10 ESPN Experts Agree: It's Dayton to Win the A-10

[SixFig]

It's unanimous. Dayton wins the preseason title!

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2009/news/story?id=4649538)

[xubball93]

More fuel for the Xavier fire. Pin it up in the locker room and tear down the competition on the court.

[Fireball]

It surprises me that Xavier isn't getting some more love nationally. I agree that Dayton looks good and we've lost a lot, but you would think that ONE writer would pick us to win the A-10.

[xubball93]

I wonder if our coaching change influences the so-called experts line of thinking. Or is it just that Dayton is returning 4 starters? Regardless, X is best under the radar, sneaking up and biting teams (and experts) in the ass!

[Xpectations]

I wonder if our coaching change influences the so-called experts line of thinking. Or is it just that Dayton is returning 4 starters? Regardless, X is best under the radar, sneaking up and biting teams (and experts) in the ass!

I think it has far more to do with the lack of returning production. Everyone keeps referring to how we always lose 3 players and keeps on going.

In all of those cases where Xavier had a successful season after losing 3 key players Xavier also returned three players who were double-figure scorers the prior season (except in one instance when X had two returning double-figure scorers and a third who averaged over nine points per game).

We don't even return a 7 ppg scorer this season unless you count the 9.7 that Crawford scored two seasons ago at IU.

This has all the makings of a rebuilding year rather than a reloading year as a result. I'm not saying I agree, but the proven production isn't there.

Mack being in his first year likely plays less of a factor in their assessment, though it's a logical assumption to believe that a first-year-ever head coach could lose a game or two that he might not lose later in his career.

[SixFig]

UNC lost a lot more and they are still picked highly.

[Titanxman04]

UNC lost a lot more and they are still picked highly.

UNC is a freak of nature. They are consistently top 5 in recruiting classes, getting 5star recruits and top 4 stars. We aren't bringing in that level of talent. That's not the best comparison when looking at the two programs. We're a great program, but we're not elite like UNC.

[MADXSTER]

Also need to remember that Xavier is a young team this year. One Senior. And Xavier is right there to win the league this year. Will it happen? We'll soon find out. I would love to see....

"Jason Love, Xavier's only 4 time A10 League Champion"

[waggy]

I don't think Lowery played for UD in their first game, and I don't know what the timetable is for his return, but they aren't as good without him.