Men's Basketball tabbed 2nd and 4th in the preseason polls

[UNCbears6]

http://uncbears.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/102010_mbkbscpoll

There's the UNCBears.com link to the story. I'm a little surprised that the Bears were shown this much love. I assumed the coaches/media would have tabbed them 5th or 6th just seeing that a First-Team All-Conference, Defensive Player of the Year, and head coach are all gone. But those of us who know this program know that they are filled with many veterans (as well as some impressive young fellas). The Bears can certainly win this conference, and I can't tell you how excited I am for the start of this season. We're coming up on 20 days til' the start of the regular season with a home game vs. Tabor College on November 13th!

How do you guys feel about the rankings? Should the Bears be ranked lower because of the graduation of two key players and the absence of a head coach. Or are they a step ahead of Montana State, Montana, NAU and right on par with Weber State as the favorites of this conference?

 

[jjjj]

I'm really hoping for a good season, but with the loss of the only good head basketball coach UNC has ever had, I'm thinking 4th is about right.

 

[Beardown]

4th seems low. I would say maybe behind WSU or UM. But I can also see us in 2nd place.

 

[bearsden123]

I think 2nd is accurate. Yes, we did lose Figures and Bonner but we have Beitzal who should have a big year and I expect Montgomery and Proctor to be big assets. I know Osbourne is apparently out for the year with a broken wrist which i'm guessing they will just use his redshirt year instead of having him miss half a season and having it count against his eligibility. Don't forget we have two good guards coming in as recruits who can score and play fast in Garnica and Svihovec. Then Addo is apparently as good looking rs frosh , as well as Unruh who can shoot from behind arc and should be part of this offense.

Weber will always be a machine they just have the BS titles to recruit premium players like they did with Lillard. UM lost Johnson their main scoring threat and lost some role players. I expect UNC to be in the that BS championship game I just don't know where it will be played..Hopefully In Greeley.. FINALLY UNC has a lot Veterns who not only know the system but have experience playing in the limelight...BTW just one thing I noticed other than Weber no other Big Sky has the opponents like UNC does.. We play huge basketball schools like Illinois and Arizona just to name a couple...So I expect our schedule to toughen us up and play and good basketball. I think NAU and Eastern Washington should have pretty good seasons..Eastern Washington has Dynamic young players.

GO BEARS!

 

[Beardown]

Does anyone know if they plan on playing Garnica or are they going to redshirt him? That sucks about Osborn.
Also, Elliot Llyod needs to play like the big recruit he was. He has been kind of disappointing. We lost a great player in Will but Lloyd can fill his shoes.