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Monday, November 07, 2005
One guy's opinions
Chris Dortch, editor of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, was kind enough to send along a snapshot of how his publication views the Patriot League.

Chris said it was OK for us to post this, but if you want to read the rest of what they have to say about the league's teams, you'll have to buy the book (or borrow the one Chris is sending us in exchange for the link).

PATRIOT LEAGUE

BLUE RIBBON FORECAST
1. Bucknell
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. American
6. Navy
7. Army
8. Lafayette

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
G-Kevin Hamilton, SR, Holy Cross
G-Keith Simmons, JR, Holy Cross
G-Andre Ingram, JR, American
G-Charles Lee, SR, Bucknell
C-Chris McNaughton, JR, Bucknell

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Hamilton, SR, Holy Cross

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Derrick Mercer, FR, American

2004-05 CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
March 3-5, At homecourt of first place team
March 10, Championship game at highest remaining seed

2004-05 CHAMPIONS
Holy Cross (Regular season)
Bucknell (Conference tournament)

2004-05 POSTSEASON PARTICIPANTS
Postseason record: 2-2 (.500)

NCAA
Bucknell (Second round)

NIT
Holy Cross (Second round)

TOP BACKCOURTS
1. Bucknell
2. Holy Cross
3. American

TOP FRONTCOURTS
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Lehigh

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2004-05 Conference RPI: 22nd (of 32)
Conference RPI (last five years): 23-27-26-26-22
We have a hard time seeing how untested Marc Daniels and a guy who sat out last year, Kendall Chones, makes for a better frontcourt than Chris McNaughton and Bucknell's three-headed monster at the four spot, especially when you factor in the depth Bucknell has and the fact that John Clark might return by conference play, while Alex Woodhouse will not.

We also have a tough time seeing Lehigh ahead of Holy Cross up front. Would anyone seriously consider a Tim Clifford for Jason Mgebroff trade? And the four spot for Lehigh is anything but solid with Earl Nurse gone. For that matter, we are not sold on Colgate being better up front than the Crusaders, either.

We also are not sold on Army finishing ahead of Lafayette, but then stranger things have happened. Just ask Kansas.

Anyhow, if you want to order a copy of the book, just visit their Web site.

By the way, while we are handing out plugs, we call your attention to a new link on the right side of the site. If you have been reading Hoop Time for a while, Ken Pomeroy's site is not new to you. We link to Ken's RPI ratings on a regular basis.

But you might also want to check out Ken's blog, which is always an interesting read.

Ken says he is amazed there are two Patriot League blogs out there. We are amazed there are math majors that understand hoops as well as him.
Published at 10:12 AM by Hoop Time.
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