http://basketballpredictions.blogspot.co...label/BP68

Toledo in as a 12

12. Tennessee
12. Colorado State
12. Butler
12. Oregon
12. TOLEDO (MAC)
12. UC SANTA BARBARA (BIG WEST)

Teams just missing the cut include Western Michigan:

Other teams with a decent shot to get onto the bubble:
Houston, Temple, Florida State, NC State, Virginia Tech, George Washington, UMass, Marquette, St. John's, Seton Hall, Indiana, Northwestern, UC-Irvine, Northeastern, Louisiana Tech, Green Bay, Iona, Western Michigan, Missouri State, Fresno State, New Mexico, Arizona State, Washington, Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas A&M, San Francisco

Teams to keep an eye on:

Other teams I'm keeping my eye on:
Boston College, Georgia Tech, Duquesne, Penn State, Texas Tech, Delaware, Charlotte, Old Dominion, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Northern Illinois, Evansville, Southern Illinois, Boise State, Wyoming, Oregon State, USC, Washington State, LSU, Vanderbilt, Portland, San Diego

There is no way two MAC teams make the NCAA tournament. NIU must get lucky and play perfect ball and then win the MAC tournament. When was the last time two MAC teams made the NCAA tournament? The only thing MAC conference record does for you is give you a higher seed in the MAC tournament.

Not likely two MAC teams make NCAA tourney. TOLEDO definitely is the favorite.

TOLEDO and NIU both have a shot at winning a MACC in ftball and bball this year.

WMU and NIU played some great games last year, I look forward to 2 more great games. Both teams should be really solid.

NIU wil make the tourney this year, they will have good depth, unlike last year.

Yeah, the only way two teams get in is one team winning the MAC tourney and the other MAC school being undefeated until the championship game, something that extreme.

NIU is adding two transfers this year who came from bigger programs. This will, at least, add depth to the team. One or both might be starters too.

(07-14-2014 10:52 AM)klake87 Wrote:  NIU is adding two transfers this year who came from bigger programs. This will, at least, add depth to the team. One or both might be starters too.

Both SHOULD be starters.

PG - Orris
SG - Highsmith
SF - Johnson
PF - Bowie
C - Threloff

I'd say the Armstead's could crack the starting lineup at some point too. It'll be interesting to see how Baker feels about coming off the bench full time now. And Balls' playing time is going to be significantly reduced. Also, Maric will be one to look out for too if they decide to go with a bigger lineup of Threloff at PF and Maric at C.

(07-14-2014 11:25 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(07-14-2014 10:52 AM)klake87 Wrote:  NIU is adding two transfers this year who came from bigger programs. This will, at least, add depth to the team. One or both might be starters too.

Both SHOULD be starters.

PG - Orris
SG - Highsmith
SF - Johnson
PF - Bowie
C - Threloff

I'd say the Armstead's could crack the starting lineup at some point too. It'll be interesting to see how Baker feels about coming off the bench full time now. And Balls' playing time is going to be significantly reduced. Also, Maric will be one to look out for too if they decide to go with a bigger lineup of Threloff at PF and Maric at C.

Balls is gone.

(07-14-2014 11:38 AM)HuskieTom51 Wrote:  

(07-14-2014 11:25 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(07-14-2014 10:52 AM)klake87 Wrote:  NIU is adding two transfers this year who came from bigger programs. This will, at least, add depth to the team. One or both might be starters too.

Both SHOULD be starters.

PG - Orris
SG - Highsmith
SF - Johnson
PF - Bowie
C - Threloff

I'd say the Armstead's could crack the starting lineup at some point too. It'll be interesting to see how Baker feels about coming off the bench full time now. And Balls' playing time is going to be significantly reduced. Also, Maric will be one to look out for too if they decide to go with a bigger lineup of Threloff at PF and Maric at C.

Balls is gone.

Ahh you are correct! Forgot about that!

(07-14-2014 11:38 AM)HuskieTom51 Wrote:  

(07-14-2014 11:25 AM)RedandBlackAttack Wrote:  

(07-14-2014 10:52 AM)klake87 Wrote:  NIU is adding two transfers this year who came from bigger programs. This will, at least, add depth to the team. One or both might be starters too.

Both SHOULD be starters.

PG - Orris
SG - Highsmith
SF - Johnson
PF - Bowie
C - Threloff

I'd say the Armstead's could crack the starting lineup at some point too. It'll be interesting to see how Baker feels about coming off the bench full time now. And Balls' playing time is going to be significantly reduced. Also, Maric will be one to look out for too if they decide to go with a bigger lineup of Threloff at PF and Maric at C.

Balls is gone.

we lost our balls?

RednBlack attack, Aaric Armstead may be the best player on the team, he will be starting!

Orris, Highsmith or Johnson, Aaric Armstead, Bowie, Threloff will be the starting line-up. If, Highsmith is healthy he will start and Aaron Armstead will back him up and Johnson will back up Aaric Armstead.

(07-14-2014 04:04 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  RednBlack attack, Aaric Armstead may be the best player on the team, he will be starting!

Was gonna say the same. Love #23.

Maybe Johnson off the bench......

Johnson only has one year left he can come off the bench. We have three years of Orris, Highsmith and Aaric Armstead need to keep them happy and here.

NIU Huskie Athletics ‏@NIUAthletics · 1h
Marin Maric had a big day today for Croatia at the FIBA Europe U20 Championships http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_FW2Ym8G

(07-14-2014 05:23 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Johnson only has one year left he can come off the bench. We have three years of Orris, Highsmith and Aaric Armstead need to keep them happy and here.

Johnson should start if he's the best option. If someone comes off the bench behind him then they better work harder and make the most of their minutes. They could always impress the coaches and end up starting. I hope to god our coaching staff wouldn't start handing out starting spots due to fear of guys transferring because a better, older player is on the team.

Johnson isn't the best option. A healthy Highsmith and Aaric Armstead are the best options!

(07-13-2014 08:39 PM)dekalb222 Wrote:  Not likely two MAC teams make NCAA tourney. TOLEDO definitely is the favorite.

Last time NIU made the tournament (1991) both NIU and EMU represented the MAC. It does happen. It's rare, but it does occur.