Blue Ribbon Sun Belt Forecast

[MeanGreen61]

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205001654

[Censored by Laurie]

About how I had the teams shaping up...thinking I'd flip-flop USA and FAU, but its close.

As for players...the omission of Steffphon Pettigrew is a crime. I truly think he is the best player in the conference. Also, I think either Fred Brown (ULM) or David Perez (ULL) will take Newcomer of the Year, not necessarily because they're better players than Patillo, but more because they'll have more opportunity to put up numbers.

[TheTastyGreek]

Flip Denver and UALR, possibly see FAU sneak into an East championship... And they've pretty much got it down.

Agree about Pettigrew, though I don't know if he's the best in the conference. I think it's odd that they put Kerusch as a post in the all conference team just to squeeze him in there while neglecting Pettigrew. Kerusch may list as a forward in WKU's configuration... But he's a 6'5" wing player who can rebound, not a banger. If I were WKU, I wouldn't want to see him posting up Martavius Adams with any regularity.

I think CaribbeanGreen and Quoner will campaign for Adams' inclusion on the team in the absence of a true 2nd post player.

I also think that Josh won't finish as POY. Not because of his talent or ability, but because nobody on our roster will be enough of a focal point offensively to post the numbers that usually decide that honor. Josh could win it if there's no clear offensive powerhouse, and they give it out to a well rounded statistical player like they did with Orlando Mendez-Valdez two years ago.

[NT03]

I know I'm in the minority here , but I really like South Alabama. I think they win the east and will be playing in the title game

[TheTastyGreek]

I know I'm in the minority here , but I really like South Alabama. I think they win the east and will be playing in the title game

There are five teams that look like legit contenders this year. South Alabama is the 5th.

You aren't "wrong", and I've been saying how fundamentally sound USA always is ever since the first time I saw them under Ronnie Arrow. But I think WKU and FAU are better, and either they'll have to falter or USA will have to overachieve to pass them. It could happen.

[NT03]

There are five teams that look like legit contenders this year. South Alabama is the 5th.

You aren't "wrong", and I've been saying how fundamentally sound USA always is ever since the first time I saw them under Ronnie Arrow. But I think WKU and FAU are better, and either they'll have to falter or USA will have to overachieve to pass them. It could happen.

I think I may just have a basketball crush on a one Mr Ronnie Arrow. I heart him

[Censored by Laurie]

There are five teams that look like legit contenders this year. South Alabama is the 5th.

You aren't "wrong", and I've been saying how fundamentally sound USA always is ever since the first time I saw them under Ronnie Arrow. But I think WKU and FAU are better, and either they'll have to falter or USA will have to overachieve to pass them. It could happen.

Agreed with the top five sentiment...I feel there is a precipitous drop-off after UNT, ASU, WKU, USA and FAU.

I think USA and FAU are a toss up at this point. Both are deep and very well coached...FAU has more inside, USA has a lot more athleticism and versatility. I think they're both a notch below WKU in the East...and UNT and ASU in the West.

[MeanGreenTexan]

Agreed with the top five sentiment...I feel there is a precipitous drop-off after UNT, ASU, WKU, USA and FAU.

I think USA and FAU are a toss up at this point. Both are deep and very well coached...FAU has more inside, USA has a lot more athleticism and versatility. I think they're both a notch below WKU in the East...and UNT and ASU in the West.

I think you can put an asterisk next to Denver at home as a top 5 team. Even without Rohnert (so they won't be good anywhere else), that team consistently wins at home.

[Travis]

This all means nothing because we will never be to better than SMU's stellar program.

[Hilltopper2k]

There are five teams that look like legit contenders this year. South Alabama is the 5th.

You aren't "wrong", and I've been saying how fundamentally sound USA always is ever since the first time I saw them under Ronnie Arrow. But I think WKU and FAU are better, and either they'll have to falter or USA will have to overachieve to pass them. It could happen.

Tasty shows here that he knows his Sunbelt basketball. Agree with all of your statements.

I think I may just have a basketball crush on a one Mr Ronnie Arrow. I heart him

I don't know. I wonder if he will be one of those coaches that always seems like big success is just around the corner but always brakes thier hearts. Maybe not.

Agreed with the top five sentiment...I feel there is a precipitous drop-off after UNT, ASU, WKU, USA and FAU.

I think USA and FAU are a toss up at this point. Both are deep and very well coached...FAU has more inside, USA has a lot more athleticism and versatility. I think they're both a notch below WKU in the East...and UNT and ASU in the West.

I give a strong edge to FAU in that one. I think USA will be depending too much on newcomers this year (talented though they may be) where FAU (who came much closer to winning the east last year than USA did) will return basically everyone. I think Mike Jarvis is a better coach than Arrow personally.