Originally Posted by antboy

I think I'd put it at:
1. SLU - Once they reintegrate Mitchell, I think they'll be tough even without Majerus. Mitchell's one of the best players in the conference when he's healthy.
2. Butler - They're already doing better than I thought so maybe they belong in position 1.
3. VCU - I think they'll have issues with their physical D on the road in conference this year, will be interesting to see how they deal with that.
4. Temple - If Wyatt and Randall can get on track shooting, maybe they'll do better, otherwise that eventually limits them.
5. La Salle - Still a bit weak inside, but better overall. I have little faith in their coach, but the team has enough talent to finish higher.
6. St. Joes - Strange to see them struggle so much recently. They should be better.
7. Dayton - Not sure what to make of this team, now that the AL road win looks less impressive. Will they be able to win tough ones on the road?
8. Charlotte - They're a limited team, but will be in most games this year until the end in a sneaky way. Plus, the sched is actually semi-favorable for a mid-table finish, since they get most of the other middle teams at home (X, SJU, Umass, LSU, Dayton) and road games against teams I'm guessing are lower (Duq, Bonnies, URI, Rich, GW). Doesn't mean they win all those 10 games plus Fordham, but it's set up well for them if they take advantage.
9. Umass - They are capable of playing top of the conference ball. And then playing bottom-four caliber ball right after. Most inconsistent team I've ever seen. They'd be scary good if they figured out how to play well more consistently, but I don't see it happening this year.
10. Xavier - If everyone stays healthy and they learn to avoid foul trouble, this is way too low. But I'm dubious and think they will struggle on the road in conference and by the end of the season.
11. Richmond - I thought they were better, but the blowouts combined with the home loss to Davidson have made me doubtful.
12. St. Bonaventure - Not sure what to make of this team. Lose by a lot or win by a lot it seems. They tear up weak opponents pretty well.
13. URI - I'm not sure they're not better than this either. But youth will take it's toll in them losing winnable games.
14. Duquesne - I think they'll get exposed eventually, but are overachieving so far.
15. GW - Look pretty deficient so far. At least a year away? Surprised Lonergan isn't getting more heat for coaching to this point (at least on here, maybe GW fans are less sanguine).
16. Fordham - With Gaston back, they might be better, but the "talent" around him is still much too subpar. Discouraging that Pecora isn't doing better yet.

Originally Posted by X-band '01

My apologies to GW and their fans - hopefully they've got better days coming ahead.

I'm still scratching my head as to how Saint Joe's was able to lay eggs throughout the season. I just wonder which SJU team shows up in Brooklyn on Thursday.

Originally Posted by antboy

Xavier also did much better, but I think X got a little lucky not to get many injuries with such little depth.

Originally Posted by xavierhoops

Justin Martin out for multiple games with a concussion (and really never the same after he returned). Dee Davis out for 1 1/2 major games with a sprained wrist. Landen Amos (you know X walk-on that turned into defensive star) out for the last 6 or 7 games. Semaj Christon in hospital at beginning of season and out for one game with major infection in his shooting elbow. And I believe Philmore was out for 2 games, but I can't recall for sure.

You probably didn't know because Xavier fans don't use this for an excuse. (In fact, Xavier beat #16 Memphis without our starting point guard in Dee Davis and defensive-man Landen Amos).