Old Titan Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 The hits just keep on coming, with the defending Conference-USA tournament champions: #48 University of Tulsa TU will be making a significant upgrade in competition as they join the American Athletic Conference, but still return enough from last year's surprising team to warrant a predicted at-large NCAA bid and 4th Place AAC finish from Joel Welser (most likely behind defending national champion Connecticut, plus SMU and Memphis). Biggest question is how quickly so many returning players will adjust to the system of new head coach Frank Haith, late of Missouri and Miami. Here's hoping they're all still working the kinks out when they open the season at the Mabee Center on November 15th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 Speaking of the AAC, here's their predicted 3rd Place team: #39 The University of Memphis Ever since John Calipari left and Josh Pastner took over, I've considered the Tigers a poor man's Kentucky: high-profile 5-star recruits that never stay long, leading to "who-knows-how-good-the-team-is" rosters composed of extremely talented - and extremely young - players. This year is no exception: there's not a single returning senior on the Tigers roster, but the underclassmen are off-the-charts talented. At minimum, they will be good this year; and they could be great by the time ORU visits on December 20th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 These two opponents got skipped earlier, since their spots on the list came up before the ORU schedule was announced: #122 Weber State All the Wildcats did last year was win the Big Sky regular season and tournament championship, and they're picked to do the same this season. Is that a prerequisite this year for an opponent to be on ORU's schedule? #104 University of Missouri This Missouri team is still reeling from losses, departures, suspensions, and other forms of turmoil last year that cumlinated in head coach Frank Haith bolting for Tulsa one step ahead of an angry mob of boosters. Enter Norm Stewart devotee Kim Anderson, who is also a friend of the ORU coaching staff. The Tigers are projected to finish in the lower half of the SEC this year, and believe it or not, represent one of ORU's best opportunities for a win on the non-conference schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeagleman5 Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 TU ranked 48th.....not a chance......that's nuts.....maybe 148th...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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