re: MBB SEC preseason predictions

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Key is getting that out of conference record up. Then it helps absorb some losses in a conference that is much much stronger than 5-10 years ago top to bottom. If u can get double digit OOC wins and then win 10 conference games then u can at least be in line for NCAA tournament. Lose 5+ OOC and it’s hard to make it up in conference play

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It's not simply "getting the record up". It's playing and BEATING good teams out of conference. Going 11-2, 12-1, 13-0 against a terrible non-conf. schedule doesn't help you much.

Say what you want about the guy, but Nate Oats doesn't shy away from brutal non-conference schedules. Last year Alabama went 8-5 in non-conf. play. But of those 13 games they played: Indiana St., Ohio State, Oregon, Clemson, Purdue, Creighton, Arizona Compare that to Ole Miss who went 13-0 in non conf. play against an awful schedule.

Ole Miss finished the regular season 20-11. Alabama finished 21-10. Ole Miss wasn't even in consideration for the NCAAT. Alabama was 4 seed. This, despite having almost an identical overall record. One big reason for that discrepancy is Alabama played a MUCH tougher non-conf. schedule and had far more "good wins" than Ole Miss. The 13 wins Ole Miss got in non-conf. play were largely inconsequential

LSU going 9-4 against a strong OOC schedule would be far better than going 12-1 against a shitty OOC schedule. The former gives you a margin for error in SEC play. The latter doesn't.

Last season LSU improved the strength of their OOC schedule. Unfortunately, they didn't beat anyone worth a damn except for Wake Forest (who was just "ok"). This year we know they will play at least 4 major conf. opponents. If they can add another 1-2 on the schedule that would be great. So the next step is to get 3-4 wins against those opponents. Do that, and 9-9 in SEC play easily gets you into the NCAA Tournament.