with our 8-6 record at this point. Not too many of us predicted that. Yes, 2 are nonDI but we could have brought in two rent-a-wins like Savannah State and a SWAC team but that would have cost us 70K and hurt our RPI. We have beaten 6 solid midmajor programs in SMU, Latech, Ill State, Tulsa, ORU, and Stetson. We have lost to good majors and a BCS team that will be in postseason. All of the teams we lost to would finish near the top of the Sun Belt. I think there's no reason not to be very optimistic heading into the league season.

I feel good about league play. We can win as long as we dictate style and pace.

The main issue is still the half court offense. I have hope for the conference games. If we are to really have a chance we have to go to nt and steal one.

(12-23-2010 10:08 PM)insideualr Wrote:  I feel good about league play. We can win as long as we dictate style and pace.

The main issue is still the half court offense. I have hope for the conference games. If we are to really have a chance we have to go to nt and steal one.

I don't know. They just went to Baton Rouge and won by 20. LSU is still an SEC school no matter how down they are.

(12-23-2010 09:47 PM)mjs Wrote:  We have beaten 6 solid midmajor programs in SMU, Latech, Ill State, Tulsa, ORU, and Stetson.

Make it 5. Stetson is not very solid.

We are at least one win ahead of where I thought we would be, so I am pleasantly surprised. I see some good things in this team if we can just play heads-up ball consistently that will minimize our weaknesses.

I don't know about NT. Good team, on the road. We will indeed steal it if we get it.

At 5-8, I wouldn't call ORU solid either. Hell, we beat 'em.

(12-24-2010 08:11 AM)Scotto Wrote:  At 5-8, I wouldn't call ORU solid either. Hell, we beat 'em.

They are a solid midmajor program, year in and year out. I'm not concerned about their record this season. Take a look at their schedule and see how many teams would have come out of that with a much better record.

Stetson we could argue about. I haven't followed them in recent years, but they have typically had a respectable program. Were one of the few TAAC teams that provided us with legitimate competition during the Newell years. Again, I wasn't necessarily talking about their record this year, although they do have a road win against an ACC team.

I'm always amused at fans of whatever team always claim that the teams they beat were "solid".

(12-24-2010 09:35 AM)Scotto Wrote:  I'm always amused at fans of whatever team always claim that the teams they beat were "solid".

These are some teams I would definitely not consider "solid" midmajors: Grambling, Texas Southern, SEMO, Mississippi Valley, Florida Gulf Coast, North Carolina A & T, and Texas-Arlington. Oh, what a coincidence- those team are all on the Chickenhawg schedule.

There you go with that Hog-obsession thing again.

But since you brought it up, I would consider Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Vandy, Ole Miss, State, and Kentucky to be pretty salty. Some might argue that UAB, A&M, and Seton Hall are pretty good too.

Pick any Big-6 conference member and compare schedules. Lots have cupcakes. Mostly because they need the wins before getting beat up in conference.

I differentiate between "solid" and good, for sure. ORU is not great, but they have enough talent to give some pretty good teams a tussle on a good day.

(12-24-2010 10:14 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  I differentiate between "solid" and good, for sure. ORU is not great, but they have enough talent to give some pretty good teams a tussle on a good day.

I think winning at Utah and losing by 4 at Texas Tech would qualify.

(12-24-2010 10:14 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  I differentiate between "solid" and good, for sure. ORU is not great, but they have enough talent to give some pretty good teams a tussle on a good day.

When I saw ORU in that first game in Tulsa, I thought they looked awesome. A well coached, well oiled machine. I don't know what has happened to them. Was that just a one game spurt? I didn't recognize any of the players on the floor when we played in Vegas. Maybe the Pea Pod people have invaded their bodies. "Invasion of the Basketball Player Snatchers".

(12-24-2010 10:27 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  Was that just a one game spurt?

They will be one of the better teams in the Summit this year, which is an improving league - and which is saying more this year than saying one of the better teams in the Belt.