We’re off to a good start but against inferior teams. We should enter conference play with a decent record. A lot will depend, IMO, whether Willis is back in the lineup. He’s probably our best shooter, especially from 3-pt range.
We could go undefeated in non-con (highly unlikely) or finish with 2-3 losses (more likely). I feel our toughest games will be OSU and Mo St. We’ve been down playing OSU but they are/have been dealing with injuries, and significant ones.
Their 1st loss to Abilene Christian was without, IMO, their most valuable player pg Javon Small along with Jamyron Keller and Isaiah Miranda.
Miranda, the 7-1 Rivals 4-star talent from NC St and a player we really wanted in the portal, has yet to play due to a hip injury.
Keller, a top 150 player missed the 1st 4 games and returned from a wrist injury to lead the Cowboys with 18 pts, including 4-7 from 3-pt in their win over New Orleans.
Bryce Thompson injured his knee in the St Bonnie loss and hasn’t played since. 2 of their 3 losses have been by 2 pts. IMO, they are a much better team than their early record indicates. When they get their players healthy they’re going to be pretty good.
They have too much talent, although much of their talent, like ours, is young.
Missouri State has a good team. Their only loss was their opener at West Virginia and they led much of the game (up 30-24 at half). They beat ORU by 15 and Abilene Christian by 18.
I’ve been watching a lot of basketball this year and the Valley has some really good teams. I’m watching Northern Iowa up by 6 on North Carolina at the half. Drake, SIU, Mo St, Bradley, Indians St, etc are decent.
Interesting side note—announcers said that the best shooter on UNC’s team is Dougies son Paxson Wojcik. Cue The Beach Boys. Lol