Tech's Simoneaux makes elementary move

Louisiana Tech fans might not be too surprised to find their Bulldogs picked to finish third in the league, a sign that the program is up and coming. But they might be a little surprised to find none of Tech's players on the preseason All-WAC team -- not even Jericho Jones, last year's WAC Freshman of the Year and a guy who ripped the league apart with his bat.

That's because Tech coach Wade Simoneaux chose not to nominate any of his players for preseason honors. According to a release from Tech, Simoneaux "puts more merit into postseason awards." That might be a good move for an elementary school coach, bent on teaching his kids to play together, but it seems a silly move for a college coach. College players should understand all about accolades -- some get'em, some don't. If there's a division on a team because some players get awards and others don't, then a coach isn't doing his job. But you don't penalize your star players in the interest of team play at the college level.

It's much easier to receive a postseason award if you're listed on a preseason ballot. People are looking at you to see how you do during the season. With Simoneaux's communal move, Tech's players will be pursuing an uphill battle for postseason honors.