UNOPrivatr

Recap -- Box score

A pair of freshman led the way for UNO tonight. Point guard Bo Lester McCalebb scored 17 points in 19 minutes off the bench. Center Ben Elias had 12 points and 14 boards. Five others scored in double figures led by Byle Buggs 15.

WKU Topper Jeff

So who's the go-to guy at UNO now that Hector is gone?

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UNOPrivatr

Probably Victor Brown. Unfortunately, he's academically ineligible for the first semester. So then it's probably Billy McDade. Unfortunately he's academically ineligible for the first semester.

We're REALLY counting on freshmen Elias and McCalebb to contribute big time right away the way they did in tonight's exhibition. Especially Elias in the paint. Without Brown, he and junior Nate Parker are basically our only low post players. Meredith, Buggs, and Smith are all experienced guards that HAVE to play big all year for us to even be competitive.

To quickly answer the actual question, we really don't have a "go to guy" this year. We've got a bunch of solid players, but no real standout. We'll need balanced scoring from everyone that gets into the games to be competitive.

f6man

That could be a blessing though. Some of South Alabama's best teams in the last 6 years have been like that... no huge standouts but a team full of guys, right down to the ones on the bench who can at any given time step up and have a "double double" game or earn a tournament MVP award.

I enjoy watching teams like that where it's rare to see an individual player score 20 points in a game but 4-6 guys score in double digits.

WKU Topper Jeff

I agree f6man, star players can sometimes be a distraction. I am relieved to finally have Chris Marcus out of the picture. Patrick Sparks was also getting on my nerves, so kinda glad he is out of the way. When the team has to rely on each other equally, it turns out a great product most of the time.


F6man, glad to have you here... look forward to your comments and input.

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f6man

Thanks for the kind welcome :-)

It could be a very interesting year for the Sun Belt... looks like about half the teams in the league could become a "dark horse". Maybe I'm being too optimistic but I see this as being a breakout year for the league. Last year the league was up to a #12 RPI toward the end of the season... think we can crack the top ten this year?

HKF

I don't think the league is improved over a year ago to be top 10 in the RPI.

I'll give my top 10.

1. Big 12
2. ACC
3. Big East
4. Big Ten
5. C-USA
6. Pac-10
7. SEC
8. MWC
9. A-10
10. MVC
11. Horizon
12. WCC
13. MAC

I think the Sun Belt could get as high as 12 again, but the problem is a lack of a dominant team. Gonzaga, Pepperdine and San Diego are a good trio for the WCC.

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WKU Topper Jeff

Top 10 is being a bit ambitous. I would be happy to pass up MVC and maybe the Horizon, come in 11th or 12th. We'll still probably be a one bid conference this year.

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wku_hilltopper

I think the MVC will be down this year and so will the Horizon.

I will break my ban on talking about the RPI for this one post. If the SBC can win 56% of our OOC games and our top 3 teams, WKU, ULL and NMST, get 20 wins with USA and MTSU (or any other team) getting 17 or more. The SBC should be either 10th or 11th. The key is to winning 56% of our OOC games so your SOS doesn't take a hit every night during conference play.

I know that's a big if but it's possibile.....