[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic Sun Conference

nemolee.exe · August 28

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The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports.

Next conference is the Atlantic Sun Conference. A third-tier conference in it's own right, the conference actually found themselves at a net-zero gainage of teams this year. Losing Kennesaw State to the C-USA in their bout to join the C-USA, the conference gained another team seeking promotion to the next tier. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season.

12. Queens
NSNN Team Grade: 315
NSNN Average Grade: 28.64
Team Overall Rank: 352
NSNN Offensive Rank: 367
NSNN Defensive Rank: 271
Key Player: PF James Lacen

Queens is starting to get used to being placed into Division I play. Unfortunately for them, the Royals might need some more time to get used to Division I play, at least for the time being. Right now, they are the least in the Atlantic Sun. To make matters worse, they are sub-350 in Division I right now. Their offense is only better than three other teams in the league. However, at least their defense is top-300 in the league, so there is something that Queens can build upon. And signs are coming for a better future for this program; PF James Lacen has the best attributes out of any other player on the team, and he is only a sophomore, mainly on offense, so Queens can look to build around him for the future if they want any success in the Atlantic Sun.

11. Central Arkansas
NSNN Team Grade: 343.5
NSNN Average Grade: 28.63
Team Overall Rank: 269
NSNN Offensive Rank: 307
NSNN Defensive Rank: 209
Key Player: PF Ferdinand Jared

Our next team has some better luck, but no better. The Central Arkansas Bears have a top-300 team in the nation, but that is only good for 11th in the league. Just like our previous team, Queens, Central Arkansas is more defense-heavy with obvious struggles possible on the offense. The state of this team is not that great either, consisting of only 1-stars and 2-stars throughout. However, there is still hope, and that comes from the only over 3-star on the team. Ferdinand Jared was a standout out of Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, and leads in production not only on defense but stands to be the team's best shooter. Even so, he can only carry the Bears so far. Expect any games in the conference against Central Arkansas to be fairly close, with good defense but immense offensive struggles.

10. Bellarmine
NSNN Team Grade: 345
NSNN Average Grade: 28.75
Team Overall Rank: 261
NSNN Offensive Rank: 252
NSNN Defensive Rank: 275
Key Player: PG Larry Tamborello

Another team that is getting used to time in Division I, the Bellarmine Knights, might be a worse team than their place in the standings states. They are ways down from a top 250 squad, and it seems they seem to be in the middle of the pack amongst the top 200 teams this year. This is not just on overall, but also on offense and defense -- although their defense is closer to the bottom in that regard. This also makes them the first team in the conference with a better offense rank than defense, and there is one reason why. Their newest addition, Larry Tamborello, out of Smackover High School in Smackover, Arkansas. Although he struggled in the paint last year, he seems to be excellent at midrange and the 3-point line, which could spell relief for Bellarmine.

9. Eastern Kentucky
NSNN Team Grade: 349
NSNN Average Grade: 29.08
Team Overall Rank: 248
NSNN Offensive Rank: 206
NSNN Defensive Rank: 319
Key Player: PF Ronald Mosley

Our first team that cracks the top 250, we get a fresh look at the Eastern Kentucky Squad. This year looks to be up for the Eastern Kentucky Squad, and they might have a team to prove it. It might be more complex than it seems for the Colonels, however. Although they have an average offense, their defense is at a sub-300 ranking. Hence, Eastern Kentucky finds itself in a bottom-half spot in the conference. However, it seems the future is looking bright for the Colonels. Although the rest of the team is situated with 1-star recruits, they did pick up a pair of 3-star players. Ronald Mosley, out of Ardmore High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma, was stellar in the interior and the best defender alongside Raymond Burton, while Belgium native Edmund Sparenberg looks like the best shooter for the Colonels this year.

8. Lipscomb
NSNN Team Grade: 354.5
NSNN Average Grade: 29.54
Team Overall Rank: 232
NSNN Offensive Rank: 180
NSNN Defensive Rank: 282
Key Player: SG Todd Williams

Continuing with the trend of offense-heavy teams, the Lipscomb Bison are the first to have a top-200 offense. However, this team looks to be in worse shape than their composition suggests. They might be okay on offense, but their defense is what they lack for the Bison. They look to be inconsistent this year, and, what's more, they rank #282 in the country. Although it seems they are better on the perimeter, expect teams to attack them on the paint. But this team brings in a group of 3-stars to help lighten the load. This is all headline by Todd Williams, who hails from Anacostia High School in Washington DC, who is by far and significantly the biggest offensive threat available for the Bison.

7. Stetson
NSNN Team Grade: 355.5
NSNN Average Grade: 29.63
Team Overall Rank: 230
NSNN Offensive Rank: 234
NSNN Defensive Rank: 218
Key Player: SF Ray Arguelles

Not that far behind Lipscomb is Stetson. And at the moment, it looks like it is time for a renewal of play for the Hatters this season. On paper, it might not seem like it, but where they are, it is definitely good for around 7th in the conference for the Hatters. Stetson only ranks #230 in the country and is a bit worse on offense, but in a conference such as this, #218 on defense is nothing worth not bragging about. What's more, they have a freshmen class. With no other playmakers, Stetson is sure they bolstered up their team for the future. This all is headlined by Ray Arguelles, a newcomer from Chile, who has shown prowess in shooting, rebounding, and -- in some ways -- defense. Stetson might not be on top of the ASUN this year, but that can change come next.

6. North Florida
NSNN Team Grade: 356
NSNN Average Grade: 29.67
Team Overall Rank: 229
NSNN Offensive Rank: 195
NSNN Defensive Rank: 244
Key Player: SG Robert Nichols

This year, North Florida is close to its interconference rivals in the overall rankings, ranking #229, which puts it in contention for the sixth-best team in the conference. Unfortunately for them, however, it does not feel like that. However, the silver lining for the Owls is that they have a top-200 offense, ranking #195 in the nation. The defense is holding back from a top-200 ranking overall, ranking in the top 250, but at #244, which is less than ideal. But there is some hope that they can improve from a defensive standpoint. Their best player, Robert Nichols, hailing from American Samoa, is one of the top defenders on the team, which also includes his excellent shooting skills sans the paint. They don't look like a team that will make it far but expect Owl fans to be pleasantly surprised with their style of play.

5. North Alabama
NSNN Team Grade: 383
NSNN Average Grade: 29.46
Team Overall Rank: 193
NSNN Offensive Rank: 203
NSNN Defensive Rank: 171
Key Player: PG Eddie Peniche

Now, this is a bit of a surprise. Coming in at 5th in the conference is the North Alabama Lions. And what's more, the Lions are the first team in the top 200, ranking at #193 in the country. While this is a feat, their offense is not as impressive. They rank only 203rd in the country, but their defense carries the slack that North Alabama technically misses -- with the 171st-ranked defense propelling them to this spot. As a recurring theme at this conference, this team will be carried by their freshmen. Eddie Peniche, out of Ruston High School in Ruston, Louisiana, looks to be the best player on the North Alabama roster, while Joseph French, out of John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota, and Alex Hean from Puerto Rico, will make a bulk of the Lions' defense for the upcoming year.

4. Austin Peay
NSNN Team Grade: 383.5
NSNN Average Grade: 31.96
Team Overall Rank: 192
NSNN Offensive Rank: 191
NSNN Defensive Rank: 272
Key Player: SF James Beasley

It was close for the 4th-5th spots, but Austin Peay edges out for the top space. Although they are significantly worse on defense -- 272nd in Division I - the Governers have the edge on offense -- 191st in Division I -- enough to get them one rank over -- both on the overall standings and here in the Atlantic Sun rankings. One of these players that factor into the offensive edge is James Beasley, who is a deadeye sharpshooter from beyond the 3-point line. Also, something to look out for is their freshmen core. Reynaldo Espinoza, out of John McDonogh High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a volume shooter already. Raymond Ballard from Turkey is a 3-point deadeye who can learn much from Beasley. Also, look forward to Johnathan Tilley, who is out of Myrtle Beach High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, improving on his craft in the near and upcoming future.

3. West Georgia
NSNN Team Grade: 529.5
NSNN Average Grade: 40.73
Team Overall Rank: 145
NSNN Offensive Rank: 75
NSNN Defensive Rank: 116
Key Player: SG Carter Rollins

We are introduced to the first newcomer of the entire Division I atmosphere, and all shocks and surprises are far up in these rankings. The West Georgia Wolves find themselves in, for their first year in Division I, at third in the Atlantic Sun in terms of talent, and they won't want it any other way for the time being. Not only do they rank an impressive #145 in all of Division I, but they also rank in the top 100 in the offense -- 75th and have their defense situated at #116 in the country. The reason? A star shooter in Carter Rollins, who saw himself become the #1 scorer in Division II last year. However, I look forward to Michael Goin's out of Davis Senior High School in Davis, California, to get some quality starter time and take the mantle for the West Georgia Wolves.

2. FGCU
NSNN Team Grade: 615.5
NSNN Average Grade: 47.35
Team Overall Rank: 52
NSNN Offensive Rank: 144
NSNN Defensive Rank: 19
Key Player: C Frances Daly

With a considerable jump in the standings, the FGCU Eagles sit comfortably as 2nd in the ASUN conference. It comes as no surprise that they see themselves in this position, also given the fact that the team is also a top-100 team in the division as of current. This team sits 52nd in the nation, and while their 144th-ranked offense won't tell the story, their defense has reached the top 25 this year. With many key defensive talents on the roster, this is good enough to bring them up to 19th in Division I. The defensive tandem is headlined by juniors Frances Daly and Jason Anderson, sophomore John Garrett, and redshirt senior Jasper Milam -- with redshirt juniors Rocky Werner and Willy Overby waiting in the wings. Also, the team can count on all-around shooter Rusty Tobias to help this FGCU squad with the offense.

1. Jacksonville
NSNN Team Grade: 715.5
NSNN Average Grade: 55.04
Team Overall Rank: 18
NSNN Offensive Rank: 18
NSNN Defensive Rank: 48
Key Player: C Frances Daly

It should be clear, far and wide, that the Jacksonville Dolphins are slated as the best team in the Atlantic Sun. Once again, @Ricky Campbell's clever mind has helped the team play to the highest of their ability, and it shows. The team might be from a small school in a minor conference, but they see themselves again in the top 25, both overall and on offense, at 18th in the nation. Their defense should not be overlooked either, ranking 48th in Division I. James Levin, an all-around offensive threat, headlines this team. Best of all for the Dolphins, he's only a redshirt sophomore. Also, the Dolphins landed a pair of 5-stars in recruiting -- Jeff Ferreira from Portugal and Ed Monix out of Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida -- to further bring that spark to Jacksonville. Expect the Jacksonville Dolphins to win yet another Atlantic Sun championship.

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[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic Sun Conference

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