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I am willing to bet, even though I disagree, that we are not top 25 coming out of the gates.

Monkeystang wrote:I am willing to bet, even though I disagree, that we are not top 25 coming out of the gates.

I'm one of the most pessimistic people on here (just going on past 25 year history/experience), but I actually think we will be. Primarily because of the return of our 2 best players and the addition of Martin. Interesting that he doesn't show Tolbert (probably not including people with eligiblity issues generally I'm assuming) and I don't think he'll have the starting 5 right. But, I think we'll be right around there at start of the season.

so a team that got to the finals of the NIT (and were almost universaly considered the biggest NCAA tournament snub), and beat the national champions twice, that returns their two best players and adds a very quality transfer is not a top 25 team?

I expect SMU to be ranked most of the year because I beleive that barring injuries we are somewhere between the 15th and 25th best team in the country.

Given the O'Bannon ruling can we now sign Mundiay and pay him some extra money to care for his family?

Pony_Law wrote:so a team that got to the finals of the NIT (and were almost universaly considered the biggest NCAA tournament snub), and beat the national champions twice, that returns their two best players and adds a very quality transfer is not a top 25 team?

I expect SMU to be ranked most of the year because I beleive that barring injuries we are somewhere between the 15th and 25th best team in the country.

Have to win some of our quality non-conference games this season...........

if we beat the Zags and Indiana on the road that changes pretty fast.

lol at thinking a true frosh who hasn't suited up once is worth dropping 12-14 places in a preseason poll before a single game is played.

Stlhockeyguy02 wrote:lol at thinking a true frosh who hasn't suited up once is worth dropping 12-14 places in a preseason poll before a single game is played.

I think it warrants the drop. Mudiay wasn't any true freshman. He was the #2 HS player in the country and top guard stepping into a veteran laden team...not only that, possessing a skill-set the current roster lacks. Mudiay is a game-changer, not just your average freshmen, most that are ranked in the top 5 coming out of high school contribute heavily. Don't kid yourself. Wiggins, Randle, Gordon, Parker, and Andrew Harrison. You didn't know those names this time last year, but I'm sure you could tell me all about them now. It's asinine to think a top 5 player is an impact player 90% of the time. Now after the top 10, then they become more wildcards and developmental. But top 10 typically contribute pretty heavily. 2012 might be a bit of an exception because the top 5 wasn't in the spot light but still great players. 2011, Rivers, Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Beal, and Teague.

That all said, I believe SMU is somewhere in the 20-25 range, going to have to prove they can win on the road and neutral floors, then take care of business against the bad teams before moving them into the top 15. I think the talent is there to be a top 15 but until the question marks are answered, low-end of the top 25 is probably a good starting spot.

I agree with OBF.

Hard to disagree with obf on this.

And the hades with the NCAA or UA or whoever screwed with is again. I do believe mudiay would be playing college ball if he had chosen kentucky.

The Gonzaga game will be huge. Getting a win there would send a very loud message.

sadderbudweiser wrote:if we beat the Zags and Indiana on the road that changes pretty fast.

I don't mind the fact we have slid so far back and if we dropped all the way out prior to the start of the season that would be fine by me. I agree we will make our mark by beating quality OFC competition.

Well Mudiay was a huge blow, I am looking forward to the additions to the team and KF to really emerge as well.

I disagree w/OBF. It's simplistic to say Mudiay is worth a certain number of games. Who's to say he would have been a bigger difference make than say Martin or Tolbert? Who's to say chemistry won't be a ton better w/Emans absence? I get why we were dropped by noobs, but to those that know the roster, how exactly are we worse this year than last/ What Emegolu gets cleared too?

The reality is that this was a top 20 type team last year that got better. Don't factor in Eman, he never player here. Look at what we return and what we added, should 2 of 3 get cleared. That's a top 20 program this year

hoopmanx wrote:I disagree w/OBF. It's simplistic to say Mudiay is worth a certain number of games. Who's to say he would have been a bigger difference make than say Martin or Tolbert? Who's to say chemistry won't be a ton better w/Emans absence? I get why we were dropped by noobs, but to those that know the roster, how exactly are we worse this year than last/ What Emegolu gets cleared too?

The reality is that this was a top 20 type team last year that got better. Don't factor in Eman, he never player here. Look at what we return and what we added, should 2 of 3 get cleared. That's a top 20 program this year

Agreed, we got to, what, #18 late in the season last year and we are a better team this year (on paper). I am still expecting big things.