Valley Freshmen

[tornado]

Updated ....

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg in 29.5 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 27.9 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 9.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg in 25.3 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 7.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 50% from 3-pt shooting in 17.8 minutes per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 6.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, in 19.9 min per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg in 20.8 minutes per game
Taylor Bruninga (ISU) 5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 22.2 min per game
Noah Thomas (Drake) 4.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg on 14.2 minutes per game
Ryan Stipanovich 3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 53.8% on 3-pt shooting in just 10.8 min per game

[tornado]

Updated ....

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg in 29.2 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 27.4 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 24.6 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50% from 3-pt shooting in 17.9 minutes per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg in 22.0 minutes per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, in 19.5 min per game
(ISU players not included as it seems to provoke irrational meltdowns)
Jalen Gibbs (Drake)4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 11.9 min per game
Noah Thomas (Drake) 4.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg on 13.3 minutes per game
Ryan Stipanovich 3.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 53.3% on 3-pt shooting in just 10.3 min per game

[Dub]

Updated ....

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg in 29.2 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 27.4 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 24.6 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50% from 3-pt shooting in 17.9 minutes per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg in 22.0 minutes per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, in 19.5 min per game
(ISU players not included as it seems to provoke irrational meltdowns)
Jalen Gibbs (Drake)4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 11.9 min per game
Noah Thomas (Drake) 4.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg on 13.3 minutes per game
Ryan Stipanovich 3.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 53.3% on 3-pt shooting in just 10.3 min per game

T- thank you for being more sensitive.

[egib52]

Updated ....

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg in 29.2 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 27.4 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 24.6 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50% from 3-pt shooting in 17.9 minutes per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg in 22.0 minutes per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, in 19.5 min per game
(ISU players not included as it seems to provoke irrational meltdowns)
Jalen Gibbs (Drake)4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 11.9 min per game
Noah Thomas (Drake) 4.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg on 13.3 minutes per game
Ryan Stipanovich 3.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 53.3% on 3-pt shooting in just 10.3 min per game

LOL...facts often get in the way of a good story.

[Da Coach]

Note that Bradley did not have a single senior on last year's team. Here was the roster from 2016-17-

http://www.bubraves.com/roster.aspx?roster=594&path=mbball

So to have a couple outstanding freshmen this year is a credit to our coaches for their recruiting. We'll have at least 1 player on the All-Freshman team in February. I had heard very early in the season last year that the coaches knew that 2 players would be leaving (Merritt & Foster), so they were able to land 2 quality early commitments to replace them (Stipanovich & Childs). So contrary to some uninformed claims, they did not force anyone out or refuse to renew anyone's scholarship.
But to land the guys they did when there were no seniors, that was terrific. I think they'll do well again this year.

[tornado]

Just the top Valley freshmen...we are now more than 1/2 way thru the season

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 9.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg in 30.3 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 26.9 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 24.2 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 18.4 minutes per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg in 22.6 minutes per game
Taylor Bruninga (ISU) 5.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg in 21.6 min per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, in 19.5 min per game

[Stryker]

Just the top Valley freshmen...we are now more than 1/2 way thru the season

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 9.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg in 30.3 minutes per game
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg in 26.9 minutes per game
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 24.2 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 18.4 minutes per game
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg in 22.6 minutes per game
Taylor Bruninga (ISU) 5.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg in 21.6 min per game
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg, in 19.5 min per game

Not sure how to post this and I am on mobile, but I put together a quick table comparing 40 minute averages. Childs leads at 17.6 ppg / 12.8 rpg followed by Krutwig (14.4/9., Pickford (12.8/12.0), and Key (12.3/5.7). The others are a ways behind on the 40 min avg.

[tornado]

of course we all know a player's value to his team is sometimes a whole lot more than just scoring...

here's an example - Indiana State has a freshman Clayton Hughes...
Hughes didn't play much early on - rarely ever getting even 10 minutes in a game...so his season stats are unimpressive -

BUT - now he's worked his way into the starting lineup and has started the last five games and over that span is averaging..
29 minutes per game, hitting 12-25, 5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 steals
..and the Sycamores who were 5-7 in the non-conference, have now gone 3-2 in MVC play....so he seems to have gained a little in the eyes of Coach Lansing.
In last night's win over UNI, starter Qiydar Davis was ill and did not play & Hughes picked up the slack - going 33 minutes, 8 pts, 3 asst - perhaps his best game yet.

[Da Coach]

I was impressed with Clayton Hughes watching Indiana State's last couple games. He is still a skinny kid, but he handles the ball well for a 6'6" guard, and shoots it well. He is a left handed kid from Tennessee, via Hargrave Military Academy prep school who passes well, too. I think he and fellow Indiana State freshman from Tennessee Tyreke Key will be a good players for them the next 3?? years.

http://gosycamores.com/news/2017/4/28/sycamore-basketball-adds-clayton-hughes-to-roster.aspx?path=mbball

[tornado]

tonight will mark the midpoint of the MVC season and we will be either 5-4 or 4-5 - maybe a little of a disappointment, as I had hoped for a little better..
Most others had us picked 6-7th and the official MVC Preseason Poll had us 7th.

BUT- freshmen aren't really freshmen any more this time of year, as most who might be in contention for All Freshman Team have played a lot of minutes, are getting quite experienced, and are getting better all the time.
So - I am going to trim my list of MVC Freshmen to just those who have demonstrated they are in the running for All Freshman Team - players who play a lot, moving UP the playing rotation, performing well & consistently and are improving as we all hope freshmen should!


Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 10.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg in 31.2 minutes per game (.281 3-pt shooting in 96 attempts)
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg in 27.7 minutes per game (.300 3-pt shooting in 50 attempts)
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 9.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg in 24.4 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 19.3 minutes per game (.333 3-pt shooting in 15 attempts)
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg in 22.1 minutes per game (.467 3-pt shooting in 45 attempts)
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, in 18.8 min per game (.419 3-pt shooting in 43 attempts)
Ryan Stipanovich 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg in 10.4 minutes per game (.474 3-pt shooting on 19 attempts and perfect 12-12 on FTs + 14 steals)

[Da Coach]

...
So - I am going to trim my list of MVC Freshmen to just those who have demonstrated they are in the running for All Freshman Team...

Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 10.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg in 31.2 minutes per game (.281 3-pt shooting in 96 attempts)
Tyreke Key (InSU) 8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg in 27.7 minutes per game (.300 3-pt shooting in 50 attempts)
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) 9.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg in 24.4 minutes per game
Elijah Childs 8.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 19.3 minutes per game (.333 3-pt shooting in 15 attempts)
Lucas Williamson (Loyola) 5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg in 22.1 minutes per game (.467 3-pt shooting in 45 attempts)
Noah Frederking (Evansville) 5.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, in 18.8 min per game (.419 3-pt shooting in 43 attempts)
Ryan Stipanovich 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg in 10.4 minutes per game (.474 3-pt shooting on 19 attempts and perfect 12-12 on FTs + 14 steals)

I think UNI's Tywhon Pickford is probably the leading candidate as of now, but with UNI languishing in last place all year, that might hurt his chances a little. On the other hand, because UNI doesn't have much depth, he will end up being the only contender for FOY who will start every game of the season, and he will play way more minutes than any other MVC freshman. That will help him accumulate more impressive looking stats.

Incidentally, Tywhon Pickford was not very highly recruited. And to show that there are still occasionally some good recruits available late, he did not commit to UNI until April 25, 2017, very late in the recruiting cycle, and well after most schools had filled all their scholarships.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/uni-panthers/2017/04/25/uni-lands-shooting-guard-tywhon-pickford-2017/306426001/

As of now, the only other freshman that appears to have an outside chance at FOY, IMO, is Krutwig. He has become a regular starter, and has played a key role in Loyola's success this season. They are tied for 1st in the MVC with a 6-2 record, their 16-4 overall record is the best among MVC teams, and their RPI of 63 is the best in the MVC. They have emerged as perhaps the only MVC team with a longshot chance at an NCAA at-large bid.

I also think the top 4 on your list have separated themselves as the top 4 freshmen, and unless something changes, they look like they will be on the MVC All Freshman team.
Lucas Williamson of Loyola appears to be the best bet among the rest to be on the All Freshman team, since he has been a part-time starter, plays significantly more minutes, and contributes more to his team's success.
Stipanovich and Frederking look like they have nice futures in the MVC, but haven't gotten enough playing time to put up numbers to get much consideration for the All Freshman team.

[tornado]

..... Loyola... They have emerged as perhaps the only MVC team with a longshot chance at an NCAA at-large bid.......

ya really think that? Loyola has a non-conference Strength of Schedule of 313
..and an overall SOS of 195 and those numbers are NOT gonna change much from here on out.
Has any team in history ever gotten an at-large bid with a SOS even half that out of a non-BCS conference?
ISU was 17-1 in the MVC last year and it was their SOS of 112 and non-conference SOS of 126 that was still weak enough to deny them a bid.

[Da Coach]

ya really think that? Loyola has a non-conference Strength of Schedule of 313
..and an overall SOS of 195 and those numbers are NOT gonna change much from here on out.
Has any team in history ever gotten an at-large bid with a SOS even half that out of a non-BCS conference?
ISU was 17-1 in the MVC last year and it was their SOS of 112 and non-conference SOS of 126 that was still weak enough to deny them a bid.

Note that I clearly said it was a longshot. If they keep winning, their RPI will drop into the 50's and probably into the 40's if they run the table until the MVC Championship game.
Their projected overall SOS is 134, and plenty of at-large teams in the past have gotten bids with overall SOS in that range.
And their projected OOC SOS is predicted to drop to 282. Plus they have the best non-conference win of any MVC team. They are the only MVC team with a win over a top 25 RPI team (Florida- currently RPI 25).
Projections: http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Loyola%20Chicago.html

As I said, I doubt it could happen, but there have been at-large teams with similar resumes in the past.
The RPI takes the SOS into account, so we'll look at RPI's for al-large teams in the past-
Example:
VCU got an at-large bid in 2011 when they were still in the Colonial Athletic Association (a mid-major conference equivalent to the MVC) with an RPI of 49. Plus they had a bad loss to a 223 RPI team (Georgia Southern).
And VCU's RPI was 78 at this same point in January, 2011, and as late as mid-February of that year it was still 66, which is worse than where Loyola is now (RPI 63).
Clemson also got a bid in 2011 with an RPI of 66!

[tornado]

Example:
VCU got an at-large bid in 2011

VCU's SOS that year wasn't even close to 100 slots as bad as Loyola's is gonna be..and Clemson isn't a midmajor - the big conferences have the system jobbed and get bids when we all know midmajors wouldn't

[Da Coach]

The old RPI has fallen out of favor by the NCAA because "it's an arbitrary formula that mashes together a team’s winning percentage with those of its opponents (and opponents’ opponents), and as a result, it amplifies the importance of a strong schedule at the expense of everything else."

As a result, the NCAA Selection Committee has already announced it intends to use several "advanced metrics" that do much more to correct for teams' Strength Of Schedule, and as a result the NCAA now puts little or no weight on SOS-

The NCAA Is Modernizing The Way It Picks March Madness Teams
For 40 years, the selection process relied way too much on strength of schedule. Now the league is ready to rethink that system.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-ncaa-is-modernizing-the-way-it-picks-march-madness-teams/