Let the New Era Begin

[nyg]

Well the last four years have certainly been exciting, with four straight NCAA bids, two last second losses in the second round, a coach departing, a novice coach taking the reigns and the loss of four seniors who represented the university with esteem and exceptional character.  There were numerous instances in which we were screaming in the stands or at the TV and other instances where the voices were not heard there, but on the keyboards here.

A new era is about to commence, with a coach entering his second year and having the role of teaching a very young team the rigors of Division I basketball and the horrific schedule of the Big East.

The new era will start will Lazar Hayward taking the role of the team leader, with his heart breaking over a toe on the line, but hopefully will be able to play swing forward as opposed to center. Put Jeronne Maymon in the weight room and give him the strength to be a beast at power forward, a position we have not had in some time.  Lets see JUCO AA Dwight Buycks at SG and top 50 point guard Junior Cadougan on the court together.  Can Erik Williams be a viable backup to Lazar and wow, how about Jimmy Butler's improvement over the second half of the season?  Acker and Cubillian will provide experience and Fulce, well who knows, maybe his lack of play was due to some injury, or not.

The question mark will be at the center position and it has been that way for years, so nothing new here.  Otule was lost, McMorrow has limited basketball experience and it appears Hazel will be playing elsewhere. Brett Roseboro is for sure an unknown.  The staff will need to address that big time. How??

No real expectations for next year, but the second year of the new era should be interesting. We are not a patience group of individuals, so some degree of doubt will arise.  But we can look back at the last four years and remember how we laughed, cried, yelled and basically enjoyed, otherwise we would not even be on this forum. 

Lets bring on the New Era of MU Ball.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

Well said.  Next year will be an interesting season in many respects.  I'll say NIT right now but certainly hope to be wildly surprised.  It will be strange not seeing the big three out there playing anymore.

[mubball2009]

I think the next four years could be better that the last. lazar has just played tremendously as of late and has really begun taking the reigns. the 3 amigos were not as heralded as this class, so I expect big things. I think we can make the tournament next year

[VegasWarrior77]

What will really seem strange is seeing lots of tall guys on the team.  How talented they are...?  Well I sure hope they are!

[77ncaachamps]

I would LOVE to get to the NIT.

Home games, more experience for a young team...positives playing in the NIT far outweighs playing a one-and-done in the NCAA next year (if we're that lucky).

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think the next four years could be better that the last. lazar has just played tremendously as of late and has really begun taking the reigns. the 3 amigos were not as heralded as this class, so I expect big things. I think we can make the tournament next year

The three amigos were MORE heralded then this class.

All three players in the final RSCI top 61 for that year.  The current class has one player in the top 61.

[Afroman]

With all of the big guys coming in next year, who are going to be some of the best shooters on the roster? It seems like this team really needs some designated snipers from the outside.

[77ncaachamps]

Let us start by reacquainting ourselves with the Baby Eagles...

Brett Roseboro
http://www.youtube.com/v/AM3CENGKtUk

[schubert33]

I am scared to death going into next year with just four guards.  I hope Butler can play the 2.  We all know that cubbie and acker are very average at best....

[NavinRJohnson]

If they play with the same level of effort and relentlessness that the guys leaving have, they'll win their share of games. I think we have already seen it from Zar, Hayward and Acker, so hopefully it is a Buzz thing and it will be imparted on all who enter. It is what I loved best about the team this year, and my hope is that is just who we are and who we will be. With a complete roster of talent, and a little experience, good days should lie ahead.

[Dish]

My hope for next year is for MU to take learning steps throughout the season. Hopefully by next years BET they can give themselves a chance having grown up and make a run in that tournament.

A new era unquestionably begins. MUScoop itself has known no other MU squad without James, McNeal or Matthews. While MU loses these great players, let's not forget most of the Big East will be very different next season.

UConn    loses Adrien, Price, most likely Thabeet

Louisville  loses Williams, possibly Clark

Pitt    loses Fields, Young, possibly Blair

Cuse  probably loses Flynn

Nova  loses Cunningham

WVU  loses Ruoff, maybe Butler

ND   if Harangody leaves, they lose a ton (four seniors)

My guess on how the BE preseason top 5 would be: Louisville (especially if Clark is back), Georgetown, Villanova, Syracuse, UConn

I haven't been paying attention to see who everyone has coming in next year, but this is one novice's guess. Six through ten should be VERY wide open.

[Wareagle]

My hope for next year is for MU to take learning steps throughout the season. Hopefully by next years BET they can give themselves a chance having grown up and make a run in that tournament.

A new era unquestionably begins. MUScoop itself has known no other MU squad without James, McNeal or Matthews. While MU loses these great players, let's not forget most of the Big East will be very different next season.

UConn    loses Adrien, Price, most likely Thabeet

Louisville  loses Williams, possibly Clark

Pitt    loses Fields, Young, possibly Blair

Cuse  probably loses Flynn

Nova  loses Cunningham

WVU  loses Ruoff, maybe Butler

ND   if Harangody leaves, they lose a ton (four seniors)

My guess on how the BE preseason top 5 would be: Louisville (especially if Clark is back), Georgetown, Villanova, Syracuse, UConn

I haven't been paying attention to see who everyone has coming in next year, but this is one novice's guess. Six through ten should be VERY wide open.

Nova should be ridiculously good, they have a top 10 recruiting class coming in and as you said, very few players leaving.

[NavinRJohnson]

I believe Clark has already declared he is leaving.

Scotty Reynolds?

[MR.HAYWARD]

Mu will compete for a Ncaa bid.  Mu plays the old spice tournament and HAs UW on the road and NCSU at home.  expect Mu to supplement the balance of there OOc schedule with absolute patsies.  Go 8-8 in the BE and make the dance.  Will they do that?  can they do that we shall see.  Nova and Syracuse are going to be absolutely awesome, we can play with anyone else.

[Dish]

I believe Clark has already declared he is leaving.

Scotty Reynolds?

I was thinking about him. I personally think it would be a mistake for him to declare, but this is a really weak draft class.

Flynn and Clark would be crazy not to come out, Blair too for that matter. I think Flynn should be a lottery pick. If he comes back, Cuse would be loaded.

I would just have to assume Nova, Ville, Cuse, UConn, Pitt have great talent coming in. Hopefully MU's is in the neighborhood next year and beyond.

[bma725]

Cuse  probably loses Flynn

Cuse also loses Ongenaet.  They've got three recruits right now for next year which means they are one over the limit.  So someone will be going, if not Flynn someone will be asked to leave.

They do get Scoop Jardine back after the medical redshirt, and they've got another stud in Wesley Johnson who was sitting out after transferring in from ISU.

[Markusquette]

I'm really looking forward to next year.  We have a young fresh core coming in, and 4 of them seem like they can contribute in some way from the get go.  We will have an even better and stronger Lazar who might be able to play Small Forward/shooting guard role next year with the bigger guys we have.  It will also be nice having more wing players to use vs teams with length.

What I expect:

Starting lineup for majority of year:
Cadougan, Buycks, Hayward, Maymon, McMorrow -- Why?

From what I have seen, Cadougan is a great floor general.  He looks to pass first and can definitely be a good play maker with time.  Buycks is lighting it up in Junior college and we need someone very offensive minded in the starting lineup with Lazar.  He can score in bunches and will come here as a junior so he has plenty of bball experience at a higher level than high school.  Lazar obviously will be starting, and with Maymon's size he can play small forward again.  Maymon has been great this year (and last) and lead his team to win State.  He is a pretty big guy and can definitely mix it up inside and is quick and agile for his size.  His defense is fair as well.  I see McMorrow starting for sure.  From what I have seen from Otule, I don't think it's hard to tell McMorrow will be the starting (assuming he's healthy).  He has size we desperately need to compete, and he looks very skilled and controlled in the post.  A nice hook-shot and from what I hear he has his way with both Otule and Burke in many practices.

Bench:
Acker playing a similar role as he always has, maybe starting some games depending on Junior's play.  Jimmy being our 6th man and actually being more of a guard too.  He will get more looks on offense and keep doing what he is best at.  I see Fulce and Erik williams being energy players off the bench since they're both long and athletic.  Maybe get some nice defensive stops and inside baskets.  I think Williams is a decent shooter so who knows what he will produce.  Cubillan might get his shot back more, or at least get more looks.  He will be a defensive stopper, maybe.  Roseboro and Otule I'm not sure.  Whichever works harder and seems more talented will get the nod as our main bench big, and I'm really unsure.  If Roseboro can spread the floor and hit a long shot, he might be a good candidate for us.

I can't say I see us making the tournament, but I wouldn't be surprised.  There are quite a few teams with lots of important freshman that make the tourney.  Overall it's going to have ups and downs but we have a really new team so it will be exciting.

[DaCoach]

Our biggest plus next year will be a deep bench and size. It'll be interesting to see if we'll be more of a half court offense team with the added size inside. Hopefully we'll have that inside shot blocker ala Thabeet and Blair.

[LastWarrior]

Goal for next year should be at least .500 in the Big East and get an at large bid.  Lazar, Mo, & Bulter with the new guys mixed in is looking pretty good.  Add the height of Liam and Chris and let's just hope they can defend and rebound.  I think we'll be better than folks here are expecting.

[StillWarriors]

I hope as fans everyone keeps in mind the expectations being relayed here. It is easy to cite lesser expectations in an overview sense. I hope that once the season starts and mistakes are made, losses occur an frustration mounts that people keep the growing process in mind and don't start ripping on guys and calling for Buzz's head. It will be a process-that means bumps along the way. Hope people remember that in the heat of the season.

[Fullodds]

Let's take a deep breath. I'd rather wait to see what our roster looks like before making a guess as to ncaa v. Nit. I think our recruiting is not done and the next player(s) coming might change our perspective. Going .500 next year in the BE may not be enough.

[VwArrior1]

Dont forget about darius smith. He is still on our radar. 

[Pakuni]

Louisville  loses Williams, possibly Clark

Clark is gone. Louisville even made him a part of their Senior Night ceremony, knowing that it would be his last game there.
Your point is dead on. MU loses a lot, but so does much of the conference.

And the school that loses the most may very well be one you didn't mention: Providence. Gone are Efejuku, McDermott, Hanke, Kale, Xavier and Xavier's brother. That's about 51 points and 25 rebounds per game.

Watch out for Seton Hall next year. They lose only one regular and have a couple of solid transfers coming in.

[AlumKCof93]

It will be interesting to see who the playmakers are next year - how will Lazar adjust to being the focal point of the offense?  IMO, his ability to take on a leadership role will determine how good we'll be next season.

[reinko]

Cincy returns their starting 5, and only lost one senior who never played.