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After we had losing seasons in both football and basketball during the 2011-12 season, I was disappointed. And despite the excitement of new coaches in both sports, I knew the 2012-13 seasons were going to be tough, so one year ago, my optimism was low. I was gritting my teeth and induring more hard times.

This year, after another two losing seasons in both sports, I am again disappointed, but I feel my optimism rising, as 2013-14 promises to be much better for our two major sports programs.

Anybody else expecting a huge improvement in 2013-14?

This basketball season was painful for me. I knew that we would struggle but around mid-season I seriously question the team from a talent stand point. I would sit with Reggie Huffman during the games and we would both say, "these dudes just can’t play". They really turned it on as the season went on and they got better game to game. I'm very excited about what Coach Hasse can do with this program. Better days are certainly ahead for us.

I expect a big improvement every year, but then I'm kind of a sucker that way.

Anticipation is making me wait.

I expect a huge improvement in basketball next season. The added depth coming in is going to make our core group that much better moving forward. Next year, when Faz or Rucker get in foul trouble, we won't be forced to play people out of position as much. We also appear to have added some guys who can create their own shots and get to the basket. I still remain cautiously optimistic right now, but I would be disappointed if this team didn't win at least 20 games(granted this is before I have seen our schedule) and finish in the top 4 of the conference next season.

As far as football goes, I think we will go from bad to medicore. I am not expecting anything huge, but getting to 6 wins is possible. Until I am proven wrong, I think we are still going to have trouble on the defensive front. I also think it is much more difficult to turn things around in football in just one or two seasons. I have high hopes for football starting 2 seasons from now, but I do expect the team to be more competitive next season.

BCS bowl and Final Four are the correct message board answers.

(03-15-2013 01:04 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  BCS bowl and Final Four are the correct message board answers.

I think we'd be thrilled with the New Orleans Bowl and an NCAA trip.

It wouldn't hurt my psyche to have a few good things happen. I'm tired of losing in football and basketball.

We're overdue for some good things coming our way. I'm in anticipation mode.

(03-15-2013 12:25 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  Anybody else expecting a huge improvement in 2013-14?

Improvement? Yes

Huge improvement? No

I don't want to see us cutting down nets until a final final four.

On a different note, I'm kind of glad UAB didn't have unprecedented success in the postseason this year. See, I have my board exam in April, and I really don't need to be distracted by basketball while trying to study for that.

So luckily for me; I can declare the basketball season over.

I think we compete in Football and Basketball next year.

(03-15-2013 12:37 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  This basketball season was painful for me. I knew that we would struggle but around mid-season I seriously question the team from a talent stand point. I would sit with Reggie Huffman during the games and we would both say, "these dudes just can’t play". They really turned it on as the season went on and they got better game to game. I'm very excited about what Coach Hasse can do with this program. Better days are certainly ahead for us.

I agree with you. However, I wonder how much the schedule had to do with our late season improvement.

Having no playing or coaching experience to speak from, nor any friends having them to sit with at games, all i can do is hope that in my remaining years, i will get to see winning teams in both men's sports going to good bowl games in FB and to the NCAA higher rounds in BB. I believe we have brought in the needed staff people to get that job done in both sports..

(03-15-2013 02:56 PM)uab278 Wrote:  I think we compete in Football and Basketball next year.

As we have every year.

(03-15-2013 12:41 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I expect a big improvement every year, but then I'm kind of a sucker that way.

+1. Get outta my head Smaug!

(03-15-2013 03:21 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 12:37 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  This basketball season was painful for me. I knew that we would struggle but around mid-season I seriously question the team from a talent stand point. I would sit with Reggie Huffman during the games and we would both say, "these dudes just can’t play". They really turned it on as the season went on and they got better game to game. I'm very excited about what Coach Hasse can do with this program. Better days are certainly ahead for us.

I agree with you. However, I wonder how much the schedule had to do with our late season improvement.

Early in league games, UAB lost to UCF, Southern Miss, East Carolina, and Memphis.

Late in the season, UAB lost to UCF, Southern Miss, East Carolina, and Memphis.

(03-16-2013 10:38 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  Early in league games, UAB lost to UCF, Southern Miss, East Carolina, and Memphis.

Late in the season, UAB lost to UCF, Southern Miss, East Carolina, and Memphis.

A can handle losing a game to memphis or even Southern Miss. But getting swept by those two trash programs is really galling.

In basketball, I can handle losing two to Memphis. Again. I hate it, but there is an obvious talent gap and we were not able to overcome it.

Getting swept in basketball by both Southern Miss and ECU rankles. That simply should not happen, and especially to both in one season.

Wait till next year, dammit!

We had no size or depth or penetraton (once Jekore left) in basketball this year. We won more games than I anticipated, but we were not a good team by any definition. We will be better next year with five returning starters, and the addition of two new post players (one a JUCO), a true point guard and the energy of Madison. Should equate to around 20 wins, and probably an NIT bid in year 2. We'll need a couple of JUCOs in next year's recruiting class or we will be super young in 2014.

Football. That's a deeper chasm from which to climb. I'd love to think that we take a huge step foward next year and win 8 games - but we simply do not have the defense to do that - even in CUSA-lite. We have glaring gaps in talent, experience and depth at defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker and corner. We also have to replace Chris Hubbard on the OL, probably with someone who did not crack the rotation in 2012. If we win six it's a very good year. I predict that it will take until at least year 3 for us to find out how good a coach McGee is. We need a REALLY good recruiting class this year. We haven't seen a substantial increase in recruiting quality from McGee yet - and looking at the spring roster we seem to have already lost about 8 guys (including both QBs and the lone WR) from his first class.

So next year will be better - but not a lot better. 2014 is when we will start to see a notable impact from these new staffs. McGee has the harder job and will need more time.