(04-24-2013 01:41 PM)MylesKnight Wrote: (04-23-2013 02:46 PM)Statman101 Wrote: (04-21-2013 09:24 PM)MylesKnight Wrote: Have Stetson and JU really been this effected by UNF and FGCU moving up to D-I?
Stetson and JU are both only one tournament removed from the NCAA's. I don't know if I would call anything and effect at this point. Teams are prone to go up and down especially at this level.
I understand that point. Previously though, both of these programs were good for an NCAA Appearance I'd say 2/3's of the time.
JU putting money into Football makes some of the reasoning understandable.. But Stetson? Facilities in Deland are great. Football is just now getting going.
Btw, Mercer has done a great job in improvement across the board. I remember going up to Macon years ago to check out a couple of Mercer/UCF Basketball Games at Porter Gym... Light years difference. Cheers to MU!
I understand your point as well, but essentially they have only missed one NCAA Tournament since their last appearance. This is the second consecutive down year for JU and Stetson while decent last year (35 wins) didn't make the tournament and again are decent but not great this year.
I just don't see the big fall off, but just see a normal cycle for both programs. The interesting part for JU will be the transitioning away from Coach Alexander to what I assume will be Montez. Should be entertaining.
As for the league, UNF is looking strong with alot riding on the last four weeks of competition. Essentially, they have what amounts to a three game lead in the loss column over Mercer (because of tie-breaker) but have played three fewer games. The interesting part for UNF is Tyler Moore, Kyle Westwood, and David Trexler (3 of the teams top 4 arms) have hardly even played. Talk about battling through.
Mercer is good, but from my estimation is missing something. Personally, I think they lack a dominate arm (both starter and reliever), but then again I have only see them play one time this year.
ETSU can pound it and they do have a GREAT Friday starter. The rest of the staff is fairly young, but that isn't always a bad thing.
FGCU is falling fast. I don't know if its injuries or just a mid to late season swoon, but wow the last three weeks have been mighty brutal. Personally, I think it was the back to back trips to Atlanta (KSU and Mercer) that got to them and still haven't been able to recover.
The rest of the league is fighting for seeding with Lipscomb currently on the outside looking in. Oddly enough Lipscomb has wins over both UNF and Mercer.
Thats just my take.