If this is rebuilding......

[dgies9156]

If this is rebuilding, I can hardly wait for the construction to end!

When the season started, I was hoping for an NCAA berth, a few nice victories and kinda figured, "one and done." I didn't give anywhere near enough credit to Buzz and the returning guys. They're the real deal.

If this is the condition of our program -- a long-term coach, a Top 10 recruiting class and an experienced, battle tested and Big East leader returning in 2013-2014, then we're well on our way to being where we were during the best of the Al days.

Also, with college basketball so weak and so diluted this year, anyone in the Top 25 probably has a chance to get hot and significantly exceed anyone's expectations. Especially us, as long as we can start winning away from Milwaukee. Take care of business against Notre Dame and then it's time to show what we really have!

[The Lens]

I don't get this thought that early on people expected us to struggle.

Here's what I saw:

- We had 2 returning, established big men (albeit one with a health issue)
- We had a senior PG in his 3rd year as a starter
- We had a Top 40 junior bound to make the leap
- We had a 4th year junior with an NBA body bound to make the leap
- We had a enigmatic 22 year old sophomore oozing with talent who has a brother in the NBA
- We had a coach who is coming off back to back Sweet 16s

Personally I thought we'd end up 13-5 and content for an Elite 8.  This is 2013, all those things add up to contention.

[ecompt]

I saw a team that lost half of its offense and nearly all of of its leadership. To be 11-4 in this conference surprises the hell out of me. Buzz has gotten the absolute maximum out of this club.

[muarmy81]

I don't get this thought that early on people expected us to struggle.

Here's what I saw:

- We had 2 returning, established big men (albeit one with a health issue)
- We had a senior PG in his 3rd year as a starter
- We had a Top 40 junior bound to make the leap
- We had a 4th year junior with an NBA body bound to make the leap
- We had a enigmatic 22 year old sophomore oozing with talent who has a brother in the NBA
- We had a coach who is coming off back to back Sweet 16s

Personally I thought we'd end up 13-5 and content for an Elite 8.  This is 2013, all those things add up to contention.

I'm not sure a lot of people expected vander or Jamil to make that huge of a leap this year...but they have. Jamil is becoming more consistent which helps.

I think the biggest reason a majority of the expectations were low this year was the fact that nearly 75% of our scoring graduated last year.


If we can limit our turnovers we are a pretty tough out.

[madtownwarrior]

I am already waiting for the "how will they ever replace Cadougan and Lockett" threads to start for next year....  the doom and gloom this team will not be good this year has been a 5 year running theme on all MU boards (how will they replace the triplets, how will they replace lazar, how will they replace Jimmy Butler, how will they replace DJO and Crowder).   Maybe finally people realize Buzz recruits well, develops players and adapts to the talents the team has.   Must keep Buzz or get extremely lucking to find somebody who has his amazing coaching talent.

I don't get this thought that early on people expected us to struggle.

Here's what I saw:

- We had 2 returning, established big men (albeit one with a health issue)
- We had a senior PG in his 3rd year as a starter
- We had a Top 40 junior bound to make the leap
- We had a 4th year junior with an NBA body bound to make the leap
- We had a enigmatic 22 year old sophomore oozing with talent who has a brother in the NBA
- We had a coach who is coming off back to back Sweet 16s

Personally I thought we'd end up 13-5 and content for an Elite 8.  This is 2013, all those things add up to contention.

[Abode4life]

I don't get this thought that early on people expected us to struggle.

Here's what I saw:

- We had 2 returning, established big men (albeit one with a health issue)
- We had a senior PG in his 3rd year as a starter
- We had a Top 40 junior bound to make the leap
- We had a 4th year junior with an NBA body bound to make the leap
- We had a enigmatic 22 year old sophomore oozing with talent who has a brother in the NBA
- We had a coach who is coming off back to back Sweet 16s

Personally I thought we'd end up 13-5 and content for an Elite 8.  This is 2013, all those things add up to contention.

Here is some of what people thought
- Not established big men.  Otule had yet to see a full productive year.  Davante was on the up, but still question marks on stamina and defense.
- Define "bound to make the leap".  
- We "had" an enigmatic sophomore?  So meaning his up and down play since getting over the suspension won't continue?  Glad you can see into the future, but i really do hope this is the case.
- You also forgot that we lost a Big East Player of the year
- We lost two draft picks (both of whom averaged 30+ minutes a game)
- We lost almost 50% of our scoring production and 40% of our rebound production

Hindsight on how the year has gone so far is 20/20.  Great win last night, but by no means does our win over Syracuse mean that we are guaranteed to continue our great play.  Look at the second half of Seton Hall and how the game at nova turned out?  There is still a lot of basketball left and we can't expect to play like that for 40 minutes every game the rest of the season.  

[Goose]

Lens

Your post regarding what you saw coming into the season was right on. From my perspective I thought too many ifs going into season to be overly optimistic. Give you credit for being right on for the most part. Though I would be beyond shocked if we made it to second weekend in NCAA.

[LON]

I am already waiting for the "how will they ever replace Cadougan and Lockett" threads to start for next year....  the doom and gloom this team will not be good this year has been a 5 year running theme on all MU boards (how will they replace the triplets, how will they replace lazar, how will they replace Jimmy Butler, how will they replace DJO and Crowder).   Maybe finally people realize Buzz recruits well, develops players and adapts to the talents the team has.   Must keep Buzz or get extremely lucking to find somebody who has his amazing coaching talent.

Not bad for a consistent 5th through 9th place team?  Or was it 4th through 10th?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I thought they would struggle early and play better as the season went on.

Lots of talent, but guys are stepping into new roles, which causes growing pains. You could see this in the close games. Sometimes they were able to close, sometimes not.

They are about where I thought they would be. They still don't have top notch player that can cover up mistakes (see: Nova). But when they are playing well, they are tough to beat because they are so deep and Buzz is getting better at using all of his pieces.

They could get hot in March if the match-ups go their way.

Next year's roster is loaded. Most/all of the key players are coming back, and they should be playing similar roles. Growing pains should be minimized.

[MU82]

And I foresaw a 74-71 win over Syracuse. Of course, it's easy to say I foresaw that after it happened.

As for madtown saying he's already waiting for the "how will they ever replace Cadougan and Lockett" threads, I'm hoping he meant to put that in teal. Unless he's serious because -- like Butler, Crowder, DJO, Hayward, the Amigos, Novak, Diener and Wade -- Cadougan and Lockett are future NBA players.

[The Lens]

At some point you just need to put your faith in Buzz and get out of the way.  The dude just keeps on trucking.

[Dreadman24]

Screw this year. We will be so loaded next year! And so much better at PG. Sorry Cadougon supporters.

[connie]

At some point you just need to put your faith in Buzz and get out of the way.  The dude just keeps on trucking.

Amen brother.

[Hards Alumni]

Screw this year. We will be so loaded next year! And so much better at PG. Sorry Cadougon supporters.

With a Sophomore and a Freshman as our PGs?  I think a lot of people are seriously underestimating Cadougan's value on this team.  He does make his fair share of mistakes, but I don't see how Duane Wilson (The great player he will be) is better than Cadougan day 1.  Beyond that, D-Wil will be starting... and he has no offensive game.

Short of Wilson developing a strong offensive game this summer, I can't believe we will be better at PG next year.

[THRILLHO]

And I foresaw a 74-71 win over Syracuse. Of course, it's easy to say I foresaw that after it happened.

As for madtown saying he's already waiting for the "how will they ever replace Cadougan and Lockett" threads, I'm hoping he meant to put that in teal. Unless he's serious because -- like Butler, Crowder, DJO, Hayward, the Amigos, Novak, Diener and Wade -- Cadougan and Lockett are future NBA players.

On the contrary, I think people will have unreasonably high expectations for next year due to the perception that we are not losing much and the strength of our recruiting class.  I have high expectations too, but you don't need a crystal ball to anticipate people on this board next year after a tough loss saying, "We miss Cadougan more than we thought.  Sure he turned it over a bit, but at least he didn't ..." (fill in with whatever D Wilsons' perceived weaknesses are next year).

[MU82]

Screw this year. We will be so loaded next year! And so much better at PG. Sorry Cadougon supporters.

Yeah! Screw this year!

Good to know that Dreadman24 has watched his last game until next season's opener.

[The Lens]

And I foresaw a 74-71 win over Syracuse. Of course, it's easy to say I foresaw that after it happened.

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=34105.msg416209#msg416209

I've been here since November.

[Dreadman24]

Yeah! Screw this year!

Good to know that Dreadman24 has watched his last game until next season's opener.

Haha

[keefe]

At some point you just need to put your faith in Buzz and get out of the way.  The dude just keeps on trucking.

We are fortunate to have him at the helm. Makes the most of what he has and doesn't whinge and whine. Refreshing.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

With a Sophomore and a Freshman as our PGs?  I think a lot of people are seriously underestimating Cadougan's value on this team.  He does make his fair share of mistakes, but I don't see how Duane Wilson (The great player he will be) is better than Cadougan day 1.  Beyond that, D-Wil will be starting... and he has no offensive game.

Short of Wilson developing a strong offensive game this summer, I can't believe we will be better at PG next year.

For the record, I am personally excited for next year because there is a lot of experience returning, including a decent Jr. PG (De. Wilson).

The frosh. are certainly intriguing. I think that 1 of them will earn significant minutes make an impact. The others will have to earn spot minutes like Taylor has done this year.

Derrick Wilson is not a great player, but if you surround him with good offensive talent, he'll be solid. His assist/TO ratio is good, and he plays physical defense.

Solid but not spectacular is fine at the PG position with the rest of the guys they are returning. Blue, J. Wilson, Mayo, Gardner and even Taylor Jr. could all average 10+ PPG. Sprinkle in some good role players (like Derrick, Otule, Juan, and (insert player), and the roster rounds out very nicely.

Outside shooting could still be an issue, but hopefully each of the guys gets a little better again in the off season. Don't have to have a Novak type, but as a team, making outside shots will help them spread some teams out.

Plus, defensively, I love that team. If Chris returns, that makes a big difference defensively.

[CTWarrior]

I don't get this thought that early on people expected us to struggle.

Here's what I saw:

- We had 2 returning, established big men (albeit one with a health issue) - I wouldn't call Otule established heading into this year, and Gardner was a nice offensive player with stamina and defensive issues
- We had a senior PG in his 3rd year as a starter - Agree, but a very uneven career and not a star
- We had a Top 40 junior bound to make the leap - This is the biggest difference.  By no means based on his first two seasons was I convinced that Vander was "bound to make the leap".  Didn't even think it was probable and never expected a year as good as this.  I was wrong.
- We had a 4th year junior with an NBA body bound to make the leap - I thought this, too, and I was wrong.  He's been coming on, but I thought JWil would be our star by now.
- We had a enigmatic 22 year old sophomore oozing with talent who has a brother in the NBA - We didn't even know if he was ever going to suit up when the season started.
- We had a coach who is coming off back to back Sweet 16s - Sure did.

Personally I thought we'd end up 13-5 and content for an Elite 8.  This is 2013, all those things add up to contention. - I thought 10-8 bubble team.  When you consider Blue is the only player really playing head and shoulders above how I thought he would, I guess I was overly pessimistic.

[mileskishnish72]

If Chris returns, are we one over?

[madtownwarrior]

we shall see - they have the opportunity to play themselves anywhere from the top 1 or 2 (by winning the next three) to a chance to finish 5th (by losing the next three).

I sure hope they step up and seize the opportunity facing them and get a great seed in the tourney.  But of course 2 of the games are on the road and we all know how hard it is to win on the road (at least that what everybody says when they lose on the road to teams of lesser talent).  And they play ND...

Not bad for a consistent 5th through 9th place team?  Or was it 4th through 10th?

[Coleman]

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=34105.msg416209#msg416209

I've been here since November.

You said we'd beat Ohio State. You could not have been more wrong.

[The Lens]

You said we'd beat Ohio State. You could not have been more wrong.

Mother Nature is undefeated.  I should have seen that one coming.