Managing Expectations

[downtown85]

For the record I am including my prediction that I made in September.  Keep in mind that these predictions were made before we knew about the injury to (or eligibility of) Trevor or how well Lazar would play.  Also, for the record, I think this team is on track with my preseason expectations and I do not drink the Crean coolade.

Sun., Nov. 4 - 6 p.m. NORTHERN STATE (Exhibition) (W)
Sat., Nov. 10 - 7:30 p.m. IUPUI (W)
Mon., Nov. 12 - 7 p.m. UTAH VALLEY STATE (W)
Mon., Nov. 19 - 1:30 p.m. Chaminade (ESPN2)(W)
Tue., Nov. 20 - TBD vs. Oklahoma St or LSU (ESPN/ESPN2)(W)
Wed., Nov. 21 - TBD vs. Duke/Illinois/Arizona State/Princeton (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)(L)
Fri., Nov. 30 - 7:30 p.m. UW-MILWAUKEE (W)
Sat., Dec. 8 - 5 p.m. at Wisconsin (ESPN2)(W)
Sat., Dec. 15 - 1 p.m. SACRAMENTO STATE (W)
Mon., Dec. 17 - 7 p.m. IP-Fort Wayne (W)
Fri., Dec. 21 - 7:30 p.m. COPPIN STATE (W)
Sat., Dec. 29 - 1 p.m. SAVANNAH STATE(W)
Thu., Jan. 3 - TBD PROVIDENCE (W)
Sat., Jan. 5 - 2:30 p.m. at WEST VIRGINIA (ESPN2) (L)
Tue., Jan. 8 - TBD SETON HALL (W)
Sat., Jan. 12 - TBD NOTRE DAME (W)
Thu., Jan. 17 - 6 p.m. at LOUISVILLE (ESPN/ESPN2)(L)
Sun., Jan. 20 - TBD at CONNECTICUT (W)
Sat., Jan. 26 - TBD DEPAUL (W)
Tue., Jan. 29 - TBD USF (W)
Sat., Feb. 2 - TBD at CINCINNATI (W)
Mon., Feb. 4 - 6 p.m. LOUISVILLE (ESPN)(L)
Sat., Feb. 9 - 11a.m. at NOTRE DAME (ESPN)(L)
Tue., Feb. 12 - TBD at SETON HALL (W)
Fri., Feb. 15 - 8 p.m. PITTSBURGH (ESPN)(W)
Wed., Feb. 20 - 6 p.m. at ST. JOHN'S (ESPN2)(W)
Sat., Feb. 23 - TBD RUTGERS (W)
Mon., Feb. 25 - 6 p.m. at VILLANOVA (ESPN)(L)
Sat., March 1 - 1 p.m. GEORGETOWN (CBS)(W)
Tues., March 4 - 7 p.m. FLORIDA GULF COAST (W)
Sat., March 8 - 1 p.m. at SYRACUSE (ESPN)(L)

There's my detailed prediction:  MU 23-7, 12-6 in the BE.  That should be good enough for a 1st round bye in the BE tourney (if that still happens) and a 4 or 5 seed in the NCAAs.  That should give them a good chance to get to the sweet 16.  Tough losses will be at WVU (I think Huggy has Crean's number) and Louisville twice.  I think L'ville is going to be really, really good this year.  I also have them losing in the championship of the pre-season tournament in Maui.  I have predicted a loss in the championship game of their various preseason tournaments the last couple of years and have been wrong the last couple of years.  No reason to jinx them now.  ;-)