Post by Commissioner on Dec 5, 2021 21:11:18 GMT -5
So we've got a weekend of conference play under our belts.
Some of the more optimistic preseason publications actually thought the HL could be in competition for two bids this year. I didn't buy that, but I did think the Horizon would be considerably better and start a climb back up in the rankings. Not so--the non-conference season has been brutal for the HL.
Only Oakland has emerged with a winning record against non-conference D-1 competition, although YSU, CSU, and PFW could all join them. The Conference ranks a dismal 29th of 32 in RPI, though we'll almost certainly be a bit higher when the NCAA begins releasing NET rankings for this year (they wisely wait on that until the season is a few weeks in, which spares us the silliness of commentators harping on OU's #1 RPI--a fun little thing, but kind of like when you open your game by scoring the first bucket against Duke; btw, OU is now down to #16). Oakland has the only big upset, knocking off Oklahoma State on the road by a point. They've also got an impressive 21-point win over Toledo, and beat solid mid-majors in Delaware and Vermont on a neutral floor. Those 4 wins by OU are literally the only wins any HL team has over a D1 non-conference opponent with a winning record.
If you want to have goofy fun with early RPI numbers, note that--believe it or not--Detroit is #2 in the conference, currently at 172. CSU is third at #230. They have 4 wins, but two are over non-D1 competition and the other two at home over Canisius and Coppin State, which are a combined 2-17 on the year.
As bad as that is, the league has several individual performers ranked high in the national stats, and these performances can bring some positive attention to the league. The following players are in the top 25 nationally.
Points per Game:
5th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (22.5)
11th: Jamal Cain, Oakland (21.2)
Assists per Game:
4th: Jalen Moore, Oakland (6.9)
7th: Kevin Johnson, UIC (6.6)
Assist/Turnover Ratio:
11th: Lucas Steiber, Green Bay (4.3)
Rebounds per Game:
12th: Jamal Cain, Oakland (10.7)
Free Throw %:
5th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (96.6)
17th: Donovan Ivory, Green Bay (92.3)
3Pt FG per Game:
4th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (4.43)
Some of the more optimistic preseason publications actually thought the HL could be in competition for two bids this year. I didn't buy that, but I did think the Horizon would be considerably better and start a climb back up in the rankings. Not so--the non-conference season has been brutal for the HL.
Only Oakland has emerged with a winning record against non-conference D-1 competition, although YSU, CSU, and PFW could all join them. The Conference ranks a dismal 29th of 32 in RPI, though we'll almost certainly be a bit higher when the NCAA begins releasing NET rankings for this year (they wisely wait on that until the season is a few weeks in, which spares us the silliness of commentators harping on OU's #1 RPI--a fun little thing, but kind of like when you open your game by scoring the first bucket against Duke; btw, OU is now down to #16). Oakland has the only big upset, knocking off Oklahoma State on the road by a point. They've also got an impressive 21-point win over Toledo, and beat solid mid-majors in Delaware and Vermont on a neutral floor. Those 4 wins by OU are literally the only wins any HL team has over a D1 non-conference opponent with a winning record.
If you want to have goofy fun with early RPI numbers, note that--believe it or not--Detroit is #2 in the conference, currently at 172. CSU is third at #230. They have 4 wins, but two are over non-D1 competition and the other two at home over Canisius and Coppin State, which are a combined 2-17 on the year.
As bad as that is, the league has several individual performers ranked high in the national stats, and these performances can bring some positive attention to the league. The following players are in the top 25 nationally.
Points per Game:
5th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (22.5)
11th: Jamal Cain, Oakland (21.2)
Assists per Game:
4th: Jalen Moore, Oakland (6.9)
7th: Kevin Johnson, UIC (6.6)
Assist/Turnover Ratio:
11th: Lucas Steiber, Green Bay (4.3)
Rebounds per Game:
12th: Jamal Cain, Oakland (10.7)
Free Throw %:
5th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (96.6)
17th: Donovan Ivory, Green Bay (92.3)
3Pt FG per Game:
4th: Antoine Davis, Detroit (4.43)