It's mid-October. In May, your favorite team's top player leaves the team after 2 years for the NBA and your (likely) Hall of Fame coach retires unexpectedly after 22 seasons and coming off a disappointing 7-9 conference and 19-14 record overall . After flirting with a superstar diva, they hire a new head coach who seems like a solid hire but who the fan base knows little about. Two thirds of the incoming freshman pledges have opted not to play under the new coaching staff but the one who stays brings a lot of hype. You do have an unknown big man from the Ukraine who might or might not be talented and who might or might not be cleared to play. The projected starting point guard has fractured his foot and will miss at least 1/3 of the season. The roster consists of 7 scholarship players and 5 walk-ons.

Fast forward to mid-February. The starting point guard is again injured and will finish the season missing at least half the games and your favorite team is again down to 8 scholarship players. The freshman who stayed has had some solid performances, is clearly improving but probably has not fulfilled pre-season hyped-up expectations. The mystery 7 footer has shown some flashes and promise but has also shown a lot of holes in his game.

With all of this, one more win the team is assured of a winning season. A second league win and the team has matched the league won-loss record from the previous season and finishes with no worse than 2 fewer wins than the previous season.

How are you feeling about the results of the season, the progress of the team, the new coach, etc. Please let's try to avoid predictions beyond the scenario laid out above. Two more wins and a final record of 7-9 / 17-14. Okay, go.