There is a lot of young talent in this league

by **STL MVC** » June 20th, 2011, 6:35 pm

For all the talk about how much better Drake and Evansville will be with their young guards (and FWIW I agree with that), we're forgetting about guys like Anthony James and Dyricus Simms-Edwards. Those two are stars in the making... every bit as good as Rice and Ryan.

The only team it's hard to make a case for is Southern Illinois. Everyone else has reason for optimism. I'll be interested to see which underclassmen take that next step toward star status.

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by **valleychamp** » June 20th, 2011, 7:47 pm

I agree. It certainly does seem that way, and it is time that we, as a conference, prove that this talent is legit and get back to being a 2-3 bid league.

by **beatingrillz** » June 21st, 2011, 10:46 am

Anthony James is a third tier player compared to the all the other young talent.

by **valleychamp** » June 21st, 2011, 10:59 am

Didn't look like a 3rd tier player when he was slicing through the defense at will in Springfield last year.

by **beatingrillz** » June 21st, 2011, 11:15 am

You think he belongs with the likes of McD, Rice, DSE, and ODum? Top 2 Mcd and Odum, 2nd tier Rice and DSE, who would you replace?

by **valleychamp** » June 21st, 2011, 11:27 am

He absolutely belongs with those guys. He's probably going to be a top 5 scorer next year. He's probably going to be in the top 5-7 in FG percentage (he's 6 ft tall). He is a great defender, and an amazing rebounder for his size.

He certainly is a better player than Simms-Edwards.

by **45otseoj** » June 21st, 2011, 11:32 am

Yes, James belongs in that discussion.
No, he isn't as good as Simms-Edwards.

by **valleychamp** » June 21st, 2011, 12:37 pm

James: 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .7 ast, 1 stl, 50% FG, 41% 3P, 80% FT

DSI: 10.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.5 ast, .9 stl, 43% FG, 28% 3P, 73% FT

Fairly even statistically, with James having a slight edge in most categories, and a significant edge in all the shooting percentages. I do believe that James is the better defender and more of a "game changer". But, obviously, that cannot be measured and is my opinion.

by **TylerDurden** » June 21st, 2011, 1:49 pm

valleychamp wrote:James: 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .7 ast, 1 stl, 50% FG, 41% 3P, 80% FT

DSI: 10.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.5 ast, .9 stl, 43% FG, 28% 3P, 73% FT

Fairly even statistically, with James having a slight edge in most categories, and a significant edge in all the shooting percentages. I do believe that James is the better defender and more of a "game changer". But, obviously, that cannot be measured and is my opinion.

The stats don't exactly tell the story here.

These guys had vastly different roles for their teams. James was asked to run around and shoot. DSE was forced to run the team in place of an all-conference PG.

It's a lot different shooting the ball when your primary role is to run an offense than when your only task is to shoot.

I'll be interested to see what sort of impact the departure of Kwadzo has on James' percentages.

by **45otseoj** » June 21st, 2011, 8:05 pm

Simms-Edwards was the best guard in the conference the last few weeks.
If he continues on that tear, he will 1st Team All-Valley. Book it.