[BostonCard]

I would say that the last few years we have “contended” for a final four; that’s what being eliminated in the regional final as a #1 or #2 seed means: we were in contention for a final four slot, but fell just short.  I expect we will be in that position again.  Maybe we break through this year and make it into the final four, maybe we remain just short.

Barring injuries we will almost certainly be a top-10 team, probably around the #5 mark, which was our pre-season ranking.  I again expect Nebraska to be the runaway favorite, but that’s what I expected last year; I did not have Texas A&M on my championship Bingo Card.  I think Texas and Kentucky would be the next tier down.  Then I’d have a number of teams including Pitt and Stanford.

One thing I want to emphasize is that only by Stanford’s lofty expectations is a top-10 season that ends just shy of the final four a season “written off”.  For pretty much any team not named Stanford, Nebraska, Texas, Penn State and maybe one or two others such a result would be phenomenal.  And that we can do that year in and year despite all the changes in the collegiate athletics landscape is a testament to the program.  I take nothing for granted. 

BC

[BostonCard]

I would say that the last few years we have “contended” for a final four; that’s what being eliminated in the regional final as a #1 or #2 seed means: we were in contention for a final four slot, but fell just short.  I expect we will be in that position again.  Maybe we break through this year and make it into the final four, maybe we remain just short.

Barring injuries we will almost certainly be a top-10 team, probably around the #5 mark, which was our pre-season ranking.  I again expect Nebraska to be the runaway favorite, but that’s what I expected last year; I did not have Texas A&M on my championship Bingo Card.  I think Texas and Kentucky would be the next tier down.  Then I’d have a number of teams including Pitt and Stanford.

One thing I want to emphasize is that only by Stanford’s lofty expectations is a top-10 season that ends just shy of the final four a season “written off”.  For pretty much any team not named Stanford, Nebraska, Texas, Penn State and maybe one or two others such a result would be phenomenal.  And that we can do that year in and year despite all the changes in the collegiate athletics landscape is a testament to the program.  I take nothing for granted. 

BC