Bball team will be a roller coaster ride this season

[RickinDayton]

There is talent in this team; especially the new comers. My major concern is the lack of physicality from Julian Moore (still only about 225 lbs) and just doesn't seem to have the drive needed for us to suceed consistently @ the 5-spot. Mike Watkins is dynamite, but when he is out, there is a huge drop off @ that spot. Hopefully Banks gets completely healthy and can help Watkins and Stevens on the boards. Probably the most important missing piece right now is Josh Reaves (injured), who brings very aggressive defensive and transition play as well as solid rebounding from the guard position. His defense often leads to transition baskets. Hopefully, the team gets healthy and is able to work a sound rotation with 8-10 players. This will be needed to ensure the Freshman are able to push through the latter part of the season. NIT is very possible for this team.

 

[psuguy43]

We actually have some legitimate depth at 1-3/4 this year, which is great to see - Reaves will really help solidify that as a 2/3. Satchel Pierce will be helpful next season to make this into a tournament-ready team (depth).

NIT this year without catching any big breaks.

 

[Erial_Lion]

NIT this year without catching any big breaks.

I think we'll need a lot of breaks to make the NIT this year. I just don't see us winning enough games in the first couple of months to put us where we'll need to be to get a bid. But next season is a different story.

 

[psuguy43]

I think we'll need a lot of breaks to make the NIT this year. I just don't see us winning enough games in the first couple of months to put us where we'll need to be to get a bid. But next season is a different story.

Looking at the schedule now, you are correct. .500 (or slightly better) without any big breaks or big upsets, yes. But winning near 20 games would likely involve a number of B10 upsets, as we will lose some more games in the earlier OOC that I think we could win later (URI/Cincinnati, GW, GMason, SJU, and another random OOC game or 2). I'm hoping that we start to come around by GMason and get some late OOC scalps to help (GMason, SJU, Pitt and be in a great position to start out B10 2-0 to build some momentum).

 

[Erial_Lion]

Looking at the schedule now, you are correct. .500 (or slightly better) without any big breaks or big upsets, yes. But winning near 20 games would likely involve a number of B10 upsets, as we will lose some more games in the earlier OOC that I think we could win later (URI/Cincinnati, GW, GMason, SJU, and another random OOC game or 2). I'm hoping that we start to come around by GMason and get some late OOC scalps to help (GMason, SJU, Pitt and be in a great position to start out B10 2-0 to build some momentum).

Exactly. Pomeroy has us "favored" in only 9 more games this season, and projects us to win 12 games to go 12-18. And this doesn't include the 2nd game in Connecticut in which we'll be a pretty good dog against either RI/Cincy. To get to the NIT, we'd probably need a minimum of like 18-13 and then making it to Friday at the B1G tourney (and even that might be pushing it, as that's likely 19-14 which would be on the fringes). That's a tough hill to climb with such a young squad that's lacking shooters. We'll beat some teams that we shouldn't, but we'll probably still lose a few games that we should win.