20-21 Expectations

[tower912]

PROS:   I think this is going to be an athletic team. 
This is going to be the first time that MU has had nothing but big guards and adequate size at all 5 positions under Wojo.
The talent and depth at guard is truly awesome.   
Could have the first real sleeper breakout since JFB in Akanno.
Long, skilled, versatile forwards.
DJ Carton is the most complete point guard at MU since.... wow...  Travis?  Dominic?   Seriously, a do-everything PG with size who plays both ends.
I never wonder where the scoring is going to come from in Wojo's offense.    I am not worried about replacing the nearly 50 ppg that either graduated or left.    The offense and the points will easily sort itself out.   


CONS:   Losing two weeks of practice is not going to help all of the new pieces figure out how to play defense.   Wojo's defenses have been as consistent as his defenses, and not in a good way.    Hopefully size can offset lack of reps.
No obvious back up 5.
Dexter still hasn't returned from COVID.  Nor should he.   His health is the most important thing.    But, if it wasn't just hype, his absence will be felt. 
So many new players and new roles and so little time to integrate.   Seriously, 50% of the team did not see the floor for MU last year.
I hate having to count on freshman.    But this team can't wait. 

My conclusion:    There is potential for this to be a good team.   But practice delays and absences due to COVID are going to hurt.   I think this is going to be a year of seeing some really good play.     Games where MU looks like a team to be reckoned with for 35 minutes of play.   But with 5 minutes of play with the wrong rotations out there due to injuries, absences, and fouls that is going to wreck the game and cost us from winning more.       

Team Bubble watch, building for the future.    And, due to mitigating circumstances, Wojo retaining his job.   

[Shooter McGavin]

Sounds about right.  Cautiously optimistic we make the tournament.

[panda]

I’m looking for continued improvement throughout the season. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect consistent results from this young of a team missing two weeks of early practice, but it is reasonable to expect consistency, cohesiveness and team/individual growth throughout the season. Something we haven’t necessarily seen the last couple of years.

[brewcity77]

I can make a case for this team to be 2nd in the league or 9th. I've no idea what to expect, and most of the rest of the Big East being in a similar state of flux makes it hard to figure anyone else out too.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I'll just be happy if the team plays 20 games.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I expect this team to be the inverse of the past two seasons in that we lose some games we shouldn't at the beginning of the season and win some games we shouldn't at the end of the season. Honestly, seeing a team that is playing its best basketball at the end of the season may be more important to my evaluation of Wojo than making the tournament.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

Since this team doesn't have an adequate coach in any facet of the game, it's going to have to rely on its sheer talent alone.  In other words, it will get blown out at home when it shouldn't and lose a few on the road it should win.  It will be like DePaul last year:  a pain to play at times, but a team that buries itself with mistakes. 

Turnovers, inefficient basketball, lapses on defense, etc with occasional glimpses of high level offensive sequences.   

[BCHoopster]

Young talent is there, how they play together will be the telling sign. I believe Wojo had his best recruiting year, add Akenno and you have a strong group. Let’s see how he coached them up. At least it will fun, good group

[muwarrior69]

I'll just be happy if the team plays 20 games.

Me too. I just want to see how they play. With games being cancelled as we speak who knows how teams will be selected for the tournament.

[brewcity77]

Me too. I just want to see how they play. With games being cancelled as we speak who knows how teams will be selected for the tournament.

What I heard most recently is the minimum will be 13 games for consideration, but the NCAA may grant waivers (no way a 9-3 Duke will be left out) for teams that don't reach the minimum. There will be one additional at-large bid because the Ivy is not sending a representative this year.

It'll be difficult to see how they reconcile teams that played vastly disparate schedules. I don't look forward to making bracket projections this year.

[bilsu]

What I heard most recently is the minimum will be 13 games for consideration, but the NCAA may grant waivers (no way a 9-3 Duke will be left out) for teams that don't reach the minimum. There will be one additional at-large bid because the Ivy is not sending a representative this year.

It'll be difficult to see how they reconcile teams that played vastly disparate schedules. I don't look forward to making bracket projections this year.

I find it hard to believe that MU will play 13 games this season.

[brewcity77]

I find it hard to believe that MU will play 13 games this season.

I don't. I think the Big East is going to go into a bubble to insure all their teams get enough games to be eligible if there's any doubt.

[Shooter McGavin]

I find it hard to believe that MU will play 13 games this season.

Once the students go home for thanksgiving, they will get in a ton of games just in December while in a semi-bubble.

[bilsu]

Once the students go home for thanksgiving, they will get in a ton of games just in December while in a sem-bubble.

You are assuming that our team or our opponents team will not be in a 14 day quarantine. I hope the games will be played. I am not optimistic about there being no major bumps in the road.

[WarriorFan]

I predict frustration.  ESPN and FOX have upgraded their VPN blocking so watching games is going to be a real challenge.

[Johnny B]

I predict frustration.  ESPN and FOX have upgraded their VPN blocking so watching games is going to be a real challenge.

wats this mean?

[WarriorFan]

wats this mean?

Problem for those of us outside the USofA.

[mileskishnish72]

Well, if Covid-19 acts like other viruses, expect a surge with colder weather and people congregating indoors in more proximity to each other. There are already multiple instances of young people causing little spikes because of flaunting precautions. As we all know, you can get in trouble having a good time without taking precautions. If enough teams are lucky enough to avoid infections and the attendant shutdowns, we might be able to enjoy a season of sorts. Normality? Not this year.

[4everwarriors]

Crean sucks

[The Big East]

I can make a case for this team to be 2nd in the league or 9th. I've no idea what to expect, and most of the rest of the Big East being in a similar state of flux makes it hard to figure anyone else out too.

I have a similar view point. All going to come down to who does the best job of coaching over the long 20 game conference season.

[IrwinFletcher]

I find it hard to believe that MU will play 13 games this season.

Everyone said that same thing about baseball when it was announced they were going to play.  28 of the 30 teams played all 60 games.

Basketball and Hockey had success with the bubble.

Pro Football has had excellent results and College football has lost many games for sure, but most teams are on track to play their full allotment of games.

I see no reason college basketball doesn't have the same results.  And they will have the advantage of having no kids on campus come Wednesday, thus giving it a mini-bubble.

[PGsHeroes32]

Everyone said that same thing about baseball when it was announced they were going to play.  28 of the 30 teams played all 60 games.

Basketball and Hockey had success with the bubble.

Pro Football has had excellent results and College football has lost many games for sure, but most teams are on track to play their full allotment of games.

I see no reason college basketball doesn't have the same results.  And they will have the advantage of having no kids on campus come Wednesday, thus giving it a mini-bubble.

The issue here is pro vs college. Things in college have been much stricter. If we don't get bubble plans going fast this season is screwed.

Scott Drew tested positive for Baylor. No players have tested postive since with multiple tests. Arizona State still bailed on playing them.

This isn't going to work if a bubble plan doesn't come quickly.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Everyone said that same thing about baseball when it was announced they were going to play.  28 of the 30 teams played all 60 games.

Basketball and Hockey had success with the bubble.

Pro Football has had excellent results and College football has lost many games for sure, but most teams are on track to play their full allotment of games.

I see no reason college basketball doesn't have the same results.  And they will have the advantage of having no kids on campus come Wednesday, thus giving it a mini-bubble.

Positives:  Students will be off-campus for a bulk of their season.

Negatives:  One positive likely shuts down the whole team.  Football can break down their large teams into groupings that prevents this.  Also the lack of a central governing body that can regulate this stuff is an issue.

Really we don't know until we see what happens.  The NFL had issues but has learned and adjusted.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

The issue here is pro vs college. Things in college have been much stricter. If we don't get bubble plans going fast this season is screwed.

Scott Drew tested positive for Baylor. No players have tested postive since with multiple tests. Arizona State still bailed on playing them.

This isn't going to work if a bubble plan doesn't come quickly.

And ASU's decision is 100% NOT about concern over health.  It's about concern over an infection that can shut their team down for two weeks.

[MU82]

I think we will be fun to watch most games but we obviously will have some growing pains.

I look forward to the season, especially seeing if DJ and Dawson can live up to the hype, seeing what Greg can do if healthy, seeing what Jamal can do if given more consistent PT, seeing if Theo can stay out of foul trouble, and seeing how much we get from Lewis, Oso, Jose and/or Dex.

Also interested to see if Wojo can improve as a coach.

Mostly, here's hoping that all of our players, coaches and support staff stay healthy.

We Are Marquette!

[PGsHeroes32]

And ASU's decision is 100% NOT about concern over health.  It's about concern over an infection that can shut their team down for two weeks.

I get that but that is my point.

Baylor is technically able to play Wednesday. But the game is still cancelled because the other program doesn't want to risk being shut down.

Because when teams do have players test positive and they have to shut down, its two weeks for the entire team.

At the collegiate level with the guidelines in place(not saying I disagree with them at all) it's simply impossible to make this work without a bubble.

You have to have the NFL "next man up" mentality with the possible rescheduling of a few games here or there to make it work with no bubble.

[bilsu]

I get that but that is my point.

Baylor is technically able to play Wednesday. But the game is still cancelled because the other program doesn't want to risk being shut down.

Because when teams do have players test positive and they have to shut down, its two weeks for the entire team.

At the collegiate level with the guidelines in place(not saying I disagree with them at all) it's simply impossible to make this work without a bubble.

You have to have the NFL "next man up" mentality with the possible rescheduling of a few games here or there to make it work with no bubble.

Player A can get it this week and a team shuts down for two weeks. Then player B can get it and the team will need to shut down another two weeks. That is why I think there is very little chance of MU plays 13 games.

[Dr. Blackheart]

6th in BE and well placed on the bubble. More ceiling than floor.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Reflecting on all the cancelations being announced today....

Considering how much the NCAA *needs* the tournament to take place this Spring, why weren't they more front and center with plans for this upcoming basketball season?  Instead we have schools still planning to flying around the country to hold relatively meaningless non-conference games.  The NCAA's decentralized model works great...until it doesn't.  And now there is no leadership to be had anywhere.

Unless the NCAA, or a conference, or even a coach, steps up and calls for some bold leadership here, I have a feeling that this will be a season of starts and stops...ending in what will basically be an invitational tournament of crappy basketball.

[rocky_warrior]

Reflecting on all the cancelations being announced today....

Other than Baylor, did I miss some?  And ASU is back in the tournament since Baylor now dropped out.

[Its DJOver]

Other than Baylor, did I miss some?  And ASU is back in the tournament since Baylor now dropped out.

Can't imagine Tennessee is going to start the season on time.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30373832/tennessee-volunteers-pause-activities-rick-barnes-tests-positive-coronavirus

[rocky_warrior]

Can't imagine Tennessee is going to start the season on time.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30373832/tennessee-volunteers-pause-activities-rick-barnes-tests-positive-coronavirus

Fair, and I just noticed Gardner-Webb too.  https://twitter.com/JonRothstein

[PaintTouches]

Not sure whi runs it, but this seems to be a pretty good roundup of quarantine pauses around CBB.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1B0Y8KmRPiG9_8G6U4QycuMymH2SY_CbHA-eAhPn8suI/htmlview

[PGsHeroes32]

Other than Baylor, did I miss some?  And ASU is back in the tournament since Baylor now dropped out.

Ole Miss cancelled 4 games.

[rocky_warrior]

Not sure whi runs it, but this seems to be a pretty good roundup of quarantine pauses around CBB.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1B0Y8KmRPiG9_8G6U4QycuMymH2SY_CbHA-eAhPn8suI/htmlview

Well that's a lot more than I was aware!

edit: sheet owner appears to be owner of the Bonnies forums: https://twitter.com/SBUnfurled - props!

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I have a similar view point. All going to come down to who does the best job of coaching over the long 20 game conference season.

It may be who does the best job of staying healthy.

[PGsHeroes32]

8 players and the coach on Utah got it

[brewcity77]

Reflecting on all the cancelations being announced today....

Considering how much the NCAA *needs* the tournament to take place this Spring, why weren't they more front and center with plans for this upcoming basketball season?  Instead we have schools still planning to flying around the country to hold relatively meaningless non-conference games.  The NCAA's decentralized model works great...until it doesn't.  And now there is no leadership to be had anywhere.

Unless the NCAA, or a conference, or even a coach, steps up and calls for some bold leadership here, I have a feeling that this will be a season of starts and stops...ending in what will basically be an invitational tournament of crappy basketball.

I really think using the MTEs as round robin bubbles or creating localized bubbles as the only non-con was the way they should've went. It gives the cross-pollenation that's necessary for a competent selection process with less risk. Reduces travel, lessens transmission risk, still allows systems like NET & kenpom to operate.

[Silkk the Shaka]

If enough games are played, we have the talent to make the tournament, and that is my expectation

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I really think using the MTEs as round robin bubbles or creating localized bubbles as the only non-con was the way they should've went. It gives the cross-pollenation that's necessary for a competent selection process with less risk. Reduces travel, lessens transmission risk, still allows systems like NET & kenpom to operate.

Bubbles are expensive.  The fact is there is going to be a lot of guesswork by the committee because the metrics for non-conference games will be trash. 

We are just going to have to hope for the best.

[MU82]

The fact is there is going to be a lot of guesswork by the committee because the metrics for non-conference games will be trash.

Back to the "old days" -- like when MU snuck into the tourney in 1977!

[brewcity77]

Bubbles are expensive.  The fact is there is going to be a lot of guesswork by the committee because the metrics for non-conference games will be trash. 

We are just going to have to hope for the best.

Exactly why I though the MTE was the best way to do it. You have sponsor dollars and programs with major conference dollars able to help facilitate testing for the smaller schools. The whole traveling thing is really haphazard and dangerous.