#4 - ASU

This one could be low, but the difference is all in-coming talent, and that is hard to judge.

Three starters return, including Ed Townsel and his 13.1 ppg. They are always very physical and usually end up doing better than their stats would indicate. They have a lot of talent coming in that will contribute immediately: Kirk Van Slyke, Melvin Johnson, Xavier Dupree, Sean Gardner and Brandon Reed, to name some of them. Some of those could be really good for them (Reed already has been). How well this talent pans out and comes together will determine how good a year ASU has.

Who is gone? Trey Finn, Marcus Hooten and Brandon Peterson - and that is saying a lot. That was a lot of leadership and toughness (not to mention talent) that will be VERY difficult to replace. ASU's stats last season did not warrant 19 wins, so that indicates that they won it on toughness when the going got rough. They may well be replacing the talent, but can they replace the grit? No way to tell at this point, but we shall see.

IF the incoming players fit together and IF some of them step up into the leadership roles sufficiently, this pick is too low.

If I were making picks and I didn't want to be a homer... I think I might pick Arkansas State. Brady is a final four coach. I don't think he forgot how to coach since then. And he has some serious incoming talent. But then again, you are wise to not bet on unproven chemistry. Good players do not always make good teams. How many teams have we seen that are less than the sum of their parts?

But man you can make a case for Arkansas based on that incoming talent.

ASU is as good a pick as any this year. I gave them close consideration. (And of course, I am just guessing.)

I don't think you can replace players like Trey Finn, Marcus Hooten and Brandon Peterson in one season. Talent is sometimes overrated unless it jells. Might have too many would be "stars". Could have locker room problems. If Brady can find a way to play with more than one basketball, he might have it made.
But one might not be enough to go around. They should be good enough to finish in the top 5, but I don't see them doing better than that. With that said, they could win the tournament.

ASU is a prime example of a team that might finish a few slots back in the season but finish strong to win the tournament.

(08-16-2013 07:08 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  #4 - ASU

This one could be low, but the difference is all in-coming talent, and that is hard to judge.

Three starters return, including Ed Townsel and his 13.1 ppg. They are always very physical and usually end up doing better than their stats would indicate. They have a lot of talent coming in that will contribute immediately: Kirk Van Slyke, Melvin Johnson, Xavier Dupree, Sean Gardner and Brandon Reed, to name some of them. Some of those could be really good for them (Reed already has been). How well this talent pans out and comes together will determine how good a year ASU has.

Who is gone? Trey Finn, Marcus Hooten and Brandon Peterson - and that is saying a lot. That was a lot of leadership and toughness (not to mention talent) that will be VERY difficult to replace. ASU's stats last season did not warrant 19 wins, so that indicates that they won it on toughness when the going got rough. They may well be replacing the talent, but can they replace the grit? No way to tell at this point, but we shall see.

IF the incoming players fit together and IF some of them step up into the leadership roles sufficiently, this pick is too low.

Xavier Dupree was placed in a Juco by ASU in order to make room for Reed.