Previewing the previews: Athlon

Yesterday we looked at Lindy’s, the Athlon projections are a little lighter in substance, but also in general match up a bit better with the general consensus.

Athlon is a magazine devoted to the major conference schools. If you want big shiny previews of Northwestern or Rutgers this is one you should pick up. The mid-majors do get some love. There’s a lot of coverage of the Atlantic 10 and the lists of coaches are favorable to the mids as well. In fact Dan Hurley (#1) and Jim Ferry (#6) show up in the Top New Coaches in 2012-13. Steve Masiello also made the list of Five Best First-Year Coaches in 2011-12.

In terms of substance that’s about it. So let’s break down the conference predictions. There’s no real howlers in here, but I’ll have comments about a few of the projections.

America East: Stony Brook picked 2nd, Tommy Brenton on 1st team and Player of the Year

Atlantic 10: Fordham picked 13th

Athlon only does a First Team for most conferences, so Chris Gaston isn’t on the all-conference team, but he does get a shout out in Fordham’s preview. That blurb also includes this gem, “There aren’t many programs in the country that would award a contract extension to a coach who’s won four conference games in two years. Welcome to Fordham.” The fact that it goes on to speak of the strong job Tom Pecora is doing in rebuilding Fordham shows just how far this program has come and has to go. The most interesting thing about Fordham being picked 13th is that it is just one spot away from the conference tournament. Finishing 13th would have to be considered a successful outcome, especially considering some of the talented newcomers on their way in.

CAA: Hofstra picked 6th

If you remember the Pride were picked 11th in Lindy’s by Brian Mull. Here Athlon is counting on a number of key transfers to deliver immediately in order for Hofstra to be successful. That’s a tough bet to make considering the history of down transfers. Read more about it in Basketball Prospectus.

Ivy League: Columbia picked 5th, Brian Barbour on 1st team

This is basically the worst case scenario for the Lions. I think this season is considered a failure if they don’t crack the top half of the conference. Returning all five starters makes this a season where results have to start showing up.

MAAC: Manhattan picked 2nd, Iona picked 5th, George Beamon and Momo Jones on 1st team

NEC: LIU Brooklyn picked 1st, Wagner picked 3rd, St. Francis (NY) picked 5th, Julian Boyd and Jamal Olasewere on 1st team, Boyd – Player of the Year

Finally, it’s worth noting that Manhattan recruit C.J. Jones shows up in Athlon’s Next 200, which is recruits No. 101-300 nationally.