Classic Example of Real Life Moneyball

After writing the last post I started to think about some real life examples where production was overlooked and players were undervalued - real life Moneyball Players. The prime example of this is a player named Bryce Tesdahl who plays for Bemidji State University - he's one of the ultimate examples of a "Moneyball Player".

Bryce is from Crosby-Ironton High School and now plays at Bemidji State University. Coming out of high school these were some of his accomplishments:

• Four year starter
• Almost 2000 points for his career 
• 17 ppg as a senior 
• Almost double digit rebounds per game as a senior
• 32-1 team record and a second place finish at the MN State Tournament
• Set the Minnesota single season record for assists in a season as a senior
• Set the Minnesota State Tournament record for assists as a senior
• All-State Second Team 
• MN State Tournament All Tournament team 
• Area Player of the Year

Even with all of the above honors/accomplishments during his high school career (and being a high character player), he was not heavily recruited by a single NCAA Division II school. Bemidji State (Bemidji, MN) did give a chance to come and play after watching his team in the playoffs as a senior. The knock was that he was too slow and was not a good enough shooter to compete at the Division II level. His shot looked a little funny, but it did go in. Below is what Bryce has done in his three years at Bemidji State:

• Three year starter
• Three year leader in assists for BSU
• Is already BSU's all-time leader in assists after his junior year
• 9th nationally in assists as a junior. 
• 28th nationally in free throw percentage with 86% (103/119)
• Named Academic All-NSIC Team member and to the NABC Honors Court as a junior.
• Junior Stats
• 9.5ppg, 6.0apg, 3.8rpg, 41% three point percentage, 75% free throw percentage
• 1.75 assist to turnover ratio
• Sophomore Stats
• 10.3ppg, 5apg, 5rpg, 86% free throw percentage, 37% three point percentage
• Freshmen Stats
• 6.8ppg, 3.7apg, 3.7rpg, 31% three point percentage, 74% free throw percentage

At this point, most NSIC teams that didn't recruit Bryce would love to have him on the roster.  Unfortunately Bemidji State got him and got a steal! They were the ones that overlooked the eye test and looked at the production they could get out of him - and it paid off!

Are there any Moneyball Players in your program??