too early Top 25

[LA_Mustang]

From all the sites are out and SMU is nowhere to be found on any I saw. Most have UConn in the 15 range and a couple have Cincy as one of the last ranked. SMU didn't even make anyone's just missed list. Still no respect.

Here is ESPN's
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... -2016-2017

[smupony94]

Lost Nic and Markus and a bunch of unknowns coming in

[Bergermeister]

New team

[lollaperuna]

Yeah I think its all about losing Nic. I was hoping we would open the season ranked but I'm very doubtful now.

[LA_Mustang]

Unknowns that are ranked as a top 15 class. There is no doubt the loss of Nic, MK and JTwill hurt but we return two seniors who are all-coference quality and the AAC's second best freshman in Shake. We also add a top 30 quality recruit in Semi who knows the system. And one other thing, we have a freaking assassin when it comes to talent evaluation as a HC/staff who happens to be one of the greatest coaches ever but the media still doubts him.

[LA_Mustang]

New team

Isn't that the case for every team?

[smupony94]

Unknowns that are ranked as a top 15 class. There is no doubt the loss of Nic, MK and JTwill hurt but we return two seniors who are all-coference quality and the AAC's second best freshman in Shake. We also add a top 30 quality recruit in Semi who knows the system. And one other thing, we have a freaking assassin when it comes to talent evaluation as a HC/staff who happens to be one of the greatest coaches ever but the media still doubts him.

The problem is you are too smart. The people doing the pre season lists have not spent 1% of the effort it took to write your analysis

[smusic 00]

Unknowns that are ranked as a top 15 class. There is no doubt the loss of Nic, MK and JTwill hurt but we return two seniors who are all-coference quality and the AAC's second best freshman in Shake. We also add a top 30 quality recruit in Semi who knows the system. And one other thing, we have a freaking assassin when it comes to talent evaluation as a HC/staff who happens to be one of the greatest coaches ever but the media still doubts him.

The problem is you are too smart. The people doing the pre season lists have not spent 1% of the effort it took to write your analysis

Exactly. I have casual SMU fans asking me if we will be any good after Nic has left, so you can't expect lazy sports writers to know any more than them.

[PonyTime]

UNC ranked 6th.

What will they be ranked when all of their players transfer out and declare for the draft?

Last year's all too early pre-season had Vandy ranked in top 15.

[HTXPonyUp]

SMU will be ranked after week 3. Really, it depends on the schedule.

[LA_Mustang]

94, I agree they know very little about most of these teams other than who is graduating and the ranking of their incoming class but they just assume the usual suspects will load like they usually do. Even though it's LB and they should know better, they assume SMU will not reload. It's funny that Wichita is losing two of their greatest in school history and their incoming class is nowhere near ours yet many have them ranked. Oh well, I need to get over it. We will never get respect until we make a tournament run.

[mustang92]

They call it "way too early" for a reason. The Top 25 at the very end of the season has little meaning, but the one today for next season is utter garbage. We have to win to prove ourselves. Plain and simple.

[skyscraper]

Honestly, I could see a pretty bumpy first few weeks as we get everyone on the floor and playing. But I also think we could gel and get on a roll in January or February and be one of the hot teams heading into March.
As for the others aac teams, I was kinda surprised to see Cincinnati mentioned. I think Uconn is the favorite in the conference next year.

[JasonB]

I'm sure we will have cupcakes lined up at first. With our depth, we are going to run lesser teams out of the gym.

The biggest test is going to be in our first close game, probably in the NYC tourney. Who takes over the game when it is close at the end? Sterling and Ben are both Seniors, but neither are create-your-own shot guys. Shake and Semi are going to have to be willing to grab the ball and go. That will determine if we are a player or not.

[sadderbudweiser]

There's really no point in trying to read much into a poll done half a year before the start of the season.

For now it's under-promise and over-deliver.

We'll be a very different team and yes, it may take awhile to get all the pieces functioning.

Can't wait!