Quick reviews and way too early previews: Alma

Last Season:  9-16,  5-9  6th place

win that made you raise an eyebrow:  either win against Adrian
loss that made you raise an eyebrow:  either loss to Olivet

Seniors:  Cory Schneider, Tommy Erickson

Alma had finished at the bottom of the MIAA standings 4 out of the last 5 seasons.  This was Alma's highest league finish since tying for 5th in 2005.   First year coach Sam Hargraves might have the Scots moving in a positive direction for the first time in a long time.  Like their coach was during his playing days the Scots were not shy about shooting threes.  One out of every 2.6 shots the Scots hoisted up this year was a three ball.


The season itself was kind of meh until a mid-January upset of league challenger Adrian, before that Alma was just 4-11.  Those four wins over small college strugglers UM-Dearborn, Kuyper, IU-Northwest and Finlandia.  But the win over Adrian propelled them to finish out 2012 with 6 wins in their last 11.  Included in those 5 losses were 4 games with margins of 4, 2, 2 and a 1 point loss in OT.

2012-2013

Key Returnees:  Greg Silverthorn, Brandon Krause, Chris Williamson,  Sean Clancy, Lance Jongekrig, Tyler DeLap, Dustin DeShais, Brian Sheridan, Kyle Aho


Alma graduates two big pieces of last years team in Schneider and Erickson.  Neither will be easy to replace.  Hargraves played a lot of players last season, with 11 total players racking up double-digit minutes so the Scots will not be lacking in game experience.   If the Alma roster is accurate, nine Scots will be seniors next season.  For the first time in awhile there feels like there's some stability in the coaches seat and that can count for a lot, definitely a more positive vibe from the North these days.

The Scots played enough close competitive games for me to believe that's how things are probably going to be under Sam Hargraves.   Eleven of their 16 losses were by single digits.   They were better offensively for sure but the defense still has a long way to go to compete with the best teams in this league.  Alma might be a better team next year but I'm not sure their league record will show that.  Everyone above them should also be better and they won't have the luxury of sneaking up on some teams.

Depending on the non-conference schedule I can see a similar overall record, but I think it might end up being a little tough to duplicate winning 5 league games.

Range of finish:  5th, 6th or 7th, most likely 6th