this team is loaded with talent and they'll be coached up. the early out of conference schedule is much softer than last year's. don't buy all that "we're all freshmen and sophs" stuff. only the mid majors have predominantly four year players.
there's no way we win fewer than 20. 25 is not out of the question.
No way we win fewer than 20? We won 13 games last year...you really think we jump 7 wins in 1 year? Hope you are right, but I would never bet my money on winning at least 20. Look for them to be this year's USF and win something like 17 games as a solid, not great team. IMO we can't expect 20+ wins until next year.
The 1997-1998 Ohio State Buckeyes were 8-22. The following season they're 27-9 and in the Final Four (they beat us in the Elite Eight). The only player they added of significance was Scoonie Penn (Boban Savovic and Will Dudley was also added that particular season). I know that isn't the generally rule, but I see a similiar situation with our group. A young group that was hammered one season. Gain experience and add important pieces, to go along with valuable holdovers.
I'm still one who believes we only won 13 games was due to youth, and a lack of depth and size. Quite frankly, I think those problems have been fixed. We're returning 5 players (not guys who are exactly chop liver, either) who probably served themselves well due to the time they received last season. I think their time last season will pay off this season.
Mindset. Something St. Johns fans still need to work on. Try this. Take away the names - no team names, no player names. We could be talking Michigan State. or UNC. Or Texas. Or Gonzaga. What are your reasonable expectatons for THIS team:
PG: Will have the consensus #52 player out of high school at PG (per RSCI), and Scout.Com's #1 defensive player. Backed by the returning 32 minute a game starter, team leader in assists.
SG: Will have the consensus #42 player in the country returning after being the #3 scoring freshman in D-1, and the #1 scoring freshman in Major Conference D-1, after playing 34 minutes a game as a frosh. Backed by one of the best perimeter shooting JC transfers in the country. Backed by a raw frosh, who's one of the most athletic 2 guards entering college ball.
SF: Will have the #35 consensus player in the country returning. after playing 30 minutes a game as a frosh. Backed by the consensus #73 ranked player in the country.
PF. Will have a 1st team JC All America, a Senior who's played for the Dominican National Team. Backed by the consensus #40 player in the country. Backed by a player being identified by multiple reputable sources as one of the biggest "sleepers" entering D-1 this year.
C. Will have the consensus #69 player in the country, agruabely the best shot blocker in high school basketball. Backed by a first team JC All American, a 30 minute a gme returning starter, who's the 2nd leading returning scorer, and leading returning rebounder.
This is one of the most experienced teams in any major conference - one that returns 5 players who started 19 or more games last year. Returns 4,664 of the 6,425 minutes played last year (73%). It returns 69% of its scoring (1467 of 2129 pts). Returns 58% of its rebounding (633 of 1097). Returns 72% of its assists (249 of 345). While adding 7 new players, including 3 consensus top 70 recruits, a JC all American, A pure shooter, an athletic scorer, and a bull of an athletic PF. Adding 6'9, 6'9, 6'8, 6'7, 6'6, 6'4 and 6'3. So it will have 6 total top 70 recruits, and 2 JC All Americans, and 4 excellent supporting players on scholarship.
The team gets back it's head coach - one has a record of getting his teams to the NCAA tourney 87.5% of the time, and reaching the Sweet 16 or better 71% of those times. They'll be coached by a 4 year NBA assistant, considered one of the top player development coaches in the pros. They'll be coached by a 13 year NBA veteren point guard. They'll be coached by veteren "assistant to the head coach" who is in the Hall of Fame, a 6 time National Coach Of the Year with over 800 career wins.
If you eliminate the mindset "this club can't be very good, they let ME in" - if you were to read that litany about ANY team - how could you NOT project minimum 20 wins? (or as I am, 40-0...till they lose one)....
If someone does, make it 39-1.
