2016-2017 Season

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Actually looking at our remaining games we are more talented then any team on it.

 

[justinhub2003]

I think McMurray announced he's transferring.

Damn your right. Just read that as well.
USF losing mcMurray
Smu losing harry froling

 

[waterhead]

Actually looking at our remaining games we are more talented then any team on it.

Obviously Xavier is a concern. Based on KenPom...SMU looks solid at 35. Houston is 49th. The next best AAC team is UConn at 74. Certainly nothing to be scared about.

UC ranked 18. We have no business losing to more than a couple teams ranked 74 or lower... even on the road. I would expect to take at least one of the toughest 3 games above. That would put us at 25-6.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Obviously Xavier is a concern. Based on KenPom...SMU looks solid at 35. Houston is 49th. The next best AAC team is UConn at 74. Certainly nothing to be scared about.

UC ranked 18. We have no business losing to more than a couple teams ranked 74 or lower... even on the road. I would expect to take at least one of the toughest 3 games above. That would put us at 25-6.

Sound logic!

 

[spinal070508]

It's obvious that I expect the record to be measurably better than spinal's prediction. That is my prediction and therefore I am putting myself out there. Do you write everyone's prediction down? Is this why you need to know my number? And I'm not really going to come back in March just to say Spinal was wrong. Gimme a brake, Jake. Cut me some slack, Jac.

lets set the over/under at 7.5 losses and put $20 on it. I'm cheap. You in?

 

[#BearcatNation]

lets set the over/under at 7.5 losses and put $20 on it. I'm cheap. You in?

If we're talking strictly regular season, I'd throw $200 on under 7.5 losses right now. And I hate betting.

 

[Jon Rycek]

There's an old adage in gambling that if you pick 75% winners, the spread becomes irrelevant and you'll make money. That includes even the biggest spreads. I think that suggests that the favorite doesn't win 3 out of 4 games. So for us to win 85%+, when you figure that despite being the favorite, it will rarely be by double digits, seems extremely difficult to me.

Can't say I've ever heard that old adage, or that I really even understand it lol. And although it's been against worse teams cats are 8-0 in favored games so far. I'm guessing at least a few of our games we will be double digit favorites. Probably 7-8 of them, and probably close to ten in a few others. So I'd say in the games of us being a 5 pt favorite to maybe a 2-3pt underdog, we'd have to win 7/10. Is that really that hard?

 

[Jon Rycek]

Best case 27-4....worst case 22-9. Optimistic split at 25-6... pessimistic split at 24-7.

I would say worst case would be 24-7. There's absolutely no way cats drop 6 conference games this year.

 

[Jon Rycek]

lets set the over/under at 7.5 losses and put $20 on it. I'm cheap. You in?

I'm all over this too, put me down for a two hundred on the under too.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Can't say I've ever heard that old adage, or that I really even understand it lol. And although it's been against worse teams cats are 8-0 in favored games so far. I'm guessing at least a few of our games we will be double digit favorites. Probably 7-8 of them, and probably close to ten in a few others. So I'd say in the games of us being a 5 pt favorite to maybe a 2-3pt underdog, we'd have to win 7/10. Is that really that hard?

I agree with your overall point, but we were favored by 2 vs. Rhode Island.

 

[spinal070508]

I'm all over this too, put me down for a two hundred on the under too.

Im too cheap to go above $20. And it was only for Union

I would like to see them keep it under 7 but I just see them dropping some games that they have no reason losing.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I would say worst case would be 24-7. There's absolutely no way cats drop 6 conference games this year.

There is one way they could, injuries

 

[spinal070508]

There is one way they could, injuries

If Washington gets in foul trouble a lot they could drop some unless Gary starts playing better. Can't rely on just Evans to carry the offense.

 

[waterhead]

If Washington gets in foul trouble a lot they could drop some unless Gary starts playing better. Can't rely on just Evans to carry the offense.

We are certainly a lot better with Washington in the game. However, Scott and Brooks are coming along nicely and we can play with 4 guards. Not optimal...but it's looking better for options when it happens...and it will. We will have to find a way!

 

[waterhead]

If Washington gets in foul trouble a lot they could drop some unless Gary starts playing better. Can't rely on just Evans to carry the offense.

Hopefully Washington has realized his importance on the court and plays smarter. He's a bright guy and seems coachable. Can't get baited or have dumb fouls. Those are both easily avoidable.

 

[spinal070508]

We are certainly a lot better with Washington in the game. However, Scott and Brooks are coming along nicely and we can play with 4 guards. Not optimal...but it's looking better for options when it happens...and it will. We will have to find a way!

Scott, Brooks and Cumberland have looked good against the cupcakes so far but they were non existent against the 3 good teams on the schedule. You cannot say a player is coming along nicely when they only play good against weak competition. They will be be better next year but this year Cumberland will be the only one that contributes any meaningfull minutes. Let them get through the first few conference games and the xu game then we can see if they are progressing.

 

[coachpipe]

Scott, Brooks and Cumberland have looked good against the cupcakes so far but they were non existent against the 3 good teams on the schedule. You cannot say a player is coming along nicely when they only play good against weak competition. They will be be better next year but this year Cumberland will be the only one that contributes any meaningfull minutes. Let them get through the first few conference games and the xu game then we can see if they are progressing.

Scott or Brooks are going to have to play meaningful minutes. Against Iowa St. and Butler Scott got 12 and 11 minutes. Id say that is meaningful. Washington goes HARD when he is in the game. He needs breaks. Any minute we get from Scott or Brooks is meaningful

 

[spinal070508]

Scott or Brooks are going to have to play meaningful minutes. Against Iowa St. and Butler Scott got 12 and 11 minutes. Id say that is meaningful. Washington goes HARD when he is in the game. He needs breaks. Any minute we get from Scott or Brooks is meaningful

By meaningfull minutes I meant points scored. They may be able to give Washington breathers but the offense will drop with them on the floor.

I want to see if Cumberland can keep up the hot shooting or if it was just a result of garbage competition.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Scott, Brooks and Cumberland have looked good against the cupcakes so far but they were non existent against the 3 good teams on the schedule. You cannot say a player is coming along nicely when they only play good against weak competition. They will be be better next year but this year Cumberland will be the only one that contributes any meaningfull minutes. Let them get through the first few conference games and the xu game then we can see if they are progressing.

While true, you have to cut them a little slack because a) they're freshmen, and b) when you get very limited minutes, it's hard to get into any rhythm. They haven't really gotten much chance to get involved in any big games. I was okay with them not playing much then, since they were still adjusting to D1 college basketball, but that's why you see them get a lot of playing time against the cupcakes: to adjust to the college game. You may see the 200+ RPI teams we play as cupcakes, but they're still wayyyy better than any high school teams they were playing against just last year. They need an adjustment period. I think they're currently getting seasoned and will be ready to go for the majority of conference play. Especially Cumberland.

 

[spinal070508]

While true, you have to cut them a little slack because a) they're freshmen, and b) when you get very limited minutes, it's hard to get into any rhythm. They haven't really gotten much chance to get involved in any big games. I was okay with them not playing much then, since they were still adjusting to D1 college basketball, but that's why you see them get a lot of playing time against the cupcakes: to adjust to the college game. You may see the 200+ RPI teams we play as cupcakes, but they're still wayyyy better than any high school teams they were playing against just last year. They need an adjustment period. I think they're currently getting seasoned and will be ready to go for the majority of conference play. Especially Cumberland.

Yes, the 200+ rpi teams are better than high school teams, but they are no where near as good as a Uconn, UH, SMU, Temple or Xavier. UCONN and temple have struggled this year but I see those being close hard fought games. I still think when conference play hits Cronin will go back to only playing his main guys.

Troy
Washington
Clark
Johnson
Evans
Cumberland
Jennifer ( we'll see if he gets to play after the non conference this year or if Mick buries him on the bench again)

Scott and Brooks will get a few minutes per game and somehow Quadri will find his way into the game. I'm just not seeing this improved depth that some people are seeing. Having more players at certain positions doesn't always qualify as "quality" depth. It's just filler depth.