clark1a

Yep. Especially the first two.

WH

DB, I thought Theus should have been all-league defense last year, too. I gave him the edge because of all the minutes he plays. If Weber plays a lot more this season, he could end up on the list. Perhaps both players will.

I watched VCU play its final two CAA tourney games and both NCAA games. I was impressed with how Theus always kept his guy in front of him. Just really smart with his positional defense.

DistrictBaller

A lot of us thought that Theus would have made all-defense too, but he didn't. Together with Briante Weber, they formed the most potent duo in the country at grabbing steals (148 between the two, 71 for Theus and 77 for Briante).

Theus is a very fundamentally sound player and had some experience being coached up on how to play position defense and play defense by moving his feet instead of using his hands. Weber is a bundle of energy who is more undisciplined and rough around the edges, but he possesses a quickness and gear that Darius doesn't have. They are both excellent defensive players, but as Jay Bilas noted as the year progressed several times before making those compliments of the highest praise in March, Briante's upside as a defensive player is absolutely off the charts.

Our defense became exponentially better last year in large part because of what Briante Weber and Theus brought with their on-the ball defense. We had Buzz Peterson (Michael Jordan's college roommate at UNC) at UNCW actually admit during post-game that he instructed his players not to bring the ball up the court if #10 (Theus)or #2 (Weber) were guarding them. The Rams forced a school record 20 steals and 28 turnovers that night:

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"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

JHG722

Guess you missed the news, chief, he's not suspended at all.

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Temple Owls football and basketball

BU Terriers hockey

Knobby

Get off of WH's back everyone. Even though he is a Umass fan first, he is by far the most unbiased when it comes to this ranking stuff.

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Well, we were smaller, but at least we were slower!

PVP

I don't buy Wyatt as a POY candidate. He is a nice secondary guy.

JHG - What's the word on Scottie Randall's health? To me if he is back to full health then Temple is going to be a top 3 team in this league AGAIN. If healthy I would take him over Wyatt any day.

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2005 Regular Season Locks of the Day Champion
2007-08 A10 Regular Season Contest Champion

rusty X

As a Xavier fan, these forecasts are giving me a bad feeling. Getting no one on the first team - even after the long record of success - is not an issue since it happens every year. But not having anyone make any preseason team or be listed as a top five in any position, that is unusual.

I guess everyone should get their licks in this year, because it is going to be a one time event.

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If you are going to have sex with an animal, make sure it is a horse. That way, if it does not work out, you always have a ride home. So sayeth Willie Nelson.

WH

Knobby, I am like a duck. It all rolls right off my back.

Quack, quack!

vcurams05

I thought Chaz Williams was the shoe-in for Preaseason POY?

SpiderDave19

I wouldn't say shoo-in, but he's the only returning 1st Team All-A10 player. I'd be mildly surprised if he isn't. Certainly a few others deserving consideration.

Knobby

I can get on board with Wyatt. But this whole presesaon award thing is one of the dumbest concepts out there. "He you go - here is your trophy for being the best player in the conference even though nobody has played one game yet....."

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Well, we were smaller, but at least we were slower!

Fastchuck

Just a nit-picky point, but how is Ramon Gallaway listed as the 3rd best shooting guard in the league absent from any of the all-league teams while 2 of the players he was rated ahead of at his position find a spot?

WH

I look at a player's overall game and effect on team performance. Galloway didnt quite make my cut, but he was one of five or six guys I left off my all-conference teams who easily could have been chosen. I won't be surprised in the least if he makes the official year-end list. He's just a very good player.

Jonathan Watters

I think Wyatt is criminally underrated on the national level and capable of carrying a successful A-10 squad. Not sure he's better than Chaz Williams, but I can definitely see it. Those two seem to be the only logical preseason contenders for A10 POY?

SpiderDave19

Neither is a realistic contender for National Player of the Year. Both are good contenders for A10 First team honors.