Expectations for 2015-16

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I had predicted us at 27-4 towards the end of last year. That can still happen, but the schedule is looking tough. We're going to have 10 conference games against Top 75ish RPI teams (if not better). Plus with Mick beefing up the non-con, we're going to end up playing one of the harder schedules in the country. So for RPI and seeding purposes, we may not need to run up a record that good to get a Top 4 seed. I think this is the year where the committee starts to show some respect for the AAC.
 
The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year
 
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I had predicted us at 27-4 towards the end of last year. That can still happen, but the schedule is looking tough. We're going to have 10 conference games against Top 75ish RPI teams (if not better). Plus with Mick beefing up the non-con, we're going to end up playing one of the harder schedules in the country. So for RPI and seeding purposes, we may not need to run up a record that good to get a Top 4 seed. I think this is the year where the committee starts to show some respect for the AAC.

If we go 27-4 with our schedule, I'd have to imagine we'd be a top 2 seed.
 
The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year

That's exciting to hear! This year could be very special if we can get DeBerry in better shape and Ellis to bulk up.
 
What are the chances Ellis and Deberry get on the court at the same time? Is moore the next option at center?

I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question
 
The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year

That's good to hear. I hope these kids were inspired by the KY game (and others of course) concerning their own potential this year. They stuck with one of the best teams in college basketball in recent memory. That game (because it is the last thing they remember all off season) may have been one of the best things to happen to this program in a while. I think the kids saw something in themselves and gave them a good reason to work their tails off in the offseason. I think they are riding a wave of confidence and anxiousness to get back out there.
 
I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I still have around 15 games saved on my DVR. I re-watched the Purdue game and DeBerry was HUGE in that win. I'm still not sure how we won that game. OT was pretty ugly for both teams, and we were down 7 with less than a minute to go.
 
I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I want to see then both out there together too. That would be a tough defensive front.
 
I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I think Quadri could be an x factor for the Cats. He has a unique skill set for a big. He seemed a step behind in the transition to D1 - which is normal. A year of coaching, conditioning, experience, and confidence could lead to him making a nice contribution.
 
I heard coach rehfeldt mention a few days ago that Kevin Johnson has already gained 22 pounds of lean muscle. I found the pic on his Instagram page https://instagram.com/p/47mxUewjGz/.
For a 6'2'' guard (per espn) those are some huge gains for an offseason. He's going to bull this season.
-the boys are getting after it in the weight room
 
I heard coach rehfeldt mention a few days ago that Kevin Johnson has already gained 22 pounds of lean muscle. I found the pic on his Instagram page https://instagram.com/p/47mxUewjGz/.
For a 6'2'' guard (per espn) those are some huge gains for an offseason. He's going to bull this season.
-the boys are getting after it in the weight room

I really think the Cats are buying into this being a great season! From early reports I think we have at least 5 guys that are going to come into this season significantly stronger and more muscular with appropriate weight gain or loss. Ellis, Thomas, Scott, Johnson, Deberry...I am guessing Clark too. I hope Quadri catches that fever...but I haven't heard anything on him. Our bigs are going to be a real son of a beoch to deal with this year!!

I like to hear Johnson is working his butt off! He's not giving his job to Cobb without a fight...and that's only going to make us better. If we stay healthy (knock on wood) I am expecting a top 15+ team this year...with potential for an elite 8 or better. I can't wait!!
 
I heard coach rehfeldt mention a few days ago that Kevin Johnson has already gained 22 pounds of lean muscle. I found the pic on his Instagram page https://instagram.com/p/47mxUewjGz/.
For a 6'2'' guard (per espn) those are some huge gains for an offseason. He's going to bull this season.
-the boys are getting after it in the weight room

Thanks for the update. I like hearing that about KJ. He can be an x-factor. He has always had a good knack around the basket, so I love hearing how committed he is to becoming a better all-around player by getting stronger. As frustrating as he was at times last year, I don't feel like anyone doubts that he has a chance to be a double figure scorer in the 2nd half of his career. Plus him, Cobb and Caupain should all be above 80% FT shooters.
 
Thanks for the update. I like hearing that about KJ. He can be an x-factor. He has always had a good knack around the basket, so I love hearing how committed he is to becoming a better all-around player by getting stronger. As frustrating as he was at times last year, I don't feel like anyone doubts that he has a chance to be a double figure scorer in the 2nd half of his career. Plus him, Cobb and Caupain should all be above 80% FT shooters.

Man that is so great to hear! Everyone seems to be buying in on this team. Having guys like SK put in 5 years of hard work will do that to the younger guys under him, and in turn they will show the incoming class what it takes to be successful.

I enjoyed watching and being a loyal fan through the lengthy rebuilding days, but it was tough. John Williamson, Marvin Gentry, Jamual Warren and Marcus Sikes coming in trying to compete in the Big East. They did a great job, but now our guys are taking it to another level. Let's win it all this year!
 
Thanks for the update. I like hearing that about KJ. He can be an x-factor. He has always had a good knack around the basket, so I love hearing how committed he is to becoming a better all-around player by getting stronger. As frustrating as he was at times last year, I don't feel like anyone doubts that he has a chance to be a double figure scorer in the 2nd half of his career. Plus him, Cobb and Caupain should all be above 80% FT shooters.

I agree. People have been tough on kj but no doubt he will have a very successful final two years as a bearcat. He's putting in his time...and may have a Jaquan Parker type career when it's all said and done. He's strong athletic and fast and will be a very good defensive player and if he puts in the work on the offensive side he will be very good. I agree he could be the an x-factor off the bench (hopefully he finds a consistent jumper and has an improved dribble). We have always been a tough program under Cronin with guys like Rashard bishop and Justin Jackson... But I feel like there has been an added importance on the weight room this year( I'm remember Huggins teams lived in the weight room and they were scary teams). This team has a chance to do big things and I think they are all buying in and will all have that killer mentality with an edge to them this season. They also seem like a very tight group which is really cool. I'm so excited for this season!
 
Jon Rothstein
‏@JonRothstein
Preseason AAC Power Rankings: SMU, UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tulsa, Houston, Temple, South Florida, Central Florida, Tulane, ECU.

A little surprised to see UCONN ahead of us.

Thoughts?
 
Jon Rothstein
‏@JonRothstein
Preseason AAC Power Rankings: SMU, UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tulsa, Houston, Temple, South Florida, Central Florida, Tulane, ECU.

A little surprised to see UCONN ahead of us.

Thoughts?

I think we are in Tier 1 with SMU and UConn. Then there is a dropoff before Tulsa, Temple and Memphis.
 
Jon Rothstein
‏@JonRothstein
Preseason AAC Power Rankings: SMU, UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Tulsa, Houston, Temple, South Florida, Central Florida, Tulane, ECU.

A little surprised to see UCONN ahead of us.

Thoughts?

UConn will be talented, but I have them 3rd. And I highly doubt Memphis will finish ahead of Tulsa. Tulsa was much better than Memphis last year and literally returns their entire roster. Memphis just lost their best player, and too late in the offseason for a decent backup plan. I like Rothstein, but I really have to question his research and/or opinion having Memphis ahead of Tulsa.
 
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