Discuss them here.
We've done the mid-d and distance events for the remaining 5 power conferences (with MPSF filling in for Pac 12) plus the Ivy League.
I found this comment a bit ridiculous (from Big 12):
"LRC Comment #2: If this was our preview, we’d never pick Casey to win as we don’t college athletes acting like free agents and leaving for the highest bidder like he did at Montana State."
I mean, you can feel however you want to about athletes transferring, but really the reason you wouldn't pick someone to win in a preview is because you don't like their decision to transfer? Shouldn't you be predicting who will win by, I dunno, who you think has the best chance of winning?
The ACC one will probably end up being a bit off for not taking into account the usual strategy of doubling athletes.
Most years the top mid-distance guys in the conference double DMR-3k. The 5k-3k double is left to the pure distance guys who are less likely to be a factor in the 3k. The mile-3k double is pretty rarely attempted let alone pulled off successfully.
I'd bet that Hill does the DMR-3k double (winning both), Mulherin too, and possibly Forrester. That's the top 3 predicted for the mile (but I think none ran the mile last year?). Meanwhile guys like Hammond and Presson will probably just do the mile.
A big question is if Colley is healthy as if so he's definitely a podium threat in the 5k and 3k both. However, I think he'd have to run the 3k from the slow heat as he's posted no times for it this season. I think Porter of UVA also hasn't run any times this season (hurt?), so if he runs he'd be in the slow heat but last year I think that worked out well for him so we'll see.
Fout has only posted a time in the mile, so I guess he'll be running that (or else running the slow heat of the 3k/5k). I wouldn't be totally surprised to see FSU throw some rabbits in the slow heat of the 5k and try to get him to run 14 flat or so on his own and steal some points. UVA has had success with this before.
I think because of the DMR-3k double the mile will be a bit weak. predictions:
DMR:
1. NC State
2. Va Tech
3. UVA
4. FSU
5. Duke
This is Hill's race to lose. If he does his job the pack will have another dmr title.
5k:
1. Amirault
2. Curtin
3. Schellberg
4. McKormack
5. Atkinson
wild cards: Colley? Porter? Fout? Watch for possible slow heat tricks from FSU and/or UVA.
Mile:
1. Hammond
2. Presson
3+ ? I'm predicting 4 of the top 6 on the list don't run it. Should be an exciting race though.
3k:
1. Hill
2. Mulherin
3. Amirault (assuming he doubles, may just go 5k only)
4. Forrester
5. Schellberg
This should be a fun race to watch although Hill should not have any problems securing the win. If it goes out very slow, it's possible some slow heat heroes could score by running 8:10. Hard to see the top 3 being unseated, probably Forrester too, but after that a lot of spots up for grabs.
Is Brandon McBride running the 800 at the SEC championships? I would've picked him as one of the favourites.
Reed Connor is not running big ten indoors, and thus could not place 4th in the 3000m.
What an incredible amount of work to do all those conferences!
ACC Heat sheets
http://www.flashresults.com/2013_Meets/indoor/02-21-ACC/acc_starts.pdf
800- looks average. Gibson (FSU) and Robers (GT) are the class of the field
Mile- No entries from FSU in either men's or women's mile. Hill (NC State) will win and my guess is he runs only the mile and does not come back for the 3000.
Hill, Presson, Hammond, Gilland
3000- With Hill entered but unlikely to run it is a 3 person race between Mulherin, Forester and Armirault. Give it to Mulherin as he has won this race before.
5000- Interesting how the ACC has slow section with last years 2nd and 3rd place finishers. Foley and Porter from UVA and then you add Fout and ONeil from FSU. Only 8 guys in the "slow" section and I think the top 3 will come from this section. In the "fast section" you have Schelberg, Curtin and a couple other solid guys but they will have to work together to get this race going.
A few observations
No Andrew Colley again at the indoor meet this year and NC State has very few entries. Resting their guys for the outdoor meet they are hosting?
FSU women 6 entries in the 3000 but none in the mile. A potential women'r mile that could have been great is very week. King from BC in unseeded 3000 not 800 or mile
At least a mention of MSU RS FR Caleb Rhynard for the 3K (8:05 PR) was deserving, IMHO.