144 Teams in 144 Days

[waggy]

..is back.

Wesler does a good job. I think it's the only thing he does for the site.

No A10, or otherwise notable teams yet.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/preview/2010/

#23 ?????
#24 BYU Cougars
#25 Gonzaga Bulldogs on 12/22 at Gonzaga
#26 Virginia Tech Hokies
#27 Baylor Bears
#28 UNLV Runnin Rebels
#29 Texas Longhorns
#30 Xavier Musketeers
#31 Utah St Aggies
#32 West Virginia Mountaineers
#33 Florida St Seminoles
#34 Old Dominion Monarchs possible finals match-up on 11/22 in the Paradise Jam
#35 Richmond Spiders on 1/29 at Richmond
#36 Seton Hall Pirates possible match-up on 11/20 in the Paradise Jam
#37 Arizona St Sun Devils
#38 Wichita St Shockers
#39 Dayton Flyers on 1/15 at Cintas 1/15, at Dayton 2/27
#40 Clemson Tigers most probable opponent on 11/22 in the Paradise Jam
#41 Texas A&M Aggies
#42 Utep Miners
#43 New Mexico Lobos
#44 Minnesota Gophers
#45 New Mexico St Aggies
#46 St John's Red Storm
#47 Ole Miss Rebels
#48 Maryland Terapins
#49 Northern Iowa Panthers
#50 Arizona Wildcats
#51 Murray St Racers
#52 Marquette Golden Eagles
#53 UCLA Bruins
#54 Saint Louis Billikens on 2/5 at Cintas, on 3/5 at Saint Louis last reg season game
#55 Ohio Bobcats
#56 Louisville Cardinals
#57 St Mary's Gaels
#58 George Mason Patriots
#59 Wofford Terriers on 11/27 at Cintas
#60 Southern Miss Golden Eagles
#61 Georgia Bulldogs on 2/8 at Georgia
#62 VCU Rams
#63 Rhode Island Rams on 1/9 at Rhode Island
#64 Oklahoma St Cowboys
#65 UConn Huskies
#66 Fresno St Bulldogs
#67 Missouri St Bears
#68 Miami Hurricanes
#69 Mississippi St Bulldogs
#70 Northwestern Wildcats
#71 UCF Knights
#72 Texas Tech Red Raiders
#73 Colorado St Rams
#74 Duqusne Dukes on 2/13 at Duquesne
#75 Washington St Cougars
#76 California Golden Bears
#77 Creighton Blue Jays
#78 Penn St Nittany Lions
#79 NC State Wolfpack
#80 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#81 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
#82 James Madison Dukes
#83 Fairfield Stags
#84 Tulsa Golden Hurricane
#85 Central Michigan Chippewas
#86 Alabama Crimson Tide on 11/20 possible 2nd game Paradise Jam
#87 Cincinnati Bearcats on 1/6 at UC
#88 Loyola Marymont Lions
#89 Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks
#90 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
#91 Bradley Braves
#92 Colorado Buffaloes
#93: Detroit Titans
#94: Providence Friars mid major program
#95: Charlotte 49ers on 2/2 at Charlotte, on 3/2 at Cintas last home game
#96: Oklahoma Sooners mid major program
#97: Iona Gaels
#98: Oakland Grizzlies
#99: George Washington Colonials on 1/26 at Cintas
#100: Indiana Hoosiers mid major program
#101: UCSB Gauchos
#102: Northeastern Hskies
#103: Montana Grizzlies
#104: Utah Utes
#105: Kent State Golden Flashes
#106: Arkansas Razorbacks mid major program
#107: Belmont Bruins
#108: Boston College Eagles mid major program
#109: IUPUI Jaguars
#110: North Texas Mean Green
#111: Stoney Brook Seawolves
#112: Winthrop Eagles
#113: Louisianna Tech Bulldogs
#114: Harvard Crimson
#115: Boston University Terriers
#116: Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
#117: Weber State Wildcats
#118: Long Beach State 49ers on 11/22 possible final game Paradise Jam
#119: Wright State Raiders
#120: USC Trojans mid major program
#121: Bucknell Bison
#122: Davidson Wildcats
#123: UAB Blazers
#124: Morgan State Bears
#125: Miami RedHawks on 12/1 at Millet Hall
#126: Virginia Cavaliers mid major program
#127: Southern Illinois Salukis
#128: South Florida Bulls mid major program
#129: Marshall Thundering Herd
#130: Florida Atlantic Owls
#131: Indiana St Sycamores
#132: Cleveland St Vikings
#133: Sam Houston St Bearkats
#134: East Tennessee St Buccaneers
#135: Princeton Tigers
#136: Siena Saints
#137: Wake Forest Demon Deacons on 12/18 at Cintas
#138: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
#139: Santa Clara Broncos
#140: Jackson St Tigers
#141: Charleston Cougars
#142: Wyoming Cowboys
#143: Quinnipiac Bobcats
#144: South Carolina Gamecocks - mid major program

[MADXSTER]

I think he does a pretty good job overall with his 144. It's not an exact science.

I'm not a big fan when they do the top 50 during the season. Way too much big 6 bias. Almost positive that Wesler doesn't do that one.

[smileyy]

I'm not sure why anyone would do an in-season top-50 that isn't heavily based on something like Ken Pomeroy's stats.

On that note, basketball-reference.com is doing the Top 31 programs over the past 31 years based on their SRS system (basically, strength-of-schedule-adjusted point differential)

They have 26-31 up, with more to come tomorrow (Thursday). UC clocked in at 30. I'm not sure if I'm expect to see XU on this list or not. Top of my head, somewhere around 25-30 would have sounded right to me, but maybe I'll be surprised.

Link: http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=7136

[smileyy]

Other good preseason preview news -- College Basketball Prospectus will include all D-I teams this year, rather than the disappointing Big-6 only edition from last year:

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1191

[muskiefan82]

I'm not sure why anyone would do an in-season top-50 that isn't heavily based on something like Ken Pomeroy's stats.

On that note, basketball-reference.com is doing the Top 31 programs over the past 31 years based on their SRS system (basically, strength-of-schedule-adjusted point differential)

They have 26-31 up, with more to come tomorrow (Thursday). UC clocked in at 30. I'm not sure if I'm expect to see XU on this list or not. Top of my head, somewhere around 25-30 would have sounded right to me, but maybe I'll be surprised.

Link: http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=7136

Did not make the 21 t0 25 list either. I can't believe that the 1980-81 and 81-82 seasons would have that much impact on the overall numbers over the last 31 seasons. I fully expect them to be in the next group.

[smileyy]

Did not make the 21 t0 25 list either. I can't believe that the 1980-81 and 81-82 seasons would have that much impact on the overall numbers over the last 31 seasons. I fully expect them to be in the next group.

I don't, but I'll be more than happy to be wrong.

The stat is SOS-adjusted point differential, and XU's competition for a long period of the list is pretty poor. Their overall NCAA-tournament-oriented success in that period is pretty high, but as a complete, 31-full-season body of work, the opportunities just weren't there.

I'll be surprised if the list isn't completely filled with consistently good major-conference schools. The stat just seems biased in that direction. The ability for non-major-conference teams to schedule well is a fairly recent development.

This isn't any sort of discounting of XU's successes (from my point of view), just that I don't expect them to do that well against this metric, over that time period.

[waggy]

#137 Wake Forest: 2010-11 Basketball Preview

Overall Rank: #137
Conference Rank: #12 Atlantic Coast Conference

2009-10: 20-11, 9-7
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeff Bzdelik (First year at Wake Forest, 107-104 overall)

Many thought the hiring of Jeff Bzdelik was an odd one for a program that has had so much recent success and probably could have gotten a bigger name coach. But those who follow college basketball closely already know Coach Bzdelik has worked some miracles in his day, most notably at Air Force. The most important thing for the Demon Deacons new staff was to hold onto their solid recruiting class and that is exactly what Coach Bzdelik has done.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/137-wake-forest-2010-11-basketball-preview-168674

[waggy]

#125 Miami RedHawks: 2010-11 Basketball Preview

Overall Rank: #125
Conference Rank: #4 Mid-American Conference

2009-10: 14-18, 9-7
2009-10 postseason: none
Coach: Charlie Coles (238-186 at Miami, 330-270 overall)

If teams in the Mid-American Conference have learned anything over the last 14 years, it is to never count out a Charlie Coles coached team. Despite the loss of four key contributors, Miami has a very athletic and talented group returning. Add in a solid recruiting class and the RedHawks will, once again, be among the best teams in the conference.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/125-miami-redhawks-2009-10-basketball-preview-168689

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #118
Conference Rank: #2 Big West Conference


2009-10: 17-16, 8-8
2009-10 postseason: none
Coach: Dan Monson (38-56 at Long Beach State, 208-179 overall)


It was largely considered in the Big West that it would just be a matter of time before Coach Dan Monson turned Long Beach State into a consistent winner. After finishing second and third in the conference the last two seasons, the time may be here that those expectations will be met.


http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/118-long-beach-st-2010-11-basketball-preview-168698

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #99
Conference Rank: #9 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 16-15, 6-10
2009-10 postseason: CBI
Coach: Karl Hobbs (149-115 at George Washington, 149-115 overall)

George Washington was happy to get back into the postseason after missing out on even the Atlantic 10 tournament the prior two years. Before that the Colonials went to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments. That success may have taken the pressure off of Coach Karl Hobbs for the time being, but continual improvement needs to be shown and it will not be an easy task without Damian Hollis.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/99-george-washington-2010-11-basketball-preview-168725

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #95
Conference Rank: #8 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 19-12, 9-7
2009-10 postseason: none
Coach: Alan Major (First year at Charlotte, 0-0 overall)

Since Charlotte joined the Atlantic 10 in 2005, the 49ers have just made two postseason appearances and neither were the NCAA Tournament. It was time for a change and Charlotte went after Coach Alan Major who has served under Thad Matta at Xavier and Ohio State. Coach Major inherits a pretty experienced squad, but also a group that has been quite inconsistent over the last few seasons.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/95-charlotte-2010-11-basketball-preview-168729

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #87
Conference Rank: #12 Big East Conference

2009-10: 19-16, 7-11
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Mick Cronin (61-68 at Cincinnati, 130-92 overall)

Cincinnati was well on their way to an NCAA Tournament appearance before falling apart at the end of the 2009-2010 campaign. That leaves Coach Mick Cronin heading into his fourth season with the Bearcats without a showing at the big dance. Last year the NIT was a step in the right direction, but this team will likely take a small step back without Lance Stephenson and Deonta Vaughn.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/87-cincinnati-2010-11-basketball-preview-168739

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #86
Conference Rank: #8 Southeastern Conference

2009-10: 17-15, 6-10
2009-10 postseason: none
Coach: Anthony Grant (17-15 at Alabama, 93-40 overall)

Coach Anthony Grant’s first season at Alabama was filled with close losses, blown leads, inconsistent offense and plenty of learning. In the end, the 2009-2010 campaign should be considered a success and a step in the right direction. Now Coach Grant is bringing in some talented players and if the offense can develop any sort of consistency, this is a Crimson Tide team that can beat some good teams.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/86-alabama-2010-11-basketball-preview-168740

[madness31]

9 teams in the top 100 for the A-10. Looks as though the Big East has at least 12 depending on whether another team after Cincy is also top 100. I'm thinking Charlotte will prove to be better than a 95 ranking but the season will tell the tale.

[XUglow]

Dadgum, Lasan Kromah is going to be busy this winter.
---------

#99: George Washington Colonials

Lasan Kromah has star potential, but this crew might be a year away from big things.

#100: Indiana Hoosiers

Lasan Kromah has star potential, but this crew might be a year away from big things.

[GoMuskies]

I had no idea that Dan Monson has been at LBSU the past three years.

[CinciX12]

Man I hope he is wrong about Wake this year. If they really are that bad it won't be much of a game.

[XUglow]

Man I hope he is wrong about Wake this year. If they really are that bad it won't be much of a game.

Who would have ever figured that a game with Wake would hurt your SOS?

[madness31]

I doubt Wake will hurt the SOS too much and would be ok with an easy win against an ACC team while the team learns to work together. There could be a learning curve replacing Love and Crawford so a mediocre ACC team would be a nice opponent. I'm getting a gut feeling that this team could be more like the team from Tu's first year and dominate from the start. There is little analytical reason to feel this way so I wouldn't be shocked if I was very wrong but figured others might be thinking the same irrational thoughts.

If Kenny is dominant, Lyons makes better decisions and improves his J, Redford adds a pull-up to his game and the others make improvements this could be a great team. Throw in an impact freshman and it would be a spectacular season.

[muskienick]

I doubt Wake will hurt the SOS too much and would be ok with an easy win against an ACC team while the team learns to work together. There could be a learning curve replacing Love and Crawford so a mediocre ACC team would be a nice opponent. I'm getting a gut feeling that this team could be more like the team from Tu's first year and dominate from the start. There is little analytical reason to feel this way so I wouldn't be shocked if I was very wrong but figured others might be thinking the same irrational thoughts.

If Kenny is dominant, Lyons makes better decisions and improves his J, Redford adds a pull-up to his game and the others make improvements this could be a great team. Throw in an impact freshman and it would be a spectacular season.

...and if I can just work out the kink in my shoulder, I can start for the Reds on Sunday!

[Xman95]

...and if I can just work out the kink in my shoulder, I can start for the Reds on Sunday!

That's not saying much. I could have taken the place of anyone in their starting line-up Wednesday and they still wouldn't have had less hits.

[CinciX12]

That's not saying much. I could have taken the place of anyone in their starting line-up Wednesday and they still wouldn't have had less hits.

Losing by 4 wasn't thaaat bad though in hindsight compared to that alternative:D

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #74
Conference Rank: #7 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 16-16, 7-9
2009-10 postseason: CBI
Coach: Ron Everhart (64-61 at Duquesne, 238-233 overall)

Duquesne had a relatively disappointing 2009-2010 season. They did reach the CBI, but fell to Princeton in the first round and ended up with a pedestrian 16-16 overall record. A lack of consistent shooting, most notably from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe, were the biggest culprits, but a lack of depth did not allow Coach Ron Everhart to run as much as he would like. A talented group of newcomers should at least fix that issue.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/74-duquesne-2010-11-basketball-preview-168755

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #63
Conference Rank: #6 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 26-10, 9-7
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Jim Baron (157-128 at Rhode Island, 362-330 overall)

The last three years Rhode Island has become painfully close to reaching the NCAA Tournament. They have settled for three consecutive NIT appearances. Coach Jim Baron has done a great job turning the Rams into a consistent force in the Atlantic 10, but they have yet to take the next step. Unfortunately, without Keith Cothran and Lamonte Ulmer, this could be another season that ends painfully in the NIT.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/63-rhode-island-2010-11-basketball-preview-168768

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #61
Conference Rank: #6 Southeastern Conference

2009-10: 14-17, 5-11
2009-10 postseason: none
Coach: Mark Fox (14-17 at Georgia, 137-60 overall)

The 2009-2010 campaign marked the first year that Coach Mark Fox failed to lead his team to the postseason. Yet, that was to be expected during his first year at Georgia since there was a lot of rebuilding to be done. The postseason should not elude Coach Fox this year as the Bulldogs return a load of talent and bring in some quality newcomers. Yet, this is still a relatively young team and Georgia’s best days are still ahead of them.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/61-georgia-2010-11-basketball-preview-168770

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #59
Conference Rank: #1 Southern Conference

2009-10: 26-9, 15-3
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mike Young (116-125 at Wofford, 116-125 overall)

Following Wofford’s first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, Coach Mike Young is aiming for another trip on to the national stage. With four starters returning and a roster filled with upperclassmen, the Terriers should be able to repeat as Southern Conference champions. Yet, it will likely come down to the conference tournament for a spot in the big dance, but this is a group that can beat anybody on any given day and they may not be out of at-large consideration even with a stumble in the conference tournament.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/59-wofford-2010-11-basketball-preview-168772

[waggy]

Obviously written before the fallout.

Overall Rank: #54
Conference Rank: #6 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 23-13, 11-5

2009-10 postseason: CBI
Coach: Rick Majerus (57-42 at Saint Louis, 478-187 overall)


With six players returning who started at least 16 games last season, it is not a stretch at all to say that this is Coach Rick Majerus’ best team during his four years at Saint Louis. The Billikens do lose a few roleplayers, but they generally left the program due to the fact that they would not see too much playing time on a team that is getting more and more talented every year.


http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/54-saint-louis-2010-11-basketball-preview-168781

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #40
Conference Rank: #5 Atlantic Coast Conference

2009-10: 21-11, 9-7
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Brad Brownell (First year at Clemson, 167-85 overall)

Wherever Coach Brad Brownell goes, success follows. In four years at UNC Wilmington, Coach Brownell led his team to two NCAA Tournaments. He then spent four years at Wright State where he won at least 20 games all four seasons. With the talent he has, and can get, at Clemson, the Tigers future looks very bright. The present does not look too bad either as this team returns enough talent to make another NCAA Tournament.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/40-clemson-2010-11-basketball-preview-168796

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #39
Conference Rank: #4 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 25-12, 8-8
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Brian Gregory (150-80 at Dayton, 150-80 overall)

Dayton finished conference play with an 8-8 record. That is not what most expected. However, while the Flyers did not reach the NCAA Tournament, they did knock off North Carolina to bring home the NIT title. With a lot of talent gone, Coach Bring Gregory has some work to do, but like usual there is more talent on Dayton’s roster than it initially appears.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/40-dayton-2010-11-basketball-preview-168801

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #36
Conference Rank: #6 Big East Conference

2009-10: 19-13, 9-9
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Kevin Willard (First year at Seton Hall, 45-49 overall)

Through four years former coach Bobby Gonzalez failed to reach the high expectations of Seton Hall. Not only did the Pirates not finish better than 10th in the league during Coach Gonzalez’s tenure, but the team only reached the postseason once and that was an NIT bid last season. That leaves new Coach Kevin Willard, a disciple of Rick Pitino, with some high expectations, but also a very talented team.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/36-seton-hall-2010-11-basketball-preview-168804

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #35
Conference Rank: #3 Atlantic 10 Conference

2009-10: 26-9, 13-3
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Chris Mooney (57-70 at Richmond, 75-82 overall)

Coach Chris Mooney led Richmond to back-to-back CBI appearances in 2008 and 2009, but last year the Spiders finally took the next step and made it to the NCAA Tournament. They were unfortunate to run into St. Mary’s in the first round, but this is a team that will now look to win an NCAA Tournament game, not just get an invitation.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/35-richmond-2010-11-basketball-preview-168805

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #34
Conference Rank: #1 Colonial Athletic Association

2009-10: 27-9, 15-3
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Blaine Taylor (188-103 at Old Dominion, 330-168 overall)

For six straight years Coach Blaine Taylor has led Old Dominion to the postseason. That streak is not going to end this year. Three of those postseason appearances have been to the NCAA Tournament, but it was last year when ODU knocked off Notre Dame that the Monarchs finally got some much deserved respect. The loss of Gerald Lee is a big blow, but with four starters returning, this team will battle it out for another NCAA berth.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/34-old-dominion-2010-11-basketball-preview-168806

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #30
Conference Rank: #2 Atlantic 10 Conference



2009-10: 26-9, 14-2
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Chris Mack (26-9 at Xavier, 26-9 overall)


Coaches come and go at Xavier, but the success of the program continues. If there was any doubt about that, Coach Chris Mack put an end to it after leading the Musketeers to a 26 win season their third straight trip to the Sweet Sixteen. This group has a few pieces to replace, but the talent keeps coming in and Xavier will yet again threaten to make a deep tournament run.


http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/30-xavier-2010-11-basketball-preview-168814

[waggy]

Overall Rank: #25
Conference Rank: #1 West Coast Conference

2009-10: 27-7, 12-2
2009-10 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mark Few (291-72 at Gonzaga, 291-73 overall)

It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Gonzaga in 2009-2010. It was the year the Bulldogs could actually not win the West Coast Conference. But they did anyway, edging out St. Mary’s by a game and taking home their tenth straight conference crown. The loss to the Gaels in the WCC Championship and the blowout loss to Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA Tournament was disappointing, but last year has to be considered a success and this year should be even better.

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/25-gonzaga-2010-11-basketball-preview-168819

[American X]

That Xavier preview was written at least three weeks ago. It is still a sock in the gut to read a projection with Redford and Martin in the rotation.

Nonetheless, the conclusion is dead-on. Tu Holloway "is a star and a leader" and he is going to make whoever is playing into a winning team.

Strong work, waggy. Keep them coming.