Although not making Andy Katz' very early preseason poll, Valpo is listed as a "Don't Sleep on Team."
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7801992/indiana-hoosiers-lead-revised-top-25-plenty-changes-elsewhere (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7801992/indiana-hoosiers-lead-revised-top-25-plenty-changes-elsewhere)
Based on returnees and transfers, VU should be the overwhelming HL favorite next year. I don't understand why Katz is so high on Butler, aside from its recent history. It looks like Butler's got one shooter coming in, but the Dawgs lose Nored, and the rest of the team couldn't throw the ball in Lake Michigan standing on the beach. Butler's solid on defense but very shaky on offense. Anyone who thinks VU isn't a solid favorite over Butler next year didn't see either team play last year.
Now, that said, VU is going to have to find some toughness to go with its talent and experience. We all saw how Detroit ran Valpo out of its own gym in the HL title game, and the key thing that happened was that the tougher team won. VU is going to have to get a little more hard-nosed, mentally and physically, to win the league and make any noise in the NCAAs. I hope the Crusaders do toughen up over the offseason, because this club has the talent to be the best VU team since 1998, if not better. If the team plays to its potential, VU could win 25 games or more.
Butler has both Clarke and the freshman kid who can really fill it up from outside. Combine them with Stevens' coaching, Smith, Marshall, Jones and Hopkins and Butler should be quite solid next year assuming they can fill Nored's leadership role.
With the added athleticism if these new guys can play at all Valpo should be back on top again.
We dominated Butler this past season. With the players we have returning plus the addition of Capo, Dotity, etc., we should be heavily favored to lead the league next year. That said, no question butler looks better on paper. Butler fans are always bitching about the HL being a 1-bid league. Let's see if the Bulldogs can improve enough to do something about it.
To repeat what I started saying last summer, we should be the Horizon League team to beat in 12-13. As much as I hated to see Edwards departure it might not have much early or total season impact if the bigs that stayed are injury free. We should be stronger and deeper both inside and out. An old experienced team with few question marks and the best depth of talent perhaps ever. Given some healthy bodies, if Butler can take back the H.L. crown then they will certainly have earned it.
Quote from: wh on April 12, 2012, 10:48:53 PM
We dominated Butler this past season. With the players we have returning plus the addition of Capo, Dotity, etc., we should be heavily favored to lead the league next year. That said, no question butler looks better on paper. Butler fans are always bitching about the HL being a 1-bid league. Let's see if the Bulldogs can improve enough to do something about it.
I don't know where this macho is coming from, wh, but you sell it really well. You got game. The bad-ass backspin is extremely well played. :thumbsup:
Quote from: wh on April 12, 2012, 10:48:53 PM
We dominated Butler this past season. With the players we have returning plus the addition of Capo, Dotity, etc., we should be heavily favored to lead the league next year. That said, no question butler looks better on paper. Butler fans are always bitching about the HL being a 1-bid league. Let's see if the Bulldogs can improve enough to do something about it.
Any word on whether Valpo is beefing up the non-conference schedule for next year? With so much talent, playing a tougher schedule would certainly help Valpo build an at-large resume, if that's one of their goals. I know Mark Lazerus thinks non-conference games don't matter for Valpo, but I tend to disagree.
Quote from: zvillehaze on April 13, 2012, 09:56:14 AM
Quote from: wh on April 12, 2012, 10:48:53 PM
We dominated Butler this past season. With the players we have returning plus the addition of Capo, Dotity, etc., we should be heavily favored to lead the league next year. That said, no question butler looks better on paper. Butler fans are always bitching about the HL being a 1-bid league. Let's see if the Bulldogs can improve enough to do something about it.
Any word on whether Valpo is beefing up the non-conference schedule for next year? With so much talent, playing a tougher schedule would certainly help Valpo build an at-large resume, if that's one of their goals. I know Mark Lazerus thinks non-conference games don't matter for Valpo, but I tend to disagree.
I can't speak for Lazerus, but it could be that the main reason why non-conference games don't mean anything for Valpo is precisely because the non-conference schedule is not noteworthy (or in some cases is it too noteworthy, if you get my meaning).
I think he says that in-season, after the non-conference schedule is already set. If he's saying it now prior to even knowing what it will be (we know one or two but that's it), that'd be different.
Quote from: StlVUFan on April 13, 2012, 10:00:35 AM
I think he says that in-season, after the non-conference schedule is already set. If he's saying it now prior to even knowing what it will be (we know one or two but that's it), that'd be different.
He hasn't commented on the upcoming season yet, but he traditionally runs that article/blog after the IPFW loss.
Has anyone heard if LMU will be returning the Bracket Buster game next year? That would be a quality home game if they do. Any other ideas on who Valpo might face in the non-conference schedule?
We still owe Missouri State a return away game for the 2011 bracketbuster/ Unless Valpo has made a deal not to owe that one somehow. That is a solid RPI game.
Quote from: crusadermoe on April 13, 2012, 01:29:06 PM
We still owe Missouri State a return away game for the 2011 bracketbuster/ Unless Valpo has made a deal not to owe that one somehow. That is a solid RPI game.
that one's due this year. but i'd like to see us get lmu to visit this year as well. definitely need something to balance out the likely appearances of iun/ipfw and other non-d1s.
We also have another game at Oakland U.
If we play in Springfield, I'll have to do my best to get to that game, only about 3 hour drive. If they want to play SIU-Carbondale, I could swing that too, of course ;) SLU would be even better...
Quote from: StlVUFan on April 13, 2012, 04:45:25 PM
We also have another game at Oakland U.
If we play in Springfield, I'll have to do my best to get to that game, only about 3 hour drive. If they want to play SIU-Carbondale, I could swing that too, of course ;) SLU would be even better...
So the Oakland game last year was the start of a new deal and not a return for Valpo playing in the Oakland tourney? (No idea, just asking). I assume the IUPUI and Northern Illinois will also be returning games from last season, is that right?
Anyone know if Valpo will be participating in another Gazelle Group event this year? Those add games, but unless you get to host like Valpo did last year, aren't really something a top-50 team like Valpo cares to participate in.
A few comments:
-Everyone is talking about Butler - don't forget about Detroit. While we all question their coaching, they played very well in the second half of the Horizon League season and the conference tourney.
-I would still like to see one more decent quality big to replace Edwards. That is a significant loss (when Edwards was playing well)
-How about another road trip to Lawrence? Combine it with the trip to Missouri State. South Florida and Long Beach State played respectably here this year, Davidson won in KC and it vaulted all of them to good seasons...why not Valpo in 12-13? (yeah I know they came here in 10-11)
I'm not that worried about Detroit, because even with McCallum, they lose almost everyone else of note: no more Minnerath, no more Holman, no more Chase Simon, no Donavan Foster or LaMarcus Lowe. So good luck with that. By my math, they lose over 60% of their minutes played for the season; put another way, they lose 50% of the minutes from the HL championship game and we lose 8% (Edwards). So, Jason, the only thing that really scares me about you is your last name--Calliste.
Unless you're afraid of Juwan Howard, Jr., and nobody was except WMU fans ;) HEYO
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 15, 2012, 12:18:38 PM
I'm not that worried about Detroit, because even with McCallum, they lose almost everyone else of note: no more Minnerath, no more Holman, no more Chase Simon, no Donavan Foster or LaMarcus Lowe. So good luck with that. By my math, they lose over 60% of their minutes played for the season; put another way, they lose 50% of the minutes from the HL championship game and we lose 8% (Edwards). So, Jason, the only thing that really scares me about you is your last name--Calliste.
Unless you're afraid of Juwan Howard, Jr., and nobody was except WMU fans ;) HEYO
isn't minnerath going for a medical redshirt and to play this coming season
Quote from: vu84v2 on April 15, 2012, 11:31:20 AM
A few comments:
-Everyone is talking about Butler - don't forget about Detroit. While we all question their coaching, they played very well in the second half of the Horizon League season and the conference tourney.
-I would still like to see one more decent quality big to replace Edwards. That is a significant loss (when Edwards was playing well)
-How about another road trip to Lawrence? Combine it with the trip to Missouri State. South Florida and Long Beach State played respectably here this year, Davidson won in KC and it vaulted all of them to good seasons...why not Valpo in 12-13? (yeah I know they came here in 10-11)
I guess I don't understand your point. Edwards left for a couple of reasons. Probably missed Florida and family (he has a child to worry about) but certainly part of it was the fact that his playing time would be limited because of Capo and Fernandez. Capo is bigger, tougher and probably as good an offensive player. Add Vashil with shot blocking skills and another two scoring guards and Richie just became expendable. So we add TWO more "decent quality bigs" not just one.
Quote from: vuweathernerd on April 15, 2012, 02:23:07 PMisn't minnerath going for a medical redshirt and to play this coming season
he could pull a Tonagel/MacPherson--and that would be slightly more scary--but it's not a done deal yet.
if and when that happens, and their incoming bigs turn out to be Holman sans attitude...well, yeah, that would be scary.
To add one further point on UDM--they graduate just two starters from their NCAA game, but 54% of the minutes, and four of the top six players (in terms of minutes) from that game:
http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=320762305 (http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=320762305)
If the new guys aren't good, it'd be for McCallum as if Bryce ended up with Jason Jenkins instead of Bill & Bob ;)
Quote from: vu72 on April 15, 2012, 05:00:58 PM
Quote from: vu84v2 on April 15, 2012, 11:31:20 AM
A few comments:
-Everyone is talking about Butler - don't forget about Detroit. While we all question their coaching, they played very well in the second half of the Horizon League season and the conference tourney.
-I would still like to see one more decent quality big to replace Edwards. That is a significant loss (when Edwards was playing well)
-How about another road trip to Lawrence? Combine it with the trip to Missouri State. South Florida and Long Beach State played respectably here this year, Davidson won in KC and it vaulted all of them to good seasons...why not Valpo in 12-13? (yeah I know they came here in 10-11)
I guess I don't understand your point. Edwards left for a couple of reasons. Probably missed Florida and family (he has a child to worry about) but certainly part of it was the fact that his playing time would be limited because of Capo and Fernandez. Capo is bigger, tougher and probably as good an offensive player. Add Vashil with shot blocking skills and another two scoring guards and Richie just became expendable. So we add TWO more "decent quality bigs" not just one.
My thoughts exactly. Being concerned about who will fill Edwards' spot for next season just makes no sense. We will have more firepower down low then we did last year.
Quote from: DMvalpo18 on April 17, 2012, 03:26:25 PM
My thoughts exactly. Being concerned about who will fill Edwards' spot for next season just makes no sense. We will have more firepower down low then we did last year.
You can say the same about the backcourt. At this point, I can't see the need for Valpo to add anyone else for next season. If I were Bryce, I'd use the scholarship on a.) a quality DI transfer, b.) a high school player who doesn't mind redshirting a year or c.) hold it for the following year. You could make the argument for a guy like John Hart from Purdue, who will be immediately eligible and may win a few games, but I sense he wants to go somewhere to get more playing time and that likely wouldn't happen at Valpo.
Did someone forget UDM's Doug Anderson? :crazy: I know he doesn't play defense, but he can JUMP TO THE MOON! We should be good next year with the guys we return.
Edwards leaving for "family reasons" makes sense with that new information.
His statement about being in Miami (for NIT game) is a little clearer now.
So, is there one scholarship left? I have lost count.
lowposter
Quote from: lowposter on April 17, 2012, 06:08:39 PMSo, is there one scholarship left? I have lost count.
lowposter
Yes--according to the scholarship chart and eligibility thingie there are 12 on roster for next year.
I'm told that Valpo will play Nebraska in the 2012-2013 season.
2 scholarships available now...although one will be snatched up very soon.
I gotta say, that's why I didn't post the new eligibility graphic, although I thought it was because we would be adding one soon, not subtracting.
I guess that's the way of the world. Chef, any suggestions as to the taker?
Not in a position to say much, although I do believe there will be an announcement real soon.
hm. i don't want to put you in an awkward position or anything...can you tell us what position will he play?
haha...nvm. checked the other thread.
I wouldn't file this under "new information", necessarily, but it's good to know:
http://blogs.post-trib.com/lazerus/2012/04/eligibility-update.html (http://blogs.post-trib.com/lazerus/2012/04/eligibility-update.html)
To wit:
"There has been some confusion over the eligibility of Valparaiso's three incoming transfers -- even in the basketball wing at Valparaiso, as the school is still in the process of hiring a new compliance director. Here's where the three players stand as of now, according to Bryce Drew:
Jordan Coleman can definitely play right away. It's unclear if he'll have two or three years of eligibility.
Lavonte Dority is still up in the air. At the very worst, he'll be eligible at the semester break, like Ben Boggs was this past season. But Drew is still hoping he could be cleared for the start of the season. He should have two seasons of eligibility left.
David Chadwick will sit out next season. He'll have two years of eligibility left."
Hey, maybe we should have one of our guys take that job...think of the insider info we could have!
Maybe not Crusader03.
An early preview of the Horizon League's 2012-2013 season:
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2012/6/8/3072504/horizon-league-preview-2012-2013-college-basketball-butler-valpo-detroit (http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2012/6/8/3072504/horizon-league-preview-2012-2013-college-basketball-butler-valpo-detroit)
i'm not sure i buy youngstown finishing fourth. that'd likely be the highest they're capable of finishing. i see them in the bottom half, honestly.
Can someone post the article in the thread? The link won't pull up the full article for me at work :)
Quote from: valpotx on June 08, 2012, 02:35:15 PM
Can someone post the article in the thread? The link won't pull up the full article for me at work :)
Here it is
Horizon League Preview: Staring Down Life After Butler
By Mike Rutherford - College Basketball Editor
Keeping its reputation as a top mid-major conference in tact is the primary concern for a Horizon League facing life without its headline program.
Follow @sbnation on Twitter, and Like SBNation.com on Facebook.
Jun 8, 2012 - For more than a decade, Butler has been to the Horizon League what Wayne Gretzky was to the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s. Now the Bulldogs are off to the Atlantic-10, and its former conference is scrambling to make sure it doesn't become an unsexy franchise on the verge of freezing to death in Alberta (figuratively).
The good news for the Horizon is that this move isn't coming immediately after Butler's back-to-back national title game appearances. The league has already experienced what life without the Bulldogs at the top is like, and as a result can say it's returning both its reigning regular season (Valparaiso) and tournament (Detroit) champions.
Still, with Butler down last season, the conference went from a multi-bid league featuring the two-time defending national runners-up to one whose lone representative in the big dance was a 15 seed. The issue for the Horizon now becomes making sure that type of postseason situation and performance doesn't become the norm.
2011-12 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
STANDINGS CONFERENCE OVERALL
Horizon W-L GB PCT W-L PCT STRK
Valparaiso 14-4 -- .778 22-11 .667 L1
Cleveland State 12-6 2 .667 22-10 .688 L1
Detroit 11-7 3 .611 22-13 .629 W5
Milwaukee 11-7 3 .611 20-13 .606 L1
Butler 11-7 3 .611 20-14 .588 L1
Youngstown State 10-8 4 .556 16-15 .516 L1
Green Bay 10-8 4 .556 15-15 .500 L1
Wright State 7-11 7 .389 13-19 .406 L3
Illinois-Chicago 3-15 11 .167 8-22 .267 L4
Loyola (IL) 1-17 13 .056 7-23 .233 L4
CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
3) Detroit defeated 1) Valparaiso (70-50)
NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULT
15) Detroit (automatic) lost to 2) Kansas (65-50)
THREE BIGGEST OFFSEASON STORYLINES
1. Can Valpo become the new Butler?
Filling out the shoes worn by a back-to-back national runner-up is a nearly impossible task for any mid-major program, but the one with the biggest feet in the Horizon League right now would seem to be Valpo. They've had sustained success in the recent past, they have a marketable young coach in Bryce Drew, they're located in a talent-rich area and they just won the Horizon by a full two games in just their fifth season in the league.
Though becoming Butler, a program more likely to find itself ranked in the top 25 than on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble in recent years, is probably unachievable, Valpo has all the necessary ingredients to carry the flag for the Horizon League in these still uncertain times. Making some noise during the non-conference portion of the season and then winning a game in the big dance would do wonders for both the conference and the Crusaders' long-term sustainability.
2. Scheduling concerns
The unexpected immediate departure of Butler has every team in the league with two open slots on its schedule and not a great deal of time to fill them. The downgrade from 18 to 16 conference games means all nine teams have to strike a pair of non-con deals before the start of the season, which is a tough sell in the summer if you're not a power conference team.
3. No coaching changes
Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the league this offseason, each of the conference's nine remaining members managed or chose to hold onto its head coach. That's an extremely rare occurrence for any league in this day and age, but especially for a mid-major conference in a state of flux.
EARLY PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Valparaiso
Bryce Drew's team went 14-4 in the league during the regular season last year and lost no seniors of note. Leading scorers and rebounders Ryan Broekhoff and Kevin Van Wijk are back for their senior seasons, and both have a bitter taste in their mouths after a disastrous performance in the conference title game.
2. Detroit
With Ray McCallum Jr. back, it's an easy argument to make that this is the most talented team in the conference. The problem with the Titans -- and it seems strange to say this about a Horizon League team -- the past two years has been focus. They've gone through the motions for stretches during conference play and then attempted to turn it up once the spotlight came their way. It worked last season, as they won their four conference tournament games by an average of just under 13 points. The graduation of seniors Chase Simon and Eli Holman provide holes that will be difficult to fill.
3. Green Bay
Green Bay appears to be the team from the pack most capable of challenging Valpo and Detroit. The Phoenix return their top four scorers from last season, including one of the top double-double men in the league in junior center Alec Brown. Brown scored in double figures in all but two of Green Bay's final 13 games last year.
4. Youngstown State
The Penguins will return three players, including two seniors, who averaged double figures last season in Kendrick Perry, Blake Allen and Damian Eargle. Perry, who led YSU in scoring (16.8 ppg), assists (3.9 apg) and steals (2.4 spg) in 2011-12, is the guy who makes this team go. He scored 20 or more points in six of Youngstown's final nine games, including a 30-point performance in a win over Milwaukee.
5. Milwaukee
The league's most balanced team last season loses its two leading scorers, but still returns three guys who averaged 7.6 points per game or better. The loss of Ja'Rob McCallum to transfer is a blow, but junior college transfers Jordan Aaron and Thierno Niang will provide immediate help in the backcourt. The addition of Aaron, who could be the Panthers' starting point guard from day one, is especially crucial.
6. Cleveland State
The Vikings were as disappointing as any team in the country in February and March last season, losing nine of their final 11 games after beginning the season 20-4. Losing its only three double-figure scorers to graduation doesn't do anything to help the offseason healing process.
7. Wright State
It can be argued that no team in the country has had a worse offseason than the Raiders, who have lost five players to transfer, tied with San Francisco for the most in Division-I. Leading scorer Julius Mays heading to Kentucky for his final season is the unquestioned biggest blow of the bunch.
8. Loyola-Chicago
The Ramblers won just one league game last season, but they were rarely blown out, dropping three of those contests in overtime. They also won at Bradley in their BracketBusters game, which is ... something. These two facts combined with the return of Ben Averkamp for his senior season has me going out on the "not picking Loyola last" limb.
9. Illinois-Chicago
The Flames had four key seniors last season and still only managed to win eight games overall. Gary Talton will have to have a monster senior season for the team to improve upon that mark.
EARLY PREDICTED ALL-HORIZON LEAGUE TEAM
G Ray McCallum Jr., Detroit
G Kendrick Perry, Youngstown State
F Kevin Van Wijk, Valparaiso
F Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso
F Ben Averkamp, Loyola-Chicago
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Junior Lomomba, Cleveland State
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ray McCallum Jr., Detroit
Don't recall hearing anything about Lomomba but I'd be shocked if he has a better year than Bobby Capobianco. If either Rossi or Dority are eligible they will make the all new comer team. If Ryan isn't the MVP it will be because of injury.
Thanks for providing the information! I would agree with all except YSU, as previously mentioned. They did have a better year last year...but they are still YSU :)
Quote from: vu72 on June 08, 2012, 03:47:11 PM
Don't recall hearing anything about Lomomba but I'd be shocked if he has a better year than Bobby Capobianco. If either Rossi or Dority are eligible they will make the all new comer team. If Ryan isn't the MVP it will be because of injury.
One thing impacting POY is that McCallum will need to be more productive now that Simon and Holman are gone ... he'll clearly get a lot more shots without Simon on the court. ;D
The opposite could be said for Broekhoff, who with the surrounding talent, won't need to score as much and probably won't be asked to play 32+ mpg like he did last year. Also, Capobianco didn't transfer to Valpo to set screens (just look at any quotes from him or his family regarding how his talents were misused at IU), so he will need to get his share of shots to be happy.
All of that points to slightly lower numbers for Broekhoff, but I still think he deserves POY if Valpo rolls through the league with no more than a loss or two ... unless of course, Van Wijk or Capobianco put up better numbers!
Hello. New to the board. I'm really excited about this coming season. Indications are with the returning talent that this season's Valpo team will be better than last season. They will be bigger, stronger and possibly faster when Dority starts playing.
Quote from: uhlan80 on June 24, 2012, 05:20:28 PM
Hello. New to the board. I'm really excited about this coming season. Indications are with the returning talent that this season's Valpo team will be better than last season. They will be bigger, stronger and possibly faster when Dority starts playing.
:welcome: Many of us think this will be the best team in many years. Should be a fun year!
Valpo "poised to be next year's tourney Cinderella"?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1234719-10-teams-poised-to-be-next-years-tourney-cinderella/page/7 (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1234719-10-teams-poised-to-be-next-years-tourney-cinderella/page/7)
Quote from: valpopal on June 25, 2012, 08:39:10 PMValpo "poised to be next year's tourney Cinderella"?
While I agree with the sentiment in this case, I feel it must again be stated:
Friends don't let friends read BleacherReport.
Kevin Van Wijk is predicted as one of the top ten high-efficiency scorers (fifth) for the upcoming 2012-2013 season:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1273166-college-basketball-top-ten-high-efficiency-scorers-in-2012-13-cbb/page/7 (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1273166-college-basketball-top-ten-high-efficiency-scorers-in-2012-13-cbb/page/7)
Seriously? College football is still weeks away and Joe Lunardi has put out a 2013 NCAA bracket.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013 (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013)
This being worth precisely what it costs you to read it, I can't even get upset that he picks Detroit to win the conference and be a 14 seed. At least he doesn't have Butler in there. Opponents picked (besides UDM) are Murray St (13) and New Mexico (11). Perhaps the BBuster and the as-yet-untitled could be in there too, but I'm not holding my breath.
Seriously. This guy gets paid and stuff.
Probably because suckers like me are giving him hits over nothing.
lunardi is one of the biggest windbags in sports writing. roughly the irrelevant windbag equivalent of lou holtz and digger phelps in football/basketball on-air commentary.
Yeah, apostle, my only contribution to this discussion is to ignore bracketology -- Lunardi especially. I've been singing this tune for years now. Lunardi literally throws darts at a dart board. I promise you he picked Detroit because they won the auto-bid last year and for *no other reason*.
He and all bracketologists, even the smart ones like Jerry Palm, and even the ones that come out late Feb. 2013 are on my "Pay no mind" list, and I heartily recommend everybody do the same, rather than continue to bitch about it. That's not a request, that's just free advice ;)
Whatever their intentions are, they -- plus all the 4-letter pundit roundtables -- rob me of my joy in the game if I pay any attention to them, so I don't. They simply don't matter.
True...but...I am afraid that were he to pick VU as (say) a 10 seed, we'd all be waving it about and (the internet equivalent of) high-fiving.
Still, then, I am amending my earlier postulate:
Friends don't let friends read BleacherReport, Michael Rosenberg, or any bracket released by anyone other than the actual NCAA committee.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 14, 2012, 02:18:29 PM
True...but...I am afraid that were he to pick VU as (say) a 10 seed, we'd all be waving it about and (the internet equivalent of) high-fiving.
Still, then, I am amending my earlier postulate:
Friends don't let friends read BleacherReport, Michael Rosenberg, or any bracket released by anyone other than the actual NCAA committee.
Maybe a few years ago, but today, honestly, no I wouldn't be. I'd be saying the same thing. Oh, I would find the notion pleasurable, but I wouldn't put any stock in it. 2010 and 2011 (our dear departed rivals) cured me of all such leaps of faith. Seeing so many pundits wiping egg off their faces day after day and weekend after weekend was truly liberating.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 13, 2012, 09:26:33 PM
Seriously? College football is still weeks away and Joe Lunardi has put out a 2013 NCAA bracket.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013 (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013)
This being worth precisely what it costs you to read it, I can't even get upset that he picks Detroit to win the conference and be a 14 seed. At least he doesn't have Butler in there. Opponents picked (besides UDM) are Murray St (13) and New Mexico (11). Perhaps the BBuster and the as-yet-untitled could be in there too, but I'm not holding my breath.
Seriously. This guy gets paid and stuff.
Probably because suckers like me are giving him hits over nothing.
I can see trying to predict the bracket starting about mid-January, after most non-conference games and a few conference games, but in August? Has Lunardi been spending his summer in one of those states with medicinal alternatives?
Quote from: covufan on August 15, 2012, 03:42:36 PM
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 13, 2012, 09:26:33 PM
Seriously? College football is still weeks away and Joe Lunardi has put out a 2013 NCAA bracket.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013 (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology/_/year/2013)
This being worth precisely what it costs you to read it, I can't even get upset that he picks Detroit to win the conference and be a 14 seed. At least he doesn't have Butler in there. Opponents picked (besides UDM) are Murray St (13) and New Mexico (11). Perhaps the BBuster and the as-yet-untitled could be in there too, but I'm not holding my breath.
Seriously. This guy gets paid and stuff.
Probably because suckers like me are giving him hits over nothing.
I can see trying to predict the bracket starting about mid-January, after most non-conference games and a few conference games, but in August? Has Lunardi been spending his summer in one of those states with medicinal alternatives?
He gets paid (handsomely, I'm sure) to throw darts at a dart board and tell us about it. The fact that so many people eat it up speaks to his genius. I assure you he's perfectly sane and well adjusted.