What are early thoughts on season nent year??

[BonduBluejay10]

Starting 5 the same. But other than that what are some thoughts?

[DWadle1983]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Starting 5 the same. But other than that what are some thoughts?

Won 23 this year, lost some games early that the UNI team we saw after New Years wouldn't have lost, so barring injuries to one of the starters, it should be at least 25 next season.

[06panther10]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

One thing about next year, we have GOT to win some of those early games against ISU/Iowa and get some quality wins in the Paradise tourny we are playing. We cannot play ourselves out of at-large selection contention as early was we did this season.

We have some great chances to get some great non-conf wins next year, and we have to take advantage of them. Maybe even we could get some revenge on Purdue.

[clenz]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I could see 26-29 by the time it is all said and done...


I could also see 18-21 depending on the early games.


Question, what is the cut off, record wise, for a "let down season" next year?

[DWadle1983]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Question, what is the cut off, record wise, for a "let down season" next year?[/QUOTE]

If the team doesn't have injury issues, I think at least an NCAA At-Large Bid is a reasonable expectation, so less than that.

[jegbomb52]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I could see 26-29 by the time it is all said and done...


I could also see 18-21 depending on the early games.


Question, what is the cut off, record wise, for a "let down season" next year?

Anything less than 24 wins will be un-acceptable. If the team doesn't like that expectation, they shouldn't have shown that they are worthy of it.

[06panther10]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Anything less than 24 wins will be un-acceptable. If the team doesn't like that expectation, they shouldn't have shown that they are worthy of it.

I agree totally. If they can win 23 games this year and return 95% of the team for the next year, they should be able to improve.

I would say being right up there for the conference title and at least being in contention for an at large into the NCAA's is the expectations for next year.

[TheMacHouse]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Anything less than 24 wins will be un-acceptable. If the team doesn't like that expectation, they shouldn't have shown that they are worthy of it.

I think it will be a letdown if the team doesn't win 24 games next year. I do think it will be tough to accomplish. The non-conference schedule doesn't look any easier than this year's schedule though having the 2 BB games at home hopefully will help. Also they will have to do better at home since it will be really tough to duplicate the 8-1 road record in the conference.

I think they have a chance to go somewhere between 9-3 and 11-1 in the non-confernce if they play like they did at the end of this year. It will depend on if they can win 1 or 2 games (3 will be hard) in Paridise Jam and if Brackins leaves it may make the ISU game more winable. If they draw a really tough opponent for BB or throw a clunker of a game in there than 8-4 is a possibility but that is still 2 games better than this year. I would think they will be favored to win 8 or 9 of their non-conference games.

[ceaser150]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I think 23-25 wins if a fair expectation. However, injuries could be the wild card. We have a few players with a history of injuries. If Jordan or KA get hurt again, we could be in real trouble. Not to mention the non con schedule is tougher this year. And the Valley will be much more difficult than this year. If Kelly is eligible next year, ISUblue immediately becomes a contender. SIU will be much better, especially with Freeman eligible. And ISU red, Bradley, and Creighton will all be tough again.

[jegbomb52]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Do you remember that year the our star Eric Crawford got hurt and we went like 7-1 in his absence? Sometimes there is more than meets the eye when it comes to players and their impact on the team when they are hurt or healthy.

[Casey'sitsallgood]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I agree that injuries could be a downfall, but the difference next year as compared to previous years is we have guys who are more than capable of stepping up and filling in for them. Last year, 07-08, Kwadzo was our only point guard going into the season. Next year we will have Johnny, Ali, Haak, James and Sonnen to back him up. Yes, it is tough to replace 7 feet with Jordan, but we'll have both Adam's, Luke-O, Jake and Pehl that can fill in.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I agree that injuries could be a downfall, but the difference next year as compared to previous years is we have guys who are more than capable of stepping up and filling in for them. Last year, 07-08, Kwadzo was our only point guard going into the season.

We have depth, but injuries can wreak havoc on any team at any point. I'd rather keep the roster full and healthy and see if we can up tempo it and push a deeper 10-12 man rotation.

Next year we will have Johnny, Ali, Haak, James and Sonnen to back him up.

Don't look for James to be a PG, he'll be quick and a slasher, but I don't think he has the ball-handling skills to be a regular at the 1. I hope we can redshirt Morrison, don't know how much Sonnen can play the point but it'd be nice if can fill the role of taller defending guard that Travis embraced this year.

Yes, it is tough to replace 7 feet with Jordan, but we'll have both Adam's, Luke-O, Jake and Pehl that can fill in.

Do you know something we don't? Jordan is back next year and will be backed by Lucas, Rody and Pehl in the middle. The Koch's will cover the 4 with O'Rear and even Rody occasionally, though it might be fun to see Pehl at the 4 with Jordan to see what we can do really big.

And that's not counting if we can pick up another big in the spring signing period.

[Casey'sitsallgood]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

We have depth, but injuries can wreak havoc on any team at any point. I'd rather keep the roster full and healthy and see if we can up tempo it and push a deeper 10-12 man rotation.



Don't look for James to be a PG, he'll be quick and a slasher, but I don't think he has the ball-handling skills to be a regular at the 1. I hope we can redshirt Morrison, don't know how much Sonnen can play the point but it'd be nice if can fill the role of taller defending guard that Travis embraced this year.

I'm not saying James is a regular PG, I'm saying he is a guard that can handle the ball. Same with Sonnen, and I forgot to include Kerwin. Not saying they are PG's but all of them are more comfortable handling the ball than we've had in the past. Last year, there was no question we didn't have anyone that was completely comfortable handling the ball although JJ did a decent job when thrown into it. Travis did a good job also (same with Kerwin last two years and Sonnen and James) but it's different having someone that is used to getting a team into it's offense (Ali, Johnny, and Haak can do that). I purposely did not include Morrison because I know he is redshirting. He is a 4-for-5 player.

Do you know something we don't? Jordan is back next year and will be backed by Lucas, Rody and Pehl in the middle. The Koch's will cover the 4 with O'Rear and even Rody occasionally, though it might be fun to see Pehl at the 4 with Jordan to see what we can do really big.

No doubt about the injuries. Freak injuries happen all the time (pitcher for the Tigers injuring his shoulder(?) playing Guitar Hero...). I'm just saying we will be much deeper next year than in the last few.

I'm not saying James is a regular PG, I'm saying he is a guard that can handle the ball. Same with Sonnen, and I forgot to include Kerwin. Not saying they are PG's but all of them are more comfortable handling the ball than we've had in the past. Last year, there was no question we didn't have anyone that was completely comfortable handling the ball although JJ did a decent job when thrown into it. Travis did a good job also (same with Kerwin last two years and Sonnen and James next year) but it's different having someone that is used to getting a team into its offense (Ali, Johnny, and Haak have proven they can do that on a semi-regular basis). I purposely did not include Morrison because I know he is redshirting. He is a 4-for-5 player.

As far as knowing something you don't, maybe it's just me, but I remember multiple times this year when we ran out four guards and Koch or O'Rear. Not sure about that situation with Jordan but I think it might've happened. What I'm saying is that we have very versatile posts that can all run the floor very well (with the exception of Jordan).

[ceaser150]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

I agree that the depth we will have next year will help should their be injuries. But if KA were to get injured next year, it would be devastating. There is no one else on the roster that can create their own shots like he can. At the end of the year, there were times where he completely took over on the offensive end. That would be really tough to replace. The margin for error will be very slim next year with the league being much improved.

[jman2004]

Re: What are early thoughts on season nent year??

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but remember that we went 8-1 on the road in conference play this season. That's insane and will be difficult to replicate.

Jeg's correct in saying that they proved they can do it, so it's only their fault if expectations are placed rather high, but going 8-1 again on the road in conference play will be TOUGH.

Hopefully we could pick up a few earlier wins and some conference home wins that could offset any potential extra road losses though . . .