***Men's Basketball Magazine Predictions***

[CycloneErik]

So if the girl that accused him is totally full of sh** and he is not guilty, and his court date is in October he won't be playing?

It's October now. They won't have a rape trial concluded that quickly.

Since suspended players tend not to play, and he certainly can't practice, he wouldn't play any sooner than conference season. By then he's replaced, or possibly in prison.

I have no specific knowledge of the case. Won't claim any. Don't want any. Purely analyzing where things would be at right now, with Bubu suspended and practice about to start, Bubu's not in any position to play anytime soon, no matter the verdict. Just plan on life without Bubu at this point.

[CycloneErik]

I've said this before, but however you want to order it, you have to put a pretty good team 8th. Of the 8 teams not named Texas Tech or TCU, I would probably bet every single one to get to the tournament if they were 3/2 odds to do so. (e.g. I think each team in the top 8 has at least a 40% chance to reach the tournament.)

So don't take it as an insult if people put ISU 8th. We lost three of our top four players, including one of the best players in the country, from the 32nd best team in the country, and haven't gone to the tournament otherwise since 2005. So it's great to be optimistic, but understand why it's also not unreasonable to have ISU 8th.

Don't like 8th, but you're right.

[Cyke]

We were predicted to get 8th and 9th in a lot of preseason prediction mags last year. Royce used to tweet about how he took it personal. It just goes to show that these mean absolutely nothing. period.

[nallen34]

I've said this before, but however you want to order it, you have to put a pretty good team 8th. Of the 8 teams not named Texas Tech or TCU, I would probably bet every single one to get to the tournament if they were 3/2 odds to do so. (e.g. I think each team in the top 8 has at least a 40% chance to reach the tournament.)

So don't take it as an insult if people put ISU 8th. We lost three of our top four players, including one of the best players in the country, from the 32nd best team in the country, and haven't gone to the tournament otherwise since 2005. So it's great to be optimistic, but understand why it's also not unreasonable to have ISU 8th.

Well put. But on the other hand writers/reporters need to get their facts straight that we return our top 4-9 players. We are bringing in a transfer from Utah that averaged 17 and 7, the back up PG from Michigan State who played behind Kalin Lucas. Both of these players sat out a year and got better than they already were. And also don't forget a top 60 player from the class of 2012. We have 5 seniors(4 being RS seniors), more depth at every position, and a coach with another year of experience.

Granted the conferences is loaded with good teams but come on they are really gonna put us 8th after we finished 3rd last year? They need to do their homework.

[nallen34]

It's October now. They won't have a rape trial concluded that quickly.

Since suspended players tend not to play, and he certainly can't practice, he wouldn't play any sooner than conference season. By then he's replaced, or possibly in prison.

I have no specific knowledge of the case. Won't claim any. Don't want any. Purely analyzing where things would be at right now, with Bubu suspended and practice about to start, Bubu's not in any position to play anytime soon, no matter the verdict. Just plan on life without Bubu at this point.

Yeah you are probably right. It will be good to get Naz some experience backing Lucious up.

[Bluffers]

I rate these as the 6th and 8th best preseason prediction magazines.

[Cydkar]

Finished tied for third.

...they just are not sure how the returning players, freshmen, and transfers will mesh.......again.

And neither are we.

[Cydkar]

He also didn't sink this clutch 3 to help his team advance in the NCAA Tournament.

A certain Iowa Hawkeye turned ISU Cyclone made a huge shot in the Big 10 tournament but he still sucked. I'm not anti-Korie, I'm just pointing out that it's not a sure thing and the evidence isn't overwhelmingly positive. I'm quite confident in him, actually.

[Cydkar]

Well put. But on the other hand writers/reporters need to get their facts straight that we return our top 4-9 players. We are bringing in a transfer from Utah that averaged 17 and 7, the back up PG from Michigan State who played behind Kalin Lucas. Both of these players sat out a year and got better than they already were. And also don't forget a top 60 player from the class of 2012. We have 5 seniors(4 being RS seniors), more depth at every position, and a coach with another year of experience.

Granted the conferences is loaded with good teams but come on they are really gonna put us 8th after we finished 3rd last year? They need to do their homework.

The difference between 8th and 5th could be about one game, in theory. When I go through the teams I can see 8th happening. Each conference game is going to be extremely important (Captain Obvious statement )

[JBone84]

As a guy who grew up with the Fighting Illini as my first love, until I came to Iowa State and learned what love is...

KSU will finish middle of the pack this year (with Martin's leftovers) and sink down to the bottom third for the remainder of Bruce Weber's tenure. This guy can't coach his way out of a wet paper sack. I, for one, am glad to see him in the Big 12!

[brokenloginagain]

I look at this year's big12 like this: KU is 1st, and TCU/Ttech are last, and 3-8 is a crapshoot. Not only are TCU and TTech consensus last place teams, they could be horrifically lousy. Its very likely they won't be favored in any conference game.

So there's 8 teams that have 32 potential/likely wins to share amongst themselves. Sweep TCU and Tech and go 0.500 the rest of the season and that's a 11-7 record and a tourney appearance.

Baylor, OSU, and Texas have the most NBA talent, KSU and OU return everyone, WVU has a coach who's only missed the tourney once in like 25 years, and then there's us. Going to be a very exciting a close conference race!

[ISUChippewa]

Question; has anyone seen a Sporting News College Basketball preview magazine anywhere? In years past they did a preview (and pretty good ones at that), for pro football, college football, and college basketball, but I didn't see any previews for football season and haven't seen one yet for college BB.

I've never really thought too much of Athlon's. This thread reminds me that I need to order the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, both objectively and subjectively the best preview magazine out there, and 2nd place isn't even close.

[madcityCY]

I look at this year's big12 like this: KU is 1st, and TCU/Ttech are last, and 3-8 is a crapshoot. Not only are TCU and TTech consensus last place teams, they could be horrifically lousy. Its very likely they won't be favored in any conference game.

So there's 8 teams that have 32 potential/likely wins to share amongst themselves. Sweep TCU and Tech and go 0.500 the rest of the season and that's a 11-7 record and a tourney appearance.

Baylor, OSU, and Texas have the most NBA talent, KSU and OU return everyone, WVU has a coach who's only missed the tourney once in like 25 years, and then there's us. Going to be a very exciting a close conference race!

This is pretty good.

while Baylor and Texas have the most talent, they are also very young. One thing I hope we can make an advantage is that we will be one of the most experienced teams: 5 seniors who will likely get most of the minutes (+ Ejim, a 2 yr starter). If McGee can increase his scoring, with more minutes (I think he has a greater potential to score than Babb), and Percy improves his defense and rebounding - I think we'll be just fine.

[State43]

I hope McGee can start being as clutch as Scotty this season. He is obviously more athletic. Babb needs to be more consistant. I love his defense, but he can't continuously shoot less than 35% in conference play, we need better as he is not a threat to drive the lane. It all sits with how talented Clyburn and Korie really are. I am confident we will be top 5. Not sure where from there though as the talent does seem higher this year.

Oh, and Booker and Percy NEED to step their games up on defense most importantly this season.

[sands4cy]

So why are we putting KU at #1? They were not deep last year and lost there two best players. I know they have won the Big 12 for the past... well I believe since we won it with JT, but even with a great incomming class can they win the Big 12 with as little as what they are bringing back? Baylor will be solid, KSU is not near as good as people think , OSU could have problems meshing and will be young, dont know much on WVU but its safe to assume they will be a strong team that plays the same hack and bang style KSU played last year, Texas has talent comming back but lost a great scorer, Not hard to see ISU being 3rd but I would say 6th is a safe pick (also will have us playing in March).