Ranked Next Year?

[MountainCreekHouse]

With only 2 real contributers leaving next year, and the steller play of Crowder, DJO, and the solid young MU backcourt returning, I'm asking the question everyone is thinking about even if we lose the next game...

Does MU make the preseason top 25?

[HoopsMalone]

Buzz will continue to get media attention and credibility which makes it more likely as well. 

[GOO]

A couple of first or second teamers on the BE preseason team?  DJO and Crowder? 
Picked to finish in the top 4 or 5 in the BE? 

Those are my guesses.   Plus a top 25 ranking to start the season.

[bilsu]

I am more worried that DJO will think he is good enough to turn pro.

[MountainCreekHouse]

bilsu there's no way, Buzz would talk some sense in to him. He's got a long way to go before even thinking about going pro.

I'm on the bubble about being ranked if we lose to UNC... if we beat them (no matter how the fashion) I'm on the bandwagon that it's a yes.

[BCHoopster]

Yes, even if they do not deserve it, getting to the Sweet 16 will get them ranked.  Look
at Michigan St., 2nd in the polls at the beginning of the year.  MU should be better next year,
but time will tell.  Chemistry?  Who knows.  Jimmy is the only real loss, 4 new players see how
them mesh.

[bilsu]

It does not matter whether he is good enough. It matters what DJO is thinking. I think he be crazy to go, but every year players go when they should not.

[Blackhat]

I wouldn't, we have a huge hole next year.....we don't have consistent shooting. 

Our best statistical 3 point shooter Buycks graduates, unless Mayo is the real deal as a frosh we will get zoned to death.

DJO is our best shooter when he's going but that's shown to be far too inconsistent over a season.

[Skatastrophy]

bilsu there's no way, Buzz would talk some sense in to him. He's got a long way to go before even thinking about going pro.

I'm on the bubble about being ranked if we lose to UNC... if we beat them (no matter how the fashion) I'm on the bandwagon that it's a yes.

There is no reason that DJO shouldn't go through NBA workouts without hiring an agent over the offseason.  It'll be nice for him to know exactly where he stands and what he can work on to improve his game to make a couple bucks in the league.

[reinko]

It does not matter whether he is good enough. It matters what DJO is thinking. I think he be crazy to go, but every year players go when they should not.

With the impending lockout, no one, unless sure fire lottery picks (and even those guys might stick around another year) will be leaving early this year.

[HoopsMalone]

If DJO goes to the NBA it means that we went to the Final Four this year, and he would be a big reason for the run.  I would be very happy if that is the case.  Otherwise, there is no way DJO makes the league this year.

[MerrittsMustache]

It does not matter whether he is good enough. It matters what DJO is thinking. I think he be crazy to go, but every year players go when they should not.

If MU advances to the Elite 8 or further and DJO lights it up, then he should go pro. Not because he's ready, but because his stock will be incredibly high and he's a year younger than he will be next year. Many NBA teams aren't big fans of seniors and often players who think about going early are picked apart if they go back to school. As backwards as it sounds, giving NBA teams a smaller sample size is often a positive. Robert Swift was a HS kid whose stock rose because he refused to work out for NBA teams. IOW, guys who worked out saw their stock drop because they were dissected so harshly.

If your stock is high and you're a borderline NBA player, you should cash in while you can. See: Alexander, Joe

[MountainCreekHouse]

I still think it would be extremely wise of him, even if we won the freaking national championship, to stay one year extra at MU. (I didn't even think about the impending lockout...). And yes if I was in his shoes I would also participate in NBA workouts and what not to see where I stood, but I think at the end of the day one more year at MU (or amateur level bball for that matter) would benefit him greatly.

Now back to the preseason rank discussion...

[HoopsMalone]

If your stock is high and you're a borderline NBA player, you should cash in while you can. See: Alexander, Joe

See:  James, Dominic

[MerrittsMustache]

See:  James, Dominic

+1

Well done.

[Goose]

If Buzz returns we are top 20 heading into next year. Everything falls into place if Buzz stays and if he leaves too much uncertainity.

[kmwtrucks]

DJO is only 6-1 maybe 6-2 in shoes.  He needs to play more PG and play with the ball in his hands more.  With DB gone next year he will probably play more PG.  I think we would start the season ranked, returning 7 player's that get some meaningful minutes and Wilson. makes us a pretty deep team. plus you would have Juan, Mayo, jones, Wilson, and Dave S. trying to break into the rotation.

[lab_warrior]

DJO will probably do the workout circuit thing, and then be back for his senior year.  I'm sure the scouts will tell him what aspects of his game to work on to get to the next level. 

[Niv Berkowitz]

At this point, DJO is a poor man's Jerel McNeal. Scorer/slasher. But, DJO can't play D or shoot quits as well as Jerel. Or...maybe he can shoot as well, but he's not as proven as Jerel. That makes more sense.

No way is he ready to go pro and I'm not gonna worry about that. Only way that happens is like you guys said...he lights up UNC and OSU and his stock just takes off. But I don't see this team's make-up to be like that. Scoring 17 points is way different than putting up 25+ like a Jimmer is doing.

[willie warrior]

I am more worried that DJO will think he is good enough to turn pro.

DJO is good and he is a styud, but he needs to stay and finish his career, extending his 3 and improving to about 50% so he can rain them in on BEast teams, especially ND, Louisville and even Wisky!!@!

[Tugg Speedman]

DJO does not hire an agent and goes to the draft camps.  And he should. Then he'll know.

After that he'll be back ... but I agree that if he continues with his stellar play and we advance the the FF (or further!), he might raise his profile enough to get drafted and leave.

And I too would be very happy with that tradeoff.

[Henry Sugar]

On the topic of ranked next year, I truly believe next year is when #mubb makes "the leap".*  I think MU spends most of the year ranked, contends for a top four finish in BE play, gets 25 wins, and has the S16 as a baseline expectation.

This topic is incomplete without the scholarship table.

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

Jae and DJO as seniors, CO/EWill/Cadougan as juniors.  A full offseason for Vander and the Force of Nature**.  Plus, Jamil Wilson.  Then, gravy contributions from Jamail, Juan, DWill, and Mayo.  Very exciting times.

*assumes the defense is better
**Davante Gardner

[MountainCreekHouse]

If Buzz returns we are top 20 heading into next year. Everything falls into place if Buzz stays and if he leaves too much uncertainity.

top 20? a bold statement... I mean I like bold statements... especially in this case, but you really think we will be in the top 25 in the preseason top 25? I feel like we'll be ranked for a lot next season during the actual season, but I don't see us as a top 20 preason poll team

we're just gunna have to prove it my ninjas

[PGsHeroes32]

If not right away we will certainly find our way into the rankings. With a much easier non conference scedule where I look at only the Wisco game and say loss(still could win) and the BE probs not as deep.

Then we basically only lose Jimmy from a major production standpoint and gain Jamil whose got the talent and length, will just lack the little things jimmy brings. But then we get all the other guys more experienced with a nice freshman class. DJO and Jae will also be Seniors ready for big things

defintely looks good.

[lab_warrior]

Then, gravy contributions from Jamail, Juan, DWill, and Mayo.  Very exciting times.

That will be some delicious gravy.  Jamail dropping 3s, and Juan and D-Will should be very fun to watch.  Such a really loaded and balanced roster for next year.