NCAAbbs

Here are some brief notes around the ASUN for the upcoming hoops season:

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goo...UN_RUNDOWN

Nice article. Boo for including G-Webb

Wait... FOUR guys transfer out of Kennesaw? That's a red flag....

Keith, not a D-I player. Jacobs could have been developed but wasn't ready. Mattone and Daughtry, don't know.

Bringing one of the best recruiting classes KSU's had. The writings on the wall for these guys just barely scraping by. KSU's only going to get better when we're off probation.

Losing Jacobs hurt. The rest weren't D1 caliber and we're better off by using the scholie on another recruit.

What about Mercer? Does anyone know anything about Hoffman? What about our big man situation? Didn't we get the third Emerson kid from Western Kty?

Jacobs could of been a very good player. that to me is still a big loss. The others, no big deal, though Keith and Daugherty with their athleticism could of been very good if they had the right attitude.

CWG - We lost a big guy that was very soft and needed a lot of work. It's his loss for transferring out. He's still unsigned with a new team, so I'm guessing he's got to go to DII or less. Our Big guys are Henry and Emerson. We will have Corley as a strong backup. Also Mills can play the 3 or even the 4. Mills has shown the hustle to get boards and play huge. We also have a recruit listed at 6'7 and a forward. So we're OK.

KSU Guys -- It may be 'no big deal' to lose a whole crew of guys, but this isn't the pros. Were these guys forced out? It sounds crazy. If a player sucks and he's on a D1 team, he should grip on to that team forever. Not leave. Good players leave for better teams. Not the other way around. Well ones that can't make grades leave no matter the skill...

Mercer...we are all speculating, but I think a combination of factors was probably involved in the transfers. In my opinion:

1. Kids were seeing that if they didn't play last year, and better recruits were already coming in at their position that they weren't going to play. Kids don't sign a scholarship to sit the bench.
2. Sitting the bench during a year in which the team has some struggles can often encourage some pretty poor attitudes. It is ok to sit the bench at times if your team is winning, but if your team isn't winning, a player may start to brood...to start talking under his breath...this does not work in a team environment
3. We don't know the academic situation or any other factors involved in the decision. Being in a grace period forces a coaching staff to take some risks, because often it can be very difficult to recruit. Only this year is Kennesaw really starting to get the kind of players that it can really win with. A unfortunate byproduct of getting better talent, is having current lesser talent that is unhappy with their role, and might look to move to a better situation.

I agree that you don't want a lot of transfers, but in a grace period you are going to have that sort of thing. I don't think this is a trend for the future, but instead a blip on the radar screen. Your points are well taken though.

KB -- I think you've assessed the situation well. I could really see #2 being an issue.

KB is exactly right.

I'm still bummed about Jacobs. I know we are going to be a lot deeper this year, but he's one of those guys that will play hard, and practice hard. He can make the team better with his attitude, hustle, and work ethic. Plus even with all the new talent, he would of still seen some good minutes. Eastern Kentucky got a good one.

I feel the same way about Jacobs. He would have most likely started this season and been one of our more productive players. With this kind of roster turnover all we can do is speculate on our current team. We have question marks all over the roster but it should make for a fun season.

From the sources I have talked to these players were more or less kicked off or forced off the team (outside of Jacobs). Although I feel Jacobs had a lot of upside, I am pretty sure we will be fine in that department. After speaking with some players we should have a great front court. I have heard great things about Markeith Cumming. One player actually said he is upset when Markeith takes a shot because he can take it strong to the hoop anytime he wants. Also, the addition of Jay Mitchell (Texas Tech) should help a lot. Last season I heard he did great things against Stegall in practice. LaDaris Green should be pretty good as he is a three star on rivals but I dont think he is in town yet. However, he is listed on the roster at KSUOWLS.com.

Great homework by this guy. I'm sure he crusied each teams website and wrote that up in 5 minutes. I guess GW is still in and Upstate and FGCU are still in DII?

Great discussion...we too have had a string of transfers in recent years. However, and I don't have any statistics to support this claim, but I see this trend of transient players at every athletic program across the U.S. I don't think ETSU or KSU are any higher. KSU may be slightly higher, but I think that's the nature of being a transitioning team.

As far as Jacobs goes, I also thought he was a promising player. That's pretty disappointing as a hoops fan. Wasn't he from Kentucky? Did that play into his decision to leave?

It's going to be an awesome season! I can't wait. We need KSU to continue to knock off Belmont. You guys seem to have their number. We certainly do not!

I thought the same thing. Still, a little info is better than no info.

Yeah Jacobs is from Kentucky and rumor has it he was homesick. Can't blame him for going back home but we'll sure miss him.

I also heard Jacobs leaving had a lot to do with a girl...but that is all speculation, I don't know anything concrete.

Just FYI:

http://www.mercerbears.com/News/mbball/2...ath=mbball

Good afternoon A-Sun Fans,

This is my first time on the site and won't be my last. I just came across this site and look forward to possibly meeting each of you during the season.

Here is a small preview of the upcoming 2008-2009 Lindy's College Basketball Preview..

The Preview will include
1. First and second team All-Sun teams
2. Predictions of 1-12 in the A-Sun
3. Best Shooter, Rebounder, NBA Prospect, etc...
4. Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year
5. Summary for all teams

A PREVIEW

BELMONT

Belmont became the first Atlantic Sun Conference team to win three consecutive tournament titles and should be heavily favored to win its fourth, with the return of three starters plus several key reserves. The loss of two key starters Justin Hale, A-Sun Male Student Athlete of the Year, and Will Peeples, bypass senior season after earning Masters Degree in August, will hurt. The Bruins have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances losing first round games to Georgetown, UCLA and Duke. A one point loss in the final 12 seconds to Duke kept the Bruins from advancing to the second round. Belmont should benefit from having two of its players play overseas as Shane Dansby, spent his summer playing in Africa, and House, was invited to tryout for the Canadian Olympic team. In two years, head coach Rick Byrd, coaching his 23rd season at Belmont, should earn his 500th win at Belmont and 600th win overall.

BRUINS AT A GLANCE
COACH: Rick Byrd – At Belmont (449-248): 22nd season; Overall (541-303): 27th season
2007-2008 RECORD: 25-9 overall; 14-2 A-Sun (1st)
2008-2009 HONORS CANDIDATES: Shane Dansby, Matthew Dotson
KEEP AN EYE ON: Sophomore Jordan Campbell accumulated 51 steals and 11 blocks as a key reserve last season and may develop into a starter this season.
RETURNING STARTERS (3): Shane Dansby, G/F, 6-4, 210, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg); Matthew Dotson, F, 6-8, 220, Sr. (11.4 ppg, 78% free throws); Andy Wicke, G, 6-2, 195, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 83 % free throws)
RETURNING KEY RESERVES: Keaton Belcher, F, 6-9, 215, Jr. (6.1 ppg, 70% free throws); Jordan Campbell, G/ F, 6-5, 195, So. (7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Alex Renfroe, G, 6-2, 160, Sr. (8.8 ppg, 128 assists); Jon House, G, 6-6, 210, So. (2.7 ppg, 6 blocks); Mike Dejworek, C, 6-11, 235, Jr. (1.6 ppg, 9 blocks)
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: None
STARTERS LOST: Justin Hare, G, 6-2, 195, (14.7 ppg, 91% free throws), Will Peeples, F, 6-5, 220, (42 % three-point, 10 blocks)

Fun assignment for all A-Sun fans, fill in the blanks...

I will release my picks when I have been given the green light...

A-Sun Predictions

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All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM
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SECOND TEAM
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Honor Roll
Player of the Year:
Newcomer of the Year:
Best Shooter:
Best Rebounder:
Best Playmaker:
Best Defender:
Most Versatile:
Best NBA Prospect:

Hey Lindy's, check out last year's Preseason Pick'Em Results thread down below....Lindy's was included.

I went back and looked at your previous posts, I took over for the guy who did last year's preview as well as the Independents.

Good post LindysWriter, please keep us updated on all the JU Dolphins news!! Here's my thoughts: