re: Warning !! Basketball related

quote:

---

USA is the only team I believe to return all 5 starters and would beat several sec teams.

---

All five returning starters averaged 14.0+ ppg last year.

I expected Auburn to lose going in, tbh

We beat South Alabama by 3 in our exhibition. They were impressive

quote:

---

USA is the only team I believe to return all 5 starters and would beat several sec teams.

---

"Despite the loss of a handful of regular contributors, South Alabama returns three double-digit scorers and brings in four eligible transfers with Division I experience. And that has expectations growing very quickly in Mobile."

Key Departed Players:
Rodrick Sikes, Guard, 12.1 ppg
R.J. Kelly, Forward, 4.4 ppg
Kory Holden, Guard, 10.4 ppg
Jordan Andrews, Guard, 4.1 ppg
Abdul Dial, Guard, 2.6 ppg

Key Returning Players:
Josh Ajayi, Senior, Forward, 16.4 ppg
Trhae Mitchell, Senior, Forward, 13.6 ppg
Herb McGee, Senior, Guard, 10.0 ppg
John Pettway, Junior, Guard, 4.3 ppg
Kevin Morris, Senior, Forward, 1.4 ppg

Key New Players:
Don Coleman, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Cal
KK Curry, Freshman, Forward
Andre Fox, Senior, Guard, Transfer from High Point
A.C. Kelly, Freshman, Guard
Tyreke Locure, Freshman, Guard
Chad Lott, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from Howard
Adam Sizere, Freshman, Guard
Deaundrae Ballard, Junior, Forward, Transfer from Florida, not eligible
Sam Iorio, Junior, Forward, Transfer from American, not eligible

They didn't return 5, but I believe the optimism for them is based on the 3 returning guys mixed with significant transfers who practiced all last season. I was impressed last night with their athleticism. The refs let it go in the 2nd half and they played aggressively and made a great run at Auburn.

We also have a lot of talent, but we don't have the leadership we had last season. We also don't have the guys that can hit free throws late to keep an 8-10 point lead in tack as a team tries to make a run. I believe we will have a few highs this season and a few scratch your head lows, but in the end I do expect us to be a tournament team.

quote:

---

Xavier is a borderline top 15 team.

---

Mizzou turned the ball over 20x, shot 33% from the field and their only post presence played 2 mns in the first half and they managed to take a solid team on the road to OT. And honestly, Mizzou should have beaten them in regulation. Defense travels, and Mizzou definitely plays defense. No such thing as a moral victory, but I think Mizzou is trending up.