I Say 21-10 (10-8 in BEAST) Return To Sweet 16 What Say You?

[Atlanta Warrior]

I remain very optimistic about the season ahead for any number of reasons all of which are tied to the overall talent level of this team combined with the coaching ability of Buzz Williams.  I realize this is not exactly the most provocative or insightful sentence anyone has ever seen on this forum but I'll expound a little at the risk of incurring the ridicule of my fellow MU Hoops fanatics.

It may seem strange but I really thing Trent Lockett has flown under the radar. I mean if we had someone coming back who had averaged over 13 points and 6 rebounds (which makes him the leading returning rebounder on our team) everyone would be out of their mind.  The fact is we do and that person is Trent Lockett.  What makes his statistics all the more impressive (beyond the fact that they helped to elevate him to 2nd team all Pac-12) is that they were achieved on a weak team which resulted in many opposing defenses keying upon him.  I am very excited by Mr. Lockett's arrival.  The fact that he was also named to the all Pac-12 Academic first team just makes me think we are very fortunate to have Trent on board. I think he will not only provide on the court leadership but I look for him to also provide on and off the court leadership.

The other person, whom I believe is not being given their due, is Jake Thomas.  When I suggested this a few months ago people found the suggestion ludicrous.  However, this young man is coming from a Division I program (albeit a low level DI program) where he averaged over 13 points a game and is, arguably, the best three point shooter to join the program since Steve Novak.  Some have said he will be a defensive liability and perhaps that is true (personally, I think Buzz can scheme in a manner that would limit this liability) but what can't be argued is that his perimeter game (particularly in the light of Todd Mayo's departure) is the potent weapon that can create driving lanes for Junior and Vander as well as post up shots for Jamil, Davante and Chris.

Finally, I think we can expect a significant improvement in the offensive output of Jamil, Vander & Junior.  Jamil averaged over 9 points and 5 rebounds over the season's last 12 games (including NCAA) and was playing out of position; I see him becoming a more effective offensive presence now that he will be able to spend more time at the three.  I think this will be Vander's breakout season.  He's clearly responded (based on off season reports) to the challenge of being one of if not the primary option.  I am particularly pleased to hear that he has worked a great deal on his area of great deficiency, his outside shot.  Frankly, he's the most talented player on this team relative to physical attributes and is perhaps our best defender.  Junior is a heady pass first point guard who I believe is capable of leading the BEAST in assists and improving upon his assist to turnover ratio (which is already about 2-1).  Overall I like this team quite a bit and I haven't even discussed Juan or Steve both of whom I believe will be significant contributors. 

The loss of Todd hurts but it's not catastrophic.  Looking at the schedule I see us finishing 21-10 (2-1 in the Maui Classic and 10-8 in the BEAST) before the Big East Tournament. I believe we have a very decent chance to replicate last year's Sweet Sixteen finish; anything beyond that would exceed my expectations.

[bilsu]

9-4 non-conference
11-7 Big East
20-11

[The Lens]

I thought we were a E8-FF team before the Mayo news.  If he's back by late December I think we're fine. 

I really think Vander & Jamil will have huge years but the key is Otule and DG.  If our bigs stay healthy, we're going to be a force.

Beat tOSU
2-1 Maui
Lose at UF
Win 2 of these 3: Bucky, @UWGB & LSU

13-5 Conf

[Atlanta Warrior]

I thought we were a E8-FF team before the Mayo news.  If he's back by late December I think we're fine. 

I really think Vander & Jamil will have huge years but the key is Otule and DG.  If our bigs stay healthy, we're going to be a force.

Beat tOSU
2-1 Maui
Lose at UF
Win 2 of these 3: Bucky, @UWGB & LSU

13-5 Conf

I would take that!

[MerrittsMustache]

Non-Conf: 10-3
Big East: 13-5
BET: 1-1
Overall: 24-9, 5-seed in NCAA, avoid 5-12 upset, beat 4 seed, lose to #1 seed in Sweet 16.

Final Record: 26-10

[brewcity77]

24-7 (13-5)

1 loss in Maui (most likely UNC), lose at Florida, lose at Pitt, Cincy, Georgetown, USF, and Rutgers.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think we are going to end up in the NIT because of a glaring inability to score.

[JakeBarnes]

I think we are going to end up in the NIT because of a glaring inability to score.

Other teams will realize the way to beat Gardner is to feed him cookies when he is in the paint

[JTBMU7]

I think we are going to end up in the NIT because of a glaring inability to score.

i understand the concern around scoring but disagree on your prediction. if you look at Buzz's 2nd and 3rd teams we had the same questions as to who would score. yet he seems to find ways to maximize his team's potential and they almost always perform better than expected. besides, those teams were relying on Lazar and Jimmy to score, and hoping for some help from a handful of role players (though obviously Jae and DJO grew into more the following years). This year i think we have multiple legit options for points (jamil, vander, trent, and even gardner) and that will distribute some of the scoring more so that it has been in the past.

most importantly, this is the longest, most athletic defense we will have ever seen under buzz. you saw what Louisville was able to do last year with a limited offense and tough D... if you remember, we were playing incredible D up until CO went out last year and then came around at the end of conference play again. the calling card of this team will be rebounding and defense.

i expect us to rely heavily on D to create scoring chances, as we always do. Like many teams, we will struggle to score in the 1/2 court.

I say we struggle early against OSU and in Maui, but figure it out to beat Bucky and LSU and get some momentum headed into conference play.

10-3 noncon, 12-6 BEAST. I'll withold any predictions on the tourney so as not to jinx anything...

[CTWarrior]

9-4 non-con
10-8 Big East
1-1 BET

Sneak into NCAA as an 10/11 seed.

0-1 NCAA

20-14 overall.

Agree with PRN, we are going have trouble putting the ball in the basket.

[BrewCity83]

I don't know PRN, but I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

Either way:

Conference:  13-5
Overall:  23-8
4 Seed in NCAA's

[Benny B]

OOC
Expected wins: Colgate, SELA, Butler, UMBC, UW, SavSt, UWGB, LSU, NCC, another Maui game
Expected losses: OSU, UNC, FLA
Surprise wins: OSU, FLA
Surprise losses: UW
OOC Record: 11-2

Conference:
Expected wins: UCONN, @Pitt, SHU, Prov, USF, @USF, DePaul, Pitt, @SHU, @Nova, @Rutgers, @SJU
Expected losses: GTown, @Cincy, @Louis, @GTown, Cuse, ND
Surprise wins: @Cincy, @GTown, ND
Surprise losses: @USF, @SJU
Conference Record: 13-5 (T-4th)

Post-Season:
BET: (4th seed) 1-1
NCAA: (6 seed) 3-1
Overall record: 28-9

[MUfan12]

9-4 non-conference
11-7 Big East
20-11

This is what I think as well, provided Mayo is back for BE play.

I think they win a game in the NCAA's.

[frozena pizza]

9-4 non-con
10-8 Big East
1-1 BET

Sneak into NCAA as an 10/11 seed.

0-1 NCAA

20-14 overall.

Agree with PRN, we are going have trouble putting the ball in the basket.

This is where I came out too.  If everyone stays healthy I think we can be a little bit better.

[The Equalizer]

Ohio State - L  
Colgage - W
SE Louisiana - W
Butler - W  (test of depth--if we have to play anyone 30MPG or more, we're not as deep as we think)
UNC - L
USC/Illinois - W (Assumes Buzz has done a better job preserving legs than the competition)
UMBC - W
Florida - L
Wisconsin - W
Savannah State - W
Green Bay - W
LSU - W
NCC - W

UConn L (we'll miss Buzz on the bench for this game)
GU - W (this one is iffy--I think GU is going to be good, but its at home)
@ Pitt - L
SHU - W
@ Cincy - L
PC - W
USF - W
@ UL - L
@ USF - W (another iffy one--we have not played well at USF)
DePaul W
@ GU - L
Pitt - W
@ SHU - W
@ VU - W

SU - W  (we'll lose one of the ND/SU combo don't think we'll sweep or be swept)
ND - L

@ RU - L (we'll lose one of these two road games)
@ SJU - W

[Cooby Snacks]

Ohio State - L  0-1
Colgage - W 1-1
SE Louisiana - W 2-1
Butler - W  3-1
UNC - L 3-2
USC/Illinois - W 4-2
UMBC - W 5-2
Florida - L 5-3
Wisconsin - W 6-3
Savannah State - W 7-3
Green Bay - W 8-3
LSU - W 9-3
NCC - W 10-3

UConn W 11-3 (1-0)
GU - W 12-3 (2-0)
@ Pitt - L 12-4 (2-1)
SHU - W 13-4 (3-1)
@ Cincy - L 13-5 (3-2)
PC - W 14-5 (4-2)
USF - W 15-5 (5-2)
@ UL - L 15-6 (5-3)
@ USF - W 16-6 (6-3)
DePaul W 17-6 (7-3)
@ GU - L 17-7 (7-4)
Pitt - W 18-7 (8-4)
@ SHU - W 19-7 (9-4)
@ VU - W 20-7 (10-4)
SU - L 20-8 (10-5)  
ND - W 21-8 (11-5)
@ RU - W 22-8 (12-5)
@ SJU - W 23-8 (13-5)

Having Louisville, Cincinnati, and Syracuse once each helps.

[brewcity77]

While I was initially very high on them, I really don't think Louisville will come close to living up to their preseason hype. They have no one who can score the basketball. Siva and Smith are both incredibly inefficient offensively. Chane Behanan, Gorgui Dieng, and Wayne Blackshear haven't really proven they can be above average offensively yet. They will struggle to score, and Siva is too much of a turnover machine.

For my money, Syracuse is the favorite to win the Big East, Pitt and Notre Dame are the next two major contenders, and Louisville is in the next group with Marquette and Cincinnati.

[frozena pizza]

While I was initially very high on them, I really don't think Louisville will come close to living up to their preseason hype. They have no one who can score the basketball. Siva and Smith are both incredibly inefficient offensively. Chane Behanan, Gorgui Dieng, and Wayne Blackshear haven't really proven they can be above average offensively yet. They will struggle to score, and Siva is too much of a turnover machine.

For my money, Syracuse is the favorite to win the Big East, Pitt and Notre Dame are the next two major contenders, and Louisville is in the next group with Marquette and Cincinnati.

Yeah, I thought Marra could have been the wild card for them offensively this year.  Hard to forget the way he torched us in the BE tournament two years ago.  As much as I can't stand Loserville I really feel bad for the guy blowing out his ACL a second time and likely ending his career.