MUScoop

Wanted to see what everyone's expectations are for next season.  A lot of unknowns in the backcourt, but also one of the best frontcourts in some time.  Should be a fun year regardless.  Discuss.....

It all depends on the development and subsequent use (or lack of) of Steve Taylor Jr

I voted elite eight. I think Jamil will have a huge year as the new potential go-to-guy. I also expect a Big East First-Team selection for Gardner. I think JJJ and Duane will be in the mix for Rookie of the Year.

My sleeper this year is play of Mayo and JJJ. I think those two will have huge impact next year, and frankly we need them to have a big impact. I think Mayo in particular plays well. He will have all of summer to get his head together.

With that said, I really think Elite Eight is a great possibility.

Quote from: setyoursightsnorth on May 03, 2013, 10:19:24 AM
I voted elite eight. I think Jamil will have a huge year as the new potential go-to-guy. I also expect a Big East First-Team selection for Gardner. I think JJJ and Duane will be in the mix for Rookie of the Year.

My sleeper this year is play of Mayo and JJJ. I think those two will have huge impact next year, and frankly we need them to have a big impact. I think Mayo in particular plays well. He will have all of summer to get his head together.

With that said, I really think Elite Eight is a great possibility.

I agree.  If Mayo, Duane or JJJ can step up and be a big contributor this team could go far.  I have a hard time expecting a freshman to make an immediate impact though.

(Barring injury/more roster shake-up) We will finish 1st or 2nd in the conference.  It's us & Georgetown.  We were clear-cut 1st before Blue left, but now it's us or Georgetown, with a slight edge to us IMO.  

This will give us a top 3 or 4 NCAA seed depending on non-con play.  Could be as high as 1/2, as low as 5.  

Should be back in the S16, with a toss-up game to get back to the elite 8.  FF possible if Duane and/or Jajuan exceed expectations for their recruiting rank (see Sugar's excellent link).  

Excellent front cournt play, and Jamil will be a legit go-to guy.  If he plays like his hair is on fire all season to make a push to get drafted, we'll be better (possibly much better) than we were this year.  Really excited to see it all play out.

Never know what happens in NCAA and makes it tough to judge. With some luck I believe this is an E8 or higher team next year. Have little doubt that is going to be a very enertaining team to watch and with athletic lineup it could be very, very exciting to watch. Hoping for more Louisville style next year and should have the athletic players to make that happen. Scoring points has become difficult in college ball and teams that can score 75+ will be tough to beat.

My expectation is the tournament. After that, my only expectation is Buzz & staff will spend more time than just about every other coaching staff preparing their team, and making the necessary in game adjustments. We were a good pass away from a first round elimination this year (play-in games aren't a round!). Can't control tournament match-up's, injuries, bad games, or the surprise Dunk City, so I'm building expectations on the one thing showing the team's body of work. I think the right mix of talent and experience will be there to play the third weekend, but I've been a Cubs fan too long to make that my expectation.

Quote from: setyoursightsnorth on May 03, 2013, 10:19:24 AM
I voted elite eight. I think Jamil will have a huge year as the new potential go-to-guy. I also expect a Big East First-Team selection for Gardner. I think JJJ and Duane will be in the mix for Rookie of the Year.

My sleeper this year is play of Mayo and JJJ. I think those two will have huge impact next year, and frankly we need them to have a big impact. I think Mayo in particular plays well. He will have all of summer to get his head together.

With that said, I really think Elite Eight is a great possibility.

Can JJJ create his own shot or is he a great set-shooter like Mayo?

Play hard, make the tournament, peak in March, exceed consensus of "experts" - pretty much what I expect from MU under Buzz every year.

There is a ton of talent on the 2013-14 roster.  They are young, but, will play with high intensity and boundless energy.  The team will get better with each game.  I think they will be ranked in the top 10 in March.

FF or bust!

I'm so stoked that we're getting season tix for the 1st time, we usually only went to 6-7 games each year.

With Buzz history says another elite 8.  Think about it two first weekend exits straight, two back to back sweet 16s, and an elite 8 next on the pattern is another elite 8.  Don't need any player stats or anything.

Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on May 03, 2013, 12:24:00 PM
With Buzz history says another elite 8.  Think about it two first weekend exits straight, two back to back sweet 16s, and an elite 8 next on the pattern is another elite 8.  Don't need any player stats or anything.

indisputable logic.

I decided on S16 simply because I believe we'll either be #1 or #2 in the BEast, earn about a 4/5 seed and progress through the first weekend but get beat by a clearly superior team in the S16 bracket.  Of course I could be way wrong.  But as always it'll be fun watching.  ;D

Quote from: jsglow on May 03, 2013, 12:44:18 PM
I decided on S16 simply because I believe we'll either be #1 or #2 in the BEast, earn about a 4/5 seed and progress through the first weekend but get beat by a clearly superior team in the S16 bracket.  Of course I could be way wrong.  But as always it'll be fun watching.  ;D

You think that winning the New Big east would only get us a 4 or 5 seed? I'd expect a 3 or 2 if we win it. 

Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on May 03, 2013, 12:49:56 PM
You think that winning the New Big east would only get us a 4 or 5 seed? I'd expect a 3 or 2 if we win it. 

Georgetown and us were 2 and 3 for winning the old Big East.  All other things being equal, I don't see where we get the in-conference wins to replace Syracuse, ND and 2x over Pitt and give us the same level of consideration.

If we finish the new big east as regular season champion with 8 or more total losses (4 or more in conference) and no tournament championship, we're not going to be seeded as highly as we were last year.

I really think that Derrick Wilson is going to have a good year and he is going to run the point. It takes a while to earn Buzz' confidence and he has it in Derrick.

Quote from: The Equalizer on May 03, 2013, 01:11:28 PM
Georgetown and us were 2 and 3 for winning the old Big East.  All other things being equal, I don't see where we get the in-conference wins to replace Syracuse, ND and 2x over Pitt and give us the same level of consideration.

If we finish the new big east as regular season champion with 8 or more total losses (4 or more in conference) and no tournament championship, we're not going to be seeded as highly as we were last year.

I was assuming tournament championship. 

To say anything less then the elite eight is preposterous! The team is looking solid!

 I think next year is off the charts special. We will be playing on Monday April 7th in Cowboys Stadium. It will be full on epic. A Homecoming for Buzz. After the Monday night win there will be legitimate concern about Duane Wilson coming back. Bang!

100-0 Ending the season by defeating the Monstars and saving themselves from having to go to Moron Mountain as the newest attraction.

Quote from: Hards_Alumni on May 03, 2013, 02:24:38 PM
100-0 Ending the season by defeating the Monstars and saving themselves from having to go to Moron Mountain as the newest attraction.

with Bill Murray being our star player

I'm expecting to be a top 5 team by the time conference play starts, cruise through the Big East, win the Big East Championship, earn a #1 seed, and then make it to the final 4 where anything is possible. Yes, I'm serious

Quote from: john31 on May 03, 2013, 02:21:25 PM
I think next year is off the charts special. We will be playing on Monday April 7th in Cowboys Stadium. It will be full on epic. A Homecoming for Buzz. After the Monday night win there will be legitimate concern about Duane Wilson coming back. Bang!

Sign me up

Quote from: john31 on May 03, 2013, 02:21:25 PM
I think next year is off the charts special. We will be playing on Monday April 7th in Cowboys Stadium. It will be full on epic. A Homecoming for Buzz. After the Monday night win there will be legitimate concern about Duane Wilson coming back. Bang!

That would be the best birthday present ever for me! I'd hitchhike down there and hold out an "it's my birthday" sign, till I get a pity ticket.

Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on May 03, 2013, 12:24:00 PM
With Buzz history says another elite 8.  Think about it two first weekend exits straight, two back to back sweet 16s, and an elite 8 next on the pattern is another elite 8.  Don't need any player stats or anything.

This is how Robinson Crusoe figured out there was someone else on his island...

Who are we playing the bracket?  Where are we playing?  What seed are we?   Can't answer the question until then.

I voted sweet 16. Last year we made the elite 8, but we were lucky to win the first game.

Gotta be movin' on up every year, with better depth and talent with Buzz and company

On the big shoulders of Oxtule we go with a serviceable dose of 3s from Jake and Mayo, and a dash of JWill when it counts. Elite Eight again next time and then The Final Four the following year.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 03, 2013, 06:53:22 PM
Who are we playing the bracket?  Where are we playing?  What seed are we?   Can't answer the question until then.

You left out perhaps the most important...if we make the tournament.

Here are my expectations for the 2013-14 season:
*Complaints about students not going to a weeknight game against Southeast Central Valley State Technical College (or something like that)
*Widespread fear and panic after (name any player/coach/ballboy) tweets that he stubbed his toe on his bedpost
*Outrage after MU loses to a "subpar" opponent (who turns out to be not so bad in the end) and predictions of NIT or CBI
*Speculation Paranoia that Buzz is going to (insert underachieving state school here)
*Complaints along the lines of "take all of ______'s minutes and give them to ______"
*Harmless threads that morph into 5-page arguments about a certain former coach

Oh you meant how will the Marquette basketball team do next year... I said S16, but I consider E8 to be realistic. F4 may be a stretch. Hard to predict with this team.

Quote from: The Equalizer on May 03, 2013, 01:11:28 PMGeorgetown and us were 2 and 3 for winning the old Big East.  All other things being equal, I don't see where we get the in-conference wins to replace Syracuse, ND and 2x over Pitt and give us the same level of consideration.

If we finish the new big east as regular season champion with 8 or more total losses (4 or more in conference) and no tournament championship, we're not going to be seeded as highly as we were last year.

You're looking at it wrong. There also aren't losses to Louisville and Cincy in the conference slate. I think 16-2 is realistic, and if we finish with 6 total losses (3 non-con, 2 conference, 1 con tourney) to go along with 27-28 wins, I definitely think we are getting a 2/3 seed.

Besides, don't you always argue that it's more about aggregate wins and the rest will sort itself out? In-conference wins over 2x Creighton and 2x Butler should be just fine to replace the wins over Syracuse, 2x Pitt, and ND.

I honestly don't have high expectations.  That won't change until we identify a PG for next year.

I think it will all depend on how the Frosh do. Hope I'm wrong but don't think Mayo's going to show much more than what we've seen. Like many on this board I'm big on Steve Jr. My hope is that by March the diaper dandies will be playing like sooks.

er, playing like sophs.

Yes, we should have our best frontcourt in some time. But it's all about the backcourt, baby.

Taking care of the ball, getting the offense into a flow, penetrating and kicking, driving and finishing, hitting  threes. It was Vander's ascension that made this past season possible, and the team was at its best when Junior also excelled. Whose turn next?

MAYO: Aside from a dozen or so games his freshman season -- and precious few in Big East play -- he has shown only the ability to frustrate Buzz, fans and probably himself. Statistically, he isn't even mediocre. He has to play better and, perhaps most importantly, has to have a better all-around attitude, or he'll find himself on the bench again. Buzz definitely has established that he ain't gonna tolerate much silliness from Mayo.

DERRICK WILSON: It takes a complete leap of faith to expect him to be anything more than he has been for two years: a defense-first guy who is so careful with the ball that that he is a serious offensive liability as a PG. Serious contenders have PGs who can score at least some.

JJJ & DUANE: It would be nice if these frosh are 3/4ths as good as advertised, fantastic if they are as good as advertised and "Final Four Here We Come!" if they are better than advertised.

As difficult as it may be to make a prediction with all of those "ifs," "maybes" and "we'll sees," what the heck ...

Sweet 16, and hoping for more!

Derrick will become the 2nd coming of Mandy Johnson and we will get a least 2 wins in the dance.  Once Buzz gives him the keys to the car he will flourish.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on May 04, 2013, 12:31:44 PM
You left out perhaps the most important...if we make the tournament.

I would be surprised if we didn't make the tournament.  How far we go is the crapshoot.

Quote from: DoggyDaddy on May 04, 2013, 10:52:03 AM
On the big shoulders of Oxtule we go with a serviceable dose of 3s from Jake and Mayo, and a dash of JWill when it counts. Elite Eight again next time and then The Final Four the following year.

Otule will truly play like a man among boys if he stays healthy another season.  He may play so well that Buzz will be forced to play Ox more at power forward to get him minutes.

Quote from: Marqevans on May 06, 2013, 08:58:38 PM
Otule will truly play like a man among boys if he stays healthy another season.  He may play so well that Buzz will be forced to play Ox more at power forward to get him minutes.

Physically, he will be a man against boys, but with his handicap I am not sure he will be force on the offensive end.  Now if the new guards can pass it inside more, he can possibly
average in double figures.  Derrick Wilson had a hard time passing into the block, so he will have to improve.  Vander never passed it inside so without him there might be more opportunities.
Duane Wilson will be key to this.

As a couple of posters already have commented about Todd Mayo, I'll be brief. This is His chance. If he is as good as originally advertised and gets his head on straight, the transition from Vander to Todd will be seamless.

Vander leaving is Todd's last best chance to make something of himself at the college level. If he does, hold on because we're a Final Four team. If he doesn't, we're probably a Sweet 16 team.

The thing that concerns me is that in the former Big East, we were battle tested every night. Our regular season was like an NCAA tournament. Our new conference won't be THAT good, so I wonder how ready we will be for the tournament. We'll still have the likes of Georgetown, Butler, Villanova and a rejuvenated St. John's, but losing UConn, Pitt, Syracuse, Loserville and Cincinnati takes something out of our schedule.

Still, Todd has to step up and our freshman have to live up to their promise. If they do, we have something really special -- like we did in 1976.

Tell me the numbers that JJJ and DuWilson put up and I will tell you my expectations.   If Blue and Anderson had stuck around, I would have been comfortable predicting a return trip to the Elite 8.   Now, likely needing a combined 16 ppg from JJJ and DuW, I wouldn't bet money on anything.   MU could very well have the best 5 man  frontcourt rotation in college basketball and have it not matter because the frosh don't step up.

I do not think we will miss Vander as much as people might think.  No need for guys who cant shoot in college bball.  Duane and JJJ will make up for the loss.

Quote from: joe pop on May 07, 2013, 04:28:01 PM
I do not think we will miss Vander as much as people might think.  No need for guys who cant shoot in college bball.  Duane and JJJ will make up for the loss.

http://painttouches.com/2013/02/21/synergy-vander-blue-midrange-numbers-best-in-the-country/

He had a good year, took good shots for the most part. His percentages from midrange were great which you cant sneeze.  Watching Duane live several times and seeing/hearing about JJJ make me not worried about Vander leaving.

*sneeze at