The VCU big man is loading up on preseason hardware. There’s this, and there’s this, and there’s this. There’s more, but you get the point.

And while the preseason player of the year debate is hot–Sanders, Gerald Lee, Charles Jenkins, Matt Janning–other than Jenkins there is not a more important player to his team in the CAA than Sanders.

Here’s what I mean. The debate about where VCU will finish in the post-Maynor era is as hot as the POY debate. To be sure the defending champs have a pile of talent surrounding Sanders, including two very highly touted transfers in Jamie Skeen (Wake Forest) and Jay Gavin (Marist). Joey Rodriguez led the conference in three point shooting and VCU gets after it on defense.

But how big is that impact of losing Maynor?

I have the Rams fourth in Blue Ribbon, and Mull has VCU second. We’re eagerly awaiting Beach’s forecast to see the order after:

1. Hofstra

The point is this: take Sanders off the court–he did have 8 DQs and 124 total fouls–and VCU is a different team, different unlike anyone else. They suddenly become small and fast and an interesting matchup against the better teams with bigger players (ODU and Nor’easter come to mind).

Hence, Sanders is more important to his team than anybody else in the conference (save Jenkins, who is a mega-stud power guard). This is where the old “rest on your laurels” cliche comes into play, and why Sanders is like my lawn.

I have a very nice front yard that you notice–full, and mostly weed free. (Sanders is an imposing figure even the most basic college basketball fan can see and appreciate.) Oh, there are a couple spots that need some help, such as the obvious area next to the driveway that is bare because we swing cars around each other and go off the asphalt. (Sanders is without peer defensively and can score around the basket, but the lack of a game out to 15 feet is a glaring hole to be worked on.)

My back yard, where most cannot see unless they are interested enough to check it out, needs some help. (Can he stay on the floor, can he pass out of the block when double-teamed, can he find a guard to start a fast break?)

We let the dogs run free and enjoy the yard. (Sanders was a 56% free throw shooter last year.) I will spend the majority of the fall in that backyard making it better.

(Sanders can be special, if he puts in the time to become good at the things most people don’t see.)