I still believe in this team.

[tower912]

1.  It is only November, for God's sake.
2.  Gardner, JWilson have historically shown too much to remain this cold.
3.   I trust Buzz
4.   Our early season defense has been very good.
5.  Taylor will get his game legs and start making 15 ft jumpers and putbacks.
6.  No team can miss lay-ups forever.
7.  Little noticed, but Todd is trying to lead.   For Todd, leading means attacking the basket, but there are worse ways to lead.
8.  Jake went 2-5 on 3's.   Maybe, just maybe, he is finally comfortable
9.  I trust Buzz. 
10.  Chris looks like he wanted the ball every time against UNH.   
11.  Burton still looks fearless. 

[MarquetteDano]

Thanks for the change-up from "player x sucks and we should play y instead" posts.  I think a change in expectations for this team is in offing.  It is going to be a better defensive team than last year and as Juanaman (sp?) pointed out, a slower placed team.

We will struggle offensively at times?  Yes.  I think defense and rebounding will have to be the cornerstones of this team.  Buzz has proven he can accommodate differing styles based on personnel.

I still think this is a tournament team.  Some of the frosh will be bigger contributors as the season progresses.  I do think this team could still vie for a Big East title.  However, we are not going to be as good as last year.

Doesn't mean we still can't enjoy the season.

[Nukem2]

Totally agree.  Now the hard work starts.  Prior to this MU has yet to leave home, the 2 scrimmages were at The Al and the first 4 games at the BC.  Following Buzz's 45 minute "conversation" with the team Thursday night, the next 5 games are away from the friendly confines of home. Road games at ASU, Fullerton and UW and 2nd and 3rd round games in the Wooden Legacy.  These games are going to tell us a lot about this year's team.  Are these Road Warriors...?

[brewcity77]

I agree. They'll figure it out. The absolute worse case scenario is we miss the tourney for a year and everyone grows into roles for next year. Five years ago we all were hoping Lazar and the midgets were good enough to go to the NIT. Anyone would have taken 5 straight tourney appearances, 2 Sweet 16s, and 1 Elite 8 in Buzz's first five years. He's proven he can do it with his guys, he'll continue to do it. Let's remember, as much as the players are still learning and growing into their roles, so is Buzz.

[NavinRJohnson]

Lots of talented players and a coach who knows how to get the best out of them. Not worried. They just need to learn how to play. As I said in the waning moments of the OSU game, a no-damage loss. Buzz secretly happy in a way, as it gives him tons of ammunition to work with to push these guys, and a lesson he can go back to as often as he needs to.  I am confident we will see the quality and style of play we've all grown accustomed to. Just may take a little longer this year.

[mileskishnish72]

I still believe, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried.

Regional final vs. Syr last year highlighted our need for outside shooting, to, if nothing else, open things up. And some scoring from it would be nice as well.
We have probably seen what Jake can give us, Todd looks like he's at least working on it, and while we have 2 frosh who lit it up from 3 (in HS), one's out for who knows how long and the other has looked a bit out of his element thus far.

It's November. I'm hoping they will figure things out in time, but I bet the next few weeks will be rocky.

[LloydMooresLegs]

1.  It is only November, for God's sake.
2.  Gardner, JWilson have historically shown too much to remain this cold.
3.   I trust Buzz
4.   Our early season defense has been very good.
5.  Taylor will get his game legs and start making 15 ft jumpers and putbacks.
6.  No team can miss lay-ups forever.
7.  Little noticed, but Todd is trying to lead.   For Todd, leading means attacking the basket, but there are worse ways to lead.
8.  Jake went 2-5 on 3's.   Maybe, just maybe, he is finally comfortable
9.  I trust Buzz. 
10.  Chris looks like he wanted the ball every time against UNH.   
11.  Burton still looks fearless. 

Other than substituting "I trust Buzz" for number 8 above, I agree with these points (and I think Jake can and will contribute, but that he will not be in the top 7-8 rotation by the start of conference play).  Defense should keep us in every game.  This will be a team that competes for the conference title, earns a 4-6 seed and can get to the S16. Maybe even E8 with the right match-up. 

[Rudy]

Well said and thank you. This is a great post.

Bob

[ATWizJr]

1.  It is only November, for God's sake.
2.  Gardner, JWilson have historically shown too much to remain this cold.
3.   I trust Buzz
4.   Our early season defense has been very good.
5.  Taylor will get his game legs and start making 15 ft jumpers and putbacks.
6.  No team can miss lay-ups forever.
7.  Little noticed, but Todd is trying to lead.   For Todd, leading means attacking the basket, but there are worse ways to lead.
8.  Jake went 2-5 on 3's.   Maybe, just maybe, he is finally comfortable
9.  I trust Buzz. 
10.  Chris looks like he wanted the ball every time against UNH.   
11.  Burton still looks fearless. 

For every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows, too.

[🏀]

Important question tower, do you believe that they will win?



Do you believe that they will win?







Do you believe that they will win?

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree. They'll figure it out. The absolute worse case scenario is we miss the tourney for a year and everyone grows into roles for next year. Five years ago we all were hoping Lazar and the midgets were good enough to go to the NIT. Anyone would have taken 5 straight tourney appearances, 2 Sweet 16s, and 1 Elite 8 in Buzz's first five years. He's proven he can do it with his guys, he'll continue to do it. Let's remember, as much as the players are still learning and growing into their roles, so is Buzz.

Yes, that is the worst case scenario, but considering expectations around here just a few weeks ago....that would be more than just a "worst case scenario".  It would be a pretty big miss not to make the NCAAs based on the expectations nearly everyone and the media have.  Some folks here have trophies engraved already, banners to be hung and words like Final Four coming off people's lips.  Now, all that may happen and let's hope it does, but we have some fundamental things that Buzz and staff have to fix quickly.

Looking forward to having the boys in the O.C. in less than a week....unfortunately rain in the forecast on Turkey Day and on Friday.

[wojosdojo]

+1 tower. I believe in this team 1000x more than I did when we were 2-5 in the Big East after losing to Cuse and DePaul. Even then we made the tourney.

[MU82]

I agree. They'll figure it out. The absolute worse case scenario is we miss the tourney for a year and everyone grows into roles for next year. Five years ago we all were hoping Lazar and the midgets were good enough to go to the NIT. Anyone would have taken 5 straight tourney appearances, 2 Sweet 16s, and 1 Elite 8 in Buzz's first five years. He's proven he can do it with his guys, he'll continue to do it. Let's remember, as much as the players are still learning and growing into their roles, so is Buzz.

I agree totally with this.

To some, missing the NCAAs might seem like the world has ended, but it has happened recently to the likes of Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, UConn, etc.

I have ratcheted down my expectations, as I did in Lazar's senior season. It was a pleasant surprise to make the tourney that year and I think there is a chance for a pleasant surprise this season.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Anyone else find it sad that we need a "I still believe in this team" thread after a 3-1 start where the only loss is to a top 10 team?

[Otule's Glass Eye]

Anyone else find it sad that we need a "I still believe in this team" thread after a 3-1 start where the only loss is to a top 10 team?

Probably because the teams we have had the past few years are making this team look bad in comparison. The standards have been raised the past few years, that's for sure.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I still think they will be 1st or 2nd place in the Big East.

Feel free to bump this thread in March and rub it in my face if I'm wrong.

[brewcity77]

I still think they will be 1st or 2nd place in the Big East.

Feel free to bump this thread in March and rub it in my face if I'm wrong.

I feel the same. And have no problem with anyone calling it on me if it doesn't happen.

[warriorchick]

Tower, thank you for doing a great job of articulating my feelings on this whole matter.

[MU82]

Anyone else find it sad that we need a "I still believe in this team" thread after a 3-1 start where the only loss is to a top 10 team?

Maybe because they looked mediocre in beating Southern, less than mediocre in beating New Hampshire and horrific in the second half of the Ohio State loss.

It isn't alarmist or chicken-littlish to take what you see and be concerned about it.

Of course, there are some who have gone over the top and suggested Buzz is a fool, we'll never be good again, etc. Those folks are hopeless and don't speak for the majority or the rational.

[Dreadman24]

I still think they will be 1st or 2nd place in the Big East.

Feel free to bump this thread in March and rub it in my face if I'm wrong.

No better than 4th place in the Big East.

[esotericmindguy]

1.  It is only November, for God's sake.
2.  Gardner, JWilson have historically shown too much to remain this cold.
3.   I trust Buzz
4.   Our early season defense has been very good.
5.  Taylor will get his game legs and start making 15 ft jumpers and putbacks.
6.  No team can miss lay-ups forever.
7.  Little noticed, but Todd is trying to lead.   For Todd, leading means attacking the basket, but there are worse ways to lead.
8.  Jake went 2-5 on 3's.   Maybe, just maybe, he is finally comfortable
9.  I trust Buzz. 
10.  Chris looks like he wanted the ball every time against UNH.   
11.  Burton still looks fearless. 

Enjoy that.  It's the worst team in the buzz era. It's not close. 

[brewcity77]

Enjoy that.  It's the worst team in the buzz era. It's not close. 

How many people felt the same way a year ago at this time about the team that ended up going to the Elite 8?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Weird last week or so.  We have one thread on this page of ESPN experts predicting MU potentially in the Final Four and we have concerns now about even making the tournament in this one.

Lots of golf left.  Time still on our side, but they need to figure some things out.  This road trip will show a lot.

[4everwarriors]

Yeah, but we could use an ace on the par 5.

[ChicosBailBonds]

How many people felt the same way a year ago at this time about the team that ended up going to the Elite 8?

This is one of the reasons why I say the NCAA is such a crap shoot.  Last year, we were not picked to win the Big East, we won the Big East and went to the Elite 8.

This year picked to win the Big East....so if we don't make the Elite 8 is it a disappointment?  I would say no, every year is different and way too many variables in play.  We were one play from getting bounced in the opening game....total crap shoot.