Yeah, I know. It's July and it's supposed to be time to gear up for football. But, since UTEP doesn't really play college football, we Miner fans have to get ready for hoops season.

College Sports Madness unveils its top 144 teams one a day until the start of the season. It's kind of hard to believe we're now only 128 days away from college hoops.

Southern Miss is the first CUSA team on the list at #128. Projected 6th in CUSA and projected in the CBI/CIT.

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/9357

I think 6th may be a little generous. Hard to replace what they lost in only a year. Time will tell though.

I personally would put UTEP, LA TECH, ODU, WKU, MT, UAB, and Charlotte ahead of them in no particular order. Those schools all have talented rosters (although questionable coaching in some cases, like Charlotte) and return most of their leading scorers or have more impressive classes coming in.

Speaking of questionable coaches... any word on Alan Major's health issues?

(07-03-2014 11:33 PM)Niner National Wrote:  I think 6th may be a little generous. Hard to replace what they lost in only a year. Time will tell though.

I personally would put UTEP, LA TECH, ODU, WKU, MT, UAB, and Charlotte ahead of them in no particular order. Those schools all have talented rosters (although questionable coaching in some cases, like Charlotte) and return most of their leading scorers or have more impressive classes coming in.

It'll be interesting to see which 5 teams they put in from here. La tech and UTEP are a given. A couple of these teams are going to be left out: Charlotte mtsu wku mtsu uab ODU(initially left them out)

I like Sadler, and will be cheering for USM even than before.

Defensive-minded with discipline. Not the most exciting at times (just like UTEP), but it provides consistency.

It is gonna be a great year for C-USA basketball!!!

#113 ODU. 5th in CUSA and projected in the CBI/CIT.

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/9398

(07-18-2014 09:39 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  #113 ODU. 5th in CUSA and projected in the CBI/CIT.

http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/9398

I'm hoping we can at least make the NIT. This ODU team has some really good potential!

USM and ODU first two teams? ha.

ODU is a more talented team this year than last.

The top 3 are probably pretty easy to predict. LaTech, UTEP, then Charlotte. I'm not sure about #4. I'd assume it'll be Middle.

I think ODU will do better than this projection. It all depends on how the new guys fit in...

(07-18-2014 10:27 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  The top 3 are probably pretty easy to predict. LaTech, UTEP, then Charlotte. I'm not sure about #4. I'd assume it'll be Middle.

Could be UAB or WKU too. Or it could be both of them with Charlotte and MT being left out. Really hard to say.

WKU will be strong, but they may be overlooked since they're coming from the SBC.

We'll make it back into NCAAT discussion...on the screwed end of the bubble. NIT!

If we can't climb that high, I think we have the talent and depth to go deep/win the CBI or the CIT at the very least.

(07-18-2014 10:28 PM)GO_MONARKS Wrote:  I think ODU will do better than this projection. It all depends on how the new guys fit in...

I agree. Three of the projected starting five didn't play last season. We didn't lose much talent either though. I don't see ODU finishing any worse than 6. Hoping for top 4.

(07-18-2014 10:27 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  The top 3 are probably pretty easy to predict. LaTech, UTEP, then Charlotte. I'm not sure about #4. I'd assume it'll be Middle.

Would be very surprised if Middle makes this list after losing 4 starters from last season, La Tech, UTEP, WKU and Charlotte would be my choices for the top 4.

(07-19-2014 12:18 AM)Fatalisk Wrote:  

(07-18-2014 10:28 PM)GO_MONARKS Wrote:  I think ODU will do better than this projection. It all depends on how the new guys fit in...

I agree. Three of the projected starting five didn't play last season. We didn't lose much talent either though. I don't see ODU finishing any worse than 6. Hoping for top 4.

This is right. Initally team chemistry might take a little while to gel, but with guys like Arledge (if his back is good,) Trey Freeman, and Biberaj being added to the mix, this team might have a much higher cieling than many expect. We shall see how they come together; anything from CBI-NCAA wouldn't surprise me grratly.

(07-04-2014 10:18 AM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  I like Sadler, and will be cheering for USM even than before.

Defensive-minded with discipline. Not the most exciting at times (just like UTEP), but it provides consistency.

Yes and for that reason I believe USM will finish higher than this prediction.

(07-18-2014 10:38 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(07-18-2014 10:27 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  The top 3 are probably pretty easy to predict. LaTech, UTEP, then Charlotte. I'm not sure about #4. I'd assume it'll be Middle.

Could be UAB or WKU too. Or it could be both of them with Charlotte and MT being left out. Really hard to say.

WKU will be strong, but they may be overlooked since they're coming from the SBC.

Yeah it's going to be interesting to see what they factor in here. UAB has one of the best returning players in the conference, and several talented, but unknown players. UAB and Charlotte pretty much mirrored each other last season, and I'm hoping both can do similar things ooc with 11-5 or better in conference this year. I'm just guessing WKU isn't going to get the benefit of the doubt here, and UAB, MTSU and Charlotte will fill out the non UTEP/La Tech spots.

(07-20-2014 09:11 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(07-18-2014 10:38 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(07-18-2014 10:27 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  The top 3 are probably pretty easy to predict. LaTech, UTEP, then Charlotte. I'm not sure about #4. I'd assume it'll be Middle.

Could be UAB or WKU too. Or it could be both of them with Charlotte and MT being left out. Really hard to say.

WKU will be strong, but they may be overlooked since they're coming from the SBC.

Yeah it's going to be interesting to see what they factor in here. UAB has one of the best returning players in the conference, and several talented, but unknown players. UAB and Charlotte pretty much mirrored each other last season, and I'm hoping both can do similar things ooc with 11-5 or better in conference this year. I'm just guessing WKU isn't going to get the benefit of the doubt here, and UAB, MTSU and Charlotte will fill out the non UTEP/La Tech spots.

I think WKU will get the benefit of the doubt but it wouldn't shock me to see ODU get into that top 4. I'm going to take a wait and see on UAB and Charlotte. UAB in particularly because Blazer fans have been saying Hasse needed his own players in order to implement his style of play. Well now he has that so for me it's time for Haase to show he can coach at a Div I level.