I don't know why I feel compelled to make predictions about a team whose players I haven't watched practice or have seen play this season. But here goes, anyway. I think this team can have a really good season IF--and it's a huge if--it remains relatively healthy, injury-wise. And it appears that injuries already are a concern, particularly with three of the freshmen.

That being said, I expect significant jumps in effectiveness, efficiency and production from several, or all, among Gavin Block, Jordan Dartis, James Gollon and Doug Taylor, which is something that tends to happen the third year in a program, when talented players finally are able to merge experience and strength to their skill levels.

I'm confident Mike Laster will be a big factor as a senior, similarly to the way Kenneth van Kempen blossomed. And I can see Kevin Mickle surprising everyone in Athens, as well as in the MAC, emerging as a real force on defense, on the glass, with his toughness and, surprisingly, as an offensive player. He could be a classic late bloomer.

Jason Carter will be a monster. That' all that needs to be said!

So I see a definitive, strong seven-man rotation at the present time, which obviously is too light. This is where the freshman fit in; either Teyvion Kirk, Zach Butler (if he can avoid or play through annoying injuries) or both have an opportunity here to really boost that number. Hopefully, Bennett Vander Plas will be included in this group up front, once his foot heals.

I'm really interested to see who starts, although there are several lineups I can envision coach Phillip using that could produce similar results. What about Laster and Dartis in the backcourt, Carter at center, Block and Mickle at the forwards, with the offense running through both Dartis and Block?

Gollon then swings between shooting guard and small forward; Taylor comes in at center, with Carter moving to big forward. You extend the lineup with whichever (or both) freshmen point guard is ready to contribute. Then you hope you get contributions from some of the remaining frontcourt players--Vander Plas, Ellis Dozier and AJ Gareri. This has to happen, because they'll need more than four big-position contributors during the course of the season.

So how 'about it, Bobcat Nation?

I personally never look past a season this early, Brucecuth, as quite often teams put it together a year before you expect it and then may actually fall back the following year when you expected things to really come together.

I'm looking forward to the entire MAC overall. We all know nearly all of the 1st and 2nd All-MAC players are gone, but I think there's going to be much more parity and overall competitiveness across the board in the conference, which is a welcomed sight.

My only question is - did we say the same thing at this juncture in 2008 and 2013?

Otherwise, I agree with you, though if I were a betting man, with my crystal ball, I would possibly predict UB as the team that's above everyone else a little bit.

Not so much predictions here but here are my top 5 hopes:

1. Kevin Mickle gives us 20 mpg, 6 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg and Doug gives us 7 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 bpg (that would add up to 13 ppg, 16 rpg and 3 bpg which would give us a combined inside monster to go with Carter).
2. Kirk ends up being Freshman of the Year in the MAC after averaging 10 ppg, 6 apg, 2 spg
3. James Gollon gives us 10 good minutes per game
4. Gareri, Butler or Vander Plas get off the injury list and give us either combined or solo points per game of 10 with 5 boards per game and 5 assists (that's all I want -- more would be awesome)
5. Jordan Dartis takes the Nick Kellogg leap and drives to the hoop more while still hitting that sweet triple!

That's a large number of boards in 20mpg. I hope you are right.