I'm going to go on record and say we'll win 20 games next year. I know, I know, this proclamation is widely optimistic, but follow my logic:
Let me first start with our roster and then break down our schedule. This IMO is without question Bartow's best recruiting class. Fundamentally sound, team-oriented and just plain talented players. Just look at who was recruiting them. My biggest concern following last season was the 3-spot--losing Ben's intangibles is huge, but I think we'll improve in that respect through depth. Swader, M.Smith, and M. Williams will complement each other nicely and fill that void. As for PG, Twilley will have an immediate impact and don't be surprised to see him starting from the outset. As for our front court...well, I loved Sneed's bruiser play, but he was far too one-dimensional. I predict Andrew Reed will be one of the better post players this year. So, in the post, we'll have Nuckles, Reed, Thomas, Balocka, Mishler and Balocka. Again, all very skilled and fundamental players.
Okay, now to our schedule. Conference schedule first. I see us going 14-4 in the ASUN. Belmont and Lipscomp will again be tough, though I think this year we will split the series with them. I can also see us splitting with KSU too. As for the rest of the league...Gardner Webb has essentially lost its entire starting lineup, FAU is gone, and I don't see any other team being that strong next year.
As for our non-conference schedule, I think we'll go 6-4. We'll lose to to Vandy, UT, Auburn, and possibly Chatt.--though I see us getting a nice win against them next year.
To summarize, I think we've improved where we needed to improve the most: FUNDAMENTALS. How many close game last year were lost to a bad pass, a dropped ball, a poor in-bounds, a missed rotation, missed free-throws, turnovers and on and on and on.........We'll improve in that respect just be virtue of the type of players we have and the ones coming in. Couple that with a relatively "easy" schedule, and I think we'll win 20-games.
One can hope, right????
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