LMU Ranked @ 323 on Rivals

[dedicatedlionfan]

So what do you guys think? fair? I think we will suprise a lot of people!

collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=987038

[LIONS90045]

Thanks for the posting Dedicated
My take is these critics don't have the time to really look into all the teams in any depth but just take superficial information that is readily available to make judgements. For example, they report Jared DuBois as our best player - I am pretty sure this is based on the fact that he had the highest scoring average for a freshman but we have a lot of other talent that is at a comparable level - Teel and the new guys.
Most of the teams rated above LMU are not familiar to me but I would bet we could beat most of them. Utah Valley State - rated #322 - is moving to Division I this year and reportedly have Shaun Deadwiler on the team. We should be able to handle them, no?
Does anyone know how many Division I basketball programs there are in total? Are we way down near the bottom or more in the mddle at #323?
Finally, I agree we will surprise a lot of folks this year. ;D

[fanblade]

There are only 347 so we are ranked very near the bottom. I am not sure where we landed last year. It may have been #340 but I see us moving up far more than some 20 spots. I don't think Rivals was able to appreciate the "chaotic"ness of last season (if anyone could outside of lions fans!).

[LIONS90045]

Thanks fanblade - that is depressing to think about.
We'll definitely exceed Rival's expectations!

[fanblade]

coonyp on SMC's board listed the following rankings plus Portland coming in at 70

Saint Mary's 105

Santa Clara: 174

San Diego 178

USF: 235

Pepperdine: 247

Loyola: 323

GU still "outstanding" >top 50.

[fanblade]

I looked up our RPI or last year if you want to consider that a "rank" and we were 320. So yes, I don't expect us to fall behind that considering our 2 high-major redshirts, a top ranked incoming freshman class, 2 returning injured big men, and a core of players who gained an insane amount of playing time and experience.

[ironlions]

I stopped paying attention to pre-season magazines such as Athlon, Lindy's and other national scouting services. Their "analysis" of mid-majors is written solely off the previous seasons numbers. However, I like being ranked low... its gives us a chance to sneak up and kick people in the ass.

Go Lions

PS- I remember reading some smaller publication college preview a few years ago and they had us listed as the Loyola Marymount Tigers.