I wish all of the departing seniors well in their future careers and am glad they selected to play here instead of somewhere else. Next year begins a new era with a young team and it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out. Without a doubt there will be some lumps taken with so much inexperience on the team, especially in the backcort. Some of the things that will be interesting to observe are:

1. How well will they take to coaching
2. How high is their basketball IQ
3. Will they have mental toughness
4. Will they find a leader
5. Will they play with heart
6. Can they play defense
7. Will they have a more consistent outside shooter(s)
8. Who will be the go-to guy
9. Finally, how much success will they achieve in the next few years

Expectations should not be as high as it was with this year's team, so hopefully the fans will allow this team to grow and learn without so much criticism.

(03-24-2014 11:44 AM)TigerJJ Wrote:  I wish all of the departing seniors well in their future careers and am glad they selected to play here instead of somewhere else. Next year begins a new era with a young team and it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out. Without a doubt there will be some lumps taken with so much inexperience on the team, especially in the backcort. Some of the things that will be interesting to observe are:

1. How well will they take to coaching
2. How high is their basketball IQ
3. Will they have mental toughness
4. Will they find a leader
5. Will they play with heart
6. Can they play defense
7. Will they have a more consistent outside shooter(s)
8. Who will be the go-to guy
9. Finally, how much success will they achieve in the next few years

Expectations should not be as high as it was with this year's team, so hopefully the fans will allow this team to grow and learn without so much criticism.

Every last point you listed will need Pastner's influence/effectiveness as a coach to know the eventual answer.

I think the fact that we probably won't be ranked preseason is a good thing. Let them play their way into the mix. There's no doubt that the local/national hype was not helpful to this year's squad. I want to see us earn a national ranking. Play ball with a chip on our shoulder and prove something. We are Memphis, after all. We play better with "the world hates us" attitude. The "best backcourt in the nation" was poison, IMHO.

^^^^^ THIS.

no one will hate us as long as pastner is around. memphis has become the asexual of ncaa basketball. we are a threat to no one therefore everyone loves us.

(03-24-2014 11:51 AM)73tigerfan Wrote:  I think the fact that we probably won't be ranked preseason is a good thing. Let them play their way into the mix. There's no doubt that the local/national hype was not helpful to this year's squad. I want to see us earn a national ranking. Play ball with a chip on our shoulder and prove something. We are Memphis, after all. We play better with "the world hates us" attitude. The "best backcourt in the nation" was poison, IMHO.

I agree with you. My expectations for this group were lowered a couple of years ago when I came to the conclusion that the talent on the team was good, but not as good as it was hyped to be, but I don't like to criticize particular players on a public forum. I am a Josh Pastner fan. Do I agree with everything he does? Not by a long shot, but I also look at the long haul and I think we have a bright future. CJP is doing things the right way: graduating players, recruiting good talent, recruiting good people (the ones with a questionable past that have stayed around have turned out well), has had winning seasons, and is growing in his coaching ability.

(03-24-2014 11:59 AM)mem-x Wrote:  ^^^^^ THIS.

^^^^^ THAT.

The players will feel less pressure but Pastner in year 6 will probably feel more......