uz2b-len

This will definitely be test of Mack's coaching skills. A great coach might be able to do something with this line up. Maybe. Considering the number of players who have been lost from the roster (that would be 4, correct?), it's quite a challenge.

SpiderDave19

Lanier is a beast. But if we go back that far, Lasalle is even in the mix!

SDW

My one outlier thought on this year's A10 is that St. Louis does not do as well as projected. I though Conklin was just a huge part of the team last year, basically the heart. Remove him, remove the brains behind it all and replace him with a guy who has been with the program less time than half the team - don't discount that fact - and I see SLU slipping. I'll put them at 5th, somewhere along the 10-6 mark.

My other regression pick is Temple. Dunphy is good but I think they're not as good or as deep as in the past. However, Pepper is eligible, right? He could be a key cog if they're to stay in the top six.

On the other side of the coin, UMass is poised for a big year I think. IF, and only IF, Kellogg can stay out of his own way 80% of the time and then actually step in when needed and be a contributing factor the other 20% of the time. I am still not sold on him, saw too much before last year that I didn't like and can't imagine it has all disappeared.

Weirdly, I'm also bullish on Lasalle if they can discipline themselves and get some production up front to help Wright out. If they had a better home court (advantage) I would be higher on them.

So, to recap, the defensive-minded teams are regressing and the uptempto scoring teams are on the rise. Keep it in mind Butler and VCU fans.

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Spider Fever...it's spreading.

UMass87

In terms of the A-10 as a group, the league really needs UMass and La Salle to dominate OOC. Both teams have relatively weak OOC schedules which, while good for them in terms of building confidence for rising programs, could really hurt the league if the games are not won. Both La Salle and UMass need to be 10-3 or better OOC if the A-10 is going to get 5+ bids.

marcus_sr

Yeah, I totally forgot bout that whole Dez deal, this year will definitely be a tough one for the Musketeers, but hopefully the coaching staff doesn't let the team just roll over and die.

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

SpiderInTheMixingBowl

It's alright. We all have Rip Van Winkle moments.

xu95

(sarcasm font on)
More importantly, did the coaches and media take into account that Dez Wells is gone and that two of Xavier's recruits will be sitting out when they picked them 9th?
(sarcasm font off)

Flyer75

There would be nothing wrong with a 9th place finish for this X team but I don't see that happening.

WH

I'd call this my official forecast after reviewing actual skeds. I didn't spend a lot of time analyzing matchups, but I used my usual criteria based on historical A-10 patterns.

Obviously, I see a bunchup at the top. Up to six teams capable of winning the league.

Based on strengh or weakness of sked, I think SLU and Temple have the best chance of winning 13 games. SJU has a somewhat tougher sked by comparison.

From a talent standpoint, I think SLU, SJU and UMass have more than any other team. VCU might be their equal, but I haven't seen enough of them to say.

Temple has some questions, but Dunphy has gone 11-5 or better the past five years.

marcus_sr

haha lol true true

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

A10fan2

Where do you think they finish?

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Muddy's from 2009

He has since made the same "prediction" this year. CLASSIC

Flyer75

11-12 range

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using VerticalSports.Com App

xavierhoops

One thing Xavier has going for them is their schedule. I just looked over it. 4 winnable (should be wins) road games in St Bona, Charlotte, Duquense and Rhode Island and 3 winnable (should be wins) home games in GW, La Salle and Fordham. Additional possibilites at Richmond and verse Dayton. I know a lot of people around here are hoping Xavier takes a step back this year (or for a couple years), but I think Xavier will surprise some people finishing 7-9 or 8-8. They'll be tested in OOC (have another typical tough X schedule... Butler, @Purdue, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, @Tennessee, @Wake) so they'll be prepared, tested and ready for A-10 play.

Semaj is young, but unbelievably talented. Dee Davis and Justin Martin both played very well in the NCAA tournament last year against Notre Dame, Lehigh and Baylor. I think a lot will depend on just how good Philmore plays this year.

That said, this X team I have the lowest expectations for in recent memory. But I think predictions of them winning 3,4 or 5 games is merely wishful thinking (particularly given their schedule).

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Chris Mack in 3 years at Xavier has had twice the NCAA wins (4) of the entire Dayton coaching staff in the modern era of NCAA basketball (2).

SpiderDave19

I don't think at Bonnies is a "should" win by any stretch of the imagination.

I expect 7-9 wins from Xavier. Good at home, struggle on the road. I don't think they'll be on position for a bye, nor do I think they'll be in position to miss the A10 tournament.

slufan13

@JonRothstein
VCU announces that both Jordan Burgess and Mo Alie-Cox are partial qualifiers. Both will not play for the Rams in 2012-13.