re: 2017-18 Colleges in Louisiana Season Long Basketball Thread

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Tulane (Last Season: 6-25 (3-15) 10th, Preseason Media Day Projection 10th in AAC, First Game Tonight vs LIU-Brooklyn)

There’s really nowhere to go but up for the Green Wave this season. Coach Mike Dunleavy enters his second year with Tulane trying to improve from last year’s six win campaign. But it won’t be any easier this season with Wichita State joining the AAC. However, there are some reasons for optimism. Tulane returns three of five starters from last season including their two leading scorers in Cameron Reynolds and Melvin Frazier. Hopefully the Wave can get things going in the right direction this season.

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Should have a much better team, although the record might not completely reflect it. The American will be the strongest it's been in its short history. Everyone is talking about the addition of Wichita, but Cincinnati is really fricking good. Like Final Four good. Should have 9 teams in the postseason (NCAA and NIT). I'll go ahead and predict both Cincinnati and Wichita to the Elite 8 this season.

One of the best parts about Dunleavy's short tenure is the improvement in OOC scheduling. Last season they got North Carolina to come to New Orleans, as part of a 2-for-1 home and home. Plus the ESPN tournament in Florida with teams like Oklahoma, Clemson, Xavier, Northern Iowa, etc. That's pretty good for a bottom-dwelling AAC team.

They just got a 3-game series with Florida State starting this season. Should be fun.

Tulane does return 3 important starters, as you mentioned. However, UNLV transfer Jordan Cornish will probably be the X-factor for this team. Super strong kid who can guard multiple positions, rebound ferociously, and get his own shot to some extent. Vanderbilt transfer Samir Sehic will also play an important role. If this big man can consistently hit the three-point shot and stretch the defense, it would make a huge difference for the Wave.

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UNO (Last Season: 20-12 (13-5) 1st, Preseason Media Day Projection 6th in Southland, First Game Tonight @ St. John’s)

UNO is coming off a great season in 2016-17 where the Privateers won the Southland Conference and were the only school in Louisiana to make the NCAA Tournament. Coach Mark Slessinger enters his 7th season with some retooling to do. UNO lost their three leading scorers from a year ago in Erik Thomas (who also led them in rebounds), Christavious Gill and Nate Frye. The Privateers will have to rely on some new players if they hope to repeat the success from a year ago.

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There's still some talent at UNO, but you're right about them losing a lot. Plus, SFA and Sam Houston are both back to their normal form after a bit of a dip a season ago. I think they're picked to finish around 6th in the league, which sounds about right. Coach Sless has done a phenomenal job. If you don't know the story of that program and the work he's had to do, you should look into it. Truly amazing. He's the kind of guy who could be at UNO for 25-30 years and build them into a powerhouse in the Southland.

Southeastern is my sleeper pick to win the league.