Can I get a concensus?

[Pakuni]

Top 10 is going to be tough, but I don't see why this can't be a top 11-20 team for most of the season.
I'm assuming we'll see at least some small improvement from the majority of returning players, and wouldn't be surprised to see Jerel blossom into a 17-18 ppg guy with the way he closed the season (averaged 20.1 ppg in March, despite just six points against FGCU).

I think some of the losses are being overstated.

Ooze was a nice role player, but as has been said, he completely vanished some nights. Overall, I think Mbakwe can at least match Ooze's production, and hopefully be more consistent about it. Anybody who thinks he's lost much athleticism should go back and check what he did in very limited minutes against St. John's and Georgetown.

Blackledge is no loss. Loved his enthusiasm and athleticism, but I expect Fulce to be an upgrade off the bench.

Fitz may be the toughest loss. Not necessarily because he was terribly productive, because he he had more off nights last year than on nights. But at least he was a shooting threat for which opponents had to account. Not sure we have that this year unless Butler (42 percent last year, but only 45 shots) or Fulce (43.4 percent on 53 attempts) surprises a little in that regard. I've got to believe neither will be as much a defensive liability as Fitz who last year never met an opponent's layup he couldn't turn into a three-point opportunity.

Overall, though, I don't see MU's roster losses as being all that significant and, in most ways, MU gains more than it loses from the incoming guys.

Whether Buzz can coach remains an unknown, obviously. He did well to bring in some experience with Layer and Benford. And given the fact that -- according to many here these days -- Tom Crean was among the worst game coaches in NCAA history, things can only get better. Right?

[79Warrior]

ESPN is ranking us at 14 while (barring injuries and/or terrible coaching) I see us in the top 10 for the majority of the season. 

Will anyone else be disappointed if we are not in the top 10 for the majority of the season or (more importantly) get lower than a 3 seed?

Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit big man.

[ErickJD08]

sorry but when you say that you think they lost the syracuse game on purpose that gives you absolutely zero credibility and should make others question whether you ever played a competitve sport in your lifetime or have any idea whatsoever.

I have played competitve sports my whole life.  Its was just a comment on a couple of facts.  For the first time that season, I saw our team just give up.  I don't think Crean drew up a losing gameplan or told the guys at halftime, "Lets forget about this game."  But if you think the coach didn't know the BET layout and didn't know that if they lose, they play ND, a team MU can handle very well, you lost all cred.  I just think any decent coach knows how to get his players to push hard at key points of the game.  And if you watched that game (which it seems like you didn't), there was 0 push when the game was well within reach. (no clawing for loose balls or fight for rebounds)  The team looked indifferent if they won or lost.  

Regardless, "throwing the Syracuse game" was not my strongest point (nor my most important point) in the post so most people who read objectively would take it with a grain of salt.

GO MU

[dennycrane]

This has to be the year.

The losses were not great.

Crean played Mbakwe so he would have experience going into this season.

Adding some older players in this recruiting class that should be able to step in earlier and contribute.

MU could possibly have the deepest and most experienced backcourt in the nation.

The big three know this is their last chance.

Very few teams are flawless. If MU is not a top 10 team for lacking a proven big man which teams without serious flaws do they fall below?

This is the season to get it done.

[detroitwarrior]

The big three are great, Lazar will be great and hopefully we can get good production out of Trevor and Burke. It remains to be seen how much Otule,Fulce and Butler will help and while our starting core is awesome I am more worried about matchup issues with teams that play zone or games where we aren't shooting well and are without an inside presence offensively. If our 'big" guys are able to develop or contribute a bit offensively then we may improve on our final regular season record of last year. If not, I expect we will have a similar season and hopefully with a better draw in the tournament , advance further.

[RawdogDX]

Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit big man.

How many teams aren't saying one of the below statements:
Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit big man.
Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit 1
Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit 2
Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit senior leadership
Top 10? I think that is a tall order without a legit three point threat.

All the teams that get put in the 6-10 spot have some questions.  Not saying we are but you should think about it.  We know about our problems because we follow our team.  We know nd's weaknesses because we follow beast teams and thus everyone here thinks they have no chance to be top 5.  Every post i see says ABCDEFGH teams won't be ranked but inorder for those to be out someone has to be in.

[bilsu]

Top 10 teams usually have future pros on them. We have none on this team.

[dennycrane]

Top 10 teams usually have future pros on them. We have none on this team.

Players at the 1-4 fancy themselves as future pros. They all have legit shots. Very few other teams have players at that talent level who have played together for as long as MU's players. Experience is huge. Talent + experience should win championships.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Players at the 1-4 fancy themselves as future pros. They all have legit shots. Very few other teams have players at that talent level who have played together for as long as MU's players. Experience is huge. Talent + experience should win championships.

I hope you guys are right, but I have to agree with Bilsu.  This team is good, very experienced but no future NBA players guaranteed (perhaps, but no locks) and a coach that is a total rookie at the big time.  Hopefully he shines but personally I'm going to temper expectations a touch and say around 15 to 20th and allow Buzz to have a few failings.

[dennycrane]

I hope you guys are right, but I have to agree with Bilsu.  This team is good, very experienced but no future NBA players guaranteed (perhaps, but no locks) and a coach that is a total rookie at the big time.  Hopefully he shines but personally I'm going to temper expectations a touch and say around 15 to 20th and allow Buzz to have a few failings.

Buzz Williams is the wild card. We are looking at this team in a vacum. We need to compare it to other top 20 teams. You will see almost all have shortcommings. None will likely have a more deep, talented or experienced backcourt. A more talented and experienced group of starters 1-4?

[tower912]

I love our team.  But lets be honest about how deep they are 1-4.   Undersized 1, undersized 2, undersized 3, undersized 4, undersized 5.  Thank you, Coach Crean.  Fiercely talented Warriors, but undersized at EVERY position.   I agree that we tend to see the flaws and not the virtues of each of our players.   But all of them have weaknesses in their games.   I assume they will all improve somewhat, but so will everyone else.   And we will be left with a top 25 team that was one lucky shot from the sweet 16. 
          So, we are again at the 'IF' of Buzz.   'IF' he can coach, 'IF' his assistants are better at developing bigs, 'IF' the recruits he is bringing in this year can contribute.  IF everything is answered in the positive, then we can be a very good, very dangerous team.  If more than one is answered in the negative, then we will be exactly where we were last year.

[Pakuni]

Top 10 teams usually have future pros on them. We have none on this team.

(cough, cough) Wisconsn (cough, cough)

[ChicosBailBonds]

(cough, cough) Wisconsn (cough, cough)

Or the exception is you can be a top 10 team like Memphis or Wisconsin and remain there because the conference you play in is such a sham and thus you rarely have losses.