Archive for August, 2008
« Previous EntriesAtlantic 10 Rankings: The Top 25 Returnees — (Part 4, The Top 5)
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
5. Chris Wright, Forward- Dayton
Few freshmen in the history of the Atlantic 10 Conference have received the fanfare and hype that accompanied the Trotwood, Ohio native to campus last fall. Prior to breaking a bone in his right ankle, Wright was nothing short of brilliant for coach Brian Gregory and the Dayton Flyers. He nabbed the Rookie of the Week honor six straight weeks to begin the season, and was named to the A-10 All Rookie team despite playing just eight league minutes. The forward’s 22 point, 13 rebound performance against East Tennessee State in his first college game set the tone for what will likely be a monster career at UD.
To understand just how important Wright was to his team last season, consider this: In games he played, Dayton was 13-2; In games he did not, the Flyers were just 10-9.
He is an explosive forward with a 39 inch vertical leap who scores the basketball at a prolific rate. In fact, when Chris played 15 or more minutes in a game (10 times) he averaged 13 points on just 8 shots per contest. Compare that to some of the league’s best forwards last year in Rob Diggs (13.9 points a game on 10.8 shots) and Gary Forbes (19.4 points on 15.8 shots a game) and the numbers are truly impressive. Wright shot 60% from the field (which would have ranked second in the conference) and shot 80% from the free throw line. His 5.7 rebounds a game would have cracked the conference’s top 20 as well.
It will be no different as his career continues this season, as Chris may be the single most important player in the league to his team. As fellow CCT Contributor Ray Floriani noted, Dayton lost 48% of its scoring from last season as well as 32% in the rebounding department. With All Conference guard Brian Roberts (18.4 ppg) gone, Wright will undoubtedly be the primary option for the Flyers in 2008-09 and beyond.
4. Derrick Brown, Forward- Xavier
With apologies to Dominique Wilkins, Brown is the closest thing that the Atlantic 10 has to a human highlight reel; his 6′8 frame is usually seen flying above opposing defenders to throw down monstrous dunks. Amazingly, Brown converted 225 shots over the last two seasons, over half of which (114) were dunks. As entertaining as he is, however, it is Brown’s ability to play at, under, around and away from the rim on both ends of the floor that makes him CCT’s choice for the conference’s fourth top returnee.
Brown displays a mix of athleticism, talent and aggressiveness that no one in the Atlantic 10 can match. His 16 rebound performance in just 16 minutes against BYU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament (2006-07) showed his ability to control a game on the opposite end of the floor. Last season, his 6.5 rebounds per game placed him eleventh in the conference, and were good enough to lead a 30 win Xavier team. Brown was also second on the team in scoring, first in blocked shots and second in steals (just four shy of team leader, Drew Lavender). He displays nice range on his jumper as well, demonstrated by his 34% shooting clip from beyond the arc. Brown started all 37 of Xavier’s games last season and was incredibly productive despite playing only 28 minutes per game. With Josh Duncan gone, Brown’s minutes should easily top 30 per game this season.
For a team that accomplished so much (30 wins, Elite Eight Appearance, A-10 Regular Season Title), Xavier also lost a great deal in Burrell, Duncan and Lavender; not only statistically, but also in leadership and experience. Brown now remains as an elder statesman with B.J Raymond and C.J Anderson. Fellow big-man Jason Love and newcomer Kenny Frease will give help on the interior, but it will ultimately be Brown who will be called upon to lead Xavier to another Big Dance come March.
3. Chris Lowe, Guard - UMass
“Chris Lowe is what I think is the best point guard in the league.” If this quote from former UMass head coach Travis Ford is any indication, Chris Lowe’s spot amongst the conference’s top returnees is well deserved.
Lowe was the straw that stirred the UMass drink last season; engineering an attack that ranked second in the league in scoring offense (81.5 ppg). With new head coach Derek Kellogg installing the dribble-drive motion offense, Lowe will be the most important player on what may be the league’s most exciting team to watch. In essence, Kellogg brought a Ferrari home from the dealership and is handing the keys to Chris Lowe.
Lowe is a silky smooth lefty who possesses a deadly floater and has the ability to control a game beyond the box score. The point man led the league in assists per game (6.2 apg) and had a terrific 2.16 assist to turnover ratio. In fact, Lowe ranked eighth in the nation in total assists (214) and sixteenth in assists per game.
At just 6 feet and just 160 pounds, Lowe gets the most out of his body as shown by his season’s final stat line: 11.8 points, 6.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds per contest. For further proof, ask LaSalle. Lowe posted a 14-10-14 triple-double last season against the Explorers; just the sixth triple double in UMass history. Defensively, Lowe ranked as one of the leagues most proficient theft men by averaging 1.68 steals a game (fourth in the A-10).
Although UMass fell short of reaching the NCAA Tournament, they did reach the NIT final before being topped by former national finalist Ohio State. Coach Kellogg, however, is fresh off a trip to the national title game, and will be itching to get a squad of his own into the dance. Fortunately, he has one of the conference’s best players, in Chris Lowe, to help him get there.
2. Ahmad Nivins, Forward- Saint Joseph’s
The top two returnees in the Atlantic 10 reside approximately 6.2 miles from each other, or 14 minutes with perfect traffic conditions according to most GPS systems. As Saint Joe’s and Temple continuing their intra-city rivalry, each team has one terrific player to lead them in their Big 5 battles.
Ahmad Nivins was named Third Team All-Conference last season, and his 14.4 points and 5.8 boards per game placed in the top 20 of the conference in those respective categories. Nivins also ranks as the conference’s fourth highest returning scorer and twelfth place rebounder.
Last season, the 6′9″ forward helped lead the Hawks to the NCAA Tournament and the A-10 Conference Final. In 2008-09, with Pat Calathes and Rob Ferguson graduated, Nivins will be asked to shoulder a big load on both ends of the floor.
In addition to being an accomplished scorer and post player, Nivins also led the league in field goal percentage, converting a robust 64% of his attempts. While his teammates must find him more this season, Nivins’ ability to take and make a variety of high percentage shots makes him the most dominant big man in the conference.
Defensively, while not a shot blocker (39 in 2007-08), Nivins is solid. He rebounds the basketball effectively and understands Martelli’s system of perimeter ball pressure, intelligently anchoring the back end. He generally steers clear of foul trouble - vitally important for the Hawks - as evidenced by his 34 minute per game average.
Overall, the former St. Anthony’s product has already scored more than 1,100 career points and pulled down over 550 rebounds. However, Nivins has never won an NCAA Tournament game and has yet to win an Atlantic 10 Title. Both will be on his “To Do” list, in this his final season at Hawk Hill.
1. Dionte Christmas, Guard- Temple
One would be selling Temple guard Dionte Christmas short by saying he enjoyed a fine junior campaign. An Atlantic 10 Tournament Title and chance to dance in the month of March fit perfectly with Christmas’ First Team All-Conference selection. Dionte led the conference in scoring (19.7) and ranked eleventh in the league in field goal percentage (43%). The 6 foot 5 inch guard from Philadelphia has surely made himself at home, and with one season left to play, the best may be yet to come from the league’s best player.
For Temple fans, Dionte Christmas always seems to answer the bell when the Owls needed him most. Last season, Christmas scored 29 in a two-point win over Ohio, 27 in a three-point win over URI, a jaw dropping 37 in a five-point win over Duquesne and, of course, his 22 point performance in the league final versus rival Saint Joe’s (a five point margin of victory).
Christmas is a big time scorer who is capable of knocking down the biggest of shots. His 36% three point percentage just missed placing in the league’s top fifteen, while he finished third in the league in three-pointers made, at 3.06 a contest. He has an assortment of moves in his repertoire that he’ll flash on a nightly basis. He’s quick off the dribble and equally able to pull-up from inside or outside the arc.
But he isn’t a one trick pony. His 5.9 rebounds a game in 07-08 were a very nice addition to his great scoring prowess. In fact, his 4.68 defensive boards per game placed him ninth in the conference. He also ranked in the top fifteen in steals. Most importantly, 2007-08 saw Christmas make significant strides in “sacrificing his scoring for the greater good”, according to Fran Dunphy. While not necessarily evident from a glance at his numbers, Christmas showed improvement in his patience and playmaking skills.
This season, in addition to attempting to lead Temple back to the NCAA Tournament, Christmas will aim to accomplish a feat neither John Battle nor Earl Belcher could before him… Become the first player in conference history to lead the conference in scoring for three straight seasons.
It will be difficult to bet against him.
________________________
(To view the Top 25 Returnees, Part 1: Numbers 25-16, click here.)
(To view the Top 25 Returnees, Part 2: Numbers 15-11, click here.)
(To view the Top 25 Returnees, Part 3: Numbers 10-6, click here.)
Questions, comments or criticisms about College Chalktalk’s Top 25? Let’s hear them.
Who’s Left?
Monday, August 25th, 2008SOUTH ORANGE, NJ -
In the movie “Hoosiers”, Gene Hackman implores the student body, chanting the name of a popular player who has decided not to play, to concentrate on ‘who we are… not who we are not’. Similarly in college basketball, as players graduate or transfer, their spots have to be filled with talented players taking up the slack.
Here, each team’s cupboard is analyzed: calculating the percentage of scoring, rebounding and assists lost due to personnel changes. All games - not just Atlantic 10 contests - are factored into the analysis, with a comment on each team to follow.
(Note: While some teams did experience additional personnel losses, if the losses did not move the percentages seen below more than 1%, those departing players are not factored into the analysis.)
Contributors lost : 1
Scoring: 27%, Rebounding: 13%, Assists: 14%
Only one loss of a statistical contributor; with sharp-shooting guard Leemire Goldwire accounting for virtually all the departed scoring, boards and assists. There is reason for optimism in Charlotte, where quality depth remains.
Contributors lost : 4
Scoring: 48%, Rebounding: 32%, Assists: 53%
The contribution of three time All-Conference performer Brian Roberts is a huge void to fill. Roberts alone accounted for 27% of the scoring and 30% in the team assist category. Of greater note was the fact he was the ‘go to’ guy, who could convert when Dayton was in desperate need of a score. Jimmie Binnie also accounted for 11% of the rebounding and 12% in the assist area.
Contributors lost: 6*
Scoring: 51%, Rebounding: 39%, Assists: 39%
The numbers of Kieron Achara, Reggie Jackson, Kojo Mensah and Shawn James are all roughly the same. James, though, is likely biggest loss with 14% scoring and 17% rebounding contributed last season - in addition to his defensive prowess.
(Note: These totals do not account for Philip Fayne, who recently announced he will forego his senior season due to a medical condition).
Contributors lost: 5
Scoring: 69%, Rebounding: 68%, Assists: 69%
Fordham struggled last year, barely qualified for the conference tournament, and was one and done in Atlantic City. Several key players were among the five losses. Bryant Dunston leaves a gaping hole. A solid low post threat, Dunston was 24% of the Ram scoring, 31% rebounding and 15% in the assist area as well. Marcus Stout represented 23% of the scoring output and 22% in the assist category.
Contributors lost: 3
Scoring: 26%, Rebounding: 14%, Assists: 30%
GW didn’t get to defend their A-10 championship. While shut out of an Atlantic City sojourn, their figures tell the situation isn’t desperate. Losses were light with Maureece Rice’s scoring, 12%, and assists at 19% being the most significant.
Contributors lost: 2
Scoring: 27%, Rebounding: 10%, Assists: 21%
Two losses, including leading scorer Darnell Harris, but there is a lot of talent returning for the Explorers.
Contributors lost: 4
Scoring: 52%, Rebounding: 53%, Assists: 36%
The Minutemen were hit hard. They lost four contributors including three who were very significant. Of no surprise, Conference Player of the Year Gary Forbes led the way. Forbes represented 24% of the scoring, 20% and rebounding and 19% in assists. A truly complete competitor. Dante Milligan and Etienne Brower were also important cogs of a program inherited by former star Derek Kellogg. The potent backcourt of Lowe and Harris returns.
Contributors lost: 4
Scoring: 45%, Rebounding: 34%, Assists: 41%
Rhody’s losses numbered four players but two were very prominent. Will Daniels provided 23% of the offense and 17% in rebounding. Parfait Bitee was another huge loss, as he accounted for 15% of the points, 32% of the assists and also was an outstanding defender.
Contributors lost: 3
Scoring: 36%, Rebounding: 39%, Assists: 25%
Added to Richmond’s losses is a player who would have had a marquee year. Dan Geriot (out with an ACL injury) was a solid all-around star with 22% of the Spiders’ scoring, 19% of the rebounds and 14% of the assists. Chris Mooney has talent on board but Geriot’s absence will be felt.
Contributors lost: 5
Scoring: 78%, Rebounding: 58%, Assists: 64%
Interestingly, no team was hit as hard as the Bonnies, yet fans of the Brown & White have an optimistic outlook due to the personnel Mark Schmidt has coming on board. Bonaventure lost two players who contributed over 20% of the scoring in Zarryon Fereti (20%) and Michael Lee (26%). Lee also provided 24% of the boards while Tyler Relph added 17% of scoring and 29% in the assist category.
Contributors lost: 4
Scoring: 44%, Rebounding: 42%, Assists 27%
Four losses, with the most notable being Pat Calathes and Rob Ferguson. Calathes provided over 20% of the Hawk output in scoring (24%) and rebounding (24%). Ferguson provided 16% of the scoring and 15% of the boardwork.
Contributors lost: 4
Scoring: 43%, Rebounding: 44%, Assists: 41%
Rick Majerus loses four who made significant statistical contributions, with Luke Meyer as the most significant departure. A steady player, Meyer provided 14% of the scoring, 18% rebounding, and 13% of the helpers. Several returnees of note, plus talented newcomers, will ease any loss for the Billikens.
Contributors lost: 2
Scoring: 32%, Rebounding: 27%, Assists 40%
The reigning A-10 Tournament Champions were not exactly decimated. They did, however, lose a good guard in Chris Clark and a unique talent in Mark Tyndale. A 20% plus contributor in all three categories; scoring and rebounding (22%), plus assists (28%), Tyndale’s production will be difficult to replace.
Contributors lost: 4
Scoring: 46%, Rebounding: 29%, Assists: 38%* (See Below)
Four players are gone from the Elite Eight club. Three were quite significant. Josh Duncan (17%), Drew Lavender (14%) and Stanley Burrell (13%) all chipped in with over 10% of the point production. Sean Miller also took a big hit in the assist department. Lavender (29%) and Burrell (28%) often found teammates in the unselfish XU offense.
CORRECTION: At publishing, Burrell’s number was not added to the overall assist total despite being referenced in the paragraph above. Therefore, XU actually lost 66% of assists from 2007-08.
(In addition to his Contributor status at College Chalktalk, Ray Floriani is also a regular contributor to Basketball Times and Hoopville).
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