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Post by fanblade on Jun 3, 2014 20:21:46 GMT -5
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Post by joshhorton on Jun 3, 2014 21:12:07 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
My name is Josh Horton and I am the lead editor over at West Coast Convo.
I often go on these message boards to get a feel for what the fans opinions and see what they are saying.
I just wanted to say that I think it is great that our stuff is popping up on this board. It's refreshing to say the least.
Although I get a lot of support, I take a fair share of criticism as well. It's part of being journalist; not everyone is going to agree with your opinions and insight.
I also agree with the notion my writing could use some refinement, that's currently something I'm working on as a college journalist.
Anyways, I just wanted to stop in and say hello. Although I'm not the biggest fans of message boards in general, I enjoy stopping by on this one. If anyone ever wants to talk WCC hoops, be my guest and interact with me on twitter or on our facebook page. I more often than not respond.
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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Jun 4, 2014 1:20:06 GMT -5
Good luck to you, Josh, and thanks for stepping in. I love college hoops and would have loved a job like yours when I was in college...if only Al Gore had invented the Internet prior to those years transpiring.
One general question while we have your attention: What is your prediction for the WCC in 2014-15? And don't be "nice" to LMU just because we are on the board...heck, anything above 10th place would be better than our last two seasons.
It would be nice to get an unbiased opinion.
Keep writing...it gets easier and easier. Looking forward to a fun season with the Lions.
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Post by bebetterthanbradley on Jun 4, 2014 2:00:26 GMT -5
Frankly, i dont think any "expert" can confidently say where they see us finishing. At least I certainly am not listening to any "experts". There are waaaaaaaayyyyy too many unknowns. How much can Dunlap outcoach his WCC brethren? How are the new players? Is Siame staying? Is Siame as good as he was billed (Program Changer)? Can Evan Payne make a drastic sophomore leap? Will Okonji, Flint, and Egbeyemi respond well from their injuries?
Gonzaga is # 1. No Doubt about it. St. Mary's I think is # 2. BYU # 3. After that I think its a wide open race.
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Post by joshhorton on Jun 4, 2014 13:10:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't necessarily consider West Coast Convo a job, more of a hobby. I'm not in it for the money, I just enjoy doing it, and trying to do it well.
You're right "bebetterthanbradley", it's impossible to predict these types of things, even "experts." Put I'll give it a go because people like reading about these kinds of things.
I see LMU finishing 9th, with all the turnover. I think some of their talent (Payne especially) will keep them out of the basement.
I wrote an article with my way too early power rankings, but they have changed since then with all the signings, commits and transfers.
I personally see the WCC finishing like this;
1 Zags 2. SMC 3. USF 4. BYU 5. Portland 6. Pepperdine 7. San Diego 8. Santa Clara 9. LMU 10. Pacific
2-4 is really tough to rank, as is 5-8. I think it's going to be a free-for-all for those spots.
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Post by bebetterthanbradley on Jun 4, 2014 13:26:34 GMT -5
I dont get USF at # 3. Glover, Tolefson and Derkson is enough to get them to # 3? I think they finish around 6. MIka going on his mission for BYU hurts. ST. Mary's should be # 2 for sure. They have star power transfers across the board. LMU you cant confidently say will be # 9. Dunlap is a better coach then everyone in the league except maybe Few, Bennet, (rose?). Everyone else he can outcoach. I am confident of that. Do we know what we will get out of Kajkovic, Humphries, Siame, Hayes? No. But i wouldnt be surprised if we finish in the top 6.
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jun 4, 2014 14:52:22 GMT -5
The Zags look good enough to capture first AND second.
St Mary's and BYU have both made some recent additions that pull them ahead of the others. At this point it's tough to pick between those two. Their matchups should be the best WCC games next season. Portland will have a solid team and could challenge the Gaels and Cougars.
Everyone else has significant losses that they've not yet made up. Of the bunch USF is probably in the best shape at this moment, so I favor them for 5th.
Of the remaining 5 rosters, I'm not too impressed. There are some good players but no one has what I would consider a solid team with the right pieces in place. Maybe some newcomers will change my mind but I'll need to see them play first.
LMU could go as high as 6th, but that's more a commentary on the rest of the league than it is an assessment of the Lions. We could also be in the cellar again. We simply have too many new faces and can't assess the impact Dunlap will have as a coach. It's all guesses.
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Post by joshhorton on Jun 4, 2014 23:20:44 GMT -5
I dont get USF at # 3. Glover, Tolefson and Derkson is enough to get them to # 3? I think they finish around 6. MIka going on his mission for BYU hurts. ST. Mary's should be # 2 for sure. They have star power transfers across the board. LMU you cant confidently say will be # 9. Dunlap is a better coach then everyone in the league except maybe Few, Bennet, (rose?). Everyone else he can outcoach. I am confident of that. Do we know what we will get out of Kajkovic, Humphries, Siame, Hayes? No. But i wouldnt be surprised if we finish in the top 6. USF has more talent than that. Add Pinkins, too transfers, a pretty solid recruiting class into the mix and that's a pretty good team. LMU is a bit of enigma at this point, because a lot the unknowns. But we do know that Levin and Irelands productions are going to have to be made up for. With Dunlap's currently assembled roster, I don't think he has enough firepower to overpass team's like Santa Clara, San Diego and Pepperdine who have a bevy of proven players.
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Post by bebetterthanbradley on Jun 5, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -5
Pinkins is okay.. still not better than Portland or BYU. 5th at best for them. IMO.
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