Hello everybody. First time poster, long time lurker. My post is more about the state of the program overall. As far as thsi year's teams concerned, this game will carry over into any additional games they play this season. Thus, they will lose their first round Big Ten(unless they play Indiana)and lose early in the NIT. I honeslty think this team is really fragile, and this was a "killshot" loss. Since Tubby took over last year with not much to work with, I've been watching the last two season's patiently, just looking for little signs of improvement. I took a very level-headed approach to these teams, not getting to high or two low.
However, next season, I am taking a very different approach. My thoughts;
I think at least 1 returning player will transfer before next season. It will either be Hoff or Nolan. I know some of you may rip me for this prediction, but with the incoming talent and their diminished roles recently I can't see much PT for them next season. He is my top 10next season;
White
Williams
Mwabake
Johnson
Sampson
Iverson
Carter
Joseph
Westrook
Cobbs
Nolen may have a chance to be the backup PG to Jospeh(yes, he will be the starting PG next season), unless Cobbs is as good as some say he is. Then Nolen, Bostick, and Hoff will fight for the 11th, 12th, & 13th spots. I think the most logical choice for a transfer is Hoff. I honestly don't see how he will get any pt, under almost any scenario. So, I predict 1, if not both will leave.
My expectations for next season;
Big Ten record 12-6
Non-Conference, 1 or 0 losses
Year-end rank, around 15th
Anything less than that and I will be VERY critical of coach Smith, and start to question his ability to win big here. Next season you will be able to say this is his team, as even the leftovers from Monson will have three seasons under Tubby's system. If he doesn't win big next season, then it will take him longer here than anywhere else he's been. I will begin to think he might not win much here at all, or at least not much more than Monson did. He will have two ranked recruiting classes on the court, and unlike football, it shouldn't take 5-6 years to see what he is capable of. I've completely given coach Smith a pass, because he needed better players. Next year he will have plenty of talent, and anything less than my expectations will leave me questioning if Smith can be the guy fro this program.
However, next season, I am taking a very different approach. My thoughts;
I think at least 1 returning player will transfer before next season. It will either be Hoff or Nolan. I know some of you may rip me for this prediction, but with the incoming talent and their diminished roles recently I can't see much PT for them next season. He is my top 10next season;
White
Williams
Mwabake
Johnson
Sampson
Iverson
Carter
Joseph
Westrook
Cobbs
Nolen may have a chance to be the backup PG to Jospeh(yes, he will be the starting PG next season), unless Cobbs is as good as some say he is. Then Nolen, Bostick, and Hoff will fight for the 11th, 12th, & 13th spots. I think the most logical choice for a transfer is Hoff. I honestly don't see how he will get any pt, under almost any scenario. So, I predict 1, if not both will leave.
My expectations for next season;
Big Ten record 12-6
Non-Conference, 1 or 0 losses
Year-end rank, around 15th
Anything less than that and I will be VERY critical of coach Smith, and start to question his ability to win big here. Next season you will be able to say this is his team, as even the leftovers from Monson will have three seasons under Tubby's system. If he doesn't win big next season, then it will take him longer here than anywhere else he's been. I will begin to think he might not win much here at all, or at least not much more than Monson did. He will have two ranked recruiting classes on the court, and unlike football, it shouldn't take 5-6 years to see what he is capable of. I've completely given coach Smith a pass, because he needed better players. Next year he will have plenty of talent, and anything less than my expectations will leave me questioning if Smith can be the guy fro this program.