My fearless predictions.
Once again the major players are all in the east though Western may be pretty darn good. I'll give my top 3 in the East today and follow up with the west in a day or two.
Eastern Division
1. Miami
2. Kent State
3. Akron
4. Ohio U
5. Buffalo
6. B G.
1. Miami O: It will be good to see Charlie Coles back on the bench this year after health issues kept him home late last season. Though the Redhawks lost all everything talent Tim Pollitz, they still have enough back to contend. High scoring Michael Bramos leads the charge. He's a great scorer when healthy and missed a lot of games last year. At 6'5" he presents a lot of matchup problems for many teams.
Also back are center Dierkers, Hayes and Eric Pollitz who is nothing near the player that his departed twin brother is. I also like Nick Winbush a 6'7" wing guy that did not get too many minutes last year and Antonio Ballard who was redshirted. If all the pieces fall into place Miami will be very tough as is the norm for Charlie Coles.
2 Kent State : The addition of Evans gives the flashes a backcourt that can play with anybody. He joins MAC player of the year Al Fisher, Chris Singletary and Jordan Mincy. Kent will be young and untested in the frontcourt and may lack the toughness of past squads. Also of concern is that 3 of the current Flashes have spent time in orange jump suits. First year coach Ford may have some problems keeping these guys in check.
3. Akron : The Zips bring the youngest team in the MAC but do not be fooled, the Zips have some great young talent. I saw their scrimmage here and this team is quick and deep. The question is how long will it take for these guys to gel. As of today only two starting positions are set.
Forwards Chris McKnight and Nate Linhart will start. McKnight has loads of talent but has been tenative in his first two seasons. Now a junior, its time to step up. Nate Linhart is a tenacious defender who has the ability to take guys like Bramos out of the game. He leads the league in floorburns and stitches. The kind of guy that every good team needs.
In the back court the one spot will be filled by either Ronnie Stewart a redshirt freshman or true freshman Anthony Hitchens. Both are cat quick but untested at this level. Coach Dambrot calls Hitchens the quickest player to ever play at Akron.
Steve McNees will probably be the starting shooting guard. Last year he had to spend a lot of time at the point and couldn't spot up. He does have a sweet stroke and I expect to see a lot more scoring from him.
The Zips have size in the middle with two big bodies, soph. Bardo 6'10" and redshirt frosh Swiech 6'9". Neither of these guys will score much but both are strong and wide. They should offer a strong defensive prescence.
There are other guys that I did not mention that can step up for Akron and If they do the Zips could win the east but I think that growing pains will keep the Zips in the 3 spot.
Also rans:
4 :Ohio: Gone is coach O'Shea and I think that is a plus for the bobcats. Also gone is Leon Williams, a huge loss. Still, new coach Groce has a decent frontcourt with talented Jerome Tillman returning
5 : Buffalo : Reggie has all his top scorers back, but the problem is that they were not very good.
6 : BG: Improved but still some work to do to get to the top
The east is tough as always. I have Akron higher and BG lower than most. We can come back in march and see how it went.Always interested in other MAC guys opinions.
Once again the major players are all in the east though Western may be pretty darn good. I'll give my top 3 in the East today and follow up with the west in a day or two.
Eastern Division
1. Miami
2. Kent State
3. Akron
4. Ohio U
5. Buffalo
6. B G.
1. Miami O: It will be good to see Charlie Coles back on the bench this year after health issues kept him home late last season. Though the Redhawks lost all everything talent Tim Pollitz, they still have enough back to contend. High scoring Michael Bramos leads the charge. He's a great scorer when healthy and missed a lot of games last year. At 6'5" he presents a lot of matchup problems for many teams.
Also back are center Dierkers, Hayes and Eric Pollitz who is nothing near the player that his departed twin brother is. I also like Nick Winbush a 6'7" wing guy that did not get too many minutes last year and Antonio Ballard who was redshirted. If all the pieces fall into place Miami will be very tough as is the norm for Charlie Coles.
2 Kent State : The addition of Evans gives the flashes a backcourt that can play with anybody. He joins MAC player of the year Al Fisher, Chris Singletary and Jordan Mincy. Kent will be young and untested in the frontcourt and may lack the toughness of past squads. Also of concern is that 3 of the current Flashes have spent time in orange jump suits. First year coach Ford may have some problems keeping these guys in check.
3. Akron : The Zips bring the youngest team in the MAC but do not be fooled, the Zips have some great young talent. I saw their scrimmage here and this team is quick and deep. The question is how long will it take for these guys to gel. As of today only two starting positions are set.
Forwards Chris McKnight and Nate Linhart will start. McKnight has loads of talent but has been tenative in his first two seasons. Now a junior, its time to step up. Nate Linhart is a tenacious defender who has the ability to take guys like Bramos out of the game. He leads the league in floorburns and stitches. The kind of guy that every good team needs.
In the back court the one spot will be filled by either Ronnie Stewart a redshirt freshman or true freshman Anthony Hitchens. Both are cat quick but untested at this level. Coach Dambrot calls Hitchens the quickest player to ever play at Akron.
Steve McNees will probably be the starting shooting guard. Last year he had to spend a lot of time at the point and couldn't spot up. He does have a sweet stroke and I expect to see a lot more scoring from him.
The Zips have size in the middle with two big bodies, soph. Bardo 6'10" and redshirt frosh Swiech 6'9". Neither of these guys will score much but both are strong and wide. They should offer a strong defensive prescence.
There are other guys that I did not mention that can step up for Akron and If they do the Zips could win the east but I think that growing pains will keep the Zips in the 3 spot.
Also rans:
4 :Ohio: Gone is coach O'Shea and I think that is a plus for the bobcats. Also gone is Leon Williams, a huge loss. Still, new coach Groce has a decent frontcourt with talented Jerome Tillman returning
5 : Buffalo : Reggie has all his top scorers back, but the problem is that they were not very good.
6 : BG: Improved but still some work to do to get to the top
The east is tough as always. I have Akron higher and BG lower than most. We can come back in march and see how it went.Always interested in other MAC guys opinions.
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adlock: :wall: 