http://www.statsheet.com The ultimate resource for college basketball fans For a perennial favorite like Nevada, it too has a difficult non-conference slate the first month of the season, particularly with three straight road games versus VCU, North Carolina and Pacific. Both New Mexico State and Idaho are bringing back significant performers from last year and either one of them could make a play for the top spot in the league if everything falls just right, but from there on it doesn't appear the second-half of the WAC will be doing anything more than jockeying for position for the league tournament. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:38:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-western-athletic-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-western-athletic-conference With a new season approaching there will likely be a few changes in the order of finish this time around, although one constant will be the Eagles who are ready to grab another conference tournament title and hopefully a regular season crown as well. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:37:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-ohio-valley-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-ohio-valley-conference This season the Tigers look like they might be able to erase last year's memories of losing to Alabama State in the tournament final. With a strong group of talent returning, Jackson State should be able to reach its fourth consecutive SWAC Tournament final, with the tools to win this time around. Alabama State still has some talent on its roster, but the team that could give Jackson State the most problems is Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Last year the Golden Lions posted their first-ever winning ledger in league action, and with all five starters returning, there is a strong chance Arkansas-Pine Bluff will be even better this time around. Making this a four team race for the top spot in the conference will be the Panthers of Prairie View A&M, as they return depth in the backcourt frontcourt. The Panthers were dangerous offensively last season, and if the team can continue its strong play, look for the Panthers to make some waves this year as well. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:37:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-southwestern-athletic-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-southwestern-athletic-conference Under the tutelage of Tim Carter, the Bulldogs of South Carolina State seem to be a team with enough talent to dethrone the Bears. Bethune-Cookman is coming off its best showing in Division I play and the Wildcats could be ready to make the next step, along with North Carolina A&T, which also is coming off its best season in a long time. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:35:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-mid-eastern-athletic-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-mid-eastern-athletic-conference Not much should change with the new season approaching, as the Bulldogs seem to be top dogs once again. Butler does not lose any significant players and returns the majority of the contributors from a team that posted 26 victories a year ago. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:34:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-horizon-league http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_college-basketball-preview-horizon-league Cincinnati Bearcats freshman men's basketball player Lance Stephenson, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward who was named the 2009 Big East Conference Preseason Rookie of the Year, has been cleared to play by the NCAA. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:26:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_bearcats-freshman-stephenson-cleared-to-play-by-ncaa http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_bearcats-freshman-stephenson-cleared-to-play-by-ncaa The NCAA has penalized eight teams from the University of Richmond, including the men's and women's basketball squads, and the football team, due to impermissible recruiting text messages and telephone calls to prospective student-athletes. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:34:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_ncaa-penalizes-richmond http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-06_ncaa-penalizes-richmond With its top three scorers back from last season, Colgate could easily rub some opponents the wrong way, but not enough to make a serious run at elite status, which is more than can be said for a Lafayette program that, despite returning all but one player from last season, simply doesn't have the firepower to make a truly sustained charge. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:33:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-patriot-league http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-patriot-league PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: EAST DIVISION: 1. Kent State, 2. Akron, 3. Miami- Ohio, 4. Buffalo, 5. Bowling Green, 6. Ohio. WEST DIVISION: 1. Central Michigan, 2. Ball State, 3. Western Michigan, 4. Toledo, 5. Northern Illinois, 6. Eastern Michigan. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:32:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-mid-american-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-mid-american-conference PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: NORTH: 1. Appalachian State, 2. Western Carolina, 3. Chattanooga, 4. Samford, 5. Elon, 6. UNC-Greensboro. SOUTH: 1. College of Charleston, 2. Davidson, 3. Wofford, 4. The Citadel, 5. Georgia Southern, 6. Furman. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:31:00 +0000 http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-southern-conference http://statsheet.com/mcb/news/2009-11-05_college-basketball-preview-southern-conference