Do you realize...

[WashDCWarrior]

that if we'd hung on to beat Louisville, we'd be in a 4-way tie for 3rd in the BE right now?  Instead, we're alone in 6th.  That's the one I'd really like back.

[Mayor McCheese]

or how bout if we beat DePaul, or that loss to Cuse at the beginning of BE play, many games MU should have won.

[Sir Lawrence]

That's true, Mayor, but DC's point is just that one game, that one killer shot makes such a huge swing in the standings. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

that if we'd hung on to beat Louisville, we'd be in a 4-way tie for 3rd in the BE right now?  Instead, we're alone in 6th.  That's the one I'd really like back.

We're a foul call away with a second to go to lose to Pitt too.  I think in the end we are probably where we should be.  I'd love to have Louisville back and Syracuse, but I think we survived at Pitt in some sense.

[NYWarrior]

We're a foul call away with a second to go to lose to Pitt too.  I think in the end we are probably where we should be.  I'd love to have Louisville back and Syracuse, but I think we survived at Pitt in some sense.

not to mention the USF gift

[ChicosBailBonds]

not to mention the USF gift

Doh, totally forgot about that one.  As fans we harp on the losses and forget about the wins.

[WashDCWarrior]

I'm not forgetting about the wins. Especially USF.  I was just pointing out how one shot, a long 3-pointer affected the standings so much.  It really goes to show how tough the Big East is and how many good teams there are.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I think all of you guys are right.

My friends and I were talking at the begining of the year about what we think their record will be. I said 9-7 because we were going to win some games we shouldn't (UCONN, PITT) and lose some games we shouldn't (SU, UL,).

That's what happens with a young(er) team.

My expectations next year (depending on the scheduling) is for around 12 wins in conference, maybe 13.

Every team are always going to lose a couple of tough road games in conference, so you just hope that MU can defend the home court and go 5-3 on the road.

I believe we have about the same amount of talent this year as last year and have compensated for Novak.

I think next year we get a big upgrade in talent with every significant player returning after a year of improvement and adding a decent frosh. class that has some talent in it.

[Ready2Fly]

2002mualum:

I agreed with you up until you said we have compensated for Novak.  How have we even come close to doing that?  Please do not say Fitz or even Fitz and Cubillan have compensated for Novak.  I thought before the season started that Hayward might be able to at least soften the blow of Novak's departure, but that's clearly not the case.  With Novak on this year's roster we easily win three more games.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

2002mualum:

I agreed with you up until you said we have compensated for Novak.  How have we even come close to doing that?  Please do not say Fitz or even Fitz and Cubillan have compensated for Novak.  I thought before the season started that Hayward might be able to at least soften the blow of Novak's departure, but that's clearly not the case.  With Novak on this year's roster we easily win three more games.

I don't think we have a player of Novak's caliber, I guess I'm just looking at the overall talent and production of the team.

There is no way to really "replace" a Steve Novak, but the team can improve by adding some young talent and developing the current players.


Here are the better parts of this year's team

- Ousman's improvement, he is WAY better than last year.
- Cubby as another guard that can spell DJ, play defense, and bring the ball up (remember, last year Fitz was the back-up guard and he isn't the best PG)
- Fitz is better in his role this year than last year, he's actually scoring some this year
- Hayward isn't the player some expected, but he has steadily improved and at this point might be our best scorer inside of 6ft.
- DJ, Wes, and Jerel have all improved. Sometimes they are still inconsistent, but they are all better than they were last year. (yes, I know DJ might not be the second coming, but he is VERY good and is a little better than last year)

The worse parts are:
- no deadly 3pt threat
- not much scoring (until lately) out of the "4" position
- no senior guards (chapman) that can provide stability and consistency
- no big upperclassmen that can provide stability in the post (Grimm)


Next year's team should be VERY good because we don't lose much and we gain some young talent as well as the improvement of the current players.

If all of the current players improve at the same rate, this team could be top 10 all year long.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm not forgetting about the wins. Especially USF.  I was just pointing out how one shot, a long 3-pointer affected the standings so much.  It really goes to show how tough the Big East is and how many good teams there are.

I was actually taking a swipe at myself for forgetting about USF.  I'm guilty of ignoring those close wins and focusing on the "would if" losses without balancing it out.