[ToTheLeft]

Liberty
---
22-11 in 08-09
12-6 in conference

Losses: Anthony Smith
Additions: Tre Lee, Joel VanderPol, David Minaya

If we can manage to pick up the slack left by Smitty's departure, we're in good shape next year.


Radford
---
20-11 in 08-09
15-3 in conference

Losses: Kenny Thomas, Jamar Jenkins, Eric Hall
Additions: Evan Faulkner (SG) 6'2" 175 ESPN Grade: 87 , Tommy Spagnolo (PF) 6'7" 210 ESPN Grade: 85, Michael Wooten (SG) 6'2" 165 ESPN Grade 85, Blake Smith (SG) 6'4" 185 ESPN Grade: 79

Kenny Thomas is a big loss for the Highs, but they don't lose much else. This will be Amir, Artsiom, and Joey's last year together, so they will probably make it count. The freshman class looks pretty solid, as well.

VMI
---
24-7 in 08-09
13-5 in conference

Losses: Willie Bell, Chavis and Travis Holmes
Additions: J. Carr, SG ESPN Grade 80. N. Gore, PF ESPN Grade 76

The Keydets lose three key peices to the puzzle. We expected them to suffer without Reggie, now how will they do without the twins?

UNCA
---
15-16 in 08-09
10-8 in conference

Losses: Reid Augst
Additions: A. Alecxih, SG ESPN Grade 75

kingy can probably shed some more light on the additions, but it seems like UNCA loses one big peice, but nothing else. Good young core there will help them compete next season like they did this season.

Winthrop
---
11-19 in 08-09
9-9 in conference

Losses: Jonathan Rice, Cam Stanley
Additions: R. Dreher, SG, ESPN Grade 87

Winthrop will be pretty much the same team it is now next year. Realist says all the peons should look out cuz the King is returning to his throne. I'll believe it when I see it.

Presby
---

Doesn't matter. They don't count yet. They'll be pretty good tho...

Gardner Webb
---
13-17 in 08-09
9-9 in conference

Losses: Aaron Linn, Takayo Siddle
Additions: B. McNair, PG ESPN Grade 84

Aaron Linn leaving is a pretty big loss for the Dawgs, but they should be a pretty good team next year as well. Linn's foul trouble this year allowed his backup to get plenty of work it seems, so they should have a good crew to compete.

Coastal Carolina
---
11-20 in 08-09
5-13 in conference

Losses: Mario Sisinni, Steven Sexton, Matt Brennan, Ashton Lawrence
Additions: D. Miller, SG, R. McGill, SF ESPN Grade 75

Unless someone else steps up for the Chants, looks like more of the same in the 09-10 season. Harris and Breeze are a nice core to build around, tho.

High Point
---
9-21 in 08-09
4-14 in conference

Losses: Melvin Crowder
Additions: J. Simms, PG ESPN Rank 85 (another PG, really?), C. July, Center (pretty sure he was a recruit last year, too...), D. McLendon, SG

Barbour appears to be the real deal... so if they can combine the inside game with him on the outside the Panthers might make something respectable happen next season. That, or Lundy could screw everything up.

Chuck South
---
9-20 in 08-09
4-14 in conference

Losses: JT Knight, G. Knysas
Additions: Tom Tankelewicz, SG ESPN Grade 85, Patrick Shaughnessy, C ESPN Grade 70

If Omar and Jamarco can get things working, they might make a decent season out of it. If Barclay has anything to do with it, they wont.

--------

Wayyyyyy too Early Predictions for next year's regular season:

1. Radford
2. Liberty
3. UNCA
4. Winthrop
5. Presby
6. VMI
7. HPU
8. GW
9. CCU
10. CSU

[g-webb1994]

Decent analysis, but the top backup at point for Linn at G-W was Siddle, who was the other senior. Maggard and Boggs, the only other true point guards on the roster, haven't panned out at all. McNair will be a nice pickup, but can he handle the point so soon at this level? I expect the offense to flow through Flittner alot early on, wouldn't be surprised to see Silver or Hailey get a shot to run point, maybe even Blank as well since he is so adaptable.

Of course, this is assuming the traditional Scruggs defection or two doesn't occur during the summer, if that continues, all bets are off. The program is in stagnant mode, your pick of us at #8 is about right at this time.

They'll be alot more parity in the league for sure, no 15-3 champion next season. 12-6 might win you the title.

[LUMU11]

Just an interesting nugget about one of the Radford signees, Evan Faulkner. Was recently profiled in Pat Forde's article "Appalachian Kings". It was on the front page of ESPN.com last week sometime. If you didn't read it, should check it out. I'll try to find a link. To summarize: Faulkner plays for Elliott County High School in Kentucky. It's eastern KY so we're talking, country, coal mining, appalachian poverty, the whole deal. If anybody knows where Morehead State University is, Elliott County is beyond that in the mountains. Anyway, apparently they are like the modern day "Hoosiers". They finished in the top 4 in KY last year despite being one of the smallest schools in the state. There's only 7,000 residents in the whole county. This year they had under 100 in the graduating class. But Faulkner and his identical twin brother are both 2,000+ point scorers for their careers. There's another kid who is getting attention from Marshall, Miss. State, and some other mid-majors who is a 3,000+ point scorer, then there's also a 6'7 soph who supposedly should be a high major recruit. They are ranked No. 1 in KY right now. It's an amazing story.

[jcmanson]

You stole my thread and thread title, lefty. I'm not happy one bit. I call for copyright infringement.

[jcmanson]

Presby could be absolutely awful next year as there's been rumors of their entire sophomore class redshirting next year in order for them to all be eligible in PC's first year that they're eligible for the NCAA.

It will be interesting to see what goes on in the offseason. Lundy may not have the chance to screw things up for HPU, as he could be gone.

I agree with your top 4. Without any major chances to those 4 teams, they will all be a little bit ahead of the rest of the pack.

[dompennix]

I cant wait to see Jeremy out there again, Carter...not so much

[Realist]

WU will be favored next year.

They also add Morgan, Gamble, Buechert, and hopefully a fully recovered Middleton.

You forgot that WU had a team in streetclothes that would have started for most teams this year.

[Fumblerooskies]

WU will be favored next year.

They also add Morgan, Gamble, Buechert, and hopefully a fully recovered Middleton.

You forgot that WU had a team in streetclothes that would have started for most teams this year.

You forgot that WU has a coach in streetclothes that would have been an assistant for most teams this year.
4th may be too high for them next year.

[Realist]

Peele has championships. You have a coach that only knows how to whine and skips jobs every few years b/c he can never accomplish anything.

When he fails again next year, does he take off before the heat comes on him?

[paradox]

The line graph indicates Liberty rising sharply since McKay took over, while Winthrop continues the downward trend after Marshall

I'd be more worried about the future if I were a winthropper

[Fumblerooskies]

The line graph indicates Liberty rising sharply since McKay took over, while Winthrop continues the downward trend after Marshall

I'd be more worried about the future if I were a winthropper

[Realist]

You guys must teach some funky math at LU then, but that doesn't really surprise me.

Peele: 1 for 2 in championships

Mckay: 0


Have fun with those line graphs.

Is Ritchie looking for jobs before he can get fired? Seems to be a recurring theme.

[SuperJon]

If you look at history, and are bringing up Ritchie's history, you have to look at Peele's. This year was exactly like his second year at UNCG. He won in the first year with the other guy's players and then lost the team and took a nose dive. That's exactly what has happened at Winthrop this year.

[Fumblerooskies]

If you look at history, and are bringing up Ritchie's history, you have to look at Peele's. This year was exactly like his second year at UNCG. He won in the first year with the other guy's players and then lost the team and took a nose dive. That's exactly what has happened at Winthrop this year

...and will continue to happen at WU until Marshall flames out at WSU and is welcomed back to Rock Hill with open arms.

[flamesbball84]

That Evan Faulkner kid can flat out play. He has been one prolific scorer this year in the state of Kentucky. He would easily have gotten interest from bigger school if he was taller and quicker.

[GoUNCA]

We lose Reid and there are rumors that Ridenhour might be done (he is a minor player though). Alecxih is the 7th man for Oak Hill Academy, so his ESPN grade might be skewed higher or lower. But he played against good competition and looks like he might be Sean Smith's twin as far as basketball is concerned. We also add Jaron Lane. He is a scorer from an Eastern NC high school (DH Conley).

You guys will be good, Radford will remain good, Winthrop will be much improved, VMI will drop off some, We should be good, Gardner-Webb will be about the same. Presby will be absolutely awful next year before being pretty good the year after. HPU might improve.

[LUconn]

Realist is like the "paradox" of the winthrop board. Even your fellow fans think you're ridiculous. I just wonder how many seasons of this will have to take place before you start to come around.

[panfan01]

Wow, a bunch of really smart basketball analysts. I'm pretty sure that your predictions hold about as much validity as a thimble holds water. It amazes me that you would disrespect Lundy when your coach has never won anything even though I think that he did do a pretty good job this year. Do you actually think that HPU will struggle again next year. That's not going to happen. Luconn, you need to do all your homework before becoming analytical.

[UNCA Alum]

(Disclaimer: Don't know that much about recruiting classes, redshirts, etc. As evident by this season, a 6'11" Commie coming in from some backwoods Junior College can make the difference between 7th place and a regular season crown.)

Radford obviously will be the overwhelming preseason favorite, but I think that they are really going to miss Kenny Thomas. He's their best (and really only) outside shooter and, if none of their freshmen guards can come in and become a consistent threat from outside, teams will be able to just pack it in on the two big guys.

Winthrop should be a lot better as they have a few big men coming back/in, but they also will have trouble shooting it from the outside. Defense is great and all, but you gotta be able to score some points.

I keep on wanting to think that Charleston Southern is going to be good as their current sophomore class is pretty solid, but they just aren't that good. Still think they will finish a few spots higher.

Gardner Webb, Coastal Carolina, VMI - Won't be that good.

Presby - Might not win a game. If any of yall want to play D1 basketball, transfer to Presby and try out for the team next year. You'll probably start at small forward.

Liberty and UNCA - Both lose key senior forwards. Both have a lot of really good, really young players... especially in the backcourt. Sanders/Curry vs. Primm/Dickey will become a battle over these next three years. Both teams could also really use a solid big man down low. We should be in the Top 4 and will be, along with Winthrop, one of the teams with a realistic shot at taking down Radford.

High Point - Will be a lot better. Good young players in the backcourt and Cruz alters a lot of shots down low.

If I had to pick right now, I'd go:

1) Radford
2) Liberty
3) UNCA
4) Winthrop
5) High Point
6) Charleston Southern
7) Gardner Webb
8) VMI
9) Coastal Carolina
10) Presbyterian

[pcguy09]

yeah we are redshirting 3 of our starters and losing our best athlete in Bostic and a decent role player/6th man/starter in sligh who normally picked up 5 rebs and 8pts. We are getting 3 freshman back who redshirted and walt allen back who redshirted as a junior this past year who is a pretty good shooter. We will probably finish with about 2-4 wins in the conference next year, however the following year we'll be back.

[TDDance234]

Wow, a bunch of really smart basketball analysts. I'm pretty sure that your predictions hold about as much validity as a thimble holds water. It amazes me that you would disrespect Lundy when your coach has never won anything even though I think that he did do a pretty good job this year. Do you actually think that HPU will struggle again next year. That's not going to happen. Luconn, you need to do all your homework before becoming analytical.

HPU has had plenty of back to back years where they have struggled. How exactly is that a stretch?

Oh well, Cruz Daniels, FTW!

[horrez]

I keep on wanting to think that Charleston Southern is going to be good as their current sophomore class is pretty solid, but they just aren't that good. Still think they will finish a few spots higher.

I've said this for the past few years and I've been wrong each year.

Winthrop
---
11-19 in 08-09
9-9 in conference

Losses: Jonathan Rice
Additions: R. Dreher, SG, ESPN Grade 87

Winthrop will be pretty much the same team it is now next year. Realist says all the peons should look out cuz the King is returning to his throne. I'll believe it when I see it.

Winthrop will also lose Cameron Stanley.

[panfan01]

dance, which back to back years did HPU struggle? wu, as much as I hate them will be much much better next year. Lu will be good as long as Sanders stays healthy, he is their best player not Curry.

[Chris Lang]

I keep on wanting to think that Charleston Southern is going to be good as their current sophomore class is pretty solid, but they just aren't that good. Still think they will finish a few spots higher.

I've said this for the past few years and I've been wrong each year.

Me too.

[jcmanson]

I keep on wanting to think that Charleston Southern is going to be good as their current sophomore class is pretty solid, but they just aren't that good. Still think they will finish a few spots higher.

I've said this for the past few years and I've been wrong each year.

Me too.

Me three.