potentials of the recruits SImmy saddled me with are.
 

Post archived for cleaner presentation (Season 36 mid season report)

Looking at the team(PIggybacked a look at their team page from Valdosta state's schedule)...I find it somewhat amusing that the player on the roster with the highest improvement on the season is one of the walkons And DIstefano is arguably betterthan one of the Scholly Frosh and one of the Scholly SOphs.

The Heartland welcomes bjken3 as a new coach, taking over at St. Mary’s after bigred19 has gone inactive. With a strong core of nine human coaches the Heartland looks to continue to edge up the conference RPI ladder. Last season conference coaches ranked the teams in order of projected strength for this season, so lets examine each team in its turn.

 

**Please note the write-ups are broken into 2 sections: Comments on the current season (38) and predictions (including how I ranked every team for the challenge) for next season (39). My record/postseason predictions are for NEXT season.**

 

[Legend: School Name (nickname); Prestige; Location; Head Coach; Weighted Rank (1^st place = 8 pts, 2^nd place = 7 pts, etc.); Weighted Total Score; Average Rank (simple average: total of rankings/8); Average Score]

Valdosta State Blazers (A+) Valdosta, Georgia. Dacj501 WR: 1 (56); AR: 1 (1.00)

The Blazers are rebuilding a bit after last season’s Sweet 16 run. With only 4 upperclassmen, expect some bumps in the road as this young team will need to grow up quickly or face a mediocre season. The Blazer’s string of NT appearances may be in jeopardy.

Season 39 Forecast: The loss of starters PG Peter Miler and C Mark Sunderland will be felt, but at least at guard some of that youth can be expected to develop and contribute. Frontcourt depth is an issue, and V. State can be expected to once again recruit size.

DAC’s prediction: 21-8, NT 2^nd rd.

Montevallo Falcons (B+) Montevallo, Alabama. Khook19 WR: 2 (48); AR: 2 (2.14)

Continuing his string of 20+ win seasons, khook has Montevallo coming off their first ever NT appearance. The Falcons are loaded with experience and Sr PG Curtis Summer could be an All-American once he starts to utilize that speed and superior ball handling ability to take it to the hole.  Expect Montevallo to make some NT noise this season.

Season 39 Forecast: Depending upon this season’s improvement, as many as 5 700 rated players could depart after season 38. 4 jrs will return to form the nucleus of next year’s squad, and no doubt khook will reload quickly, but season 39 has the potential to be a bit of a downer while the next class matures.

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 2). 22-8, NT 1^st rd.

St. Mary’s (TX) Rattlers (B) San Antonio, Texas. Bjken3 WR: 3 (40); AR 3 (3.29)

A solid, experienced core brought in by the last headmaster have St. Mary’s off to a hot start. Expect bjken to ride this wave to a possible NT bid in his inaugural Heartland campaign.

Season 39 Forecast: 5 departing seniors give bjken a chance to quickly remake the Rattlers in his own image. The returning players from the old regime appear to be complimentary players at best. Bjken’s recruiting savvy will be put to the test early as he’ll look to these first couple classes to capitalize on the growth of the program begun by bigred.

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 8).  9-18.

West Alabama Tigers (B-) Livingston, Alabama. Bluejayscott. WR: 4 (38); AR 5 (4.25)

Bluejayscott’s first recruiting class is all grown up. The Tigers are packed with experience this season, sporting a whopping 10 upperclassmen (5 srs, including 5^th yr sr/transfer from Wichita St. PG Tim Broadway).  Look for that experience to bring a postseason appearance for W. Alabama.

Season 39 Forecast: The loss of the aforementioned seniors will hurt, but there are 5 more right behind them who are better defenders. The program’s improvement under scott’s steady leadership should mean this 2^nd generation recruiting class could outstrip gen 1, and I think year 5 looms bright in Livingston. 

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 1). 24-6, NT Sweet 16.

West Florida Argos (B+) Pensacola, Florida. Bakerbarnett. WR: 5 (34); AR: 4 (4.14)

Like West Alabama, baker’s squad sees the maturation of their first recruiting class. Led by SG Lewis Casey this unit is dynamic at both ends of the court. Anything less than a return to the NT would be a let down, and there’s every reason to believe the Argos could improve over last season’s 2^nd round exit.

Season 39 Forecast: Lewis and super slashing SF Malcolm Coder are gone, along with 2 other seniors, but the cupboards are hardly bare. Much will hinge on this season’s recruiting class to see if baker can continue to upward arc the Argos are following.

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 4). 20-10, 2nd rd.

St. Edward’s Hilltoppers (B-) Austin, Texas. Bradriddell. WR: 6 (24); AR: 6t (6.00)

Brad’s second season is off to a slow start, but has the potential for continued growth. The 5 upperclassmen represent alopez’s last effort, Sr C Ronnie Cook (currently tearing it up with 21.5 ppg) and Sr SF Lester Byrd and a trio of capable simmy guards. Watch as brad’s youth continues to develop and see how far their growth plus the performance of Cook can take them. Squeaking into the NT isn’t impossible, a run in the PIT seems a certain consolation should that fall short.

Season 39 Forecast: With Cook and Byrd gone look for current freshmen Stephens and or Everson to step up. That trio of capable guards won’t become world beaters, and Cook’s size 16s are going to be hard to fill!

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 7). 15-13. PIT 1^st rd.

Rockhurst Hawks (C+) Kansas City, Missouri. Gomiami1972. WR 7 (20); AR: 6t (6.00)

The Hawks returned to post-season play last season for the first time in 20 seasons. Gomiami’s squad is young despite entering his 4^th season. The experience on the team provides a potent inside scoring punch that will cause fits for opponents this season. Expect an improvement on last season’s early PIT exit.

Season 39 Forecast: That youth will need to develop and play important roles next season to see Rockhurst’s start continue to rise. Lack of superior rebounding may cause problems.

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 5). 18-11. PIT 2^nd rd.

Incarnate Word Cardinals (B-) San Antonio, Texas. Garmansouth7. WR: 8 (19); AR: 8 (6.29)

Look for the Cardinals to continue their improvement arc this season. The remaining simai players are actually respectable and garmansouth has brought in some nice talent to complement the roster, including Sr transfer guard Kosta Sieligowski from the Polish National Team. The “Sexy Slav” as he’s known around campus is contributing solid numbers as his final season of collegiate eligibility gets under way, but thus far a tough schedule has Incarnate Word longing for redemption.

Season 39 Forecast: Expect continued improvement from the Cardinals as garmansouth has another year under his belt. One area of concern could be team defense as garman seems to be de-emphasizing the attribute in recent recruiting in favor of speed. Will the risk pay off?

DAC’s Prediction: (Submitted Rank: 3).  21-9. PIT semis (NT bubble burst).