Wait a minute...

http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/autho
rs/author/19839

So who's the little scared 'Cards fan that likes to hide behind this account ?

Cards fans:

youre right that there's no reason to "hate on" Louisville, but there's equally no reason to assume a Big East championship.  Forget last year.  So you're basically the same team?  We're not in a vacuum-the other 15 BE teams aren't the same.  Most of them are better.  So the same team that finished second last year has no guarantee of matching that feat in this year's tougher league. 

Could Louisville win?  Absolutely.  But no team enters the 2008-2009 Big East season with any easy ride to a regular season title.

For the record, the more I look at things the more I like Louisville and the less I like Notre Dame.  I still would have Connecticut, Pitt, and maybe Syracuse ahead of Louisville if I were to rank things.  I know you "only lost Padgett," but what about Palacious?  I recall Louisville REALLY struggling when those two were out with injury.  Other teams may have lost more players (although most didn't lose much) but UCONN, Pitt, ND, Syracuse all lost less in term of contribution.

Juan P is gone but seriously was not the same player he was his freshman year due to injuries.  Tello could not stay healthy and lost his lift for his Jumpshot. Wish i could say our team will miss him but he only started because he fought back to get in playing form. After his freshman year did you ever see him dunk?????  Twice thats it he did not have the same attack the basket hard mentality. Top 3 at worse in the Big East would not be surprised to see a 4 loss tie among the top teams

Whether you like it or not Louisville has the strongest case to be the #2 ranked team.

UofL went to the Elite 8 last year. We r

Whether you like it or not Louisville has the best case to be the #2 ranked team and it isnt really close.

Louisville went to the Elite 8 last year, and will have SEVEN jrs and srs returning from that team. we will have a deep and veteran team. T-will, clark, sosa, smith, mcgee, delk, knowles, etc. we will have veteran players all over the court. not to mention the #1 ranked post prospect in samardo samuels

show me 1 team (outside of UNC) that made last years elite 8 that has as much depth, experience or talent returning as UofL.

You cant because all the other elite 8 teams (except UNC) were gutted. UofL will have more talent and a more proven roster than any team in the nation outside of UNC