Season kicks off in a couple of weeks. SJU opens the season on November 8th, in South Dakota, against Wisconsin. I expect them to challenge for the new BE Title. Personally, anything less than two NCAA wins would be a disappointment for me. Where do you guys (you know who you are) see your teams ending up this season?
I am assuming Hairston gets suspended for 5 games or so, the heels have a brutal non conf sched so they will lose a bunch of games. I think ceiling for this team will be a FF contender, I am expecting a Sweet 16 season. Really excited to see paige continue to grow, I think hairston will have a big time year when he is back, I expect McAdoo will have his best year. I think this year will come down to how Johnson and James have developed and how much freshman Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks will be able to contribute right away.
What a difference a year makes: I am really excited about this season, and the new Big East. To be associated with a conference that makes basketball its top priority again is really, really cool!
you don't have the old BE bias, there aren't 20 teams w/ 10 of them being easy wins to pad records of mediocre teams. We'll have that now.
Anyway you want to cut it. I predict 5 Tourney teams: Georgetown Marquette Villanova Creighton Butler Which fail to make the cut in your mind?
so the #1 team in the Country isn't a big challenge? we don't even know if hairston will be playing. Texas shouldn't be an issue but they play at Michigan State, neutral vs. Louisville. Those are the 3 preseason top 3 teams right now and #4 is duke who they will face twice.
I would expect those teams to make it but it will be harder w/o the bottom feeders to pad records. they better have good non conf records
No. Not in the least. You have made it clear that only ROAD games are the only significant games on a schedule, regardless of the quality of opposition. At least that was your argument about how Gonzaga was a dominant force in the country when they beat #22 OK St. on the road last year by one point. I mean it was ON THE ROAD!!!! So, I figured the same asinine logic would apply to your team.
I have? road games are harder to win and more impressive when you do win but home and neutral count too. I don't know, I am just excited to be talking CBB again:grin:
FYI - New Big East Comissioner has confirmed that two more invitation will be sent out to join the new Big East, but not until the 2015 season. They are going to thoroughly analyze perspective new schools.
Hey Junc, speaking of out-of-conference schedules... I'm in my comfy chair, and I got my popcorn and jumbo Coke Zero ready. Can you please entertain me with endless laughter by praising Gonzaga's 2013 schedule? http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2250/gonzaga-bulldogs
Seriously? Butler is going to be BAD. They were picked 9th in the coaches BE poll. I'm telling you guys, you're all underestimated SJU. They probably have the most talent in the BE and are going to compete for the BE title. They add 5 star prospect Rysheed Jordan this season. Watch out.
