Copy the categories and post your thoughts, should be fun to look back at...

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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

1. ETSU - Best player in the league in Pigram, and a solid recruiting class. This is the year that Bartow puts it together. Tough to admit this as a Kennesaw fan, but I am trying to be objective.
2. Mercer - Florence + Emerson will be a tough combo to beat. Mills, Corley, and Henry form a tough secondary punch. They will be tough to beat. Just signed another big man which will help their depth.
3. Jacksonville - Returned their core, and I am sure some of the new recruits will come and help. I think you will see a big improvement in Colbert this year, and Smith is probably the best pure PG in the league.
4. Belmont - Lose Hare, but return everything else. I should probably put them higher, but I just can't. They will probably prove me wrong again, but I don't see their team finishing higher than 3rd.
5. Kennesaw - Still transitioning from DII, but have beat the curve so far for transitioning team. Just look at North Florida for a good comparison. Bringining in some very talented new players, but the question is how well can they mesh, and how quickly can they mesh. Mitchell will be ready quick, and Cummings and Woods are two top talents, but there is a lot of uncertainty with Kennesaw. Could have enough to win it all, but also could be a year away. I think they (we) finish somewhere in the middle with some big wins and some unfortunate losses along the way.
6. Stetson - Always seem to overachieve. Blair is a senior, Thomas is junior, and they will be a tough team to beat at their place. Count on Stetson for a good home record and a bad away record.
7. Lipscomb - Good coach and solid program, but have taken a step back. It would not surprise me to see them fall even lower in the bottom half. Lakory Daniels was supposed to be a big time transfer leader but he hasn't exactly dominated. Lost most of their core from last year, but still should compete.
8. Campbell - Always has great talent, and always underachieves. Another superb statistical year from Rodriguez wasted with a mediocre record. Sometimes you wonder if Rodriguez' stats are being propped up by a poor gameplan, or if the players surrounding him are just that bad. I tend to lean towards the former more than the latter.
9. Florida Gulf Coast - Competed well in their first year. Could easily rise to the middle half. Coaching staff is very very good, and they will have this team competing for the league title once their grace period is done. A step behind Kennesaw in the process.
10. USC Upstate - A solid program that reminds me a lot of Stetson. Will win some games that they shouldn't but lose more than they win at this point. Need a marquee player that can step up and carry the bacon. Very much in the rebuilding/grace period stage of the transition to Division I.
11. North Florida - The Ospreys have struggled mightily in their move to DI. They have actually had some good talent along the way, but misfortunes have abounded, and they have not been able to put it together. I see more of the same this coming year, and it doesn't look good.

All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM
1. James Florence (Mercer)
2. Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
3. Jonathan Rodriguez (Campbell)
4. Daniel Emerson (Mercer)
5. Shane Dansby (Belmont)

SECOND TEAM
1. Ben Smith (Jacksonville)
2. Garfield Blair (Stetson)
3. Jay Mitchell (Kennesaw)
4. Kevin Tiggs (ETSU)
5. Lehmon Colbert (Jacksonville)

Honor Roll
Player of the Year: Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Emerson (Mercer)
Best Shooter: Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
Best Rebounder: Jay Mitchell (Kennesaw)
Best Playmaker: James Florence (Mercer)
Best Defender: Shane Dansby (Belmont)
Most Versatile: Jonathan Rodriguez (Campbell)
Best NBA Prospect: Markeith Cummings (Kennesaw)

---------------------------------------------------------------

I love this stuff. It gets me totally amped for next season. Here are my picks.

A-Sun Predictions

1. ETSU-(Homer pick!)-CP+ Tiggs+outstanding recruiting class
2. Jacksonville-Everyone returns; athletic, talented, and best frontcourt in the ASUN.
3. Belmont-Hare= HUGE LOSS and one that will hurt in intangible ways. Best-coached team in the ASUN by a long shot and one of the best in the nation.
4. Lipscomb-I liked their recruiting class last year, but Ard, Daniels, and Hopkins are big losses, esp. Ard.
5. Stetson-they return most everyone and Blair is a nice player. I still think they lack the talent to compete.
6. Mercer-Florence is simpy amazing, and they have added some good players. We'll see what this coach can do.
7 Campbell-Rodriguez simply cannot do it all
8. KSU-Wooten + Stegall will be extremely tough to place; however, they're reloading and I expect to see some moments of brilliance. Chemistry will be key as will the development of their newcomers.
9. USC Upstate-well-coached and play extremely tough. They still lack D1 talent.
10. Florida Gulf Coast-still a couple of years away...
11. North Florida-poor, lowly UNF.

All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM
1. Courtney Pigram-ETSU
2. Shane Dansby-Belmont
3. Jonathan Rodriguez (Campbell)
4. James Florence (Mercer)
5. Ben Smith (JU)

SECOND TEAM
1. Garfield Blair (Stetson)
2. Marcus Allen (JU)
3. Matthew Dotson (Belmont)
4. Lehmon Colbert (JU)
5. Kevin Tiggs (ETSU)

Honor Roll
Player of the Year: Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
Newcomer of the Year: Markeith Cumming (KSU)
Best Shooter: Matthew Dotson (Belmont)
Best Rebounder: Jonothan Rodriguez (Kennesaw)
Best Playmaker: Courtney Pigram
Best Defender: Shane Dansby (Belmont)
Most Versatile: Jonathan Rodriguez (Campbell)
Best NBA Prospect: Courtney Pigram

Copying my post into this thread.

A-Sun Predictions

1. Belmont - until proven otherwise; all back but Hare
2. Jacksonville - everybody's back, it looks like
3. Stetson - 5 starters back and all significant reserves
4. ETSU - Pigram/Tiggs strong duo but lost guys the above 3 didn't
5. Lipscomb - will miss Ard...most physical team in A-Sun IMO
6. Mercer - new coach is a plus, must find complement to Florence
7. FGCU - major roster shakeup...add 3-point gunner Reed Baker
8. Campbell - Rodriguez needs a lot of help
9. Kennesaw State - so young, no proven scorers
10. USC Upstate - need to rebuild with D1 players
11. UNF - Kilcullen seems over his head

All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM
1. Jonathan Rodriguez - Campbell
2. James Florence - Mercer
3. Garfield Blair - Stetson
4. Alex Renfroe - Belmont
5. Ben Smith - Jacksonville

SECOND TEAM
1. Kevin Tiggs - ETSU
2. Shane Dansby - Belmont
3. Courtney Pigram - ETSU
4. LaKory Daniels - Lipscomb
5. Marcus Allen - Jacksonville

Honor Roll
Player of the Year: Ben Smith - Jacksonville
Newcomer of the Year: know very little about this, Solazzo - ETSU?
Best Shooter: Kelvin McConnell - KSU
Best Rebounder: Jonathan Rodriguez - Campbell
Best Playmaker: Ben Smith - Jacksonville (most electric - Florence)
Best Defender: Ben Smith or James Florence
Most Versatile: anybody on Belmont
Best NBA Prospect: Jonathan Rodriguez, if there is one

While I can't comment on my official picks, I can say we have a lot of similiar picks.

As we get closer to the date the magazine comes out, I'll let you know as soon as I know, I will drop some of my predictions.

After all we do want you to buy the magazine...

PS

I also cover a lot of college baseball for Rivals and can talk that if you would like...

HatterFan Wrote:Copying my post into this thread.

A-Sun Predictions

1. Belmont - until proven otherwise; all back but Hare
2. Jacksonville - everybody's back, it looks like
3. Stetson - 5 starters back and all significant reserves
4. ETSU - Pigram/Tiggs strong duo but lost guys the above 3 didn't
5. Lipscomb - will miss Ard...most physical team in A-Sun IMO
6. Mercer - new coach is a plus, must find complement to Florence
7. FGCU - major roster shakeup...add 3-point gunner Reed Baker
8. Campbell - Rodriguez needs a lot of help
9. Kennesaw State - so young, no proven scorers
10. USC Upstate - need to rebuild with D1 players
11. UNF - Kilcullen seems over his head

All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM
1. Jonathan Rodriguez - Campbell
2. James Florence - Mercer
3. Garfield Blair - Stetson
4. Alex Renfroe - Belmont
5. Ben Smith - Jacksonville

SECOND TEAM
1. Kevin Tiggs - ETSU
2. Shane Dansby - Belmont
3. Courtney Pigram - ETSU
4. LaKory Daniels - Lipscomb
5. Marcus Allen - Jacksonville

Honor Roll
Player of the Year: Ben Smith - Jacksonville
Newcomer of the Year: know very little about this, Solazzo - ETSU?
Best Shooter: Kelvin McConnell - KSU
Best Rebounder: Jonathan Rodriguez - Campbell
Best Playmaker: Ben Smith - Jacksonville (most electric - Florence)
Best Defender: Ben Smith or James Florence
Most Versatile: anybody on Belmont
Best NBA Prospect: Jonathan Rodriguez, if there is one

Just curous what you guys are basing you picks on, just what you have seen or stats ?

What means more to you a guy who scores 20 ppg or a guy who scores 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 assists ?

I guess to me 10-5-4 would fall into "versatile" but I'm certainly going to think of the 20 ppg guy as a game-changer; can't ever help on D off that guy.

LindysWriter Wrote:Just curous what you guys are basing you picks on, just what you have seen or stats ?

What means more to you a guy who scores 20 ppg or a guy who scores 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 assists ?

My picks were based on stats, what I've seen, and contributions to their respective team. For example, I picked Dansby as the best overall defender even though statistically he may not stand out.

Mine is based on observation. ASun.tv was nice last year as it allowed me to catch a lot of the games online. I have also been to several games which helps. Big college basketball fan, so I have either read up on the freshman, seen video highlights online, or watched the transfers that have played for other schools. I also try to hit up high school/AAU games whenever I can get a chance. Lindy's hasn't done the best job of covering that Atlantic Sun in the past, so I am hoping that your renewed research this season will come up with more consistent results. I usually purchase a copy of all the pre-season publications to see who knows their stuff, and who is just copying the usual headlines. I look forward to reading your new publication, and I think I speak for the forum when I say that we appreciate you coming over here to listen to what some of the fans have to say.

My deadline was a few days after July 4, so everything I have read on here is not going in the magazine. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback..I also look forward to meeting you at some of the games...Although I live in Jacksonville and have an interest in JU and sometimes UNF (just kidding), I have made trips to Stetson to watch games...

Well even if mine wasn't viewed we appreciate you coming and asking for different inputs. Come back around anytime. I think if you keep up to date with these boards (especially the ETSU and Kennesaw ones) you will find out a lot about all the teams in this league. ETSU has the most activity, and Kennesaw is steadily growing with users. There are some really knowledgeable people from almost every school that post here, with a lot of good information and opinions.

A-Sun Predictions

1. Belmont - Coaching is worth so much in this league. Coach Byrd gets pre-season #1 till he's dethroned. I've learned my lesson!
2. ETSU - So much hype every year. They can fall ass backward into the top 5 of the league. I think they'll land at #2. Belmont has them wrapped around their little finger.
3. Mercer - Belmont & ETSU have both owned Mercer over the past few seasons. We haven't beaten either of them in many many tries. However, finally we have a coach! We've had talent. Now let's see where that takes us. Like ETSU though, we have enough talent to beat the bottom half of this league in our sleep.
4. Jacksonville - Proven coaching and mentally will have an edge over opponents not named Belmont & ETSU.
5. Stetson - The definition of the underdog that overachieves. Coach Waugh is fantastic.
6. Lipscomb - Losing Ard is tough, but I like this team in clutch situations and big games. They will slow the tempo and force you to play half court basketball. You have to convert your limited shot opportunities early, or else they will bury you.
7. Florida Gulf Coast - The toughest team to place. Just a hunch that they'll be in this spot.
8. Kennesaw State - First, I like Kennesaw. They have a gameplan. Their coach wants to win. I've seen it in his attitude when he's been visiting Mercer, and the one time I saw a game at Kennesaw. I just think this year will bring a lot of tough times. This team has too many question marks to put above 8th right now. I will say this: Out of the teams I've listed #7-11, Kennesaw is the ONLY one that has the ability to break into the top 6. I just don't see it happening.
9. USC Upstate - I really started to like this team last season. They're tough, disciplined, and will battle you for 40 minutes. You can't sleep on Upstate. They will lose a lot by single digits.
10. Campbell - Haven't had a winning season since the mid 90's. Need I continue?
11. North Florida - No comment.

All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM (Top 5 most valuable, not by position)
1. Pigram (ETSU)
2. Blair (Stetson)
3. Allen (JU)
4. Dansby (Belmont)
5. Florence (Mercer)

SECOND TEAM (Next best 5, not by position)
1. Rodriguez (Campbell)
2. Smith, A.J. (Stetson)
3. Emerson (Mercer)
4. Tiggs (ETSU)
5. Renfroe (Belmont)

Honor Roll -- here's my homer picks
Player of the Year: Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Emerson, (Mercer)
Best Shooter: Courtney Pigram (ETSU)
Best Rebounder: Henry (Mercer)
Best Playmaker: James Florence (Mercer)
Best Defender: Henry (Mercer)
Most Versatile: Renfroe (Belmont)
Best NBA Prospect: none.

MercerFan Wrote:Belmont has them wrapped around their little finger.

LindysWriter Wrote:My deadline was a few days after July 4, so everything I have read on here is not going in the magazine. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback..I also look forward to meeting you at some of the games...Although I live in Jacksonville and have an interest in JU and sometimes UNF (just kidding), I have made trips to Stetson to watch games...

What will your piece on the Atlantic Sun include in addittion to your picks? Will you have summaries of every team?

Yes Bucfaithful... the truth hurts! The fact that Belmont AND East Tennessee own Mercer hurts bad! lol

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)

LindysWriter Wrote: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)

Hope you spelled that 'Hare' in the actual article :)

I'm sure my editors caught it, but thanks for pointing it out..

Regular season:

1. ETSU - Lots of pieces of the puzzle returning here, but a big question mark remains in replacing the graduated Andrew Reed. Travis Strong also provided some big minutes off the bench, but should be filled with a refocused Mike Smith, and with any luck Micah Williams will have developed into everything ETSU fans thought he could be. Look for Isiah Brown to suprise some people with his size, and hopefully Sollazzo and senior Jocolby Davis will take care of the point guard position that hounded the bucs last year after Dequan Twilley's dismissal. The round robin format of playing every conference opponent twice will also help. Keep an eye on Tommy Hubbard and Greg Hamlin, oh, and that 6'4 freak of nature Kevin Tiggs.

2. Belmont - Yes, they lost Justin Hare, but return Andy Wicke, Shane Dansby and Matthew Dotson. Could easily be Davidson Light, with a VERY FUNDAMENTALLY sound and well coached team. As long as Rick Byrd is around, The key to the A-Sun title is located at the Curb Center. Oh, and don't forget about Alex Renfroe, remember that name.

3. Jacksonville - Still not quite there yet, but Cliff Warren has the Dolphins playing much better. They're a young team, which could hurt them early and in the tournament, but still a VERY dangerous team. Probably the team to beat in the 09-10 season.

4. Campbell - It's a crazy pick after the disaster they had last season, but head coach Robbie Laing and his staff should have his Camels spitting fire and three pointers come the fall. The Camels are in a bit of a transition, as they open the Pope Convocation Center with the start of the new season. It sounds crazy with EIGHT new players on the squad (transfer Matt Gwynne will sit out under the NCAA transfer guidelines), but with five of their top seven scorers back, this is a team that will rattle some cages this season.

5. Lipscomb - They host the conference tournament, so come tourney time they'll be dangerous, but the rigors of the regular season could wreak havoc on Scott Sanderson's squad. Youth will get this team way behind the eight ball early, but expect them to upset Belmont at home, and be a contender come March.

6. Stetson - Recipients of a very favorable schedule last season that allowed them to only have to play ETSU, Belmont, and Lipscomb once each last seasn, while getting division one newcomers Florida Gulf Coast, Kennesaw State, and North Florida. This season will be tougher for the Hatters because of the scheduling. And yes, you can call me crazy even though they are returning five starters. They aren't necessarily worse off than last year's squad, I believe the other teams around them have improved and scheduling will hurt them.

7. Florida Gulf Coast - Second year in division one, they should have fast-tracked basketball. The Eagles will face some growing pains this season, but by the time this incoming freshman class are seniors, look out for this program. New facilities, new university! Look for them to be on the rise and make strides this season, but still building.

8. Kennesaw State - Took a step back last season, lost a ton of players to transfer, and is extremely young with only one senior. They started off pretty solid in division one, but now must rebound and get back on track.

9. Mercer - New coach, same struggling team. James Florence is a stud player, but the Bears don't have much else. Bob Hoffman will make improvements, and they'll atleast look better than last year, but again the round robin scheduling won't do the Mercer any favors.

10. SC-Upstate - Second year in division one, they should have stayed in division II. It's going to be a long year for the Spartans. It's going to take some time to really get things going in the right direction for this transition team.

11. North Florida - Should consider dropping everything but baseball, softball and maybe golf. They might go 0 for the season.

First team -

Courtney Pigram - ETSU - A-SUN POTY
James Florence - Mercer
Shane Dansby - Belmont
Kevin Tiggs - ETSU
Marcus Allen - Jacksonville


Second Team -
Andy Wicke - Belmont
Jonathan Rodriguez - Campbell
Matthew Dotson - Belmont
Thomas Pfaff - Lipscomb
Eric Diaz - Stetson

POTY - Courtney Pigram - ETSU
Newcomer - I have NO IDEA.
defender of the year - It could be anyone. After Eryk Thomas was robbed of it a couple of years back, I don't even try to pick who they're going to give it to. It really seems like the A-Sun will pick a team that didn't get alot of recognition but finished in the top half of the standings, then pick the best defensive player from that team to be DPOTY.


The tournament -
1. Belmont beats ETSU for the championship. Semis - ETSU, Belmont, Lipscomb, and Jacksonville.

Buccaneerlover Wrote:The tournament -
1. Belmont beats ETSU for the championship.

Rot in hell.

BucLover -- You wanna bet Mercer finishes above Campbell in the regular season? Let's see how confident you are in those Camels.