6-8 spot seems pretty likely to me.

That Owls team was one that is rarely duplicated.  It was a true case of synergy, as the sum was unquestionably much more than it’s individual parts.  When you take into consideration that they used a 5.5 man rotation, (0.5 for Causewell, who was the only other guy on that team to get any significant time on the floor) what they did is even more remarkable.
That team rarely turned the ball over, rarely missed a free throw, rarely was in the wrong spot defensively, rarely got in foul trouble, and rarely took a bad shot, which explains why they rarely lost.  Each member of the starting five knew who they were and where they fit.  As a result, they were a tight unit on the floor.
I watched that Temple-Nova game with a bunch of my college roommates.  That was the Doug West-led Wildcats.
As far as Macon, I think we all thought he was better than he really was.  That’s what I’m talking about when I refer to how difficult it is to tease out who are the players that make the others around them better vs who is being made better by who surrounds them.  Macon was definitely more the latter.  He really benefitted from having Howard Evans, and to a lesser extent Vreeswyck.  I really think the biggest problem was that, after Evans left, Macon was switched to the point in his sophomore year.  That, in combination with the departure of Vrees and Perry, left him as the focal point of every opposing defense.  He had to carry much more of the load and he just wasn’t up to the task.
Anyway, it was a lot of fun, until that Duke game.  Didn’t see that coming at all.  Tough way to go out, but that’s the NCAA tournament.  One bad game and the dream is over.

“At least to me it’s mildly shocking this group hasn’t been able to get out of the first round, especially against practically a one-man team.”  Maybe you guys are underrating Cleveland and overrating Wizards.  Looking at the box scores of their playoff series this year, in two games they were pretty even, with Washington taking one and Cleveland taking one.  But in 3 other games, Washington just wasn’t able to put everything together; for example, they forced turnovers in one game, but they got outrebounded, and in another game they rebounded but didn’t force turnovers.  That series may be a microcosm of why the Wizards are mediocre, and will stay that way for a while – they’re too lazy to try and put everything together on a consistent basis.  Basically, the Cavs had less talent than the Wiz but they worked harder so they won.  And the Cavs just upgraded their talent level with Mo Williams, the Wiz would not win another series with them.

About their need for a leader, I agree, but I think it’s more like they need some players who are just absolutely crazy wild passionate about winning.  I think one of the reasons Boston won was because both Ray Allen and Garnett wanted to win sooooo badly – none of the Wiz’ big 3 exude that kind of desperation, and neither does their coach.

My take on the Wizards is a bit similar to what the Presidential Candidates are saying.

Biggest strength(s):
-Big 3 (when healthy)
-Rebounding (not to mention the return of Etan Thomas)
-Eddie Jordan (longest tenure coach in the East)
-Verizon Center
-Team First (now that Arenas is hurt, others are stepping up!)

Biggest weakness(es):
-Washington Needs A Change: It’s More of the Same
-”Health Care” (health problems)
-Going with Gilbert Arenas, 90% of the time ($111mil/6yr)
-Straight Talk Express (They talk too much!!)

More of the same, Gilbert Arenas is hurt and will miss 1-2 months.  However, the team has played well without Arenas, so they are used to it, it’s more of the same.  

Will there be a Washington-Cleveland series Part IV?  I doubt it.  If there is, they better keep their mouths shut and start playing basketball!

I think the Wizards will be 2nd in the Southeast, 7th in the East.

On a side note, the Sixers will be (3-1) against the Wizards.  Two wins at home and one win on their floor.  Having Elton Brand down low in a half-court game will make a big difference.  Remember our last meeting with the Wizards, things slowed down in the 2nd half and we struggled?  Brand will help us in that aspect.