MU Big Dance Chance

[Dr. Blackheart]

Enough of the Crean threads...let's turn our attention to 2010-2011 season like the JS did with this poll, whose results were not too optimistic.  Let's see where the Scoopers' heads are at.  Maybe Buzz and CTC will face off in the CIT to settle the board score.

http://www.jsonline.com/polls/82526647.html?results=y&oid=1&mr=1&cid=8500544&pid=82526647

[BuzzSucksSucks]

Looks like Bucky fans dominate the readership.  (My guess is somewhere in the neighborhood of 73%.)

[rocky_warrior]

While I voted "Yes", I fear this poll is nearly as un-scientific.

Also, probably a bit early to "vote" since we don't even know who will be on the team at the end of Oct.

[Tugg Speedman]

Also, probably a bit early to "vote" since we don't even know who will be on the team at the end of Oct.

Wadda mean??? Buzz is working on a 15 man rotation!

[Dr. Blackheart]

While I voted "Yes", I fear this poll is nearly as un-scientific.

Also, probably a bit early to "vote" since we don't even know who will be on the team at the end of Oct.

I don't know that any of these polls are scientific, but I was taken aback by the Badger sentiment   

While next season is a bit more of a wild card in the back court, MU is certainly taller and more experienced on the backline, barring injuries--again, with EWilliams and the JUCO POY adding depth.  We do have two upper class AA JUCO guards returning, with Junior and Blue--the highest rated recruit since Doc--folded in.  Then, we have swing players in Smith (1/2) and sharpshooter Jones (2/3) in the rotation.  I believe the question marks fall after this. 

With the BE expected to be weaker with the early entries, I find it hard to see how MU doesn't make the Dance.  Would like to hear from some of the doubters.

[NotAnAlum]

I think the most important difference from last year is that Buzz has proven he can coach and get the most out of the talent he has.   You can say what you want about seniors and Lazar's leadership and they were all important but the bottom line is I don't think there are many coaches who get that team safely into the NCAA tournement (not even on the bubble). 

[muguru]

Barring something totally unforseen....they are IN. How's that for confidence?? 

[OhioGoldenEagle]

With the start of every new season, the biggest question will be, can the seniors step up and replace the previous year's senior leadership?  Last year, many were unsure whether Lazar was going to be able to step up his game once he became the focal point of the offense and the opposing team's defense.  Without question, Lazar, was able to answer the bell......as did Mo and David.  That being said, as well as Jimmy B and DJO played last season, can they step up their games enough with the opposing defenses focusing their efforts on them?  They both seemed to disappear offensively for long stretches last season.  I think the two of them need to be more consistent throughout the season this year for MU to be a legitimate threat in the Big East considering the what the rest of the team will contribute is a GREAT unknown (ie.  Cadougan's ability to run point, Fulce/Otule/Crowder in the frontcourt, Buycks as #1 off the bench, EWill's competency on the court, freshman(s) ability to transition to Big East play). 

[Benny B]

Barring something totally unforseen....they are IN. How's that for confidence?? 

Even after the unforeseen happened, they still made it into the tourney last year.  That makes it even harder to bet against an NCAA appearance in 10-11.

I don't know if I want to make an "in or out" prediction, so I'll take the easy way out.  I predict another soft bubble in 2010-11.

[NersEllenson]

I'd be very surprised if MU doesn't make the NCAA tourney next year.  Lots of question marks, but lots of talent.  I'm going to predict another 6 seed.

[rocky_warrior]

Even after the unforeseen happened, they still made it into the tourney last year.  That makes it even harder to bet against an NCAA appearance in 10-11.

Completely agree.  If you asked this question at the prior to last season (and I'm sure someone did), the answer likely would have been "possibly" if Cadougan, Maymon, and Otule were all going to play, and "no" if Acker, Cubillan had to play significant minutes without any contribution from the previous three.

[Tugg Speedman]

Remember that the field expands to 68 next year.  Those extra three spots mean three more at-large bids.  I have to believe this means three more bubble teams from big conferences (as opposed to more mid-majors). 

So, you could reasonably make the case that this will result in one more BE team making the tourney.  So, MU has to crack the top 8 to make it.  Considering they were 5th the last two years, only a rash of key injuries should prevent us from making it.

[wadesworld]

Remember that the field expands to 68 next year.  Those extra three spots mean three more at-large bids.  I have to believe this means three more bubble teams from big conferences (as opposed to more mid-majors).

I definitely won't assume that.  There were a TON of "mid-major" upsets in the first and even second round, and one even made it to the National Championship.  With how bad most of the big conferences performed in the NCAA Tournament last year (the Big East had just one team achieve what it was expected to basically, and many underachieved), plus the fact that people love the underdog, there will be more at-large bids going to the mid-majors next year than usual.  There is no longer as big of a difference between major conference teams and mid-major teams.  The 68 best teams are the 68 best teams, regardless of conference.

[mug644]

Completely agree.  If you asked this question at the prior to last season (and I'm sure someone did), the answer likely would have been "possibly" if Cadougan, Maymon, and Otule were all going to play, and "no" if Acker, Cubillan had to play significant minutes without any contribution from the previous three.

Wow, doesn't that bring back worrisome memories?! So many of us were worried sick about Acker and Cubillan and thought the season rested on Cadougan and Otule. I can only hope that there are some guys who step if we have significant losses like we had last year. With fewer experienced seniors, I don't feel too optimistic, but with Buzz I'll be hopeful.

[MarquetteDano]

Wow, doesn't that bring back worrisome memories?! So many of us were worried sick about Acker and Cubillan and thought the season rested on Cadougan and Otule. I can only hope that there are some guys who step if we have significant losses like we had last year. With fewer experienced seniors, I don't feel too optimistic, but with Buzz I'll be hopeful.

Last year was particularly hard to predict.  I was right thinking Acker was going to play a larger role than Cadougan, but I really thought Maymon was going to be key.  I thought he would be averaging 10 and 6 by the end of the year and, if he didn't, season over.  Way off on that one.

As always, a senior seems to be forgotten in this thread (just like last year in Acker).  Buycks (assuming healthy) will play a large role and will have a excellent season.  My question is... who is it that we think is going to play a large role and not be a factor at all (i.e. next year's Maymon)?

[Benny B]

My question is... who is it that we think is going to play a large role and not be a factor at all (i.e. next year's Maymon)?

Assuming you're talking about one of the incoming freshman, I'm going to choose "none of the above."  I am willfully choosing to set my expectations with the frosh very low this year; not because I think the incoming class is undeserving of such praise, but because my cardiovascular system seems to function a whole lot better when I have no expectations.

[PE8983]

"I was right thinking Acker was going to play a larger role than Cadougan"

Don't hurt your back from all that patting - that only came to fruition due to the fact that Cadougan got injured. 

[PGsHeroes32]

I could see Ewill being the maymon type nonfactor again. I really hope Jones gets a chance to prove himself in games because he could be a stud. Next season will be a bit of a wildcard but i expect us to get in. 2011-2012 is when this program really should get off and running with talent and experience.

[MarquetteDano]

"I was right thinking Acker was going to play a larger role than Cadougan"

Don't hurt your back from all that patting - that only came to fruition due to the fact that Cadougan got injured.  

Nice taking part of my sentence about me saying I was right and leaving out how I stated I was wrong about Maymon.  Do you work in media?

There were plenty of people hammering on those who said Acker would be key, replying that we would stink if he played more than ten minutes a game.  The point is each year there is a player that a good deal of people "write off".  There is another player who everyone thinks is going to have a great year and does not.  Injuries, transfers, etc.. certainly play a big role in that as in Acker's and Maymon's case.

[brewcity77]

Could be proven wrong, but I think we'll make it comfortably. I think DJO will emerge as one of the BE's premier scorers, Butler will have a solid season, and by the end of the season we'll challenge for the conference regular season title and end up with a 3 or 4 seed. I expect big contributions from Cadougan, Buycks, and Crowder as well.

[NavinRJohnson]

Easily in with a nice low number next to their name.