2026-2027 MBB computer projections thread

The bullish case.

Toure ups his game (especially on offense) and solidifies himself as the PG. Johnson is a high-level backup PG and a total bulldog on defense. With those two together, you don't miss Lipsey too much.

Batemon turns into one of the better two-way SGs in the Big 12. Maybe Wiggins comes in and is good enough to demand some playing time right away as a bench gunner. A lack of scoring punch from the second guard was one of the weaknesses last year, but this area now becomes a strength.

Losing Momcilovic hurts, but we replace him in the aggregate with Batemon, Bond, and Prather. A step down on shooting sure but improved defense and depth from the guards and wings.

J-Jeff is the most irreplaceable, but Singleton provides at least a poor man's version of it and starts to expand his game more and more over the course of his career the same way Jefferson did for SM's and ISU.

Buchanan and Pleta both make incremental steps on consistency. Manning is a huge upgrade from the dearly departed Mulder in terms of providing an emergency or energy bench big man.

That team... could be about as good as the one last year.
Agreed on all of this, but if you want MORE then I'd look in the direction of Pleta. I believe he has room for expanding his game more than just incrementally.

Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build in Indiana?

Until the team sells the Arlington Park site, or there is structure going up in Hammond, I am not taking anything that Kevin Warren or George McCaskey say at face value.

We’ll see if the bears can do proper leverage on this Indiana site. From what I understand, they still haven’t done a basic traffic study on the Arlington Heights site so it’s hard to believe they will ever move there

Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

Here’s an interesting article about the fears of an athlete strike or boycott if the Protect College Sports Act actually passed.

As the article states, salaries only ever go one direction and if you ever try to reverse it, there is going to be a lot of pushback.
The athletes and SEC/B10 agreed to House and the prescribed RevShare caps. Cruz-Cantwell doesn't reduce the caps nor the ability to earn uncapped NIL. What it does do is to provide enforcement powers for the agreed upon NIL mechanism and current/future RevShare caps (which will go up) and leaving the option open for athletes to eventually unionize with a CBA.

So this idea that Cruz-Cantwell is "reducing compensation" is BS. What it is doing is finally providing the CSC the power to enforce House as agreed upon by the athletes, SEC, B10 and the rest of FBS.

The athletes could boycott I guess but they would better served attacking the one and only Jeffrey Kessler who represented the athletes during the House proceedings.

Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build in Indiana?

Exactly

Not taking a free stadium when leveraging for tax breaks is not what owners want

They don’t care what the Bears want in terms of additional revenue streams.

And moving to NWI without tying up Illinois means all other owners in stadium disputes can, and will, leverage Chicago as possible relocation imo. Yes, there is a 75 mile rule. It only matters if the league wants it to, which they won’t if it can make them money

An owner with real wealth will be able to build in Chicago, particularly after SF site sits largely unused for a decade

Several nfl teams don't play in the city that the team is named after (Giants, Jets, 49ers, Cowboys, Dolphins to name a few off the top of my head, I'm sure there are several more)

The main risk is the citizens of Chicago take the move as a slap in the face and don't support the team (obviously northern Indiana can't support an NFL team by themselves). That hasn't happened with the previous moves made so I don't envision that to be the case here.

As you say, there is a secondary risk given the size of the city (NY and LA have two teams) that at some point in the future, and maybe not that far out, that another team moves to Chicago and you're now in the Chargers situation.

Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build in Indiana?

It seems like a win for everyone.

Indiana puts money into a **** area.

The Bears get a free stadium.

The Illinois taxpayer pays nothing for the new stadium (sorry about the old one, Chicago. Keep paying)

And the TV networks still get a view of the Chicago skyline even if you won't see it from inside of a dome.

It’s a small win for most, if ignoring politics.

The Bears still do not get the extra revenue stream they wanted, as developing that area in to a destination will be risky, and losing the bears as an anchor devalues their AH site. They’re further away from Lake Forest

But a free stadium is a decent floor

Chicago and Illinois likely keeps some stadium related commerce without spending a dime

AH area could be considered a loser. Same with White Sox which were hoping to utilize same mechanisms in bill

It also means a few sites sit open in a city and state likely more open for business, particularly with a real businessperson rather than Warren/McCaskey

Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build in Indiana?

For those that live in Chicago proper, either site was going to be farther to get to.

For all the people that live in Aurora, Naperville, and other western suburbs it doesn't make all that much difference.

For the affluent northern suburbs it is going to be a long trip to go down to Hammond. Depending on traffic not all that different than living in the Des Moines metro and going to Iowa city (less miles but will likely take about as long).

Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

no, in fact, it isn't. It operates similarly to a CBA but does not have the anti trust exemptions a CBA has.
Agree

A class action is collective litigation, in this case on grounds of antitrust , not collective bargaining. Reaching a settlement on the collective litigation does not necessarily answer the collective bargaining question


It was an attempt to pacify. A payoff to enough people that there isn’t the motivation to answer the CBA question

Chicago Bears bought Arlington Heights track only to build in Indiana?

They just paid off RCA and have about 10 more years to pay off Lucas

I don’t have an issue with what they’re doing, it is much easier politically to add a team than to relocate within state. But maybe it makes them money, maybe not. More a political victory than balance sheet win

It seems like a win for everyone.

Indiana puts money into a **** area.

The Bears get a free stadium.

The Illinois taxpayer pays nothing for the new stadium (sorry about the old one, Chicago. Keep paying)

And the TV networks still get a view of the Chicago skyline even if you won't see it from inside of a dome.

2027 Commit

Offense? Defense?

Key​

Committed Iowa State 2027 talent who has become one of the best available players in the Green Bay area. He recently received an FBS offer from Central Michigan and was expected to receive additional offers soon. prepredzone.com

Playing Style:

  • On offense: He's developed into a fantastic mismatch at tight end with quick, clean releases and excellent acceleration. He tracks the football well and is also a powerful run blocker.
  • On defense: He uses speed and power effectively as an edge rusher, with great awareness and the ability to take on blocks at effective angles. prepredzone.com
Recent Performance: In the 2024 season, Joey recorded 1 reception for 31 yards in one game, along with various defensive contributions including tackles and tackles for loss. MaxPreps
TE/Fullback

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