Somehow I missed when this was posted the first time. Quick reactions:
1. I don't think the JR/SR thing (hence IQs) is any bigger than it used to be. I think there are actually more fouls/fouling out by more veteran players through some flaw in the IQ logic (they get more steals but also commit more fouls)
2. The top to 11 was pretty close this season; Goucher played a bunch of close games. Though their 16-0 was more impressive than any of CUA's, it wasn't as dominant as some of those years.
3. I would not have said this team is lower in ATH/SPD than previous CUA incarnations... so doing a quick check; season end averages from some selected seasons (season 13: 48/42; season 17: 39/40; season 20: 43/44 now: 34/40). My ATH is down while overall ratings have gone up. Interesting.
4. SMM is baffling. How did a bunch of 35 DEF players become a FG% juggernaut as if by magic... wait a minute... Lousy Malfoy.
5. I think the press offense has had the pendulum swing its way for most favored defense status (by the Sim), but fastbreak is still a bad offense (however well it works for my Tarheels when Lawson is healthy).
6. The entire tide has risen with the season 19 recruiting reform. I didn't handle it particularly well and am paying the price. I can only hope tourney runs the next two years let the Cardinal faithful again see the type of hoops they had come to expect.
Reflections on predictions:
The end all is that the gap between the top and the bottom closed, but not as much as I predicted. I certainly didn't see Goucher going 16-0 in conference. But I think that's got to be the 8 juniors and seniors at work... Goucher going .500 or better from the field was a regular occurence throughout the year. It eliminated the need for stellar rebounding- giving use to the adage, "there is more than one way to skin a cat." Catholic was Catholic, but in my opinion, has lost a step... literally. Just look at our respective rosters and you will see the importance I place on ath/spd compared to Andrew. And this is the lowest I've seen a Catholic team in this area since I've been in the conference... of couse, Catholic is playing for a tournament championship and I am busy writing this. I was also surprised by Mary Washington. I thought they would have had a little bit more success. But again, here you have the IQ issue. If I remember correctly, MW has no seniors. Marymount's team is much younger than I realized. They have a final four team when their sophomore's mature.
The biggest surprise of the South was St. Mary's arrival. I lost twice to this team, and both times, I liked the match-up and expected to win. The result, was that I was borderline non-competitive. I can't say I completely understand this team's success, but believe you me I will spend some time looking at Lucius' roster here in the next few days... BEFORE recruiting begins. St. Mary's will only be better next year. Will Lil' barty avg 6 rebs a game? York came on in the second half, and now that Rogue is going to fatigue settings, we see what this team is capable of doing in the NT. I'm not sure they can beat DeSales, Franklin, or MLA, but I like them to make a run in the NT. A final four is not out of the question this year. Rogue will win the NT next year. If St Mary's was the biggest over achiever, Chestnut Hill was the biggest under achiever. Here you have the seniors, and some crazy ratings, but no results. The 6-10 mark just leaves you scratching your head. 80 PE here, 80 Reb there, 80 BH around the corner.... and nothing. It's a sim, so you can't screw up coaching that much, can you? This is not rhetorical- the answer is no. I guess doc needs more "well rounded" players? An offense other than Fastbreak? I'm just not sure. As for yours truly- well, my problem is I'm not committed to my defense. I ended up with a bunch of B's for m2m/press. I need one Def to be superior- I will make that m2m next year. I also need more juniors and seniors- I will have 8 next year- as opposed to my current group of 5. Baptist Bible is steadily progressing. They're an NT team next year.