The next year thread

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From the Barn

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Please keep this free of whining and teeth gnashing about this year's team.

Call me a homer, an eternal optimist (spring does eventually come), or whatever else you want.

I'll be a Gopher no matter what, including this year, next year, and every other year after that. So, this year didn't turn out as we had hoped (even if we someone make it to the dance). These things happen.

I'm already looking forward to next year.

We'll have a very experienced front line. I'm interested in seeing just how well Oto can shoot from the outside. Having a 6'8'' reliable outside shooter should be pretty fun weapon to have. Maybe Rodney can finally find a jump shot.

I'm most excited about our back court. Chip and Hollins have a very good foundation to build off of. If Chip can become a more consistent shooter and Hollins can continue to develop, they should have a good year. Maverick should continue to improve. Andre Hollins looks fantastic, and Joe Coleman has the attitude that any team needs to win.

We should have five players that are very athletic and take their man off the dribble, and we might finally have enough back court depth to bring back the press and play more uptempo.

The big questions marks will of course be whether trevor comes back, and what will become of the mystery third recruit.

I don't think the program will be in bad shape next year. An 11-7 or 10-8 record is a very reasonable goal, especially with a down Big Ten. No, we won't be contending for a Big Ten title, but we never really do.

My real hope is a lack of off court drama and some improvement as the year goes on. Avoiding the off court drama usually leads to improvement.
 

I like our chances next year with more experience in the backcourt and the addition of the other Hollins. Tubby has to make the NCAA tournament next year or I will be officially calling for his head.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
I like our chances next year with more experience in the backcourt and the addition of the other Hollins. Tubby has to make the NCAA tournament next year or I will be officially calling for his head.
Click to expand...

Oh my goodness, Tubby just went into hiding out of fear from that comment.
 

If this team comes back whole, I would almost guarantee an NCAA berth, and not of the bubble variety. We'll have guards who can create off the dribble in Chip and Andre Hollins, and perhaps a JUCO guard as well. Mav will be a year more experienced and hopefully that means more solid decision making. Austin Hollins provides length defensively and the ability to hit outside shots, and also has shown the ability to get to the bucket as well. Like to see him put on some more pounds and get stronger. Joe Coleman also looks to have the ability to get into the paint and bring some toughness.

Rodney hopefully will bring improved shooting, but I'm not counting on that. I'm just hoping his motor is more consistent, cause when he's zoned in, he impacts ballgames with his defense and ability to get to the rim. We'll also have Oto for length as well and outside shooting.

Our interior will be strong as it has been the last few years (assuming Trevor comes back right now) as all those players will be back, plus Eliason. The pieces are there for a nice group there. But just like the last two years, paper does nothing for you if all those pieces don't show up.

Here's hoping that all the pieces do indeed show up and maybe next year can be a great year for us.
 

FTB

I am with you.

I hope the three freshmen all start getting more minutes Saturday.

Go Gophers!!
 


This summer will be the most important in recent Gopher basketball history. Individual improvement makes or breaks next year's team. At least they'll know what to work on.
 

From the Barn said:
Please keep this free of whining and teeth gnashing about this year's team.

Call me a homer, an eternal optimist (spring does eventually come), or whatever else you want.

I'll be a Gopher no matter what, including this year, next year, and every other year after that. So, this year didn't turn out as we had hoped (even if we someone make it to the dance). These things happen.

I'm already looking forward to next year.

We'll have a very experienced front line. I'm interested in seeing just how well Oto can shoot from the outside. Having a 6'8'' reliable outside shooter should be pretty fun weapon to have. Maybe Rodney can finally find a jump shot.

I'm most excited about our back court. Chip and Hollins have a very good foundation to build off of. If Chip can become a more consistent shooter and Hollins can continue to develop, they should have a good year. Maverick should continue to improve. Andre Hollins looks fantastic, and Joe Coleman has the attitude that any team needs to win.

We should have five players that are very athletic and take their man off the dribble, and we might finally have enough back court depth to bring back the press and play more uptempo.

The big questions marks will of course be whether trevor comes back, and what will become of the mystery third recruit.

I don't think the program will be in bad shape next year. An 11-7 or 10-8 record is a very reasonable goal, especially with a down Big Ten. No, we won't be contending for a Big Ten title, but we never really do.

My real hope is a lack of off court drama and some improvement as the year goes on. Avoiding the off court drama usually leads to improvement.
Click to expand...


Great post. I think if we can avoid the drama, we have reason to hope for a good year next year. First, I agree that Chip and Austin will be keys next year, and I think they'll develop nicely, as they work on their shooting. Second, I think Rodney will improve dramatically next year. His freshman year, he had some glimpses, but was mostly just a dunker. This year, his shot looks better, and he's worked harder at rebounding at getting to the rim. However, he still lacks aggression and has a tendency to disappear. If he works hard, I think he'll be a big contributor for us. Third, I think our frontline will be a force. Mo's lost a lot of weight, and I think he can give us some great minutes next year, while if Trevor comes back, along with a rededicated Ralph and Colt, we'll once again have a very good front line (not expecting much from Elliot). Fourth, I really like what I'm hearing about our incoming recruits. We need aggressive guys who can get to the hole. Sounds like we've got two coming in. Hopefully, Tubby can get a good recruit for that third scholly, maybe a juco point guard who can run the team. No, we won't contend for the title, but we'll have a good run next year, I think, unless some of the guys on this team follow the same idiotic paths of Devoe or Royce.
 

You know what I'm looking forward to having? Depth. I always liked how Tubby had deep rotations and let everyone play. Next year we will have:

Andre Hollins
Austin Hollins
Joe Coleman
Maverick Ahanmisi
Chip Armelin
Elliot Elliason
Mo Walker
Ralph Sampson III
Colton Iverson
Rodney Williams
Oto Osieniks

That's 11 players, 3 more than we have right now! And that's not even counting Trevor Mbakwe, who I personally think will still be here next year, and our third 2011 recruit. That said, our streak of bad luck will probably continue, meaning:

Andre and Austin Hollins will start wondering who they are anymore after having their names mixed up constantly, and will leave the team to "discover their true identities."

Colton Iverson will get so sick of having so many stupid fouls called against him that he will punch an official's lights out and get banned from college basketball.

Ralph Sampson III will be the victim of medical malpractice while getting a botox treatment.

Trevor Mbakwe's ex-girlfriend will have him thrown in jail when she hears her name mentioned in a conversation while tapping his phone lines.

Oto Osieniks will shoot 70% from 3 during the non conference portion of the schedule before getting homesick and going back to Europe.

Rodney Williams will jump so high that his legs will buckle and break under the impact of landing.

Maverick Ahanmisi will be asked to become a regular on Sarah Palin's TV show because having a real "Maverick" makes it more authentic.

Jerry Kill will steal Chip Armelin for the football team.

Then, having so few players, I will become the star freshman recruit, and Tubby will play point guard, causing the NCAA to place sanctions on the basketball program due to Tubby being a paid player, banning us from post-season play for the next 10 years, and vacating the previous 20 seasons. Tubby will argue that "You wouldn't have cared if I had done this back at Kentucky," but it will fall on deaf ears and Tubby will never again be allowed to so much as even touch a basketball.
 

Cayman said:
You know what I'm looking forward to having? Depth. I always liked how Tubby had deep rotations and let everyone play. Next year we will have:

Andre Hollins
Austin Hollins
Joe Coleman
Maverick Ahanmisi
Chip Armelin
Elliot Elliason
Mo Walker
Ralph Sampson III
Colton Iverson
Rodney Williams
Oto Osieniks

That's 11 players, 3 more than we have right now! And that's not even counting Trevor Mbakwe, who I personally think will still be here next year, and our third 2011 recruit. That said, our streak of bad luck will probably continue, meaning:

Andre and Austin Hollins will start wondering who they are anymore after having their names mixed up constantly, and will leave the team to "discover their true identities."

Colton Iverson will get so sick of having so many stupid fouls called against him that he will punch an official's lights out and get banned from college basketball.

Ralph Sampson III will be the victim of medical malpractice while getting a botox treatment.

Trevor Mbakwe's ex-girlfriend will have him thrown in jail when she hears her name mentioned in a conversation while tapping his phone lines.

Oto Osieniks will shoot 70% from 3 during the non conference portion of the schedule before getting homesick and going back to Europe.

Rodney Williams will jump so high that his legs will buckle and break under the impact of landing.

Maverick Ahanmisi will be asked to become a regular on Sarah Palin's TV show because having a real "Maverick" makes it more authentic.

Jerry Kill will steal Chip Armelin for the football team.

Then, having so few players, I will become the star freshman recruit, and Tubby will play point guard, causing the NCAA to place sanctions on the basketball program due to Tubby being a paid player, banning us from post-season play for the next 10 years, and vacating the previous 20 seasons. Tubby will argue that "You wouldn't have cared if I had done this back at Kentucky," but it will fall on deaf ears and Tubby will never again be allowed to so much as even touch a basketball.
Click to expand...

Hilarious. Especially the Mav one.
 



Cayman said:
You know what I'm looking forward to having? Depth. I always liked how Tubby had deep rotations and let everyone play. Next year we will have:

Andre Hollins
Austin Hollins
Joe Coleman
Maverick Ahanmisi
Chip Armelin
Elliot Elliason
Mo Walker
Ralph Sampson III
Colton Iverson
Rodney Williams
Oto Osieniks

That's 11 players, 3 more than we have right now! And that's not even counting Trevor Mbakwe, who I personally think will still be here next year, and our third 2011 recruit. That said, our streak of bad luck will probably continue, meaning:

Andre and Austin Hollins will start wondering who they are anymore after having their names mixed up constantly, and will leave the team to "discover their true identities."

Colton Iverson will get so sick of having so many stupid fouls called against him that he will punch an official's lights out and get banned from college basketball.

Ralph Sampson III will be the victim of medical malpractice while getting a botox treatment.

Trevor Mbakwe's ex-girlfriend will have him thrown in jail when she hears her name mentioned in a conversation while tapping his phone lines.

Oto Osieniks will shoot 70% from 3 during the non conference portion of the schedule before getting homesick and going back to Europe.

Rodney Williams will jump so high that his legs will buckle and break under the impact of landing.

Maverick Ahanmisi will be asked to become a regular on Sarah Palin's TV show because having a real "Maverick" makes it more authentic.

Jerry Kill will steal Chip Armelin for the football team.

Then, having so few players, I will become the star freshman recruit, and Tubby will play point guard, causing the NCAA to place sanctions on the basketball program due to Tubby being a paid player, banning us from post-season play for the next 10 years, and vacating the previous 20 seasons. Tubby will argue that "You wouldn't have cared if I had done this back at Kentucky," but it will fall on deaf ears and Tubby will never again be allowed to so much as even touch a basketball.
Click to expand...

Sadly, at least one or two of these are real concerns. The RW one has actually occured to me before.
 

starting 5 next year?

Trevor, Ralph, Hollins, Hollins, Chip (or point guard recruit)
Great bench in Williams, Colt, Mo, Eliason (I think this kid will surprise) Oto, Coleman

Mav doesn't impress me at all - I think Halvorson might surprise some people too.

This team might learn how to win the close ones!
 

Great Post Cayman

We need to get a strong JUCO PG who can handle the basketball. That is a must.
 

Real excited to see Mo Walker next year. He seemed really composed with a nice all-around game prior to his injury.

I'm optimistic, but cautiously -- until I see that juco PG recruit, I'm worried that we'll have more of the disfunction that we've seen this year since Al went down.

BTW - I'm still looking forward to the end of this year. We should be favored in all 3 of our final 3 games and winning them gets us to 9 and 9, remarkable considering what the team has gone through.

I still think they'll struggle, but now that I've accepted that they are a bubble team at best without Al, I'm enjoying the extended play that the freshmen are getting and watching them develop.
 



2011-12 needs Rodney to blossom and Mbakwe to return.

There is not enough experience/talent in the guards. They could surprise but I see a pretty mediocre team next year.
 

1. people need to quit saying halvorsen will surprise. he got like 1 min a game at valpo. 2. rodney is still going to start no matter what.
 

Good post FTB (much better than your recent one ripping Hoffarber). Just messing, you're one of the few posters on here who has knowledgeable and useful information.

I'm looking forward to next year for the same reasons as you. The BT will be way down. It will be really interesting to see the development of our young guys and see the new/ineligible/redshirted/injured players play. Can't wait to have a full team. I miss having more than 1 shooter and enough players to press.
 

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