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I think the win/loss record next year might look a lot like this year. Hoping all the best case scenarios play out with incoming players always leads to disappointment. I would be shocked to see an NIT Bid, and I am not being sarcastic. The following year is where we will likely be better.

I think next year could be a struggle but if the team looks like it's improving and is better the 2nd half of the year than the first people will be ok with that. Unfortunately no Kellogg team has been better in the 2nd half of the year. I don't know if this has to do with scheduling, but the eye test says they always seem to look worse. It's a pretty disturbing trend if you ask me.

I think we return to the anytime, anywhere philosophy of scheduling and put as many tough games as we can on the schedule. Let the talent see what it takes to win, and let the cream rise to the top. This may not be Michigan's Fab 5 but if the talent is there they will elevate their games. Quickest way to disperse the "DK teams don't improve in the 2h of the season" criticism is play a tough schedule. We may take a few beatings early on but should improve and be ready for conference play.

I'm looking for a bubble NIT conversation by the time next season ends and 3 straight NCAA appearances after that. Let the good times roll.

I think most everyone here can tell if what they're seeing is a prepared, disciplined team that plays hard . And honestly if we lose to real good teams, but play well , I'd rather see that than play poorly and squeak out a W against bad teams. Talent will eventually win but how far they go depends on how much DK can develop and structure it. Everything is supposedly in place now so the next two years will tell us a lot about the current staff

I absolutely agree we should schedule against good teams and not a string of cupcakes. Calipari said that he would play us in Boston (TD Bank) if Derek wanted, We should definitely take him up on the offer if not next season then 2017/18. It would be a sellout and would give us a good idea of where we are.
I also think the AD should be actively involved in the scheduling. Our OOC schedule, for the most part during DK's tenure, has been very weak - far lighter than and of the previous coaches.

You're right vanmeter. Plus I think recruiting would benefit from playing in a mostly filled out/sold out venue against a good team on national tv. And Cal would never try to bury or embarrass DK if the game got out of hand. I remember the Garden game vs Memphis when TV had that winning tip and the boost that gave the team and fanbase. It was great

69MG wrote:Notre Dame played at a tourney in RI today against a good team from NJ. They won, but only 10 points between Gresham and Baldwin. Did anyone watch it on line (Cox Hub) or go? It would be nice to get a report on their defense and rebounding.

I didn't watch, but someone who did told me that Baldwin & Gresham were never on the court together, the team used 4 and sometimes 5 perimeter players on the floor. The team also never fed either of them in the post.

Wow! You may want to pace yourself a bit there stud...

I'll agree with you on this though, playing cupcakes is no way to prepare for the A10 conference and can overinflate the true capabilities of the team. Playing a tougher non-con is a better measure of where the team is at.

UMassHoops wrote:Quickest way to disperse the "DK teams don't improve in the 2h of the season" criticism is play a tough schedule. We may take a few beatings early on but should improve and be ready for conference play.

I'm looking for a bubble NIT conversation by the time next season ends and 3 straight NCAA appearances after that. Let the good times roll.

I'm not saying they should load up on 300+ RPI teams like Central Connecticut, Sacred Heart and Rider again. I think they should have a schedule more similar to this seasons than the 2013-14 season is all I'm saying. And I'm definitely not setting up excuses for next year. They should be at least an 18 win team next year. I just think that of those 18 wins, they will come against slightly lesser competition than 2 years ago against BYU, Nebraska, New Mexico, Clemson, LSU and Providence. Next years team should beat the UCF's, the FGCU's, the Ole Misses (as a comp they play South Carolina next year) and not sweat it out against the Brooklyn's and New Orleans'. And I hope to see them as a top 6 A-10 team next year with an above .500 record.

natwam2547 wrote:I'm not saying they should load up on 300+ RPI teams like Central Connecticut, Sacred Heart and Rider again. I think they should have a schedule more similar to this seasons than the 2013-14 season is all I'm saying. And I'm definitely not setting up excuses for next year. They should be at least an 18 win team next year. I just think that of those 18 wins, they will come against slightly lesser competition than 2 years ago against BYU, Nebraska, New Mexico, Clemson, LSU and Providence. Next years team should beat the UCF's, the FGCU's, the Ole Misses (as a comp they play South Carolina next year) and not sweat it out against the Brooklyn's and New Orleans'. And I hope to see them as a top 6 A-10 team next year with an above .500 record.

What about Lowell Tech

UMass'96 wrote:Wow! You may want to pace yourself a bit there stud...

I'll agree with you on this though, playing cupcakes is no way to prepare for the A10 conference and can overinflate the true capabilities of the team. Playing a tougher non-con is a better measure of where the team is at.

UMassHoops wrote:Quickest way to disperse the "DK teams don't improve in the 2h of the season" criticism is play a tough schedule. We may take a few beatings early on but should improve and be ready for conference play.

I'm looking for a bubble NIT conversation by the time next season ends and 3 straight NCAA appearances after that. Let the good times roll.

Whoa, that would be an insane turnaround. Hope it happens, but that would be tough

I'm for the tough OOC. I don't care if they have a losing record, I want them to be well prepared for the conference. I mean, I do care if they have a losing record, but that's not as important to me as being ready for the conference.

^Yogi!

uz2b-len wrote:I'm for the tough OOC. I don't care if they have a losing record, I want them to be well prepared for the conference. I mean, I do care if they have a losing record, but that's not as important to me as being ready for the conference.

A bunch of losses could wreck their confidence. I prefer a good mix of opponents, kind of like this year's OOC; some good, some bad, some in the middle.

So, going in a little different direction here, what would people like to see as the focus of incoming recruits for the following year? I'd love to see a true center type, a 7' rebounding/shot blocking machine. Some real size. I'd love to see Baldwin be the PF in the mold of a Ty Weeks. We look to be fairly deep in the guard and small forward slots for a few years, so do they focus on getting bigger or just take the best talent regardless of position? I'd like to see a roster of complimentary players so the team is balanced at most positions. Thoughts? (Ya, it's a slow day and I'm bored)