@ MidMajorMadness.com

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2014/10/2...am-preview

A lot of inaccuracies in there. First of all, Kareem Kanty wanted to come back to Marshall but coach Dantoni said no. Secondly, Tyquan Goard got kicked off and is no longer on the team.

3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

(10-28-2014 01:33 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

UAB lost a lot of points. I think they'll finish better than that too, but I can understand someone who is just casually researching the league to automatically think they'll stink since they lost so many points from last year.

He has no reason to put us higher than that. Hopefully the Blazers prove better on the court.

(10-28-2014 01:33 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

I think that is way too high. I see you guys around 7 or 8. Your front court is just too weak. 6-4 post players aren't going to be able cut it in CUSA like it does in the Sunbelt. That is why it has been years since you guys have beat us. We have dominated you guys inside. The fact that we had Good post players (Shawn Jones CUSA MVP) was the main reason we were able to compete for the CUSA championship right off the bat. I don't see you guys being able to do that with your current lineup. I also think we take a step back this year because of our losses.

(10-28-2014 02:32 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 01:33 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

I think that is way too high. I see you guys around 7 or 8. Your front court is just too weak. 6-4 post players aren't going to be able cut it in CUSA like it does in the Sunbelt. That is why it has been years since you guys have beat us. We have dominated you guys inside. The fact that we had Good post players (Shawn Jones CUSA MVP) was the main reason we were able to compete for the CUSA championship right off the bat. I don't see you guys being able to do that with your current lineup. I also think we take a step back this year because of our losses.

I think WKU will be better than 7 or 8, but I agree. I think WKU will struggle inside, both scoring and on defense this year in CUSA play.

My algorithm-based predictions:

1) UTEP
2) Old Dominion
3) La Tech
4) MTSU
5) Charlotte
6) Western Kentucky
7) Southern Miss
8) North Texas
9) UAB
10) FIU
11) FAU
12) UTSA
13) Marshall
14) Rice

The eye-test says ODU is probably a little high and UAB is a little low, but overall it looks good.

(10-28-2014 03:33 PM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  My algorithm-based predictions:

1) UTEP
2) Old Dominion
3) La Tech
4) MTSU
5) Charlotte
6) Western Kentucky
7) Southern Miss
8) North Texas
9) UAB
10) FIU
11) FAU
12) UTSA
13) Marshall
14) Rice

The eye-test says ODU is probably a little high and UAB is a little low, but overall it looks good.

I'm not really sold on ODU personally. They didn't beat anyone last year. They didn't have a single top 100 win. Not one.

Their best win was against RPI 145.

The average RPI of their W's last year was 254.

It was a huge improvement over the year before and I believe they're going in the right direction, I just don't think they're anywhere near contending for the conference title.

Second place for ODU is a stretch, but there's some good things there. Only one contributor is gone off last year's team, they added some key transfers, and they are in the second year under a new coach and in a new conference.

(10-28-2014 04:27 PM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  Second place for ODU is a stretch, but there's some good things there. Only one contributor is gone off last year's team, they added some key transfers, and they are in the second year under a new coach and in a new conference.

Who are the transfers? I'm unaware of those, so maybe I'm writing them off too soon.

ODU adds Jonathan Arledge, a 6-9 center graduate transfer from George Mason. Didn't play last year, but averaged 9 points and 5 boards in 19 minutes a game the year prior. Adds much needed size but can step out and hit threes too. They also add Trey Freeman, a 6-2 guard from Campbell. Averaged 14 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in 37 minutes a game two years ago.

(10-28-2014 04:57 PM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  ODU adds Jonathan Arledge, a 6-9 center graduate transfer from George Mason. Didn't play last year, but averaged 9 points and 5 boards in 19 minutes a game the year prior. Adds much needed size but can step out and hit threes too. They also add Trey Freeman, a 6-2 guard from Campbell. Averaged 14 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in 37 minutes a game two years ago.

Ah ok. That changes my perception for sure. I still think 2nd is a stretch but I feel a lot more optimistic about them now.

Marquan Botley... UTEP's favorite player

Homer pick but I don't see anyone challenging UTEP this year. This team is absolutely loaded and we finally have some guards on campus to go along with our bigs. UTEP will end up being a Top 25 team throughout the year and I'm hoping for a nice run in the NCAA tournament.

Also, check out this link naming UTEP their favorite basketball court design:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/22423...ns/page/11

I think the article leaves out some important data like what the expectations of the newcomers will be. I think Charlotte has some good talent coming in. The loss of Lester stings, but the new blood this year will be fun to watch.

(10-28-2014 05:38 PM)Project O Wrote:  Homer pick but I don't see anyone challenging UTEP this year. This team is absolutely loaded and we finally have some guards on campus to go along with our bigs. UTEP will end up being a Top 25 team throughout the year and I'm hoping for a nice run in the NCAA tournament.

Also, check out this link naming UTEP their favorite basketball court design:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/22423...ns/page/11

I'm surprised that we did so well last year considering that we only had one point guard with any experience. In the end he was really winded as he sometimes had to play most of the game with substitution from everyone not experienced at all. We got a slew of point guards this year that will be able to substitute at will and continue the tempo/momentum of the game. I predict a first place finish.

Tech has some very good FR coming in and playing in that summer tournament really helped. Should be a fun season and hope we all do well in OOC games to start.

(10-28-2014 02:32 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 01:33 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

I think that is way too high. I see you guys around 7 or 8. Your front court is just too weak. 6-4 post players aren't going to be able cut it in CUSA like it does in the Sunbelt. That is why it has been years since you guys have beat us. We have dominated you guys inside. The fact that we had Good post players (Shawn Jones CUSA MVP) was the main reason we were able to compete for the CUSA championship right off the bat. I don't see you guys being able to do that with your current lineup. I also think we take a step back this year because of our losses.

I hope the rest of the CUSA teams and players only guard our 6'4 players and let our 6'6 6'7 6'8 6'10 and 7'1 players dance around the rim all year

(10-28-2014 09:03 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 02:32 PM)MT FAN Wrote:  

(10-28-2014 01:33 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  3rd place is about right for WKU.....Surprised to see UAB so low...

I think that is way too high. I see you guys around 7 or 8. Your front court is just too weak. 6-4 post players aren't going to be able cut it in CUSA like it does in the Sunbelt. That is why it has been years since you guys have beat us. We have dominated you guys inside. The fact that we had Good post players (Shawn Jones CUSA MVP) was the main reason we were able to compete for the CUSA championship right off the bat. I don't see you guys being able to do that with your current lineup. I also think we take a step back this year because of our losses.

I hope the rest of the CUSA teams and players only guard our 6'4 players and let our 6'6 6'7 6'8 6'10 and 7'1 players dance around the rim all year

The problem with your really tall guys is that they all weigh about 150lbs and can't take two steps with out tripping over themselves. None of those guys did anything against us when we have owned you the last few years. Also, if any of those guys were any good you wouldn't have Fant at 6-4 as your starting center.