Lindy's Sports 2013-14 Preview

[rlh04d]

Huh? I said they wont win their conference and its biased bitterness? How does that make any sense? Maybe youre the one thats bitter, idk.

The fact is they lost 5 games in the Valley last year with a better team. They lost their center (who was hugely important), and they are in a tougher conference facing ALL new, unfamiliar opponents.

If my opinion makes me bitter, then so be it. I didnt know you were such a Jays fan.

I could care less about the Jays. But they're a good team.

I have a little more respect for the Valley than to say a top tier team in the Valley would have "no way in hell" to win the Big East, which doesn't have any of the teams that have been carrying it for years, and has Butler minus Stevens.

Creighton is an "all new, unfamiliar opponent" for every team in the Big East, as well. I'm not sure why you think that only plays one way.

Don't get me wrong, I'll actively be cheering against them. But I wouldn't say there was "no way in hell" if it was UNI that switched, let alone Creighton.

[mvcfan]

I don't think that Creighton will be able to win the Big East but not for the reasons you stated. Creighton has been pretty good before and in their good years, they could be competitive but without Echinique, they aren't nearly as strong in the middle as in the past. You need to be athletic and physical to beat Georgetown and Marquette. Creighton is neither. The other teams are beatable Creighton will end up toward the bottom but not on the bottom.

[shoxrox]

I don't think Creighton will win the Big Priest. I think realistically they could finish 3rd-4th. Next year, the slide begins.

Ironically, it shouldn't be that hard for Creighton to win their new league because the league itself is not that tough and not going to be that tough. It's overrated. The old Big East was always overrated and that's when it had Syracuse, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, etc. Now, it has a couple of big players and the rest is leftovers.

Creighton is going to see what it's like being a fringe team in the league and I think their whole athletic department is going to suffer. Time will tell.

[2livewu]

James was such a detriment to his team that he started for the last 2+ years. Some UNI fans are delusional. Kujo isn't walking through the door. Neither is Lurch, who even when he didn't have the ball made it easier for guards to shoot. You aren't going to win consistently at the D1 level without athletes and big men. You THINK post play depth MIGHT be a problem? Replacing Jake is no problem....except he was BY FAR the best defensive post player on the team. Again, maybe your coach can overcome a lack of size and athleticism, and maybe all of your newbies are top 150 skill types, and no post player will ever get hurt or in foul trouble etc etc. but I won't be betting on it though. Not to say UNI is bad. I just see UNI, BU, UE, MSU and maybe LU all together at best, and a basket here and there will make the difference where they finish.

[valleychamp]

Like clockwork...

[2livewu]

Like clockwork.....

[rlh04d]

I don't think Creighton will win the Big Priest. I think realistically they could finish 3rd-4th. Next year, the slide begins.

Ironically, it shouldn't be that hard for Creighton to win their new league because the league itself is not that tough and not going to be that tough. It's overrated. The old Big East was always overrated and that's when it had Syracuse, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, etc. Now, it has a couple of big players and the rest is leftovers.

Creighton is going to see what it's like being a fringe team in the league and I think their whole athletic department is going to suffer. Time will tell.

This is my thinking. I think they're going to fall off HARD once McDermott graduates.

But I really just don't think the new Big East is going to be that good. Marquette and Georgetown aren't amazing teams -- Marquette's pretty good, but that's a pretty stark drop off from Syracuse, UConn, Louisville in the last few years to Marquette. Georgetown hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 2007. Butler lost Stevens. Xavier is down. My personal guess would be that Creighton finishes second behind Marquette and then falls off significantly the season after.

[Mike]

But I really just don't think the new Big East is going to be that good. Marquette and Georgetown aren't amazing teams -- Marquette's pretty good, but that's a pretty stark drop off from Syracuse, UConn, Louisville in the last few years to Marquette. Georgetown hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 2007. Butler lost Stevens. Xavier is down.

Where do you think the new Big East will rank among basketball conferences next year? What about the MVC?

[Valley_Fan]

But I really just don't think the new Big East is going to be that good. Marquette and Georgetown aren't amazing teams -- Marquette's pretty good, but that's a pretty stark drop off from Syracuse, UConn, Louisville in the last few years to Marquette. Georgetown hasn't made a Sweet 16 since 2007. Butler lost Stevens. Xavier is down.

Where do you think the new Big East will rank among basketball conferences next year? What about the MVC?

For the MVC, looking at the nc schedules and the exempt tourneys, there is little positive impact on the SOS (Outside of WSU and UNI) so it is going to be tough. In most years, MVC finished the NC portion 6 - 8 on the league rankings, which would hold up. This year, it will will depend on what other leagues do. They will fall at least one spot as the AAC will be better. They will likely fall behind others too.

For the Big East, depth is the key. In the top 144 countdown, looks like 9 of the 10 teams will be ranked, and 6 of those (60% of the league) in the top 50. That is more than any other league, including the B1G and ACC. Obviously those two have more heavy weights at the top, but the balance of the BigEast will bring it to a top 3 or 4 league.

[Aargh]

I am not confident that the Valley will be among the top 10 conferences this year.

Actually I'm confident that the Valley WILL NOT be among the top 10 conferences this year.