(03-13-2018 01:12 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(03-13-2018 01:27 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  Cal Baptist's top player is a senior. In fact, four of their top seven players have exhausted their eligibility this season. So, unless Croy has some other good players ready to fill his coffer next season, I see a significant drop in their ability to compete; especially with them now playing an improving WAC. However, Croy appears to be a good coach so he should have CBU moving in the right direction in no time.

CBU's top player, Kalidou Diouf, is graduating. I am not sure I would say four of the top seven are leaving. Jordan Heading, their 2nd leading scorer and team leader in assists and steals returns next season along with sophomore starter Bul Kuol. True freshman Ty Rowell had 11 points in last night's game off the bench. They will be fine.

Rick Croy is an excellent coach. The guy is 132-28 in his five seasons at CBU. He was the lead assistant for Randy Bennett at St. Mary's before he took the CBU job. Like Bennett, he has a pipeline to Australia that has worked well and he has done well recruiting in Canada. Croy, like Bennett, is a terrific teacher of the game and his players are fundamentally sound and improve each year.

I agree that the Lancers are going to do well as they transition to D1. They will not be WAC bottom dwellers next year and after a few years they should be moving to the upper tier of the conference. Jordan Heading is a great player. He played with my son in high school before transferring back to Australia for his senior year. He will be one to watch next year.