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2015 CBB Preview: Top Questions for Top 25
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:15 pm
With college basketball less than a week away it's about that time to get into the mood. Figured a good way to get into the discussion is to provide a question mark on each team if they want to make a deep tournament run. Also, feel free to answer the questions on your own, provide possible bigger questions or even other teams you may want me to discuss. Also, I'm going off the AP Poll:
1. North Carolina: Can Justin Jackson take the next step?
North Carolina ran into a problem when they were caught relying too much on Marcus Paige to be the primary ball-handler and top perimeter scorer. Insert Justin Jackson, an often timid freshman who was known to be a scorer, sharing MVP honors at the McDonald's game with Jahlil Okafor. He, and an improved Joel Berry, can help lighten Paige's workload and create a better flowing offense.
2. Kentucky: Can Kentucky replace 7 key contributors?
We all know Kentucky brings in recruiting class after recruiting class, but losing your top seven scorers can hurt. Yes, the "Haitian Sensation" Labissiere is a very talented big and they got a solid Jamal Murray to reclassify into this freshmen class, but it will be tough to replace those seven with three top recruits and other serviceable replacements.
3. Maryland: Can Jaylen Brantley be the backup PG the Terps need?
When Melo Trimble had to head to the bench for rest, the Terps were in trouble last year in lacking a backup PG, which proved costly in their departure from the tournament. Brantley comes in as a 21-year-old JuCo recruit that may be the most key addition to this team and that's including Rasheed Sulaimon, who will need to take over for Dez Wells, and Diamond Stone, who gives the Terps a true impact center. If Brantley can give this team ample minutes, you can easily see them in Houston.
4. Kansas:Can Cheick Diallo get cleared in time?
Like what Kentucky fans were fretting about over Labissiere, Kansas still has to worry about their prized recruit Cheick Diallo becoming eligible in time. If he does, Perry Ellis can stay at his natural PF and Landen Lucas becomes the backup, creating a lot of depth primed for a postseason run. If not, they may be forced to use Ellis at center at times and could create some low-post problems.
5. Duke: Can Coach K embrace the "One and Done" philosophy?
A school renowned for the three and four year players, Coach K will need to adapt to a new philosophy if he wants to find success. After picking up a national title, he must replace his four top scorers, three one-and-done players (Okafor, Tyus, Winslow), losing 57 of their 79.3 ppg from last year. The second biggest question could be on Grayson Allen, who entertained in the tournament, but will need to take the next step on a relatively young squad.
6. Virginia: Will depth be a concern to an offensive inept team?
Rarely do you see a team worst in their conference in scoring but best in points allowed, especially in something like the ACC. They lose Justin Anderson, their second-best scorer, replacing him with Marial Shayok, who averaged 3.8 ppg last year. Looking at the bench, their highest producer is Evan Nolte with 3.1 ppg. Yes, their defense is elite, but if they come across a team that comes out hot, they can be in trouble if they fall behind.
7. Iowa State: Can Steve Prohm take over where Hoiberg left off?
Hoiberg sent the Cyclones to four-straight tourneys for the first time in school history before departing to the Bulls. New coach Steve Prohm does inherit one of the most versatile players in the country in Georges Niang however. Three other double-digit point scorers, along with key transfers Deonte Burton and Hallice Cooke, will look to make Prohm's transition much easier.
8. Oklahoma: Who starts next to Ryan Spangler?
Oklahoma has their other four starting spots set with Woodard, Cousins, Hield and Spangler, but with Tashawn Thomas graduated, there's an empty spot in the post next to Spangler. Khadeem Lattin is a high-energy guy but is he starter ready? Akolda Manyang could transition Spangler to PF, but he has been injured since coming to OU. The likeliest option is going small and using freshman scorer Rashard Odomes, but he is 6'6" and only 200 lbs. With four other solid starters, they have the ability to ease into the transition.
9. Gonzaga: Where does the guard play come from?
It is apparent Gonzaga has the size in Domantas Sabonis, Przemek Karnowski and even Kyle Wiltjer at SF, but the guard play will be an issue with the loss of their three best guards. Josh Perkins, who played in 5 games last year before breaking his jaw, seems in line to take over for Pangos, but the depth at PG and everything at SG is a question mark.
10. Wichita State: Can Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker do enough to lead this team?
Gregg Marshall must be looking for a specific job because he has stayed pat with the Shockers despite numerous offers. This year may be his toughest challenge though. Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker are one of the best backcourts in the nation, but outside of those two lay the problems. Transfers Anton Grady and Conner Frankamp will need to provide significant minutes to help cover the gap.
11. Villanova: Can Daniel Ochefu take the next step?
The guard play will be strong for Villanova with true frosh Jalen Brunson, Ryan Arcidiacono and Josh Hart, but if center Daniel Ochefu can take one more step, this team can be dangerous come March. Ochefu at 6'11" and 245 lbs. could dominate lesser and smaller opponents but struggled against size, especially in their loss to N.C. State in the tourney. If he can learn to better utilize his size, they can be dangerous.
12. Arizona: Will Parker Jackson-Cartwright be the next top PG at Arizona?
Arizona has been lucky to have two solid point guards recently in Nick Johnson and T.J. McConnell. The task is now on Parker's shoulders, but with a slew of scorers in Gabe York, Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier and key bigs in Ryan Anderson and Kaleb Tarczewski, just playing smart will be asked of Parker to send Arizona to a deep March run.
13. Michigan State: Can Eron Harris be the second scorer for the Spartans?
Everyone knows Denzel Valentine is the star of this team, but with the departures of Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, the Spartans are in desperate need of a second scorer to take some of the pressure off Valentine. Insert West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, who averaged 17.2 ppg and shot 42% from 3 in his last year for the Mountaineers. That will be needed on a team lacking another double-digit scorer outside of Valentine.
14. Cal: Can the two freshmen take the Bears deep?
Cuonzo has walked into a gold mine in his second year at Cal since being let go by Tennessee. Three big returnees in Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Matthews and Jabari Bird (once a top recruit) are joined by elite freshman Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, who fit in perfectly in the hole in the low-post the Bears had coming into the season. Brown and Rabb were both top-10 recruits in the 2015 class and join those three upperclassmen to form possibly the best starting five in the country. If those two can transition their game to the next level, the Bears can be dangerous.
1. North Carolina: Can Justin Jackson take the next step?
North Carolina ran into a problem when they were caught relying too much on Marcus Paige to be the primary ball-handler and top perimeter scorer. Insert Justin Jackson, an often timid freshman who was known to be a scorer, sharing MVP honors at the McDonald's game with Jahlil Okafor. He, and an improved Joel Berry, can help lighten Paige's workload and create a better flowing offense.
2. Kentucky: Can Kentucky replace 7 key contributors?
We all know Kentucky brings in recruiting class after recruiting class, but losing your top seven scorers can hurt. Yes, the "Haitian Sensation" Labissiere is a very talented big and they got a solid Jamal Murray to reclassify into this freshmen class, but it will be tough to replace those seven with three top recruits and other serviceable replacements.
3. Maryland: Can Jaylen Brantley be the backup PG the Terps need?
When Melo Trimble had to head to the bench for rest, the Terps were in trouble last year in lacking a backup PG, which proved costly in their departure from the tournament. Brantley comes in as a 21-year-old JuCo recruit that may be the most key addition to this team and that's including Rasheed Sulaimon, who will need to take over for Dez Wells, and Diamond Stone, who gives the Terps a true impact center. If Brantley can give this team ample minutes, you can easily see them in Houston.
4. Kansas:Can Cheick Diallo get cleared in time?
Like what Kentucky fans were fretting about over Labissiere, Kansas still has to worry about their prized recruit Cheick Diallo becoming eligible in time. If he does, Perry Ellis can stay at his natural PF and Landen Lucas becomes the backup, creating a lot of depth primed for a postseason run. If not, they may be forced to use Ellis at center at times and could create some low-post problems.
5. Duke: Can Coach K embrace the "One and Done" philosophy?
A school renowned for the three and four year players, Coach K will need to adapt to a new philosophy if he wants to find success. After picking up a national title, he must replace his four top scorers, three one-and-done players (Okafor, Tyus, Winslow), losing 57 of their 79.3 ppg from last year. The second biggest question could be on Grayson Allen, who entertained in the tournament, but will need to take the next step on a relatively young squad.
6. Virginia: Will depth be a concern to an offensive inept team?
Rarely do you see a team worst in their conference in scoring but best in points allowed, especially in something like the ACC. They lose Justin Anderson, their second-best scorer, replacing him with Marial Shayok, who averaged 3.8 ppg last year. Looking at the bench, their highest producer is Evan Nolte with 3.1 ppg. Yes, their defense is elite, but if they come across a team that comes out hot, they can be in trouble if they fall behind.
7. Iowa State: Can Steve Prohm take over where Hoiberg left off?
Hoiberg sent the Cyclones to four-straight tourneys for the first time in school history before departing to the Bulls. New coach Steve Prohm does inherit one of the most versatile players in the country in Georges Niang however. Three other double-digit point scorers, along with key transfers Deonte Burton and Hallice Cooke, will look to make Prohm's transition much easier.
8. Oklahoma: Who starts next to Ryan Spangler?
Oklahoma has their other four starting spots set with Woodard, Cousins, Hield and Spangler, but with Tashawn Thomas graduated, there's an empty spot in the post next to Spangler. Khadeem Lattin is a high-energy guy but is he starter ready? Akolda Manyang could transition Spangler to PF, but he has been injured since coming to OU. The likeliest option is going small and using freshman scorer Rashard Odomes, but he is 6'6" and only 200 lbs. With four other solid starters, they have the ability to ease into the transition.
9. Gonzaga: Where does the guard play come from?
It is apparent Gonzaga has the size in Domantas Sabonis, Przemek Karnowski and even Kyle Wiltjer at SF, but the guard play will be an issue with the loss of their three best guards. Josh Perkins, who played in 5 games last year before breaking his jaw, seems in line to take over for Pangos, but the depth at PG and everything at SG is a question mark.
10. Wichita State: Can Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker do enough to lead this team?
Gregg Marshall must be looking for a specific job because he has stayed pat with the Shockers despite numerous offers. This year may be his toughest challenge though. Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker are one of the best backcourts in the nation, but outside of those two lay the problems. Transfers Anton Grady and Conner Frankamp will need to provide significant minutes to help cover the gap.
11. Villanova: Can Daniel Ochefu take the next step?
The guard play will be strong for Villanova with true frosh Jalen Brunson, Ryan Arcidiacono and Josh Hart, but if center Daniel Ochefu can take one more step, this team can be dangerous come March. Ochefu at 6'11" and 245 lbs. could dominate lesser and smaller opponents but struggled against size, especially in their loss to N.C. State in the tourney. If he can learn to better utilize his size, they can be dangerous.
12. Arizona: Will Parker Jackson-Cartwright be the next top PG at Arizona?
Arizona has been lucky to have two solid point guards recently in Nick Johnson and T.J. McConnell. The task is now on Parker's shoulders, but with a slew of scorers in Gabe York, Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier and key bigs in Ryan Anderson and Kaleb Tarczewski, just playing smart will be asked of Parker to send Arizona to a deep March run.
13. Michigan State: Can Eron Harris be the second scorer for the Spartans?
Everyone knows Denzel Valentine is the star of this team, but with the departures of Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, the Spartans are in desperate need of a second scorer to take some of the pressure off Valentine. Insert West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, who averaged 17.2 ppg and shot 42% from 3 in his last year for the Mountaineers. That will be needed on a team lacking another double-digit scorer outside of Valentine.
14. Cal: Can the two freshmen take the Bears deep?
Cuonzo has walked into a gold mine in his second year at Cal since being let go by Tennessee. Three big returnees in Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Matthews and Jabari Bird (once a top recruit) are joined by elite freshman Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, who fit in perfectly in the hole in the low-post the Bears had coming into the season. Brown and Rabb were both top-10 recruits in the 2015 class and join those three upperclassmen to form possibly the best starting five in the country. If those two can transition their game to the next level, the Bears can be dangerous.
7
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:16 pm to GeauxAggie972
15. Indiana: Can Thomas Bryant provide the big Indiana desperately needs?
The lack of height spelled the postseason doom for the Hoosiers last year and a one-and-done exit at the hands of Wichita State. Insert Thomas Bryant, a top-20 6'10" recruit that will be needed in the low-post to compliment Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon Jr. and Troy Williams. The lack of depth down low may still wind up hurting them, but the late addition of Bryant was huge for the Hoosiers chances at a deep March run.
16. Utah: Can Jakob Poetl do enough?
The Utes have talent all around and solid depth on the squad, but the focus will be on Poetl. With the loss of Delon Wright, the Utes will need a star if they want to make a tourney run and that will likely be on the shoulders of the big center. There's not many like him in college basketball, so it will be on him to take the next step and dominate if they want to be a threat later on.
17. Wisconsin: Can Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig become leaders?
When you lose two guys like Sam Dekker and Frank Kamisnky, who both felt like they had been at Wisconsin for a decade, it becomes a tough task to replace guys like them. That task will be on Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig. Hayes, a skilled combo forward and probably the biggest typographer lover in the country, will need to take on that role, while Koenig will be asked to shoot the ball more, something he can do with his 40% three-point shooting. With a lack of depth and a subpar recruiting class, it will be on them if they want to see March postseason.
18. Vanderbilt: Who will step up to help Damian Jones?
While he may not be the top center in the SEC, Damian Jones should hear his name called early next year when he likely enters the NBA Draft. At 7' and solid athleticism, Williams is the focal point for the Commodores, but someone else will need to help take the brunt of the work. Riley Lachance will be the first option at that spot, and can play both guard spots. He will need to step up and help with the three-point shooting to spread the court for Jones if they want to contend in March.
19. Notre Dame: Can Auguste and Jackson be Connaughton and Grant?
The Fighting Irish may have had one of the most entertaining tournament teams last year, but they lose two key figures from that run in Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton. Notre Dame does return Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste, who will be relied upon to lead this team back to the tournament. Auguste, the athletic big, can be a solid rim protector and start the running Notre Dame loves to do and will need to continue that if they want any defensive presence.
20. UConn: Can transfers Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller turn this team back around?
A year after winning the national title, UConn was one and done in the NIT and losing their starting PG for the second-straight year in Ryan Boatright. Sterling Gibbs will take over the reigns after scoring 16.3 ppg at Seton Hall last year. Shonn Miller gives a solid frontcourt mate for the shot-blocking Amida Brimah and gives the Huskies a solid starting five, joining Rodney Purvis (who will need to take the next step) and Daniel Hamilton. It will rely on those two to give them a full-rounded team.
21. LSU: Who will provide the low-post depth?
Pretty much everyone can recognize Ben Simmons will likely be the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, barring something unforeseen. His skillset is one of the best to come around since LeBron was picked by the Cavs. The depth at guard is solid for LSU with the additions of Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson. Unfortunately, the 6'9" Simmons can only play one down-low position, leaving a big hole at the other. Craig Victor isn't available until December, leaving Darcy Malone and Elbert Robinson to man the center spot for the time being. It can become a problem the later the season goes on if someone doesn't step up.
22. Baylor: Can King McClure and Wendell Mitchell spread the offense?
Baylor always seems to find length in the frontcourt to help with Drew's 2-3 defense. That remains true with Taurean Prince, Johnathan Motley and Rico Gathers. That helps on offense as well in the low post, but Baylor has found success on offense when they have three-point shooters to spread out the court. Insert two top-scoring freshmen from Texas in McClure and Mitchell. They can both score in bunches as evidenced by their high school numbers, but they will need to be able to translate that at the next level if Baylor wants to have a solid offense.
23. Purdue: Can Caleb Swanigan and A.J. Hammons be the most imposing low-post duo?
Matt Painter was given a gift when Caleb Swanigan spurned Michigan State and committed to Purdue, giving the Boilermakers at least the biggest low-post duo in the Big Ten, teaming him with A.J. Hammons. Swanigan's passing ability from the low-post can help him co-exist with the game of Hammons. If those two can gel, Purdue can be in contention to win the conference.
24. Butler: Where does the rebounding come from?
Butler has two solid backcourt players in Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones, a solid-passing transfer PG in Tyler Lewis from N.C. State, but the Bulldogs lack any size in the low-post. Their center, Andrew Chrabascz, is only 6'7" and averaged 3.6 rpg last year. Their rebounding will have to improve if they want to do anything in the tourney.
25. Michigan: Do the Wolverines have any low-post depth?
Michigan is full of guard play with Derrick Walton Jr., Caris LeVert, Zak Irvin and Spike Albrecht. Unfortunately, there are two parts to every team. Ricky Doyle played well in surprising play time but will need to take the next step in order to help with the lack of low-post players.
Other teams of note:
Oregon: Can Tyler Dorsey replace Joseph Young?
Tyler Dorsey averaged 34 ppg in his senior year of high school, and what is Arizona's loss is Oregon's gain when he switched his commitment to the Ducks. He will take over the role left by Joseph Young, who scored 20.7 ppg in his last year for Oregon. They will need that scoring if they want to make their presence felt in the Pac-12 and compete in March.
Texas A&M: Can their freshmen class add enough?
(No, this is not because I'm just an Aggie grad) Billy Kennedy brings in his best recruiting class since arriving in College Station, adding two key bigs in Tyler Davis and Elijah Thomas and guards Admon Gilder and D.J. Hogg to team up with key returnees Danuel House, Alex Caruso and Jalen Jones. If the freshmen can add significant contributions to a veteran-laden squad, the Aggies could find themselves playing in March.
The lack of height spelled the postseason doom for the Hoosiers last year and a one-and-done exit at the hands of Wichita State. Insert Thomas Bryant, a top-20 6'10" recruit that will be needed in the low-post to compliment Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon Jr. and Troy Williams. The lack of depth down low may still wind up hurting them, but the late addition of Bryant was huge for the Hoosiers chances at a deep March run.
16. Utah: Can Jakob Poetl do enough?
The Utes have talent all around and solid depth on the squad, but the focus will be on Poetl. With the loss of Delon Wright, the Utes will need a star if they want to make a tourney run and that will likely be on the shoulders of the big center. There's not many like him in college basketball, so it will be on him to take the next step and dominate if they want to be a threat later on.
17. Wisconsin: Can Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig become leaders?
When you lose two guys like Sam Dekker and Frank Kamisnky, who both felt like they had been at Wisconsin for a decade, it becomes a tough task to replace guys like them. That task will be on Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig. Hayes, a skilled combo forward and probably the biggest typographer lover in the country, will need to take on that role, while Koenig will be asked to shoot the ball more, something he can do with his 40% three-point shooting. With a lack of depth and a subpar recruiting class, it will be on them if they want to see March postseason.
18. Vanderbilt: Who will step up to help Damian Jones?
While he may not be the top center in the SEC, Damian Jones should hear his name called early next year when he likely enters the NBA Draft. At 7' and solid athleticism, Williams is the focal point for the Commodores, but someone else will need to help take the brunt of the work. Riley Lachance will be the first option at that spot, and can play both guard spots. He will need to step up and help with the three-point shooting to spread the court for Jones if they want to contend in March.
19. Notre Dame: Can Auguste and Jackson be Connaughton and Grant?
The Fighting Irish may have had one of the most entertaining tournament teams last year, but they lose two key figures from that run in Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton. Notre Dame does return Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste, who will be relied upon to lead this team back to the tournament. Auguste, the athletic big, can be a solid rim protector and start the running Notre Dame loves to do and will need to continue that if they want any defensive presence.
20. UConn: Can transfers Sterling Gibbs and Shonn Miller turn this team back around?
A year after winning the national title, UConn was one and done in the NIT and losing their starting PG for the second-straight year in Ryan Boatright. Sterling Gibbs will take over the reigns after scoring 16.3 ppg at Seton Hall last year. Shonn Miller gives a solid frontcourt mate for the shot-blocking Amida Brimah and gives the Huskies a solid starting five, joining Rodney Purvis (who will need to take the next step) and Daniel Hamilton. It will rely on those two to give them a full-rounded team.
21. LSU: Who will provide the low-post depth?
Pretty much everyone can recognize Ben Simmons will likely be the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, barring something unforeseen. His skillset is one of the best to come around since LeBron was picked by the Cavs. The depth at guard is solid for LSU with the additions of Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson. Unfortunately, the 6'9" Simmons can only play one down-low position, leaving a big hole at the other. Craig Victor isn't available until December, leaving Darcy Malone and Elbert Robinson to man the center spot for the time being. It can become a problem the later the season goes on if someone doesn't step up.
22. Baylor: Can King McClure and Wendell Mitchell spread the offense?
Baylor always seems to find length in the frontcourt to help with Drew's 2-3 defense. That remains true with Taurean Prince, Johnathan Motley and Rico Gathers. That helps on offense as well in the low post, but Baylor has found success on offense when they have three-point shooters to spread out the court. Insert two top-scoring freshmen from Texas in McClure and Mitchell. They can both score in bunches as evidenced by their high school numbers, but they will need to be able to translate that at the next level if Baylor wants to have a solid offense.
23. Purdue: Can Caleb Swanigan and A.J. Hammons be the most imposing low-post duo?
Matt Painter was given a gift when Caleb Swanigan spurned Michigan State and committed to Purdue, giving the Boilermakers at least the biggest low-post duo in the Big Ten, teaming him with A.J. Hammons. Swanigan's passing ability from the low-post can help him co-exist with the game of Hammons. If those two can gel, Purdue can be in contention to win the conference.
24. Butler: Where does the rebounding come from?
Butler has two solid backcourt players in Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones, a solid-passing transfer PG in Tyler Lewis from N.C. State, but the Bulldogs lack any size in the low-post. Their center, Andrew Chrabascz, is only 6'7" and averaged 3.6 rpg last year. Their rebounding will have to improve if they want to do anything in the tourney.
25. Michigan: Do the Wolverines have any low-post depth?
Michigan is full of guard play with Derrick Walton Jr., Caris LeVert, Zak Irvin and Spike Albrecht. Unfortunately, there are two parts to every team. Ricky Doyle played well in surprising play time but will need to take the next step in order to help with the lack of low-post players.
Other teams of note:
Oregon: Can Tyler Dorsey replace Joseph Young?
Tyler Dorsey averaged 34 ppg in his senior year of high school, and what is Arizona's loss is Oregon's gain when he switched his commitment to the Ducks. He will take over the role left by Joseph Young, who scored 20.7 ppg in his last year for Oregon. They will need that scoring if they want to make their presence felt in the Pac-12 and compete in March.
Texas A&M: Can their freshmen class add enough?
(No, this is not because I'm just an Aggie grad) Billy Kennedy brings in his best recruiting class since arriving in College Station, adding two key bigs in Tyler Davis and Elijah Thomas and guards Admon Gilder and D.J. Hogg to team up with key returnees Danuel House, Alex Caruso and Jalen Jones. If the freshmen can add significant contributions to a veteran-laden squad, the Aggies could find themselves playing in March.
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:16 pm to GeauxAggie972
*Reserved for possible future use*
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:19 pm to GeauxAggie972
nice 
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:27 pm to BayouBengals03
Love and Basketball starring Aaron Epps
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:38 pm to GeauxAggie972
quote:
Can Kentucky replace 7 key contributors?
Come up with something original geez
Should be most dribble drive heavy team of Cal's UK career with them likely starting 3 PG's, Poythress, and Skal.
quote:
Pretty much everyone can recognize Ben Simmons will likely be the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, barring something unforeseen.
I mean it wouldn't really be unforeseen. DraftExpress already has Skal at #1.
This post was edited on 11/8/15 at 10:40 pm
Posted on 11/8/15 at 10:45 pm to GeauxAggie972
a&m has the second best roster in the SEC and under normal circumstances, is exactly what you want to make a tournament run with. sadly it has a coach only rivaled by johnny jones
This post was edited on 11/8/15 at 10:47 pm
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:14 pm to WestCoastAg
Vandy will probably be the most fun team to watch in the league.
Thankfully it feels like a lot of teams are going to be fun to watch regardless of their current talent like Bama and Auburn transitioning into fast pace teams.
But then you have Howland is going to turn MSU into the most boring team in the league.
Thankfully it feels like a lot of teams are going to be fun to watch regardless of their current talent like Bama and Auburn transitioning into fast pace teams.
But then you have Howland is going to turn MSU into the most boring team in the league.
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:22 pm to GeauxAggie972
quote:
GeauxAggie972
quote:
21. LSU: Who will provide the low-post depth?
Not bad from Elbert Friday night. 6 points, 5 boards (4off) in 12 minutes.
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:25 pm to RTR America
quote:and yet he is somehow going to win games in spite of it. will easily be the most frustrating team to play against going forward. ben made a team with kevin love and russell westbrook boring
But then you have Howland is going to turn MSU into the most boring team in the league.
he is everything billy kennedy wants to be
This post was edited on 11/8/15 at 11:26 pm
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:30 pm to GeauxAggie972
Florida will return to the NCAA tournament this year as a 9 seed.
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:33 pm to RTR America
Well it is the top question for each team so the Kentucky one is a little obvious since Skal got cleared
And I guess it depends on the team that gets the top pick but I think Ben would be the top pick for most teams
And I guess it depends on the team that gets the top pick but I think Ben would be the top pick for most teams
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:36 pm to GeauxAggie972
ALot of star power in the SEC this year, big named coaches and players.
I think SC should be a dark horse to finish top 4 in the sec
I think SC should be a dark horse to finish top 4 in the sec
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:40 pm to Pnels08
quote:thats the difference this year. kentucky isnt the only one with big time players. LSU has simmons, a&m has house, MSU has newman, vandy has jones. i said it a few weeks ago on the rant but this is going to be a very good year for SEC basketball
big named coaches and players.
Posted on 11/8/15 at 11:43 pm to WestCoastAg
This might be the best the conference has been in a long time.
I think UK lsu A&M and Vandy all have top 17 potential. those four and maybe 2 other can get in the dance (SC,AU,MSU)
I think UK lsu A&M and Vandy all have top 17 potential. those four and maybe 2 other can get in the dance (SC,AU,MSU)
Posted on 11/9/15 at 7:34 am to RTR America
quote:
But then you have Howland is going to turn MSU into the most boring team in the league.
Malik Newman is really going to regret falling for that charade. Someone should have shown him highlights of Westbrook in the NBA and then show him UCLA game footage from back then
Posted on 11/9/15 at 8:40 am to GeauxAggie972
quote:
With a lack of depth and a subpar recruiting class, it will be on them if they want to see March postseason.
(1) Bo Ryan teams rarely go more than seven or eight deep. This one is no different. Lack of depth isn't the problem.
(2) Did Wisconsin miss out on in-state prospects such as Diamond Stone and Henry Ellenson? Sure, but that does not diminish the fact that many around the Wisconsin program consider the 2015 class to be Bo Ryan's best in terms of immediate impact and potential.
(3) Bo Ryan has never missed an NCAAT. The Badgers have a difficult non-conference slate, and will likely see some growing pains, but with two of the better players in the B1G, it would be very surprising not to see them in the Tournament.
(4) The difficulty lies in inexperience, not lack of depth or a sub-par recruiting class.
This post was edited on 11/9/15 at 9:57 am
Posted on 11/9/15 at 8:45 am to GeauxAggie972
quote:
23. Purdue: Can Caleb Swanigan and A.J. Hammons be the most imposing low-post duo?
You're forgetting Isaac Haas, a sophomore that averaged eight points and four rebounds playing under 15 minutes/game last season.
Matt Painter has three formidable pieces in the front court. Could be quite the trio.
Posted on 11/9/15 at 8:52 am to GeauxAggie972
quote:
2. Kentucky: Can Kentucky replace 7 key contributors? We all know Kentucky brings in recruiting class after recruiting class, but losing your top seven scorers can hurt. Yes, the "Haitian Sensation" Labissiere is a very talented big and they got a solid Jamal Murray to reclassify into this freshmen class, but it will be tough to replace those seven with three top recruits and other serviceable replacements
They obviously won't have the depth of last season (no more platoons), but they may have a better shooting team than last season. They're going to be your more prototypical Cal team with guards slashing to the basket. And if they're really going to push the emphasis on the hand check on the perimeter this season (and from the exhibitions it seemed like they will) then that'll definitely roll in their favor. There won't be any talk of an undefeated season, but that could result in a better result in March/April.
That all said, I think the better question would've been can Alex Poythress stay healthy enough to be the veteran influence to carry a young squad with Tyler Ulis?
This post was edited on 11/9/15 at 9:26 am
Posted on 11/9/15 at 12:57 pm to GeauxAggie972
quote:
Can Justin Jackson take the next step?
North Carolina ran into a problem when they were caught relying too much on Marcus Paige to be the primary ball-handler and top perimeter scorer. Insert Justin Jackson, an often timid freshman who was known to be a scorer, sharing MVP honors at the McDonald's game with Jahlil Okafor. He, and an improved Joel Berry, can help lighten Paige's workload and create a better flowing offense.
GREAT topic. People love Paige, too much. Im a bit of a hater. I mean, he is really good, but lemme tell you, this Justin Jackson keep seems like the best talent on their team. They will need him to become a force every night to stay a top team, because I dont think Paige can sustain it alone, especially if he doesnt improve from last year.
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