(04-13-2017 10:30 AM)AZcats Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 11:26 PM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(04-12-2017 07:42 PM)AZcats Wrote:  

Quote:I think it's too soon to approach Southern Naz, NWOSU or OBU. Or any of the other former Sooner Conference teams. The ones suffering are still holding out hope for success, and the successful ones are still riding the coattails of their NAIA success (Lubbock) to know how they'll REALLY do in D2.

I don't think Lubbock Christian is riding any coattails of NAIA success after winning a D2 national title in their first year. Most of the players on that team were recruited after LCU began the reclassifying.

Not true. Look at their stats for 2015-16:
http://lcuchaps.com/cumestats.aspx?path=...&year=2015
and the roster for the Chaps in 2011-12:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Te...1&team=222

Key upperclassmen, and the year they first appeared on the roster:
Hampton: 2012-13
Bruffey: 2014-15
Hoppel: 2012-13
Fowler: 2013-14
Schnieder: 2015-16 - SR - Texas Tech
Taylor: 2012-13

Lubbock's last year in the NAIA was 2012-13, meaning these players were all signed before their D2 application was approved, probably before they even submitted their application, and under NAIA rules. They redshirted those young players so that they'd still be eligible in their first year of D2 post season eligibility. And it's not like there wasn't a history: Gomez had been coach there for 10 years as an NAIA school, and made 10 consecutive trips to the national tournament including several deep runs, and a final four in 2012. Look at their schedules from before their transition. That was already a dang good team.

Azusa Pacific's men's basketball used exactly the same strategy. They had some great young recruits that they red shirted to save their eligibility. In their first year of post season eligibility, they made the Elite 8 with starters who were 4 NAIA recruits and a GREAT shooter who transferred from UCSB for his senior year.

Thanks. I may be wrong but the evidence you presented proves my statement to be true.