I'd rather not join the collective misery related to football's rebuild, so that in mind, we're a month out from our first basketball exhibition.
Where do you think we'll improve this season, what are you looking forward to seeing? How do you feel about the conference/non-conference slate?
I'm curious how well Evans can finish after undergoing foot surgery and if it helps with his lateral mobility, as I think finishing close to the basket got harder as defenses adjusted to him last year. If he improves that one area, I think he'll have a beast of a season.
I'm also wondering whether we take a step forward or backward with Broom at the point. I can't really tell just by watching highlights of him at Sacred Heart.
Elite Eight..... Nothing else is acceptable.
(10-01-2017 11:39 AM)CincyBro Wrote: [ -> ]Elite Eight..... Nothing else is acceptable.
yep. ditto.
(10-01-2017 11:51 AM)FenderCat Wrote: [ -> ] (10-01-2017 11:39 AM)CincyBro Wrote: [ -> ]Elite Eight..... Nothing else is acceptable.
yep. ditto.
x3
I think it's the fullest, most solid roster we've had under Cronin.
The tournament is a crap shoot, but you usually need a very good starting 5 to get anywhere.
We have that. I don't see much weakness 1-5 and in the case of our two wings, I think they're pretty exceptional in what they bring.
The point is the wildcard, just because I haven't seen him play with the rest yet.
I want an elite 8, but the tournament is a trap shoot. There is so much that happens there that is out of our control (Like meeting UCLA last season, a team we matched up very little against).
For once I will defer to Duane
I’d like to see us play well enough in the regular season that we are ranked in the Top 15 most of the way, translating into a 4-or-better seed, then confirm that with at least a Sweet 16.
Yeah this is the year for a 3 seed. And a deep run.
I want to see KW staying on the floor. If he can find a way to stay out of foul trouble that would be huge for us.
Really looking forward to Broome. I think he's a game changer.
top 2 in the conference
top 10 all year
sweet 16 or better
Top 4 protected seed, top 10-15 kenpom adjusted efficiency, first or second in the AAC, win at X... be a legit final four threat come tournament time and get to the second weekend.
Broome is the wild card. And how much Evans and Washington can improve. I know what to expect from Gary. I also have a feeling that Cumberland will take over a few games. Our subs will be solid nothing spectacular.
Evans needs to be able to beat his man off the dribble. Washington needs to stay on the court by moving his feet on defense and staying away from the silly fouls. Will Broome allow us to play faster? Will he distribute or look to be "the guy"? How well he meshes with the other guys will tell us how far we can go.
Regular season conference championship (outright or share of) and making it past the first weekend in the NCAA tournament or bust! We have the roster. Mick has had the time at the helm. No excuses.
(10-01-2017 02:49 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: [ -> ]Regular season conference championship (outright or share of) and making it past the first weekend in the NCAA tournament or bust! We have the roster. Mick has had the time at the helm. No excuses.
This. You cannot be taken seriously as a program or coach if you can't win THIS conference.
Wichita State will be a formidable foe for the conference title . That said we need some conference hardware . Either regular season of conference tournament championship.
What this team does for three consecutive Saturdays in December will set the tone for the year . @Xavier, Florida on a neutral court, @UCLA . I'm hoping for 2 out of three. All 3 and this team probably vaults into the top 5 and expectations on a national scale will go through the roof.
NCAA tourney as said is always a crap shoot and you never know about injuries . With the talent on the roster anything but second weekend is a disappointment . However with at least 3 future NBA draft picks in your starting 5 the third weekend is not too much to hope for from this crew.
(10-01-2017 02:49 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: [ -> ]Regular season conference championship (outright or share of) and making it past the first weekend in the NCAA tournament or bust! We have the roster. Mick has had the time at the helm. No excuses.
+1. If not now, when?
(10-01-2017 02:57 PM)Cat-Man Wrote: [ -> ] (10-01-2017 02:49 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: [ -> ]Regular season conference championship (outright or share of) and making it past the first weekend in the NCAA tournament or bust! We have the roster. Mick has had the time at the helm. No excuses.
This. You cannot be taken seriously as a program or coach if you can't win THIS conference.
Some will tell you conference championships don't matter--- it's all about the NCAAT. It's complete b.s. Recruits want to go to championship (not just NCAAT) programs. Fans want to see banners. Schools like to sell merchandise that says Conference Champions.
i will say that this is on paper the best uc team since logan's senior year
My expectations are to be a regular in the top 10. End up with no worse than a 3 seed, and must make it out of the 1st weekend. I would also like to also least get a share of the conference title or a tourney conf championship. I realize that WSU will not make that easy.
As others have said, you can run into bad luck in the torunament, but we are due for at least a S16 or E8. This team should be plenty good enough to go further if the ball bounces right.
(10-04-2017 06:26 AM)jarr Wrote: [ -> ]My expectations are to be a regular in the top 10. End up with no worse than a 3 seed, and must make it out of the 1st weekend. I would also like to also least get a share of the conference title or a tourney conf championship. I realize that WSU will not make that easy.
If we want to be the best, we have to beat the best. WSU will be good, no doubt, but so are we. They are also playing in a much tougher conference this year so we'll see how they fare with a tougher conference schedule. We never used to fear anyone and we shouldn't now. With all due respect, the former Big East we ain't. It's time to go out and prove our mettle and take the regular season conference title (or share thereof) IMO. Unlike the tournament, winning the conference regular season is not luck of the draw or having a bad or good game to advance/eliminated. It's the body of work over 18 games that's well earned.