Monday, February 28, 2005
PATRIOT LEAGUE BLOGGIES BONANZA: DAY ONE
With the run up to the PL chapionship, I'm going to be putting together a lot of lists, some of which you can argue with, and some of which you can't. That's right, it's the second annual PATRIOT LEAGUE BLOGGIES.
Our first category is MVP for each team. These are pretty basic, but if you're a casual fan, it's fun to know who the guy to watch for is when your team plays these schools. There is some controversy with some of these, so you're allowed to argue with me.
TEAM MVPs
AMERICAN
Jason Thomas - This is a tough pick, although you have to give it to Thomas over Ingram based on stats as well as simple observation. Ingram was clearly the focus of AU opponent's defenses, limiting his ability to get the open looks that Thomas usually had. But Thomas was often more of a threat, with a better shooting percentage, and more three pointers. Beyond stats, he is pretty well recognized as the "heart" of the AU squad, whatever that means. For those two reasons combined, he gets the nod. But Ingram is probably the better player.
ARMY
Matt Bell - According to L. Dean Oliver's Approximate Value method, Bell is the 22nd best player in the league, between Kyle Roemer of CU and Jason Mbegroff of Lehigh. But he's the best player on an otherwise poor Army squad, averaging 13 points and 4 boards.
BUCKNELL
Chris McNaughton - This one is debateable. But you had to see it coming. I give it to McNaughton because I think he's the reason for the success of Bettencourt, Lee, and Badmus. When teams have to double down on him, it gives them the open looks that they have been cashing in on. That's counts towards the "valuable" part of MVP. Averaging 11 and 5 isn't impressive unless you remember that he is being guarded by two defenders. Only 23 minutes a game makes me think twice about this one, however.
COLGATE
Andrew Zidar - I don't think he's the best player on the squad (Kyle Roemer or Alvin Reed would get that honor), but he's certainly the most valuable. Scoring and rebounding leader for 'Gate, and tied for rebounding lead with Matt Fannin of Navy.
HOLY CROSS
Kevin Hamilton - No debate here. Going to be POY on everyone's ballot.
LAFAYETTE
Jamaal Douglas - The most underrated and, according to approximate value, best, player in the league. While you might disagree with that assessment, check out how well rounded his game is. He shoots 52%, gets 7 boards a game, averages 12 points, and has 17 blocks. Now, before you tell me that I'm crazy and this guy is no where near the best player in the league, don't worry, I don't think that. Some of his stats are inflated by the fast pace that LC has, that is, he has more opportunities for rebounds, blocks, and points because LC has more possessions that most teams in the league. Regardless, he is the MVP for the Leopards.
LEHIGH
Joe Knight - So when I was putting this list together, I looked at the stats for everyone, and man, Lehigh looks real bad on paper. Joe Knight is their best player, shooting 31%, including a miserable 18 for 70 from behind the arch (that's 25%). But he has lots of dimes, so he gets the nod here.
NAVY
Matt Fannin - George O'Garro or Taj Mathews (spell your name the right way, with two Ts!) could have as easily won this one. But Fannin is (just barely) the scoring leader, and the rebounds leader. So he wins. (Previously, I had errantly said Fannin was a Senior. Apparently he just plays like one.)
NEXT: All-Freshman and All-League picks, before the league puts them out tomorrow AM. Look for something tonight or early tomorrow. @ 11:06 AM
With the run up to the PL chapionship, I'm going to be putting together a lot of lists, some of which you can argue with, and some of which you can't. That's right, it's the second annual PATRIOT LEAGUE BLOGGIES. Our first category is MVP for each team. These are pretty basic, but if you're a casual fan, it's fun to know who the guy to watch for is when your team plays these schools. There is some controversy with some of these, so you're allowed to argue with me.
TEAM MVPs
AMERICAN
Jason Thomas - This is a tough pick, although you have to give it to Thomas over Ingram based on stats as well as simple observation. Ingram was clearly the focus of AU opponent's defenses, limiting his ability to get the open looks that Thomas usually had. But Thomas was often more of a threat, with a better shooting percentage, and more three pointers. Beyond stats, he is pretty well recognized as the "heart" of the AU squad, whatever that means. For those two reasons combined, he gets the nod. But Ingram is probably the better player.
ARMY
Matt Bell - According to L. Dean Oliver's Approximate Value method, Bell is the 22nd best player in the league, between Kyle Roemer of CU and Jason Mbegroff of Lehigh. But he's the best player on an otherwise poor Army squad, averaging 13 points and 4 boards.
BUCKNELL
Chris McNaughton - This one is debateable. But you had to see it coming. I give it to McNaughton because I think he's the reason for the success of Bettencourt, Lee, and Badmus. When teams have to double down on him, it gives them the open looks that they have been cashing in on. That's counts towards the "valuable" part of MVP. Averaging 11 and 5 isn't impressive unless you remember that he is being guarded by two defenders. Only 23 minutes a game makes me think twice about this one, however.
COLGATE
Andrew Zidar - I don't think he's the best player on the squad (Kyle Roemer or Alvin Reed would get that honor), but he's certainly the most valuable. Scoring and rebounding leader for 'Gate, and tied for rebounding lead with Matt Fannin of Navy.
HOLY CROSS
Kevin Hamilton - No debate here. Going to be POY on everyone's ballot.
LAFAYETTE
Jamaal Douglas - The most underrated and, according to approximate value, best, player in the league. While you might disagree with that assessment, check out how well rounded his game is. He shoots 52%, gets 7 boards a game, averages 12 points, and has 17 blocks. Now, before you tell me that I'm crazy and this guy is no where near the best player in the league, don't worry, I don't think that. Some of his stats are inflated by the fast pace that LC has, that is, he has more opportunities for rebounds, blocks, and points because LC has more possessions that most teams in the league. Regardless, he is the MVP for the Leopards.
LEHIGH
Joe Knight - So when I was putting this list together, I looked at the stats for everyone, and man, Lehigh looks real bad on paper. Joe Knight is their best player, shooting 31%, including a miserable 18 for 70 from behind the arch (that's 25%). But he has lots of dimes, so he gets the nod here.
NAVY
Matt Fannin - George O'Garro or Taj Mathews (spell your name the right way, with two Ts!) could have as easily won this one. But Fannin is (just barely) the scoring leader, and the rebounds leader. So he wins. (Previously, I had errantly said Fannin was a Senior. Apparently he just plays like one.)
NEXT: All-Freshman and All-League picks, before the league puts them out tomorrow AM. Look for something tonight or early tomorrow. @ 11:06 AM
Comments:
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Matt,
You've got to be kidding me about Torey Thomas. Granted, the kid is not a great shooter. Neither was Jave Meade, yet he proved that being great outside shooter is not a qualification of a great PG. I'm not putting Torey in Jave's class just yet, but he is such a dynamic player with his ability to run the floor, penetrate, and find open looks for his teammates. If you wanted to argue Simmons starting over Kinsey, a strong argument could be made there. But to slight Torey's ability and value to HC is ludicrous. If you want to talk about "not particularly good PG's", we can discuss the Peanuts character you have running the ship at AU (If AU had Andres this year, you guys just might be playing three games in Bender arena over the next two weeks).
You've got to be kidding me about Torey Thomas. Granted, the kid is not a great shooter. Neither was Jave Meade, yet he proved that being great outside shooter is not a qualification of a great PG. I'm not putting Torey in Jave's class just yet, but he is such a dynamic player with his ability to run the floor, penetrate, and find open looks for his teammates. If you wanted to argue Simmons starting over Kinsey, a strong argument could be made there. But to slight Torey's ability and value to HC is ludicrous. If you want to talk about "not particularly good PG's", we can discuss the Peanuts character you have running the ship at AU (If AU had Andres this year, you guys just might be playing three games in Bender arena over the next two weeks).
# posted by 
: 12:07 PM
: 12:07 PM
Outside shooter?? Hell, he's not an INSIDE shooter. He can't score and can't rebound. Those two things are pretty important to being a good basketball player. Talk to me in a couple years about Linas/Torey and I think we'll have the same answer as to who's better.
I did fuck up on the Navy thing though. Thanks for catching that.
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I did fuck up on the Navy thing though. Thanks for catching that.
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