Thomas Recruits -- Season 32 (Season 1 of potential)



John Eaddy (PF) -- Ignoring work ethic, the best recruit in Thomas' class this season. Considering work ethic, maybe not. I really don't know what to make of work ethic anymore. My gut tells me it's not as important as it used to be because if guys are maxed out in ratings due to potential, a good offseason becomes impossible. There is the issue of court IQ. Eaddy is wearing a redshirt and hopefully that extra season combined with playing time that gets the WE to rise should result in him being a very good player down the road for Thomas. With good rankings already in athleticism, defense, shot blocking, and rebonding and with each of thise categories having high potential for growth, Eaddy could be one heck of a defensive force in the middle ... assuming he eventually learns how to rotate in the defensive set.

Eady's offensive game won't be able to match his defensive game but he comes to campus with an excellent speed ranking and an acceptable low post ranking. Both are of average potential so he should eventually be good on the offensive end but probably not great. Really not sure what to make of the passing ranking of 4 that has high potential.

Athleticism 44 (high)
Speed 49
Rebounding 48 (high)
Defense 42 (high)
Shot Blocking 55 (high)
Low-post 49
Perimeter 1
Ball Handling 19
Passing 4 (high)
Work Ethic 15
Stamina 66
Durability 21 (high)
FT Shooting C+ (high)



Antonio James (C) -- James was the "safety" recruit for a variety of reasons. He lacks overall talent and was available for recruiting from the get go. He was a local recruit (within 200 miles) and I really needed to get at least one local player in order to scout the number of states I wanted and still have enough money over to be prepared to battle for a recruit if need be. And finally, even though the work ethic of 34 is below average, it isn't terrible. My other two recruits have terrible work ethics and I'm rolling the dice that it won't matter in the way it would have last season. James having a passable work ethic also makes him a saftey recruit.

If I had my choice in the matter, James might not have been my preferred safety. But I also missed the first 6-7 recruiting cycles. I wanted a local player and he seemed to be the best of the bunch that was uncommitted when I logged on for the first time. Probably not the ideal way to approach a recruit.

Since James was the safety, I got him first. I pretty much knew (or at least hoped) that when I bagged him he'd be the worst player in the class. What I didn't anticipate is that he'll probably be a poor-man's John Eady. Nothing wrong about that except that they are in the same recruiting class. Had I known I was going to get Eady, I'd have prefered to have my other post player recruit be a bit more of a scorer.

That said, James should be a very good rebounder and play solid defense. He won't be the offensive threat I'd want to team up with Eady but unlike Eady he should develop into a good passing big man, something I really prefer to have if it all possible.

Stamina might be an issue with James. Not really sure what 56 stamina with normal development will mean. Guess I'll find out soon enough. Since I don't run a press I wasn't going to have this deter me.

Athleticism 27 (high)
Speed 27
Rebounding 56 (high)
Defense 31 (high)
Shot Blocking 41
Low-post 47
Perimeter 1
Ball Handling 1
Passing 17 (high)
Work Ethic 34
Stamina 56
Durability 48 (high)
FT Shooting C (low)



Mike Sheffer (PG) -- At this point, we're running with a theme in the recruiting class. Not sure anybody will be reading this but if you are and paid any attention at all to Thomas over the past 10 seasons, I'm guessing Sheffer as a Thomas recurit might be as shocking to you as it was to me. Sheffer's defensive ranking comes very close to exceeding the entire Thomas team of 5 seasons ago -- that team had 5 players with single digit defensive rankings.

Not a whole lot of high potential in Sheffer. I am hoping that the high potential in speed and athleticism combined with the 83 defensive ranking will mean he's worth having on the court. But the guard skills coming to campus are average and with just average potential in all of them, I'm guessing that the average + average combination will equal a below average player on the offensive end as an upperclassman.

Sheffer's got massive work ethic problems too. He and Eady have a chance of being one heck of a defensive force. But if neither can get the IQ down, this experiment mind end up being a disaster.



Athleticism 22 (high)
Speed 45 (high)
Rebounding 6
Defense 83
Shot Blocking 4
Low-post 3
Perimeter 29
Ball Handling 40
Passing 49
Work Ethic 17
Stamina 65
Durability 26 (high)
FT Shooting B- (high)



Overall

I'm very, very happy with this recruiting class. Given the problems I have with work ethic, I'm not sure I should be. I had recruited twice with Phelan with potential and found both to be quite challenging. My Phelan team is in a bit better position for prestige so I figured Thomas would be even more challenging, especially when you figured geography as a challenge for all of us in the NAC. So I'm very happy, but I'm not sure that's because I walked away with a good set of players or if it's because I set the expectations bar so low I was easily able to hurdle over it. I am pretty excited about Eady. He looks like he should be a beast. And a fifth year should go a long way toward solving his IQ problems. Not as excited about the other two. It'll be interesting to see how potential plays out over four seaons. If I had to guess, this is a recruiting class that gives me a very good shot at making the postseason three and four years from now. But it might be the PIT instead of the NT. Time will tell.

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UMPI season 32 recruiting:

Carl Corbett
Athleticism 27 (high)
Speed 54 (high)
Rebounding 25 (low)
Defense 5 (high)
Shot Blocking 12 (low)
Low-post 5
Perimeter 33
Ball Handling 43
Passing 52 (high)
Work Ethic 44
Stamina 83
Durability 57
FT Shooting D (low)

I looked for a guy with good speed to start and high in ath/speed and one of the 3 main guard skills; this is the best I could come up with. He should be able to put up good passing numbers by the end of his freshman year. The high potential in defense will turn him into a decent defender, at least compared to what I usually have. PE/bh will develop to an ok level, but not nearly where guards would be under the old system. FT shooting sucks, but I don't expect him to end up at the line often.

Grady Fullerton
Athleticism 33 (high)
Speed 51
Rebounding 35
Defense 19 (high)
Shot Blocking 44
Low-post 30
Perimeter 27
Ball Handling 15 (low)
Passing 46 (high)
Work Ethic 53
Stamina 77
Durability 23 (high)
FT Shooting B+

It is so hard to find an adequate SF. The guy I really wanted went to DII, so I had to settle for this fellow. Ath/speed combo should end up ok and he will be a fine defender by my standards. Reb/lp/pe will all end up lower than I would normally like for a SF, but hopefully they will still be better than the average SF under potential. He will be a terrific passer. Only true weakness is ballhandling. I've been able to get away with turnover prone SFs in the past because they were great in other areas; hopefully I can get away with it here too.

Noel Greene
Athleticism 36 (high)
Speed 40
Rebounding 52 (high)
Defense 16
Shot Blocking 57
Low-post 49 (high)
Perimeter 6
Ball Handling 9
Passing 20 (low)
Work Ethic 45
Stamina 56 (high)
Durability 11 (high)
FT Shooting C (high)

For such a low rated player, this guy could turn out to be the best of the bunch. High potential in Ath/reb/lp/stamina/ft...he is the ideal big man recruit. His speed is at the low end of what I would like but, especially with potential, it should still be above average for his position. If it wasn't for his defense (which for my teams, isn't terrible), I would say that in 4 years there would be few if any guys in DIII that could match up with him.

Overall, its a mixed bag. Considering I only had B prestige and couldn't rely on dropdowns I think I did ok. I'm not thrilled by the SF, but I reserve the right to change my mind, based on how the DIII SG landscape looks after potential has really taken hold. One superstar, one good to great player, and one unknown quantity; in the end, I suppose that is a success.

Quote: Originally posted by z3sus on 8/04/2008Recruiting summary for...some team that I have in the NAC in some world...(this might be a sign that I have too many teams). UMPI I think...

Overview: I had 5 spots to fill. No seniors on the current roster. I was looking for a player to redshirt this season and one for next season. If I was smart I would have taken 3 guards and 2 pf/c. But, wheres the fun in doing the smart thing?

Richard Maye (PG): Despite only having 4 guards on roster, I may redshirt this guy this season and slide a SF over to the backup guard spot. Maye's guard skills are low enough that he wouldn't be a huge help this season anyways, so a SF won't be too much of a hindrance. Further, redshirting him now means that the breakdown classwise for guards will be 1-0-2-1 instead of 1-0-3-0. The last thing I want to do is have to replace 2 guards in one offseason. PE/BA/P are all mediocre but improvable. Nice speed and not a liability on defense. 80 work ethic along with his areas of improvement means he could become a very productive guard as a senior.

Roy Kacprowski (SG): Very similar player to Maye but with higher core stats and much lower work ethic; it will be interesting to see who is better in 4 seasons. Solid but not great...mostly grabbed for the ath/speed/def combo. Great FT shooter too.

Clyde Lee (PF): Possible redshirt for next season. Not the best defender and his ath could be better. However, he is very quick for a frontcourt player and his reb/lp are right where I want them to be for an incoming freshman. 60 work ethic should lead to solid yearly improvement.

Marcus Gottfried (PF) I'm a bit surprised I pulled this guy in. OK ath/speed combo. Plus defender (at least for the system that I run). Has inside/outside potential to play small forward. Toss in a 61 rebounding rating and this is NOT a guy that a school of my prestige should be able to reel in with just a visit....not that I'm complaining. He might also redshirt as he has so many areas for improvement. FT shooting is a major weakness...as are academics.

Ryan Kerr (C): At the time of this posting, this guy has the highest overall of all incoming freshmen in the NAC. Don't let that fool you though; he isn't the best recruit on this team (Gottfried is), nevermind the conference. That said, he has above average speed/ath for a big guy and above average def for my system. Guard skills are all potentially improvable, but they likely won't be practiced.

Overall, I think I am happy with this class. The overall ath and FT% are lower than I would like. I make up for this by bringing in 3 good defenders. In a few seasons...a press with high IQ, speed, and def rating...this could be my best defensive team ever. Time will tell.

I figured I might as well steal the idea and do a recruiting flashback...

I had such high hopes for Maye. With his work ethic, the sky was the limit. He has not impressed me. His results have been decent however, as he is shooting over 50% from the floor and 40% from 3pt. Since he took a redshirt, he still has 2 seasons to improve. Speed and def are outstanding. In hindsight this was an OK signing, but definitely nothing to write home about.

Kacprowski turned out very similar to Maye. Ratings are very mediocre, but he shot extremely well last season, his first as a starter. By my usual standards, I would consider this to be a miss as well. However, considering the school's prestige when recruiting this class, it was probably the best I could do.

Lee took a redshirt and still has 2 seasons remaining. With his blazing speed and good reb/lp combo, he has turned into the prototypical big man for a DIII press team. Best player in this class.

Gottfried was supposed to be the best. While he has turned out great and will dominate the boards this season, he has been surpassed. Grades definitely held him back a bit. In theory he should be a key cog to this team, but he needs to improve upon the numbers he put up last season.

Kerr is a great bench player. His ath/speed/def should be much better than most second stringers. His reb/lp however keep him out of the starting 5. Not a bad signing considering the 2 other big guys I pulled in.

All in all, this has to be considered a good class considering prestige and all of the higher prestige schools in my area. Unfortunately these guys aren't quite good enough to put this team at the elite level, so we might stumble a bit this season. Lee was definitely a good find as I am sure that many of the teams with higher prestige that passed him over would love to have him now.

Annual Rankings Time. I haven't tweaked the formula for potential one bit. If I had to guess, the Freshmen rankings are going to be mocked a couple of seasons from now.

SEASON 28 FRESHMEN REDSHIRT – 1st Team
PG: Jack Duggan, Elms
SG: Brian Allen, UMPI
SF: Arthur Boissonneault, Husson
PF: Bradford Vinson, MMA
C: Seth Irvin, Lasell

SEASON 29 FRESHMEN – 1st Team
PG: Jack Duggan, Elms
SG: Brian Allen, UMPI
SF: Arthur Boissonneault, Husson
PF: Bradford Vinson, MMA
C: Seth Irvin, Lasell

SEASON 29 FRESHMEN – 2nd Team
PG: Robert Schick, Lasell
SG: Herbert Molinaro, UMF
SF: Richard Boles, Castleton State
PF: Marcus Godfried, UMPI
C: Floyd Graham, UMF

SEASON 30 SOPHOMORES – 1st Team
PG: Jack Duggan, Elms
SG: Brian Allen, UMPI
SF: Richard Boles, Castleton State
PF: Bradford Vinson, MMA
C: Seth Irvin, Lasell

SEASON 30 SOPHOMORES – 2nd Team
PG: Herbert Molinaro, UMF
SG: Kenneth Grider, MMA
SF: Arthur Boissonneault, Husson
PF: Chad Burns, Thomas
C: Floyd Graham, UMF

SEASON 31 JUNIORS – 1st Team
PG: Jack Duggan, Elms
SG: Brian Allen, UMPI
SF: Richard Boles, Castleton State
PF: Bradford Vinson, MMA
C: Seth Irvin, Lasell

SEASON 31 JUNIORS – 2nd Team
PG: Sean Lusk, Lasell
SG: Kenneth Grider, MMA
SF: Arthur Boissonneault, Husson
PF: Floyd Graham, UMF
C: Chad Burns, Thomas

SEASON 32 SENIORS – 1st Team
PG: Jack Duggan, Elms
SG: Brian Allen, UMPI
SF: Richard Boles, Castleton State
PF: Bradford Vinson, MMA
C: Seth Irvin, Lasell

SEASON 32 SENIORS – 2nd Team
PG: Kenneth Grider, MMA
SG: Arthur Boissonneault, Husson
SF: Steven O'Fallon, UMF
PF: Marcus Gottfried, UMPI
C: Chad Burns, Thomas



Comments: Normally by the senior season this is just a cut and paste job. First team was but there was some changes to the second team.

SEASON 29 FRESHMEN REDSHIRT – 1st Team
PG: Richard Jenkins, Elms
SG: Richard Maye, UMPI
SF: Eugene Laubach, Castleton State
PF: [no post player eligible]
C: [no post player eligible]

SEASON 30 FRESHMEN – 1st Team
PG: Richard Maye, UMPI
SG: Richard Jenkins, Elms
SF: Eugene Laubach, Castleton State
PF: Clyde Lee, UMPI
C: Charles Hunter, Castleton State

SEASON 30 FRESHMEN – 2nd Team
PG: Donald Capozzi, Elms
SG: Ralph Gray, Thomas
SF: Cedric Miller, Thomas
PF: Derrick Potter, Lasell
C: Cory Rainey, Castleton State

SEASON 31 SOPHOMORES – 1st Team
PG: Richard Maye, UMPI
SG: Richard Jenkins, Elms
SF: Eugene Laubach, Castleton State
PF: Clyde Lee, UMPI
C: Derrick Potter, Lasell

SEASON 31 SOPHOMORES – 2nd Team
PG: Donald Capozzi, Elms
SG: Ralph Gray, Thomas
SF: Cedric Miller, Thomas
PF: Charles Grafenstein, Thomas
C: Joseph Francis, Mount Ida

SEASON 32 JUNIORS – 1st Team
PG: Donald Capozzi, Elms
SG: Richard Jenkins, Elms
SF: Eugene Laubach, Castleton State
PF: Clyde Lee, UMPI
C: Joseph Francis, Mount Ida

SEASON 32 JUNIORS – 2nd Team
PG: William Bounds, Mount Ida
SG: Richard Maye, UMPI
SF: Cedric Miller, Thomas
PF: Charles Grafenstein, Thomas
C: Derrick Potter, Lasell

SEASON 30 FRESHMEN REDSHIRT – 1st Team
PG: Jacob Furstenberg, Husson
SG: James Waltman, Castleton State
SF: Anthony Clark, UMF
PF: James Hively, Thomas
C: Eric Cobb, Johnson State

SEASON 31 FRESHMEN – 1st Team
PG: Darin Dillon, UMPI
SG: Brett Mohr, Castleton State
SF: Anthony Clark, UMF
PF: Eric Cobb, Johnson State
C: James Hively, Thomas

SEASON 31 FRESHMEN – 2nd Team
PG: Glenn Ryan, Castleon State
SG: Allan Palmer, Thomas
SF: James Waltman, Castleton State
PF: Zachary Campbell, Elms
C: Edward Howie, Johnson State

SEASON 32 SOPHOMORES – 1st Team
PG: Darin Dillon, UMPI
SG: James Waltman, Castleton State
SF: Anthony Clark, UMF
PF: Eric Cobb, Johnson State
C: James Hively, Thomas

SEASON 32 SOPHOMORES – 2nd Team
PG: Allan Palmer, Thomas
SG: Brett Mohr, Castleton State
SF: Denis Jeanbaptiste, Salem State
PF: Edward Howie, Johnson State
C: Cecil Spengler, Lasell

SEASON 31 FRESHMEN REDSHIRT – 1st Team
PG: Mark Rowden, MMA
SG: Nelson Keene, Thomas
SF: Alvin Browning, Elms
PF: George Wiesneski, Salem State
C: Brian Anderson, Husson

SEASON 32 FRESHMEN – 1st Team
PG: Joseph Sims, Elms
SG: John Overcash, MMA
SF: Alvin Browning, Elms
PF: Ronald Garten, Castleton State
C: Brian Anderson, Husson

SEASON 32 FRESHMEN – 2nd Team
PG: Jerome Duty, Lasell
SG: Mark Rowden, MMA
SF: Nelson Keene, Thomas
PF: Richard Forte, UMPI
C: Noel Greene, UMPI



Comments: Very interesting. If I had to guess this is going to change greatly over the next four seasons since I don't know what potentials are here. Still pretty amazing that of the five redshirts on last season's team just two were good enough to repeat. I'm guessing they'll find their way back to the 1st team since they aren't limited by potential. But right now it would seem that we did a terrible job with our redshirts as a conference last season and/or we did a terrific job recruiting this season.







SEASON 32 FRESHMEN REDSHIRT – 1st Team
PG: Johnathan Meeks, Lasell
SG: Mark Gibbs, MMA
SF: Grady Fullerton, UMPI
PF: Gary Angle, UMF
C: John Eaddy, Thomas



Comments: Ignore IQ and Mark Gibbs is probably good enough to start for my Thomas team. Even if he has low potential in a few categories, Maine Maritime is going to have one heck of a perimeter player going forward.

If you guys want to play here are our rankings. I have open a lot of games for whoever gets me (La Roche) because I had accepted a game 9 by accident. Anyway here they are...
1 UPB
2. Moravian
3 Widener
4 LV
5. LR
6 Albright
7. PSA.
8. UPG
9 Elizabethtown
10 Messiah

We only have 10 as Juniata and Susq are out next year.

UPB at Casteleton
Thomas at Moravian
Widener at UMPI
Salem St at Lebanon Valley
LaRoche at MMA
Lasell at Albright
PSA at UMF

If UPG, Etown or Messiah want to play a NAC team just schedule it. The idea game date is game #9. I know some people may have scheduled so do you best to get this game schedule as close to game 9 as possible. Thanks.

KuJ got me to wondering after the NC portion was over.... what do we expect for the conference portion of the season.

I see the 2 best teams I believe in the conference are in the North.

I however, believe the South is top to bottom much stronger than the North. I see several teams in the North that might not win more than one game (if that) against the south.

I looked at the South first, since that was where KuJ mentioned he might surprise, and here are my thoughts for your consideration... member, these are my opinions,,, and seldom am I without an opinion... and usually a STRONG one, LOL! Now, put your feelings aside and here is what I see in a quick - 30 min glance at the south.



#1 UMPI - I see PI as probably my favorite to win the south. #19 is prolly about right... I think someplace in the 15-25 range, I put them there due to the fact that I believe they are as good as anyone in the south and better than most, as well as Cyben, in an even match with most of the conference gets my nod,,, sorry mates.. They have played good to very good NC games and done pretty well. I see them beating most of the South and enough of the north to get to prolly 11-5 or so and I think 11-12 wins will take the south.

#2. Ida - I see this as a 50-50 type thing. 50% NickyD and 50% luck. I see Ida in alot of very tough games all season. If NickyD coaches his *** off,,, and the RNG smiles on him, this team wins 10-12 in conference and finishes #2. If NickyD falters or the RNG doesn't like him,,, this team can underachieve. I recruited these guys with a C- I think... they are very limited, however,, he has 8 upperclassmen, good BH skills, decent shooting and decent team RB,,, Gagnon is a man, and Reynoso has allways been a SG, hint hint. Rutledge, Reynoso, and Gagnon, can play with about anyone in this conference... the bigs graduated last season :( .... thus Ida is average in that area. This group could ezily finish 5th (which is prolly more likely than #2) and still have played well.

#3. MMA - currently ranked #7, sorry, but other than Glitter they just have not been tested and proven to me they are a top-10 team. Very strong inside, however,,, I see them as equally weak in some other places. I could be VERY wrong here but I think IDA, MMA, UMF, and Thomas have a real battle for #2-#5.

#4. UMF - I give them the nod over Thomas here due to the 6 sr's and the fact that Molinaro also is a man. I think I give Sloss, or whatever his name is the ball and rotate those 3 great bigs in at the post and back-up at the 3. Those 5 seniors look to me to be the best 5 overall in the conference, I'd try to keep em on the floor. Floyd, has a team capable of makeing a really nice run and being a top 25 team.

#5. Thomas - This team could be #2, or #5, I don't see them in the middle. Thus far they really have played a pretty tough sched. ,,, I am wondering how they are playing this well? KuJ has a way of getting the most out of his guys usually. If he does again this season... he will be in the top 2-3. Actually if they continue like they have they could be #1. KuJ has 3 wins against very good coaches, who's teams are 6-4 or 7-3... I'm just not convinced this team is #1 or #2 but on paper thus far they really are.

#6. Salem St - Has had a great NC season,,, I however look for the grim reality of the NAC to set in on Salem St soon. The 33RPI (I believe) is inflated as they have played several good (NAC Caliber) teams,,, they just haven't beat most of them. The lack of sr's and only 2-3 jr's will have to take it toll as the season rolls on and they face good teams every single night. I hope they surprise me but this game is usually more about the numbers than the luck. and for another season or two... the numbers don't add up to alot of conference wins for Witch-Country.

Nice post Bob.

I do think Castleton is better than anybody from the South, but as much as I love how they play I do wish they'd lose to a good man-to-man team. Seems to me they should never ever lose to a press as they effectively are running 12 guards but you'd think a shut down man defense would expose the lack of a front court game. That said, they'll probably go 6-0 against the South. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lassel to go 6-0 as well, but they are a bit more of a conventional bunch. If the South can actually pick up 3 wins against the big two, it'd be a huge victory. Heck, two wins would be pretty nice even.

I'm not sure what to make of your rankings. The only thing that is different from what I did the season before (for the game 9 challenge) was MMA. I had it UMPI, Mt Ida, UMF, Thomas, MMA, Salem State.

MMA always seems to outperform but that probably has something to do with free throws. I'm not calling MMA a one-trick-pony but it is a bit amazing how much they have achieved with that as their core. So while I had MMA ranked fifth, it's probably a bad ranking and I'd expect higher for them.

For what it's worth, I scalped Ida this morning going 8-11 from downtown. If the backcourt can continue to support the frontcourt so well, Thomas is probably going to finish above that 5 slot. On an overall talent level though, ranking Thomas 5th might be appropriate. Thomas ain't designed to peak this season; theoretically next season is the one where Thomas should be good.

My short version of the North, since it's started,,,, was,

#1 C.St. I place them here with an asterick* since I'm not convinced they don't have enough holes for Elmo or I to beat em, but I think the holes on Lasell will be larger than on C.St.

#2. Lasell, I am saying this tho Elmo has allready kicked my butt. I felt it at the beginning of the season, and now looks like #3 may be as good as the Lazers can get to. Too many problems here to really be a F/4 type team... just how much do the Lazers miss Peterman, Peterson, PeterPan, whatever his name was,,, the kid was the heart of this bunch and we have underachiever stamped all over us this season.

#3. Elms, They could be the #1 or #2 team very ez, however I just don't think one guy (ok 2 guys) can carry a team to #1 in a league this good, (even tho the lil ***** should be starting on a DII team) The other one is just a real good DIII player.

#4. Barret's band, I think they do some damage as they are a pretty decent group... just too much competition for the top 3 spots.

#5. Nicky D's guys, this is the remains of a good team that is trying to re-define their place,,, The North of the NAC has been a brutal place to try to do anything but be a 550 rated overall butt-kickin team, they're not that soooo #5 it iz.

#6. Becker. They fall here by default, just too much talent above them to climb up the rungs very far for a season or two.

I agree with the rankings Bob although I think you're selling Lasell short. Last year's team was obviously better. But the talent level is as high as almost anybody else in DIII. Last year you had the best team; this year you actually got some competition but you're on level footing with those teams.

I had to laugh at your "enough" holes line for Castleton though. After getting whipped by them, I'm pretty much convinced they don't have any. Or I shouldn't exactly say that. UMF beat them with a man defense. A good man defense can stop the three without giving up inside defense. I don't think a zone or a press stand much of a shot. They should simply tear apart a press with their combo of speed, athleticism, ball handling, and passing at all 12 spots. And a zone team like mine is pretty much playing pick your poison. If I guard the perimeter (like I did), I'm giving up the inside game and since all 12 of them can also rebound, I just got killed on the boards and second chance points. I find it pretty interesting that Castleton is sitting at 17-1 with the 1/1 rankings and has the worst 3 point shooting in our conference. They probably (I'm not looking it up) are the best three point shooting team based on rankings in Allen. Teams are shutting that down but in doing so you're just allowing Castleton to kill you on the offensive glass. I know they don't have a low post game, but if you focus on the perimeter you better have a damn good rebounding game to make up for it.

And I hope Adam doesn't take anything the wrong way, but I really don't see how he's doing it. It's one thing to be as young as he is. And it's another to be so weak on the boards. And it's yet another to be switching defenses. I was blown away with Adam's success and that was before I noticed that all three things are happening right now. Jack Duggan is one of the finer players produced in the NAC. (And I love that I'm not saying finest. As good as Duggan is, I'm not sure he's any better than Mike Townsend, Wendell Foster, Dale Peterman, David Hollowell, or Larry Denmark. I'm not sure he's better than UMPI's Brian Allen this year.) As much as I think Thomas is a fluke, I'm not sure Elms isn't almost as big of one. Not that either of us are bad, but at least from my eyes I don't think either of us is that good.

I hope next season you find someone to continue Johnson State's rise so it doesn't fall back into sim oblivion. I really thought next season would be the year they break out and make some noise in conference and the NT. It coming one season early has been a bit of a surprise.

I just noticed I finally reached Hall of Fame status - 5 stars. I didn't think it would ever get there.

Just posted to see how many stars I have.

Dang, still just a vet.