Non-Conference Predictions

[WuShock54]

Greetings Panther fans. It's about that time and I am curious what each team's fans think about their prospects going into the non-conference portion of the schedule.

I plan on posting this for each Valley team in an effort to get both a breakdown of the schedule and how biased we are as "homers" if at all.

For the sake of this discussion, we will only concern ourselves with D1 opponents so the maximum is 11. I realize 2 games in the exempt tourney are unknown, just use your best judgment. Please feel free to break down your selection in subsequent posts. Good luck this year!

[Kyle]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Eight.

Wins
George Mason
Coe
2x Paradise Jam Tourney
Milwaukee
Savannah State
Virginia
Iona

Losses
Ohio
1x Paradise Jam Tourney
ISU
VCU

[WuShock54]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Excellent, glad to see an early response but for the record, Coe is non D1 so that's a 7. Part of the reason for doing this is to get a feel for where the Valley as a whole, and individual teams might stand after non-con in relation to potential at large bids and non D1 games don't count.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

I do not see us winning at UVA. I think there's a better shot of beating isu. I also think Milwaukee and gmu are iffy.

[BCPanther]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Eight.

Wins
George Mason
Coe
2x Paradise Jam Tourney
Milwaukee
Savannah State
Virginia
Iona

Losses
Ohio
1x Paradise Jam Tourney
ISU
VCU

I like this. I would move Ohio to a win, but other than that, I think you're spot on. I really think we're going to be a lot better than people think...

[EVSPanther]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

I like this. I would move Ohio to a win, but other than that, I think you're spot on. I really think we're going to be a lot better than people think...

I would second your response BC. I think this year's team is hard to read. There are a lot of new spots open with new faces all over. I think this upcoming OOC W-L record will mostly be attributed to how the team chemistry has developed and will develop. I think the talent is there to be very successful, but the new-to-campus guys will have to be game-ready fast, and the new-to-lineup guys (Buss, Marvin, etc.) will hopefully have greatly improved their game over the summer.

....although, I suppose about every team says something along the same lines of this every year. Either way, I'm excited to see both the talented class coming in as well as how all the pieces come together this year. We could be in for a VERY exciting year! I hope so. Go Panthers!!!

[06panther10]

I love our players and think we are going to develop into a great team these next couple years. But you can't rely on freshman heavily and expect to win a ton right out of the gate, especially when most of our games OOC will be played away from home.

The good (also bad) news is that the Valley could potentially be terrible this year, which gives us a shot for a high conf finish.

[WuShock54]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Any changes in thought after the 2 exhibitions games?

[Kyle]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Yes. I think we probably looking at 6-7 wins instead of 8. Washpun is better than I expected, but Friedman looks very clumsy and our defense is terrible. It also appears as though Morgan is also not going to be an immediate impact player like we all expected.

I hope I am wrong.

[Codytwo]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

I wish I could vote.

[catsize]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Yes. I think we probably looking at 6-7 wins instead of 8. Washpun is better than I expected, but Friedman looks very clumsy and our defense is terrible. It also appears as though Morgan is also not going to be an immediate impact player like we all expected.

I hope I am wrong.

I disagree completely.

Friedman looks fine and has better hands then either Pehl or Eglseder in the post. He was dominant inside for several possessions against Bemidji even as they were trying to pack it in on him. Good passer, too. My only concern with him is being able to hit FTs (3-8 in the exhibitions)

Morgan looked a little rushed in the first half vs Bemidji but was better in the second half and all of the UD game. Solid on defense and looks to have a decent understanding on offense of what he needs to do and where he needs to be. Smooth shot, just didn't fall Friday night. Had an explosive move to the rim that he nearly dunked in the second half that drew a foul.

Tuttle, Washpun, and Mitchell are clearly going to be out leaders, but we have 8 additional parts that Jake will be able to mix and match in there as well depending on needs. And I think Carlson could be useful if an injury forced us to need him as well. Koch definitely needs weight/strength.

[UNIDebo]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Eight.

Wins
George Mason
Coe
2x Paradise Jam Tourney
Milwaukee
Savannah State
Virginia
Iona

Losses
Ohio
1x Paradise Jam Tourney
ISU
VCU

Swap Virginia with ISU and drop Mason to an L..

If the pieces to the puzzle start to fit by Feb. or even Jan. we could be very good.

Think big Ted and Morgan are just alittle stiff to college play. When the game slows down for them we'll see better production out of them, at least more rebounds.

[Kyle]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

I disagree completely.

Friedman looks fine and has better hands then either Pehl or Eglseder in the post. He was dominant inside for several possessions against Bemidji even as they were trying to pack it in on him. Good passer, too. My only concern with him is being able to hit FTs (3-8 in the exhibitions)

Morgan looked a little rushed in the first half vs Bemidji but was better in the second half and all of the UD game. Solid on defense and looks to have a decent understanding on offense of what he needs to do and where he needs to be. Smooth shot, just didn't fall Friday night. Had an explosive move to the rim that he nearly dunked in the second half that drew a foul.

Tuttle, Washpun, and Mitchell are clearly going to be out leaders, but we have 8 additional parts that Jake will be able to mix and match in there as well depending on needs. And I think Carlson could be useful if an injury forced us to need him as well. Koch definitely needs weight/strength.

What is your prediction? 9 wins? 10 wins? Undefeated?

[catsize]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

What is your prediction? 9 wins? 10 wins? Undefeated?

I highly doubt we'll be undefeated but won't ever say never. I think it is too early to tell with how games could be officiated-especially games at the Paradise Jam where we don't know who will be calling them and the CAA officials we'll have in the VCU game or a big-time homer potential at Virginia. I think Mason, Ohio, Milwaukee, Savannah State, Iona are all winnable and losable. Our style has never been to dominate anyone by running them out a gym so we always seem to play close games regardless. We have a tough schedule with a lot of road/neutral games and only a few home games including VCU, though SSU and Iona will be solid teams as well.

I think 7 or 8 wins is a reasonable prediction based on our track record, but 6-6 wouldn't surprise me, nor would 10-2.

[Kyle]

Re: Non-Conference Predictions

Just so I get this right:

I predict 6-7 wins. You disagree completely.

I ask for your prediction. You predict 7-8 wins.

LOL. Only on PN do you find such logic.