Let’s take a break from the “rich” conference previews to preview my favorite part of college hoops – the little guys. With 700 cable channels and a DVR, I have fallen in love with mid-major basketball. Every year I become more and more addicted. I just love the fact that the game still revolves around coordinated personnel decisions and strategic lineup adjustments, as opposed to “I think my 5 studs are better than your 5 studs.” I also like the fact that you can see a freshman or sophomore come off the bench and envision what the team will be like when he is a starter. Whereas, in the big conferences, you know that the best players on the team this year will be gone, regardless of their class, and they will be replaced by new “best” players that are not on the roster yet. And…there are countless other reasons, but I’m sure I’ve expressed it all before.
And, I wanted to get in this post now because, unlike the big conferences, these teams play some of their biggest games in November and December because they get to take their shots at the big boys. So, let’s get to it. This is the first of a two-part series on my “Sweet 16” of mid- or low-major teams that are not going to get any national attention, but definitely deserve some.
Long Beach State
This is, by far, my favorite non-major team this season. I have been excited for this season in Long Beach for over a year now, even writing about this year’s LBSU team last year (I know, it’s kind of embarrassing, but, hey, this stuff is my vice). Their three best players (a triumverate of seniors) would probably be a competitive top three in any conference in America – and if you don’t believe me, then you obviously didn’t watch them dominate #9 Pitt on Wednesday night in one of the toughest arenas in the country. I was loving every minute of it.
The Big Three
It all starts with Casper Ware, the 5’10” do-everything point guard, who may become a household name before this season is through. Ware, the defending Big West POY, was 2nd in the league in scoring (17.2) and assists (4.4) last year. But, he does it on both ends, averaging 1.6 steals per game en route to becoming the first Big West player to ever win the POY honors and Defensive POY honors in the same season. But, while LBSU’s success may start with Ware, it certainly doesn’t end there. 6’8″ T.J. Robinson, who averaged a double-double last year (13.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg) combines an elite athleticism and quickness with an aggressive, powerful, physical style of play. He seems to enjoy banging in the halfcourt almost as much as getting out on the break and showing off his high-flying athleticism. And, rounding out their “Big Three” is 6’5″ Larry Anderson, a thoroughly complete player and the perfect complement to the jet-quick Ware and the athletic and physical Robinson. Anderson, an extremely well-rounded offensive player, can beat you with a jumpshot, a drive to the hoop, or even with his back to the basket. He completely filled the stat sheet last year, averaging 14.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 3.3 apg. But, he also is a stellar defender, who can guard just about any position on the floor and led the Big West with 1.9 steals per game.
The Supporting Cast
If the 49ers were just those three, they would still probably be worth metioning, but there’s more. While all three of their stars are vying for their third selection to the Big West’s all-conference team, they also have a 4th senior to help carry some of the load. All-Big West honorable mention last year, 6’6″ senior Eugene Phelps helps down low on both ends of the floor. They also brought in three newcomers to bolster their team in “the year.” James Ennis is a JUCO transfer that should slide right into the starting lineup. A huge addition, literally, Ennis is a 6’7″ combo guard, was a prolific scorer in the JUCO ranks, but also knew how to distribute, averaging over 5 assists per game. Throw in another JUCO transfer, Kris Gulley (a lights-out shooter) and a highly-touted freshman, Shaquille Hunter, and you’ve got yourselves the makings of a fantastic season for head coach Dan Monson. Oh ya, I almost forgot to mention it – their coach is only the guy who basically built the mid-major dynasty at Gonzaga, so he kind of knows what he’s doing.
My Take
Like I said, this team will, most likely, become my “darling” this season. They play a brutal non-conference schedule, so we will all get a chance to see them a lot. I can honestly see this team cracking the Top 25 and maybe even making a Cinderella run in March. But, no matter how it turns out, this team is so much fun to watch and is absolutely, completely loaded.
UC-Santa Barbara
But, as good as Long Beach State is, and as generally poor the Big West is, there is a team in their conference that can spoil “the year” for the 49ers. The Gouchos of Santa Barbara could challenge LBSU out west this year. In fact, they believe that they may even be better. (I don’t, but I respect the confidence.)
The Scoring Punch
This team revolves around 6’5″ senior Orlando Johnson, the Big West POY the year before Casper Ware won it for LBSU. The scoring champ last year at 21.1 ppg, Johnson is also one of the better passers in the league, averaging over 2 assists per game last year. He will be bolstered by another 6’5″ wing, James Nunnally, who averaged 16.3 ppg last year along with 5.3 rpg.
Interior Defense
While Johnson and Nunnally handle most of the scoring, the Gouchos are also rugged defensively, as they led the league in blocked shots last year, thanks in large part to 7’3″ center Greg Somongyi. Also, senior PF Jaime Serna plays a lot bigger than his 6’7″ frame, averaging a block a game last year.
My Take
I put them on this list because I think they deserve to be mentioned, however, I do not think we will be seeing much of them on the big stage, unless they can upset LBSU in the conference tournament (again). If that does happen, I would only hope that the 49ers do enough to get into the at-large conversation – which would be a heck of a feat coming from this low-major conference.
Harvard
The history books will show that last year’s Harvard team was probably the best team in the history of the program. But, that is not how the season will be remembered. It will be remembered by the buzzer-beating loss to Princeton in the Ivy League playoff game, followed by the at-large snub by the Selection Committee, which effectively ended the dream of making the NCAA tournament for the first time since…get this…1946! But, fear not Big Red fans, the best team in Harvard hoops history DIDN’T LOSE A SINGLE PLAYER!
Loaded!
That’s right, everyone is back from last year’s team that had an RPI in the 20’s. And “everyone” includes the following:
- defending Ivy POY, 6’8″ PF Keith Wright
- sharpshooting point guard who had a 2.34 assist-to-TO ratio, Brandyn Curry
- the nation’s best free-throw shooter (at 92.6%) Oliver McNally
- the Ivy League Freshman of the Year two years ago, Kyle Casey
- a 13.3-point per game SG, Christian Webster
- another SG, who only averaged 11.0 ppg game off the bench as a freshman last year, Laurent Rivard
- a 6’10” senior center, Andrew Van Nest
- a 7-foot sophomore center, Ugo Okam
- and, a guy who plays much bigger than his 6’7″, Jeff Georgatos
So, yes, they are LOADED. Oh, and just in case you thought that Tommy Amaker was only building for this year, he also brought in a 6-player freshman class that is, by all accounts, the best recruiting class in Harvard history. There might be a new sheriff in town in the oldest conference in America.
My Take
Princeton is good, Penn is good, and Yale is much-improved, but Harvard is far and away the best team in the Ivy League. And, as the only a conference without a conference tournament, it seems very likely that the Big Red will finally reach that 2nd NCAA tournament appearance that has been eluding them for SIXTY-SIX years. And, don’t be surprised if this team stands up and gets noticed in March – they may even be playing in the second week of that tournament.
Iona
The Iona Gaels were picked to win a decent MAAC this year BEFORE they found that the most talented player on their roster would be cleared to play immediately.
Mo-Mo
Lamont “Mo-Mo” Jones. Does that name sound familiar? It should – Jones was the starting point guard for an Arizona team that went to the Elite Eight a year ago. And, Jones was (after NBA lottery pick Derrick Williams), the best player on the team during that tournament, and may have been destined for big things in the desert. But, over the summer, his mother (who lives in upstate New York, not far from the Iona campus) became ill, and Mo-Mo decided to move back to take care of her full-time. He appealed to the NCAA for a hardship transfer that would enable him to play at Iona right away and (in a surprisingly compassionate decision by the NCAA), they approved it. Now, Mo-Mo joins a rather talented team ready to make a run to the postseason.
More Than Just Mo-Mo
As good as Mo-Mo might be (and as a former Pac-10 starter, he is most likely the most talented), he may be the best bet on the team to take home conference POY honors this year, especially because he will probably be playing the 2-guard for a year because the Gaels already have a pretty decent PG. 6’1″ senior Scott Machado (who averaged 13 points and 4 rebounds a game last year, all while leading the league in assists at 7.6 per game) might be the best PG in the MAAC and has a decent shot at MAAC POY. But, Machado is not the favorite for the award. The favorite is his teammate, 6’7″ senior PF, Mike Glover. Glover (originally signed by St. John’s), averaged a ridiculous 18.4 ppg and 10.1 rpg last year and is ready to get even better with the stellar backcourt of Machado and Jones.
My Take
With three guys as good as Jones, Machado, and Glover, the MAAC is probably not equipped to handle Iona this year. Fairfield is good and Loyola (Md) is cautiously optimistic, but Iona is just flat-out better. This team could cause some headaches for the big-conference teams in November and December and then again in March.
Weber State
Even though last year was a disappoinment in Ogden, it came with a blessing – and that blessing was a medical redshirt that may allow Weber State to be nationally relevant for this year and next.
Defining “Most Valuable”
Damian Lillard broke his foot last December and the WSU season was effectively broken with it. Not only was Lillard, who was the conference POY as a sophomore two years ago (just a year after winning the Freshman of the Year), but he was the point guard on a team that runs an incredibly intricate and complex offense that involves a strange system of colored cards and signals from the bench. Because of his understanding of the offense (not to mention his 20 point, 4 rebound, 4 assists per game averages), Lillard may have been the most indispensible player in the nation. Well, now he’s back (for this year and next), and so is Weber’s Cinderella status. Not only heady, but immensely talented, Lillard may have taken his game to yet another level this summer, as he was invited to an exclusive Adidas camp, where he refined his skills alongside OSU’s Jared Sullinger, Duke’s Mason Plumlee, and Kansas’s Thomas Robinson, among others. Before it’s all said and done, Lillard might be the best player the Big Sky has ever seen.
The Supporting Cast
The leading scorer without Lillard is back this year in 6’6″ PF Kyle Bullinger. Also back is 6’2″ junior SF Scott Bamworth, a lights-out shooter who almost hit 50% of his 3-pointers last year. And, ready to possibly break out now that he has a true point guard is 6’7″ sophomore C Byron Fulton, who won the honors of Big Sky Freshman of the Year last year, even without Lillard distributing and taking some pressure away from the inside. While the team is really Lillard & Co., they are skilled – five different players, last year, had at least 20 three-pointers, so there are shooters all over the floor to keep defenses honest.
My Take
Lillard is worth the price of admission, so if you are ever up late and a Weber State game is on, tune in. You won’t be disappointed. As for Weber’s chances to make a run – they will have to beat a big boy or two, as the Big Sky rarely allows for a seed higher than 13 or 14, but they have the talent to give someone a headache.
UT-San Antonio
Okay, I will be honest here, I know next to nothing about the UTSA squad this year, other than that they have one of the coolest nicknames in the sport (the Roadrunners), and that Brooks Thompson is a head coach somewhere makes me feel pretty old because it doesn’t seem that long ago that he was a heady shooting guard at Oklahoma State. But, despite the conference in which they play (the Southland) being one of the lowest levels of D-I hoops, they are worth mentioning for several reasons.
Last Year
The Roadrunners shocked everyone by running through the Southland tournament and grabbing the automatic bid, despite a so-so regular season. They also won a game, albeit the “opening round game,” but it still provided great experience for the young team to (a) play on the grand stage and (b) get the chance to play the #1-team in the country, Ohio State.
This Year
And, that experience and confidence is not lost on this year because, well, EVERYONE is back! But, even with everyone back from a tournament team last year, UTSA still wasn’t really on the my mid-major radar, until the season started and the results started coming in. Game One: 9-point win at UTEP. Game Two: 1-point win over a really good Oral Roberts team. Game Three: an overtime loss AT OKLAHOMA STATE, in a game which UTSA thoroughly dominated for 39 minutes, before a ridiculous comeback that can even be seen on YouTube. Go to this link for the entire crazy comeback. If you only want to see the final furious 18 seconds, fast-forward to about the 7:50 mark – it’s worth it.
My Take
Well, it’s hard to say because the Southland is such a low-level conference, but the early results for UTSA are incredibly promising, so who knows?
Long Island
Another conference that doesn’t exactly produce many ground-breaking upsets is the NEC, but they did have an exciting and highly successful team last year that gave UNC a run in the first round of the tournament. Well, that team was Long Island, and the Blackbirds return 10 guys from the best team in program history.
It’s a Team Game
A team like LIU that runs and guns and substitutes at will needs a long bench of experienced players, so having 10 guys back from last year’s team is a nice start. Their uptempo, pressing style gives teams fits and when they can run people in and out, they get a huge advantage.
Two Standouts Among the Anonymity
While the fast-paced, quick-subbing style doesn’t necessarily lead to breakout stars, there were two Blackbirds last year that really stood out – and they’re both back. Julian Boyd, a 6’7″ forward, averaged 13.0 ppg and 8.9 rpg last year and is ready to make another big jump in this is junior year. Another 6’7″ junior, Jamal Olasewere mans the SF spot and is very athletic with a very balanced game on both ends of the floor.
My Take
Boyd and Olasewere are both now entering the junior years and could become even better than they are currently. Surrounded by a slew of good, fast, athletic players and this Blackbird team should find themselves back in the dance, making life hard for the UNCs of the world all over again.
Davidson
We all remember Davidson’s magical run, fueled by the lovable Steph Curry, but after two down years, it seems like a long time ago. But, there is always a legacy from runs like that, and it usually takes a year or two to manifest itself – the recruiting swoon. Well, it’s hitting now for Davidson, as the sophomore and junior classes (the ones most boosted by Curry’s team) are taking over the program now, and they are talented.
The Juniors Shall Inherit the Team
This class of juniors were seniors in high school when Curry went to the Elite Eight, so they came to Davidson with that glow. Now, it’s their turn to shine. 6’4″ combo guard J.P. Kuhlman can score, rebound, and pass. Kuhlman will probably start at the point because 6’3″ SG Nik Cochran might be ready to step up and take a lot of the scoring load. Down low, the Wildcats will lean on 6’10” C Jake Cohen, who may be the best big in the SoCon this year. Adding to the junior class is a bruising and athletic PF Clint Mann, who is transferring in from Iowa State. Mann averaged 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Big XII, so there’s a chance he is a superstar in the SoCon.
The Sophomores Shall Follow Suit
As good as the junior class is, the sophomore class is on the same level. 6’7″ PF De’Mon Brooks averaged 9 points and 5 boards as a freshman and was named to the National Mid-Major All-Freshman team. Another 6’7″ forward, Chris Czerapowicz, from Sweden, was hampered by injuries last year, but when healthy is immensely skilled. They also have a true point guard in Tom Droney, who also happens to be 6’6″ tall, so he sees the floor very well, often finds himself open, and can even bring his defender to the post and go to work.
My Take
They will never get another Steph Curry at a school with 1,200 students and intense academic standards. But, just having Curry has boosted the program – it just took a year or two to reap the benefits. This year is probably the year that Davidson returns to the top of the SoCon, but I kind of think that they’re still a year away from emerging on a national level. But, they’ve got a shot because this team is very talented.
