DistrictBaller

I agree. SLU's schedule lays out great for the Billikens. VCU's does as well as we play 6 of our 8 road games against the bottom-half of the league and get the preseason favorite at home.

The conference season is going to be unreal.

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"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

e-parade

Quick math:

Average rank of Home Opponents: 9.125
Average rank of Away Opponents: 9.125

Yup.

WH

LaSalle absolutely belongs in the discussion. The Explorers have the best backcourt in the league, IMO, and a star power forward in the making in Wright. I think LaSalle is this year's Bonaventure. I don't even consider them a darkhorse. LaSalle has the talent to win the league.

To do that, though, the team has to play much better and more consistent defense.

BTW, the omission of Duren from the All-Conference teams is one of the most dunder-headed things I have ever seen in these preseason lists. This goes to show the problem with letting the media vote. Duren is one of the best five players in the A-10.

He sure is going to play with a chip on his shoulder - a good thing for LaSalle.

As for SLU, I have grown a bit more cautious about their prospects with RM gone. Still a tourney-caliber team, but he will be missed in the heated battle for the league regular season title.

BigE

Andy Katz's podcast from A-10 media day with Shaka Smart, Chris Mack, Fran Dunphy, Phil Martelli, and Brad Stevens

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8462539

marcus_sr

I think I have to agree Saint Joes has all of his key pieces returning, I would put SLU as a close if not equal second and Xavier is always in the hunt

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I breathe the game of basketball, I am simply addicted to hoops

uz2b-len

Don't think you'll find too many fans or pundits putting Xavier "in the hunt" this season.

WH

I went thru all the skeds and marked wins and losses for league play. Took into account which teams usually have home-court advantages, unbalanced sked, who plays who twice. Here is what I came up with for a loose predicted finish.

For teams with the same record, I either used projected head to head outcomes or weighted the odds toward teams with a better chance of beating the team(s) with which I list them as tied.

The upshot: I could see up to six teams winning the league. Nine or 10 have a shot at postseason play.

Based on actual historical records, however, a few teams at the top will separate. Also, a couple of teams are likely to finish with about 3 conference wins.

Injuries, as always will have a lot to do with the outcome. One or two teams every year seems to suffer from some debilitating injuries.

1)TEMPLE 12-4
2)ST. LOUIS 12-4
3)UMASS 12-4
4)VCU 11-5
5)ST. JOES 11-5
6)LASALLE 10-6
7)DAYTON 9-7
8)BUTLER 9-7
9) RICHMOND 9-7
10)ST. BONA 8-8
11)GW 6-10
12)CHARLOTTE 5-11
13)XAVIER 5-11
14)FORDHAM 4-12
15)DUQUESNE 3-13
16)RHODY 3-13

clark1a

Is this a do-over, WH. WH III in the works? margin of error?
Ah, just another poll - in the spirit of the times.

Ghost of Quinnipiac

clark1a

nm

marcus_sr

no you won't, but they have few years where they completely bomb the season, they are always relevant

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__________________
************************************************** ***
I breathe the game of basketball, I am simply addicted to hoops

WH

The first forecast I did was preliminary. This time, I looked at all the team's actual skeds and marked projected wins and losses. Some teams have tougher skeds than others, even if just by a small margin.

slufan13

if i had to guess, you've probably been out of touch with xavier basketball lately.

clark1a

So is that your final answer.

Ghost of Joey Bishop's sidekick.

Turtle

I can't see Bonnies doing much better or worse than 8-8. 6-2 Home and 2-6 Away. Seems reasonable. As long as we got a shot to reclaim the crown in Brooklyn it will be a good season.

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Go Bonnies!

marcus_sr

lol no, im just irrational ohioian... they were in the top 25 last year before the brawl. this year i really like their brewster academy recruits Semaj and Jalen I think they will make solid contributions as freshman.

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__________________
************************************************** ***
I breathe the game of basketball, I am simply addicted to hoops