Preseason mags: Prepare to be humbled

[cyclones500]

Sorry if someone else posted anything in recent days. But I noticed Athlon & Sporting News CBB preseason magazines on the newsstand yeterday. Since I didn't have the $ to spare, I flipped through each one to the Money Pages, i.e., where ISU is projected in the XII.

Both 12th. Of course.

But the most depressing (yet kind of humorous) part is on Athlon's main Big 12 page, where it has the a summary for each team. ISU's is something like:

"Time to give uniforms to equipment managers."

I assume a lot of the information for these magazines is compiled pretty early in the summer — so some of the late retooling of the roster may not have happened yet. But ... wow.

Athlon does have a featurette on The Mayor in its "Things to Watch" section, or whatever it's called.

I still don't think ISU is finishing last in the conference this season.

[chuckd4735]

Sorry if someone else posted anything in recent days. But I noticed Athlon & Sporting News CBB preseason magazines on the newsstand yeterday. Since I didn't have the $ to spare, I flipped through each one to the Money Pages, i.e., where ISU is projected in the XII.

Both 12th. Of course.

But the most depressing (yet kind of humorous) part is on Athlon's main Big 12 page, where it has the a summary for each team. ISU's is something like:

"Time to give uniforms to equipment managers."

I assume a lot of the information for these magazines is compiled pretty early in the summer — so some of the late retooling of the roster may not have happened yet. But ... wow.

Athlon does have a featurette on The Mayor in its "Things to Watch" section, or whatever it's called.

I still don't think ISU is finishing last in the conference this season.

Who would you put them ahead of and why?

[CycloneErik]

Who would you put them ahead of and why?

CO and NE. After that, not sure this year.

[Bubba Hubba]

Who would you put them ahead of and why?

I would put them 12th, but it's not too much of a stretch to put Colorado there, or maybe Nebraska. Still, I imagine the predictions will be close to unanimous in predicting us at 12th.

The element of surprise is on our side!

[Bubba Hubba]

CO and NE. After that, not sure this year.

You just beat me too it, Erik.

[chuckd4735]

CO and NE. After that, not sure this year.

You just beat me too it, Erik.

I'm assuming your reason why would be because they always finish 11th and 12th?

[jdoggivjc]

Why anyone still gives preseason mags the time of day, I haven't the faintest idea.

We very well could finish last, but I highly doubt that any of these mags did any further research into ISU basketball other than we have a new coach, we had players transfer out, and we weren't that good last year.

[CycloneErik]

I'm assuming your reason why would be because they always finish 11th and 12th?

I was going to say because they're Colorado and Nebraska, but you posted pretty much the same rationale for me.

[driegner]

Is this really that unexpected? I assumed this year would be difficult no matter what. We should treat it as an opportunity to build, enjoy some basketball, and watch the Mayor get his legs under him. This is an opportunity for Hoiberg to make mistakes when it doesn't really matter. He'll be in top form for the 2011 season.

EDIT: I'm NOT saying we should write off the season, but rather, enjoy the fresh air.

[CycloneErik]

Is this really that unexpected? I assumed this year would be difficult no matter what. We should treat it as an opportunity to build, enjoy some basketball, and watch the Mayor get his legs under him. This is an opportunity for Hoiberg to make mistakes when it doesn't really matter. He'll be in top for for the 2011 season.

No, it's completely expected. I don't think we can reasonably expect publication to say anything different. This is clearly a transition year, but it should be exciting!

[Goldfinger]

Colorado is going to have one of their best teams in awhile this year, could win 20 games, may have player of the year in Alex Burks. Thad Boyle is doing a good job recruiting also. CU building a new practice facility for the buffs.

[CycloneYoda]

ISU is going to finish 6-10 in conference play, placing us 8th or 9th. You heard it here first.

[chuckd4735]

I was going to say because they're Colorado and Nebraska, but you posted pretty much the same rationale for me.

Colorado is going to turn heads this year IMO. They had a surprising finish to the season last year and appear to be carrying that momentum. Nebraska returns more than ISU, and has the same coaching staff, so that gives them the upper hand on ISU.

By the way, did anyone notice that Prioleau is coaching at CU now?

[CycloneJames]

Colorado is gaining some buzz as a dark horse candidate this year. I wouldn't sleep on them at all. As far as Nebraska goes, they bring back more than us...but its still Nebraska and I will never pick them to finish ahead of us in basketball. No matter who is coaching either team.

[cyclones500]

A few quick notes from follow-up posts.

1. It doesn't shock me that ISU would be picked last. I said it was "humbling" mostly about the state of the program, and not so much that we should except to finish a lot higher.

2. I don't think ISU will finish 12th, but it's just a hunch at this point. I see a 5-11 record being realistic to accomplish (wins v NU, CU, Tech, OU, possible road win vs. NU, and I wouldn't rule out at least one other home win). Unless the conference has a lot of balance, the last-place team won't have more than 3 wins.