Top 144 Countdown

[TheHall]

The predictions of the order the league finishes in indeed appears volatile, but not the perceived quality of the league. The BE solidly appears to be a 5-7 NCAA bid league in 2014 regardless of the order. Nova could actually finish 1st through 7th but they still are likely to be dancing in March regardless.

College Sports Madness is predicting 4 bids and it seems likely that USA Roday is going in the same direction. The consensus seems to be that there will be 2-3 bubble teams who could change the picture if they perform a little stronger than predicted, but so far, the doubts about the appear to outweigh any optimism for them.

I agree with you that 5-7 seems to be more likely, but it will take some good performances early in the season to uld the momentum to support this view.

I agree the consensus prediction is lower than my "eyeball test" based prediction. But the mix of talent and experience on many of the teams that are being viewed as questionable is actually the best mix most of those teams have had in years (Prov, X, SJU, & even SHU & Depau). Those teams also have the right amount of motivation, ie coaches feeling the pressure to win (Purnell, WIllard, Cooley), highly rated recruits with something to prove (Nova & SJU), high-major acceptance (X, Creighton, Doug McD), building on success (Marq, Gtown, Nova). he fanbases are pumped, which isn't to be taken for granted post realignment (Cinci's fan base can't be to thrilled right now).

With all that 5 seems like a no-brainer, 6 or 7 may come down to injuries or winning/losing some games that teams shouldn't in preseason tournys..

[Dave]

The predictions of the order the league finishes in indeed appears volatile, but not the perceived quality of the league. The BE solidly appears to be a 5-7 NCAA bid league in 2014 regardless of the order. Nova could actually finish 1st through 7th but they still are likely to be dancing in March regardless.

College Sports Madness is predicting 4 bids and it seems likely that USA Roday is going in the same direction. The consensus seems to be that there will be 2-3 bubble teams who could change the picture if they perform a little stronger than predicted, but so far, the doubts about the appear to outweigh any optimism for them.

I agree with you that 5-7 seems to be more likely, but it will take some good performances early in the season to uld the momentum to support this view.

I agree the consensus prediction is lower than my "eyeball test" based prediction. But the mix of talent and experience on many of the teams that are being viewed as questionable is actually the best mix most of those teams have had in years (Prov, X, SJU, & even SHU & Depau). Those teams also have the right amount of motivation, ie coaches feeling the pressure to win (Purnell, WIllard, Cooley), highly rated recruits with something to prove (Nova & SJU), high-major acceptance (X, Creighton, Doug McD), building on success (Marq, Gtown, Nova). he fanbases are pumped, which isn't to be taken for granted post realignment (Cinci's fan base can't be to thrilled right now).

With all that 5 seems like a no-brainer, 6 or 7 may come down to injuries or winning/losing some games that teams shouldn't in preseason tournys..

My take is that there are only a few coaches (Buzz, JT3) in the conference that solidly come through consistently to the expectations of the talent level that they recruit. The other programs run the risk of coming up short in any given season, and the new additions need to prove themselves at this slightly elevated level.

[TheHall]

College Sports Madness is predicting 4 bids and it seems likely that USA Roday is going in the same direction. The consensus seems to be that there will be 2-3 bubble teams who could change the picture if they perform a little stronger than predicted, but so far, the doubts about the appear to outweigh any optimism for them.

I agree with you that 5-7 seems to be more likely, but it will take some good performances early in the season to uld the momentum to support this view.

I agree the consensus prediction is lower than my "eyeball test" based prediction. But the mix of talent and experience on many of the teams that are being viewed as questionable is actually the best mix most of those teams have had in years (Prov, X, SJU, & even SHU & Depau). Those teams also have the right amount of motivation, ie coaches feeling the pressure to win (Purnell, WIllard, Cooley), highly rated recruits with something to prove (Nova & SJU), high-major acceptance (X, Creighton, Doug McD), building on success (Marq, Gtown, Nova). he fanbases are pumped, which isn't to be taken for granted post realignment (Cinci's fan base can't be to thrilled right now).

With all that 5 seems like a no-brainer, 6 or 7 may come down to injuries or winning/losing some games that teams shouldn't in preseason tournys..

My take is that there are only a few coaches (Buzz, JT3) in the conference that solidly come through consistently to the expectations of the talent level that they recruit. The other programs run the risk of coming up short in any given season, and the new additions need to prove themselves at this slightly elevated level.

So I guess your saying BE = 2 bid league....I'm not buying it; 5-7.

[stever20]

I think the thing is- we're going to have a lot of teams that are on the bubble and that just comes down to a game or two one way or the other. I mean, we have the last 2 teams out in the article, along with Providence at about the 10th team out. Those could easily go the other way. Then again, wouldn't be shocked to see Villanova in the near future as one of the last teams in- and they could go the opposite way. The bubble is just so fluid that to make a projection on it now is just crazy(heck, it's crazy even in early Feb quite frankly!)

[Dave]

[
My take is that there are only a few coaches (Buzz, JT3) in the conference that solidly come through consistently to the expectations of the talent level that they recruit. The other programs run the risk of coming up short in any given season, and the new additions need to prove themselves at this slightly elevated level.

So I guess your saying BE = 2 bid league....I'm not buying it; 5-7.

No, no. I am saying that given the recruiting talent, Marquette and GTown have coaches that predictably deliver in the regular season and I expect them to be in the top 20. Many of the other Big East teams are loaded with talent, and might win the conference. But those programs, imo, don't have the game day coaches that reliably deliver. So Lavin or Wright could win the Big East. And they could miss the tournament. I think we are a 4-7 bid league. I'd narrow to 5-6. and if forced my bet would be 5.

[Westbrook36]

Let's not crown Buzz some super elite level coach just yet, him and JT3 are no better than Jay Wright and possibly Lavin. Wright's ability to consistently qualify for the NCAA's is well documented. Has he had a couple of hiccups?, yes so has JT3 and 99.9% of all coaches nationally. Buzz will also, let's see how his record compares after(if) he's at Marquette for over a decade.

[MUBoxer]

Let's not crown Buzz some super elite level coach just yet, him and JT3 are no better than Jay Wright and possibly Lavin. Wright's ability to consistently qualify for the NCAA's is well documented. Has he had a couple of hiccups?, yes so has JT3 and 99.9% of all coaches nationally. Buzz will also, let's see how his record compares after(if) he's at Marquette for over a decade.

I agree with Wright but disagree with Lavin, until shown otherwise I maintain he's "lost it" (it referring to his coaching abilities he had over a decade ago)

[Westbrook36]

Let's not crown Buzz some super elite level coach just yet, him and JT3 are no better than Jay Wright and possibly Lavin. Wright's ability to consistently qualify for the NCAA's is well documented. Has he had a couple of hiccups?, yes so has JT3 and 99.9% of all coaches nationally. Buzz will also, let's see how his record compares after(if) he's at Marquette for over a decade.

I agree with Wright but disagree with Lavin, until shown otherwise I maintain he's "lost it" (it referring to his coaching abilities he had over a decade ago)

I agree Lavin maybe a stretch game day coaching & team management wise. But he sure can recruit, you got to give that to him though.

[MUBoxer]

I agree Lavin maybe a stretch game day coaching & team management wise. But he sure can recruit, you got to give that to him though.

Ya I'd give him that.

[TheHall]

I agree Lavin maybe a stretch game day coaching & team management wise. But he sure can recruit, you got to give that to him though.

Ya I'd give him that.

Lavin knows he can't coach at a high level, that's why he originally hired Mike Hopkins, who left abruptly to the Bobcats but was eventually replaced this year by jim whitesell, who was the associate head coach at SLU. Lavin just keeps busy on the trail where he mashes.