Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

NSIC Predictions 2024-25

Collapse

Support The Site!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • NSIC Predictions 2024-25

    October has arrived which means basketball season has arrived. Thought I’d get a jump on the upcoming season predictions. The transfer portal has made this task almost impossible, but it’s something fun to do nonetheless. As in past years I will tier the teams that I think have the best chances in upcoming season.

    Tier 1. Teams with legit shot to win conference

    1. Mankato. Lost a lot, but returning national champions get number 1 seed regardless. Loads of talent on this year’s roster as well.

    2. Moorhead. Starting 5 should be able to complete with anyone in country. What will the Msum bench look like? How will transfers mesh with returning players. If Msum is able to knock down some 3s they will win a lot of games.

    3. Duluth. Weick has built a legitimate program in UMD. Duluth has plenty of veterans on roster to threaten top of conference again this season.

    Tier 2. Teams with enough talent to win a lot of games.

    4. SMSU. Bigler has plenty of returning talent with nice mix of size and backcourt talent. As with most teams in modern basketball eara, can SMSU hit 3s to balance out their offense?

    5. Augie. The new coaching staff appears to have done a good job of assembling talent in short order. Will all the new pieces come together in short order? Wouldn’t be surprised if they do.

    Tier 3. Need everything to come together to threaten a regional bid.

    6. Bemidji. Sutherland will likely be an all American candidate. Does he have enough help around him?

    7. Northern. All kinds of new faces on this team. As usual Nsu has a lot of length. Seems like this team may need a year of two before they get back to their winning ways.

    8. CSP. May have one of the better scoring back courts in the league. Can they defend and rebound?

    Tier 4. Rebuilding process in motion

    9. Wayne. Some solid returning veterans may make this selection too low.

    10. Minot. Same as Wayne above.

    11. Winona. Lost too much from last year’s team to pick much higher at this point.

    12. USF. They have struggled to score in past. Did they find some scorers in the off season?

    13. St. Cloud. Essentially no upperclassmen so expect more growing pains this season.

    14. Umary. Almost an entire new team. No clue what that means here.

    Tier 5.

    15. Crookston. Until they win a bit they will be stuck here.

  • #2
    We're uncannily aligned on our projections. You're higher on Northern and I'm higher on USF. Sell me on Northern.

    Comment


    • #3
      Can’t really sell anyone in the age of the transfer portal. I’m taking a stab in dark and assuming Saul and the NSU program will bring in some players.

      Comment


      • #4
        If NSU men finish in the top 12 I would be very surprised. Based on what I saw of what was brought in, mainly by way of portal, it doesn't look good. However, we won't know until they play. I'll choose to expect little and hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

        NSU women will be a lot of fun to watch so that helps.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Augieholic View Post
          We're uncannily aligned on our projections. You're higher on Northern and I'm higher on USF. Sell me on Northern.
          OK, here is my best effort:

          The Wolves use the largely NAIA nonconference schedule to gel all the new players together and for the coaching staff to figure out how to use all of the new players. Marcus Banks is almost going to have to be a special talent for the NSU to have a decent season. If he can be a long 6'4" guard/wing player that can hold his own defensively while being a creator on offense it will be a good start for the Wolves. James Glenn will need to bring back memories of Mason Stark with his ability to get buckets in bunches. I'm definitely not saying he is nearly as good as Stark, but that will have to be the mold for Glenn. Hopefully, Nhial has figured out how to harness his athleticism. If he can be a game wrecker on defense and rebound the basketball he will be extremely important this season. Mitchell will need to be a solid post presence both defensively and rebounding. If he can provide a threat of a post up game on offense that will be a bonus. Baca will need to be a veteran influence at point. I think he could play a bigger role at the beginning of the season and maybe less so as others develop. Abdelkarim will hopefully provide a spark and some quickness off the bench. Russell and Brooke will provide length and have to match up on some bigger players off the bench this year.

          Now, if you look at the historical production for some of these players this may not be very realistic. Do I think Saul and his staff can pull this all together??? But it's early October so if I'm not going to be optimistic now when will I be...

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Thunder View Post

            OK, here is my best effort:

            The Wolves use the largely NAIA nonconference schedule to gel all the new players together and for the coaching staff to figure out how to use all of the new players. Marcus Banks is almost going to have to be a special talent for the NSU to have a decent season. If he can be a long 6'4" guard/wing player that can hold his own defensively while being a creator on offense it will be a good start for the Wolves. James Glenn will need to bring back memories of Mason Stark with his ability to get buckets in bunches. I'm definitely not saying he is nearly as good as Stark, but that will have to be the mold for Glenn. Hopefully, Nhial has figured out how to harness his athleticism. If he can be a game wrecker on defense and rebound the basketball he will be extremely important this season. Mitchell will need to be a solid post presence both defensively and rebounding. If he can provide a threat of a post up game on offense that will be a bonus. Baca will need to be a veteran influence at point. I think he could play a bigger role at the beginning of the season and maybe less so as others develop. Abdelkarim will hopefully provide a spark and some quickness off the bench. Russell and Brooke will provide length and have to match up on some bigger players off the bench this year.

            Now, if you look at the historical production for some of these players this may not be very realistic. Do I think Saul and his staff can pull this all together??? But it's early October so if I'm not going to be optimistic now when will I be...
            Heck of a pitch, bravo, I won't be buying anything, but that shouldn't dissuade you from trying it on others who are easily persuadable.

            Of the players you mentioned I'm more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt on Banks, Glenn, and Abdelkarim. Banks comes from Lakeville South which produced former Elite Eight MOP Alex Richter so that's something. Glenn and Abdelkarim come from DMACC which has a decent track record of producing NSIC contributors, most recently Jadan Graves for Augie. Kaleb Mitchell's lack of production at Adams State, a traditionally horrible RMAC program, is weak and you shouldn't be selling it.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Augieholic View Post

              Heck of a pitch, bravo, I won't be buying anything, but that shouldn't dissuade you from trying it on others who are easily persuadable.

              Of the players you mentioned I'm more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt on Banks, Glenn, and Abdelkarim. Banks comes from Lakeville South which produced former Elite Eight MOP Alex Richter so that's something. Glenn and Abdelkarim come from DMACC which has a decent track record of producing NSIC contributors, most recently Jadan Graves for Augie. Kaleb Mitchell's lack of production at Adams State, a traditionally horrible RMAC program, is weak and you shouldn't be selling it.
              To be perfectly honest, if anyone was buying what I'm selling here I've also got some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you...

              Comment


              • #8
                I am high on the Mustangs. i like then solidly in Tier 2 as well, should challenge for a regional bid

                Comment

                Ad3

                Collapse
                Working...
                X