Reading and then writing about Charlie Spoonhour had me reminiscing about the earlier years of our NCAA tournament stat league, which was founded in 1989. I had drafted H. Waldman in a late round in 1994, but the Billikens were one-and-done that year and H was hardly a factor. But it was the next season that St. Louis proved that players from mid majors that win a game or two tend to have a great influence on the standings of our league. The Billikens were seeded 9th against Minnesota and they dispatced the Gophers 64-61 to advance to round two. They then battled top seeded Wake Forest, who were led by Randolph Childress and Tim Duncan, before losing 64-59.
Three St. Louis players, Erwin Claggett, Scott Highmark and Waldman were drafted that season. Claggett went in round five to the team co-owned by C.J. and Marty. His 28 points helped them finish fourth and collect some money. Frank then drafted Highmark in round 7 and he ended up the leading scorer for St. Louis with 40 total including 22 in round two. With the two leading scorers off the board Jim then jumped on Waldman, who only scored 13.
There are plenty of lessons to be learned from that small sample size. For one, when mid major teams are balanced there is usually value with the second leading scorer. There was not much separating Claggett and Higmark, yet Claggett went two full rounds ahead of him. He also drew athletic guards defending him while Highmark was also out on the perimeter but against a forward who may not have been as comfortable. Frank, buoyed by Highmark's 40, finished 3rd. Jim, who drafted Waldman too soon as he was not as good as Highmark, finished last.
So, draft players from the mid majors--but always look for value.
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