WCC Predictions 2022-2023

[slblions08]

Throwing this up here for I think the first time and maybe last time in the Stan Johnson era.

We get a true season of Stan. Year 1 was Covid, no fans, limited recruiting, unbalanced shortened schedule. Year 2 was his first real year to grab the reigns of the program but he tried to adhere to the existing culture by building the whole program around Eli. That was a big mistake.

This year then, I see Stan exerting his full imprint on the team, as only Keli remains as a holdover. My overall evaluation really comes off this year.

So far, solid non conference results. I’d only call the loss to UCR as a “bad” one. But conference season will be a whole new ball game.

I am predicting 7-9.

2 wins vs Pacific.
2 wins vs Pepperdine ( Stan gets the team up for its rival)
1 win against San Diego at home
1 win against Portland at home
1st victory against BYU since forever at home (Stan gets the first victory over a “Big 3” opponent since Max Good.)

Unfortunately I see 0-4 vs Gonzaga/ Saint Mary’s. Losses to both Santa Clara and San Francisco, + splitting the other teams.

That probably places us 5-6. I’d take 6 because in the long run that’s be a matchup vs Saint Mary’s or 3rd place team in the WCC tournament

[LIONS90045]

Brave of you slb to forecast. Thanks for your viewpoint.
With your forecast, we end the season at 17-13 heading into the WCC tournament.
I think we might upset Portland tomorrow but I don’t remember when we beat the Waves twice in one season. Somehow or other, they seem to have our number in Malibu.
Tomorrow’s game will be a benchmark to start league play.

[ALioninWinter]

It’s a tough year to predict. The conference-wide OOC results have been interesting. There have been a few good wins and close losses, but also sone real eggs laid. I don’t think the conference has as much talent as last year, but I do think team caliber across the conference is closer than it’s been in years. With the exception of Pacific, any team is capable of beating any other team. The Zags and Gaels are still the best teams, but they’re both vulnerable and they could lose on any night. It’s going to be an interesting year.

[lionlife]

I'll give us an admittedly optimistic 10-6. Losses to GU twice, SMC once, USF once, USD once and a bad loss to Pacific or Pepperdine.

[lionlife]

Wow, felt so good about my prediction after we beat Portland away, but now regretting saying we'd lose a bad one to Pacific or Pepperdine 😂

[lionlife]

Looking at schedules over the final few weeks, we need to win at least 3 of our final 5 to make the top 4 and get two byes in the conference tournament. Pacific and Santa Clara have significantly easier schedules than we do, BYU does not.

[dedicatedlionfan]

The only convincing wins that I can see are Santa Clara, Pacific, and 💩erdine. We’d be lucky to get either the Gaels, or dare I say a sweep of the Zags???!!! Let’s hope we can get some good momentum going into the tourney!!

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

Not that we should take anyone for granted, in terms of Pepperdine and Pacific (which already beat us), but it looks like it’s all going to come down to that Santa Clara game, and they are dangerous.

It would be fantastic to finish in the top four, Go Lions!