(08-21-2018 03:58 PM)dixiebullfrog Wrote:  The OP's question will be somewhat academic if Memphis gets Wiseman early. Getting an early commit from Wiseman followed by a signed NLI is the first key to perceived program success for me. When that BIG domino falls, the rest of the 2019 class should follow in short order based upon media recruiting reports.

Many reports tie Wiseman/Penny and Watford/Miller at the hip. Hard to see it not happening regardless. If I was a recruit evaluating Hardaway/Miller/Mitchell's 'NBA approach', my thought is what they can do for me; not how the media evaluates first-year results/tourney.

National recruiting results almost always revolve around how the first big, important dominos fall. Wiseman (and/or Watford) need to come our way early and then just enjoy the 2018-19 season!

If he gets Watford and Wiseman early it will be much easier to attract other talented players.

I do agree with that sentiment...If those two are in the fold selling a Fab5 like dream is doable to other top players even if the team underperforms this year.

If you take these daily on a regular basis then birth probably won't be a problem

As bad as our league is this year ... Only the winner of the AAC tournament may get a bid. It's important that he has the team playing well late ... We all know where that tourney is.

(08-21-2018 11:17 AM)Tigergary Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 10:10 AM)TiminMem23 Wrote:  Legit question that I'm surprised hasn't been discussed in more depth.

If the team under performs and looks discombobulated, coaches will absolutely use that against Penny in recruiting. It's crazy to think that this season will have no bearing on the future.

If Memphis goes .500 and misses the NIT, can you imagine what Cal would say to James Wiseman?

"Is that the situation you want to walk into? Penny is in over his head. If you go there, you run the risk of negatively impacting your draft stock and not experiencing what it's like to make a deep NCAA run in March. We put guys in the pros. Every. Single. Year. Don't risk your future."

I don't think Penny needs to lead the Tigers to the tournament, but they have to improve as the year goes on and play at a respectable level. Otherwise they might lose out on some of the big recruits they are pursuing for 2019 and beyond.

My thoughts exactly.

If Penny Hardaway, Tony Madlock, Mike Miller, Dwight Boyd and NBA coachoftheyear Sam Mitchell will put a "discombobulated" .500 team out on the court, then, well, I'm an idiot.

The question isn't will the Tigers make the tournament, the question is will they WIN it!

(08-21-2018 05:35 PM)steves Wrote:  As bad as our league is this year ... Only the winner of the AAC tournament may get a bid. It's important that he has the team playing well late ... We all know where that tourney is.

Someone says this every year. Simply not true. 3 teams minimum.

Every time we have a coaching change everyone says "we don't have to get in the tournament the first year, the coach won't have his players or system in yet" then every time the season actually starts people are demanding to make and advance in the tourney. Every single time.


I know we always need to have high expectations, but look at where we came from the past couple years. We've got a ton of new players and a first year coach. That's a lot of learning on the job. I hope they do well, and if they made the tourney I'd be elated. However, I'm expecting a decent team this year and making it back to the NCAAs next year. I want to make the tourney as much as anyone else, but we've got to be realistic too.

(08-22-2018 09:29 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 05:35 PM)steves Wrote:  As bad as our league is this year ... Only the winner of the AAC tournament may get a bid. It's important that he has the team playing well late ... We all know where that tourney is.

Someone says this every year. Simply not true. 3 teams minimum.

2 is a possibility this year...

Teams will need to win OOC games and on paper many of the teams are weaker than last year.

(08-22-2018 01:14 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(08-22-2018 09:29 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 05:35 PM)steves Wrote:  As bad as our league is this year ... Only the winner of the AAC tournament may get a bid. It's important that he has the team playing well late ... We all know where that tourney is.

Someone says this every year. Simply not true. 3 teams minimum.

2 is a possibility this year...

Teams will need to win OOC games and on paper many of the teams are weaker than last year.

On paper, many teams across the country are weaker than last year.

2 is a possibility. Over our brief history we average 3 teams. But we have had only 2 teams twice. Those were both before Wichita though, which is why I say the min is 3 now.

We can argue that. But there is no way it's only 1 team.

(08-22-2018 09:30 AM)yakko Wrote:  Every time we have a coaching change everyone says "we don't have to get in the tournament the first year, the coach won't have his players or system in yet" then every time the season actually starts people are demanding to make and advance in the tourney. Every single time.


I know we always need to have high expectations, but look at where we came from the past couple years. We've got a ton of new players and a first year coach. That's a lot of learning on the job. I hope they do well, and if they made the tourney I'd be elated. However, I'm expecting a decent team this year and making it back to the NCAAs next year. I want to make the tourney as much as anyone else, but we've got to be realistic too.

Some of yall are missing the point of the topic. It wasnt a question about how we feel as fans on making the tourney. It was how important is it for national recruits hes in on now.

It would be concerning if the Memphis Tigers did not make the postseason in Penny's first year. Last year's team, with all of the drama surrounding it, made the conference tournament semifinals and won 21 games. It's not unreasonable to expect a postseason bid with many of the players returning and the addition of Lomax, Harris, and Jones. If they are sitting at home after the AAC tournament this year, it would make me nervous about Penny's ability to coach at this level.

(08-22-2018 05:38 PM)PATiger Wrote:  It would be concerning if the Memphis Tigers did not make the postseason in Penny's first year. Last year's team, with all of the drama surrounding it, made the conference tournament semifinals and won 21 games. It's not unreasonable to expect a postseason bid with many of the players returning and the addition of Lomax, Harris, and Jones. If they are sitting at home after the AAC tournament this year, it would make me nervous about Penny's ability to coach at this level.

The schedule last year was much weaker. If Penny wins 21 games this year he would really be accomplishing something.

(08-22-2018 08:31 PM)rolexjames Wrote:  

(08-22-2018 05:38 PM)PATiger Wrote:  It would be concerning if the Memphis Tigers did not make the postseason in Penny's first year. Last year's team, with all of the drama surrounding it, made the conference tournament semifinals and won 21 games. It's not unreasonable to expect a postseason bid with many of the players returning and the addition of Lomax, Harris, and Jones. If they are sitting at home after the AAC tournament this year, it would make me nervous about Penny's ability to coach at this level.

The schedule last year was much weaker. If Penny wins 21 games this year he would really be accomplishing something.

The schedule is marginally better. Villanova is the only worldbeater. The rest are fair to middling or probably wins. The returning roster would've won 21 with a couple of recruits adding depth.

If past history is a judge, missing the tournament will mean that this is a 5-6 year process.

What would have happened if Calipari had taken Kelly Wise or DeJuan Wagner to the tournament? We would probably be talking about a Final Four appearance in 2004 instead of 2008.

Not important, IMHO. Hardaway took over after recruiting ended. And, STILL ended up with some good players for this year. I didn't expect him to get the players he got in such a short time. So, it'd be a bonus if he makes it to the Big Dance.

(08-22-2018 09:29 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(08-21-2018 05:35 PM)steves Wrote:  As bad as our league is this year ... Only the winner of the AAC tournament may get a bid. It's important that he has the team playing well late ... We all know where that tourney is.

Someone says this every year. Simply not true. 3 teams minimum.

How is something 7 months in the future ... Not true.

(08-23-2018 07:07 PM)bubbapt Wrote:  If past history is a judge, missing the tournament will mean that this is a 5-6 year process.

What would have happened if Calipari had taken Kelly Wise or DeJuan Wagner to the tournament? We would probably be talking about a Final Four appearance in 2004 instead of 2008.

With all the expectations placed upon him, if it takes Penny that long, he won't make it until his fifth year. The administration will admit they made a mistake and will move on.

(08-20-2018 09:25 PM)Tigergary Wrote:  When I comes to recruitment of national guys, how important is it that Memphis makes the tourney year one? I believe alot of those kids will pay attention to Memphis if we make it.
Is it very important to national recruitment?
Semi?
Not very?

Your thoughts...

Right answer is ZERO

If we make it it is huge, if we win 20 games and don't make it to the NCAAs , no big deal.

Penny is building a program not building a team for one year

(08-20-2018 09:25 PM)Tigergary Wrote:  When I comes to recruitment of national guys, how important is it that Memphis makes the tourney year one? I believe alot of those kids will pay attention to Memphis if we make it.
Is it very important to national recruitment?
Semi?
Not very?

Your thoughts...

Right answer is ZERO

If we make it it is huge, if we win 20 games and don't make it to the NCAAs , no big deal.

Penny is building a program not building a team for one year