2024-2025 Expectations

[1SE]

The roster and schedule are set. We've seen the team in action at the scrimmage. What do you think? National attention always has a recency bias - do we buy the hype - are we still solidly top-25? I'm optimistic with what we have and Shaka's ability to turn the sum into more than the parts, but there's no denying we are facing the loss of some uniquely talented players. 

[Nukem2]

Losing Tyko and Oso just changes all the dynamics of this team offensively along with all the youth and/or guys in new roles along with the question of Sean's availability. Rebounding looks to be a continuing issue...will that bite back this year with a lesser offense? Team makes tourney after a very bumpy road.

[tower912]

Cbssports expects second in the Big East.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What if I think they'll be a 5 seed?

[mileskishnish72]

Then it's the dreaded 5-12 game.

[Uncle Rico]

6 wins in the Big East will be a successful season in my eye

[PGsHeroes32]

6 wins in the Big East will be a successful season in my eye

Why are you always so damn optimistic?

[Shooter McGavin]

6 wins in the Big East will be a successful season in my eye

You and Herman's eye.

[Uncle Rico]

Why are you always so damn optimistic?

Lack of mid-range shooters, poor rebounding and inability to beat Big Ten teams = #longseason

[MUbiz]

Lack of mid-range shooters, poor rebounding and inability to beat Big Ten teams = #longseason

You forgot no aircraft carrier Rico...

[Uncle Rico]

You forgot no aircraft carrier Rico...

Rebounding covers that.  #longseason

[tower912]

Everybody knows that the portal is the secret to happiness and success.

[PGsHeroes32]

Lack of mid-range shooters, poor rebounding and inability to beat Big Ten teams = #longseason

Oh yeah, sounds very optimistic. Let's ride.

[1SE]

What if I think they'll be a 5 seed?

Arbys

[1SE]

Cbssports expects second in the Big East.

Brew probably knows, but I wonder historically how much closer the preseason polls are to the final polls from the previous year than to the final polls of that year.

[🏀]

Lack of mid-range shooters, poor rebounding and inability to beat Big Ten teams = #longseason

Not too mention the amount of national televised games.

[TallTitan34]

For the season I am expecting to be on the right side of the bubble not sweating on Selection Sunday.  Possibly in and out of the Top 25 all year.

For some reason I think when Shaka does make a deep NCAA run, it will be with a lower seeded team instead of a protected pick.  Maybe playing up that underdog role. 

[Jay Bee]

As long as we're not on Peacock, I'm good

[🏀]

As long as we're not on Peacock, I'm good

I got bad news for you.

[Jay Bee]

I got bad news for you.

Damn it. How many games and how do I get it?

[Herman Cain]

We will have the best player on the floor in almost every game. A kid who score 30 plus, playing within a team concept. We will also have one of the best defensive players in the country. That is an Excellent foundation.

Shaka's team concepts on offense  and focus on defense will ensure the rest of the rotation makes important contributions.

I expect another strong season in the Big East , which will get us in the tournament .

[Uncle Rico]

We will have the best player on the floor in almost every game. A kid who score 30 plus, playing within a team concept. We will also have one of the best defensive players in the country. That is an Excellent foundation.

Shaka's team concepts on offense  and focus on defense will ensure the rest of the rotation makes important contributions.

I expect another strong season in the Big East , which will get us in the tournament .

If you didn't believe me before, you should believe me now.  #longseason

[Galway Eagle]

4-6 seed. I know seeding doesn't match up year to year but my thought,

is this team as good as the last two? No. Then likely not a 2 seed.

Is this team as good as 03, 12, or 13? No to 03 or 12 for sure so likely not a 3.

Is this team as good as 96? Idk I was 5 but going to say it's the ceiling given my thoughts on if they could be on par with 13.

Is this team as good as 02, or 19? I think it can be if Kam can carry a few wins.

Is this team as good as 94, 08, 10, 09 (post Dom), I certainly think so for the three I actually recall.

[🏀]

Damn it. How many games and how do I get it?

Four.

Plus the first round of the BE Tournament.

[brewcity77]

Here are the questions I have for this team:

1. Can Kam Jones slide over to the ball-handler role as seamlessly in 2024-25 as he did for six games when Kolek was out?
2. Can Ben Gold/David Joplin/Caedin Hamilton provide a minimal dropoff from Oso's level of defense? The offense will change and I think the front court can still be productive, but I worry about losing Oso's defensive capabilities.
3. Will Chase Ross emerge to the player he's shown flashes of being?
4. Will one of the reserve players (Owens, Lowery, Tre) be able to jump to a sixth starter level so there's little dropoff when we go to the bench?

If the answer to those is all no, then I think we're on the bubble. If one or two are yes, then we're in that 5-8 range, safely in, but not favored to make the second weekend. If three to four are yes, you won't really see any dropoff from the past two years.

When it comes to predictions this time of year, I tend toward optimism. I haven't done game-by-game yet, but my thoughts are...

• 30-8 overall
  
• 10-1 non-conference
  
• 15-5 Big East (2-seed in BET)
  
• 2-1 BET record (lose in title game)
  
• 3-1 NCAA record (2-seed, Elite 8)

This will continue our trend of winning one more game in the NCAA Tournament each year, which puts us on track to win the NCAA Title in 2028.