Can't wait to get back in the Convo this November. It's very bittersweet, as it'll be my last full season I'll experience and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. From what I have seen and heard, I think this could be a year we make a serious shot at the MAC Championship. The guys are super wired and motivated, and are working extremely well together. Here are my takes:

Jaylin seems like the perfect captain for the team and I think is going to compete for MAC POTY this year.

Elmore and AJB will take big steps.

Ike will be an upgrade from BRod.

While we will struggle at times during non conference play (9-5 my prediction record) we will bounce back and go 14-4 in conference.

We go up to Kent and win for the first time in the MACC Center since the Jimmy C years.

Love the culture Boals and the guys are creating, and am eager to see them on the court again this year.

Luv the optimism! Get that Ozone goin this year!

Would be nice to get a little buzz going about this team early around campus. Ramp up some excitement before the holidays and get them in the Convo early and often.

You're only in college once. Embrace it.

I've heard the coaches are thrilled with what they've seen from Shereef Mitchell.

I think chemistry and continuity (something we lacked last season) will be on our side this year. Who do you have as the 5 losses in non-conference? I see GW and YSU as our biggest challenges and two losses (still winnable). If we get past GW, I think we win the Nassau.

I’ll say 11-3 in non-conference and agree with 14-4 conference. I’m a hopelessly optimistic sports fan and I do think this team takes the MAC over Akron (after splitting season series). I know the bigs situation is a little unknown but I love the guard play we have.

Won't predict a MAC record because there are too many unknowns (I'll wait until Xmas). But I will say in order to go 14-4 the Cats will have to sweep what used to be the MAC West teams, not be swept by any team themselves, then split with the likes of BG, Akron, Kent.

That leaves room for one 'how did that happen' loss, due to injury, schedule quirk or whatever.

That's usually the general formula for any team that wins the MAC regular season.

It's a dominant season when MAC Champ loses two or less games. I believe there has never been an undefeated MAC BB Champ since the 1970s, maybe even before that.

Just FYI:

Kenpom to start the season has Akron 102, Ohio 114, Kent 119, Toledo 155.

Enjoy the ride! Some of my fondest campus memories were attending mid-week home games and walking back to the dorm life. Its the little things that I miss most about OU.

I see us struggling in the Nassau tourney (1-2) and losing to Davidson, Austin Peay, and at the Sun Belt opponent we will get for our second MAC / SBC Challenge game.

So uh, Otterbein tomorrow?