It's that time of year again!  The So-Cal conference in Knight will likely have two open spots next season.

First- the conference.  You may or may not have heard about the So-Cal.    It's safe to say we may be the undisputed best DIII conference in Knight, and arguments will rage from all sides about the best in HD.  The last three seasons have seen RPI's of .6086, .6421, and .6024, which are the 4th, 1st and 9th highest RPIs in the last 2 years at DIII.  In the last two years, simply winning 14 games (above .500) in the So-Cal has meant an NT bid.  This season, we only managed 10 post-season teams, 7 NT, 3 PIT, that only gained about $5750 in additional recruiting funds for EACH school.  To put that in prospective, that's almost 2 additional scholarships worth of money per school.

Second- the coaches.  You have a group of national championship winning coaches, mixed in with a couple of simply above average coaches, which lead to great (sometimes housewives of Southern California), daily banter, and advice to assist poorer coaches.  At least FIVE (I can't recall who has won on alts) of the returning ten coaches have won NT championships.  It may be possible to assemble a stronger group of coaches than the So-Cal boasts, but it doesn't happen often.  We also have coach voted awards every post-season to replace the AI's odd choices.

Third- The openings.  La Verne is the crown jewel of the openings in the So-Cal.  In the last 12 seasons, they have won the National Championship seven times, with two different coaches.  In 11 of those seasons, they finished with a top 10 RPI.  A+ prestige, 3 graduating players, and the task of 'returning' them to their previous glory (last season's 2nd round exit and #15 RPI was far below La Verne standards).  Uglyskunk has stated before he will assist with his knowledge to the new coach of La Verne, in order to keep the dynasty strong.  This team will likely go quickly during the job change period, and probably to a strong DIII coach, or even a DII coach moving down.

California Lutheran is the 'weaker' opening in the So-cal.  This team has been a victim of short coach tenures, and the brutal So-Cal schedule (2-46 in conference the last three seasons, 20-14 out of conference, for mid/low 100's RPIs.  One graduating senior (so you will have three scholarships worth of money to either get one player, or cut and get more), and next year will feature a senior class of 6 players.  That large class could make it easy to switch from the Triangle/Zone if you wish in two seasons.  If you can't stand losing to build, this is NOT the team for you.  But with patience, good recruiting and non-con scheduling, this team could be postseason bound quickly.

So if you want an easy time in DIII HD, look elsewhere.  If you want to challenge yourself as ANY level of coach to get better and play the best, then get in the So-Cal any way you can.

Texas Tyler might open up too