We are clearly in a transition year. These things happen to top programs. North Carolina suffering through 10-6 this year, wondering if their fans are calling for the coaches scalp. Two years Michigan State was an embarrassment and Izzo made it through . Let's see how Buzz handles it all. He has another great class of recruits on the way next year plus Duane Wilson and Fischer. If he can keep the team focused game by game and win all the rest of the home games and steal a few on the road, who knows we may still get a tourney bid.
Dream on.
Agree. Would love to see Dawson play more. He shows much more than D Wilson.
If Dawson works in the weight room over this coming summer his body just might look like Deonte's.
Quote from: Chris Columbo on January 11, 2014, 06:17:31 PM
Two years Michigan State was an embarrassment and Izzo made it through
I would certainly love to be a 7 seed in an embarrassing year. Especially following up two Final Four appearances and followed by two Sweet 16's.
Agree through, it's a transition year. I compare it more to Villanova two years ago. The Fightin' Clooneys are doing just fine now.
Quote from: chapman on January 12, 2014, 07:27:43 AM
I would certainly love to be a 7 seed in an embarrassing year. Especially following up two Final Four appearances and followed by two Sweet 16's.
Agree through, it's a transition year. I compare it more to Villanova two years ago. The Fightin' Clooneys are doing just fine now.
i agree with your first post except 7 seed? just to get in with our young guys and give them some tourney exposure would be great. then out of that, we need someone or two to step up and become a leader(s)
how is this a transition year? we have 4 seniors on this team; probably one of the most experienced teams in the league.
next year will be a transition year with 7 new players on the roster
Quote from: mhendrick on January 12, 2014, 12:52:33 PM
how is this a transition year? we have 4 seniors on this team; probably one of the most experienced teams in the league.
Yeah I don't see how this isn't a win-now year.
Quote from: mhendrick on January 12, 2014, 12:52:33 PM
how is this a transition year? we have 4 seniors on this team; probably one of the most experienced teams in the league.
None of the seniors( Jake, Otule, Gardner and Jamil) can take the team on their shoulders and will it to victory. We are in transition toward the identification of a new leader or leaders. That is why the sense of urgency for playing the freshman with promise. Todd has a chance to fill that role if he keeps his head screwed on straight.
Gardner and Jamil both capable. Gardner just needs a point to keep the floor spaced and get him the ball somewhere besides the top of the key. Jamil needs to play like there is no tomorrow because there is no tomorrow.
Quote from: Chris Columbo on January 11, 2014, 06:17:31 PM
We are clearly in a transition year. These things happen to top programs. North Carolina suffering through 10-6 this year, wondering if their fans are calling for the coaches scalp. Two years Michigan State was an embarrassment and Izzo made it through . Let's see how Buzz handles it all. He has another great class of recruits on the way next year plus Duane Wilson and Fischer. If he can keep the team focused game by game and win all the rest of the home games and steal a few on the road, who knows we may still get a tourney bid.
Here's the thing. If you would have said in October this was a transition year you would have been laughed off this board. Amazing how things change.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 12, 2014, 07:05:48 PM
Here's the thing. If you would have said in October this was a transition year you would have been laughed off this board. Amazing how things change.
That is exactly the point, things can change. Villlanova suffered through their transition and look where they are now. The only thing that really makes me nervous is that Derrick is a junior. We really cant go through another year of this.
Quote from: Chris Columbo on January 12, 2014, 07:11:00 PM
That is exactly the point, things can change. Villlanova suffered through their transition and look where they are now. The only thing that really makes me nervous is that Derrick is a junior. We really cant go through another year of this.
We just might. Derrick, Juan and Todd will be Seniors. Todd is the only one capable of putting the ball through the hoop. Will see if Steve Taylor will bounce back from his injury. That leave 5 Sophomores and 4 freshman. Where will the leadership and go to guys come from? Certainly not from the upper classmen; based on from what we are seeing this year.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 12, 2014, 07:05:48 PM
Here's the thing. If you would have said in October this was a transition year you would have been laughed off this board. Amazing how things change.
I agree. Was wondering what your thoughts are on the Fischer transfer. Must be bitter/sweet being an alum from both schools. I know we all want the best players to come to our schools but we seem to loose sight of the fact that these players are just kids with real life family situations. Hope it works out for him.
I know it was only a 30 second camera shot of him and his family, but he did not look very interested.
Quote from: rocket surgeon on January 12, 2014, 08:48:11 AM
i agree with your first post except 7 seed? just to get in with our young guys and give them some tourney exposure would be great. then out of that, we need someone or two to step up and become a leader(s)
Referring to Izzo. A five year run of Final Four, Championship Game, #7 Seed one and done, Sweet 16, Sweet 16. If the middle is an "embarrassing" year, I too would like to sign up to be embarrassed.
I'm disappointed and my expectations from October have not been met. Of course those expectations included Duane Wilson, Steve Taylor, Jr. and Jameel McKay. And Jamil shooting 75% from the line. And Sheesh looking interested and hitting 88% from the line. And Derrick improving at least a little on offense. And JJJ being a little more ready. Juan, Chris and John Dawson are about as expected. Todd is on the verge, and Jake and Deonte have solidly exceeded expectations - but that's hardly enough. Add it all together and it's not surprising this year has been disappointing so far.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on January 12, 2014, 07:49:44 PM
I agree. Was wondering what your thoughts are on the Fischer transfer. Must be bitter/sweet being an alum from both schools. I know we all want the best players to come to our schools but we seem to loose sight of the fact that these players are just kids with real life family situations. Hope it works out for him.
I addressed it a little bit in the Cracked Sidewalks article I wrote. Honestly, I never totally understood why he went to IU. Just by looking at the schools that were after him, they were all small schools except for IU and Iowa. The schools he had narrowed his final list to were MU, Creighton, Butler, IU....one is clearly not like the other. Having attended MU and then going to grad school at KU and IU, the difference to me was profound. Those are big schools. By that time in my life I was ok with it, but one of the reasons I chose MU to begin with was the size. I have no way of knowing this, but I suspect based on the schools he was interested in the first go around and then the schools he considered transferring to, it just seems that he was more "at home" at a smaller institution. A better comfort zone. Just a hunch.
In terms of IU, I was of the opinion they had an outside shot at NCAAs this year, probably 6th or 7th. They lost their top 4 players and Sheehey is a 6th man type starting. Too young right now. The one difference they have is an absolute stud point guard while they have young bigs. MU has experienced bigs, but point guard issues. So I wouldn't say I'm bitter sweet per se, MU is my favorite school by miles. I'm happy he's at MU, thought he should have come here in the first place. For IU, wish he hadn't gone there because it leaves a hole for them that they could have addressed by getting someone else. In the long run, both programs are going to be fine, but what is going on with both programs right now does not surprise me in the least. MU, in my opinion, has an easier path to get back in it due to the conference. Iowa, still my darkhorse team in the Big Ten, they are quite good. Wisconsin is excellent...unfortunately.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 12, 2014, 09:21:28 PM
I addressed it a little bit in the Cracked Sidewalks article I wrote. Honestly, I never totally understood why he went to IU. Just by looking at the schools that were after him, they were all small schools except for IU and Iowa. The schools he had narrowed his final list to were MU, Creighton, Butler, IU....one is clearly not like the other. Having attended MU and then going to grad school at KU and IU, the difference to me was profound. Those are big schools. By that time in my life I was ok with it, but one of the reasons I chose MU to begin with was the size. I have no way of knowing this, but I suspect based on the schools he was interested in the first go around and then the schools he considered transferring to, it just seems that he was more "at home" at a smaller institution. A better comfort zone. Just a hunch.
In terms of IU, I was of the opinion they had an outside shot at NCAAs this year, probably 6th or 7th. They lost their top 4 players and Sheehey is a 6th man type starting. Too young right now. The one difference they have is an absolute stud point guard while they have young bigs. MU has experienced bigs, but point guard issues. So I wouldn't say I'm bitter sweet per se, MU is my favorite school by miles. I'm happy he's at MU, thought he should have come here in the first place. For IU, wish he hadn't gone there because it leaves a hole for them that they could have addressed by getting someone else. In the long run, both programs are going to be fine, but what is going on with both programs right now does not surprise me in the least. MU, in my opinion, has an easier path to get back in it due to the conference. Iowa, still my darkhorse team in the Big Ten, they are quite good. Wisconsin is excellent...unfortunately.
Before I raise any points of disagreement, a compliment. Iowa was slotted by most to finish 6th in the BIG this year. You said they were better than that early and so far you're dead on - kudos.
Regarding Fischer's recruitment, he was a late bloomer. The reason that teams like Creighton and Butler were finalists wasn't because he wanted small. It was because many big schools (including UW) weren't all that interested. To TC's credit, he was the first "big" school coach to really go after him - and once he did there was no doubt that's what Luke wanted. I don't know the causes of his unhappiness down there, but everything points to a very real feeling of homesickness, a common problem for kids who go away to school for the first time. Don't see any evidence that IU's size (actually pretty small by Big 10 state school standards) played a part.
Regarding IU's expectation on the court - most had them 5th in the BIG. Given Michigan's loss of McGary for the season 4th was probably more likely, but given that Iowa was undervalued 5th again seems reasonable. Who after the top 6 is any good? Illinois, who closed hard to only lose to UW by 25 and then lost to Northwestern? Don't think so. Minnesota? No. Purdue? Un uh. The rest (Penn State, Nebraska, Northwestern) are the dregs.
Indiana did not lose their top 4 players - Yogi Ferrell was better than Watford and Hulls the day he stepped on campus. They have a 5*pg and a 5*pf/c everyone says is a one and done lottery pick. In addition, they have the guy considered (with Davante) the best 6th man in college BB last year and multiple 4* players. I think you're expectations for them are on the low end.