Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[KSUftw]

I had to let my emotions settle for awhile before getting back on the forums, but I wanted to get some of your thoughts on next years squad and possible predictions.

I personally like our team a lot for next year.  Our Guard play should/will be top notch for the next couple years.  There won’t be an all-american running around, but the overall talent of McGruder/Spradling/Southwell should lead the way and no one will complain about Russell coming off the bench.  I believe Peterson though will step up and be one of our top 3 in guard play.  Now for the semi scary part.  At the beginning of the year I would have been happy to see JO stop playing (couldn't catch) and let Asprilla and Judge get a ton of playing time for next year.  Though.. that wont be happening and wow... JO stepped up big time and has shined recently taking advantage of his 7' size.  You add Diaz at 6'11" who should get early playing time and hopefully contribute at D1 level by Big 12 play and our Centers are fine.  Samuels will have to step up a bit more but with Nino and hopefully Gipson showing some skill, that should be a rather deep team.

So here are my early predictions:
Texas - I think the players returning (assuming the twins leave KU) will be hard to counter along with a very talented recruiting class.
KU - Would be first obviously if the twins come back for their last year.
Mizzou - Not gaining anyone, but not losing anyone either.
Baylor - If you had to lose 1 talented player named Dunn, what better way to over come that by signing the best recruiting duo in Miller and Bello.  Though, expect Miller and Perry to fight for the lead role.
A&M - Middleton will be a handful for anyone and though they lose a couple sr's, not enough to knock them that far.  Their depth was a strong point with 9 guys getting play in 30+ games.
KSU - Will struggle replacing 30+ ppg from Kelly and Pullen, but sound team play will land them in the middle with a harder Big 12 play format.
OSU - The loss of so many leaders and size keep them from the top half, but expect a few upsets with outstanding play from star recruit, Nash.
Iowa St. - This team wont be a push over like previous years, this team is going to rise to the occasion and finish out games it couldn't do before.  However, losing 3 sr starters won’t let this team rise in the rankings too quickly.
Tech - Gillispie knows the Big 12(10) enough to keep them from the bottom, but it’s a rebuilding year, like big time rebuilding year.
OU - Losing Davis plus a new coach coming in will keep these guys at the bottom, but expect this team to rise quickly behind ISU once the young talent and new offense get settled in.

[Felis Silvestris]

A picture (or two) is worth a thousand words...




If the season started tomorrow, the starting lineup would have to be:
Spradling
Southwell
McGruder
Samuels
JO

I think Nino will surprise a lot, along with freshman Gipson and Rodriguez.  I look for Irving and Russell to be great bench players if they are around next year.  And a lot is riding on Devon Peterson (only other senior outside Jamar) to be the slashing guard who replaces Pullen's aggressiveness and takes it to the basket.

[Felis Silvestris]

Texas will be the team to beat with Thompson and Hamilton returning for another year.  This is under my assumption that the Morris twins will go pro.

[Lynch]

Likely hood we make the NCAA tournament next year?

[KSUftw]

My Updated Standings: (Dropped KU and Mizzou, raised OU one spot.)

Texas - I think the players returning will be hard to counter along with a very talented recruiting class.
Baylor - If you had to lose 1 talented player named Dunn, what better way to over come that by signing the best recruiting duo in Miller and Bello.  Though, expect Miller and Perry to fight for the lead role.
A&M - Middleton will be a handful for anyone and though they lose a couple sr's, not enough to knock them that far.  Their depth was a strong point with 9 guys getting play in 30+ games.
KU - Everyone left, though they nabbed McLemore lead by Self, they will end up fine.
KSU - Will struggle replacing 30+ ppg from Kelly and Pullen, but sound team play will land them in the middle with a harder Big 12 play format.
OSU - The loss of so many leaders and size keep them from the top half, but expect a few upsets with outstanding play from star recruit, Nash.
Mizzou - Not gaining anyone, but not losing anyone either.... Except Anderson who is being replaced by scrappy Haith.  Haith is pretty far from a Big 12 caliber coach, good luck.
Iowa St. - This team wont be a push over like previous years, this team is going to rise to the occasion and finish out games it couldn't do before.  However, losing 3 sr starters won’t let this team rise in the rankings too quickly.
OU - Losing Davis plus a new coach coming in will keep these guys around the bottom, but expect this team to rise quickly behind ISU once the young talent and Kruger’s new offense gets settled in.
Tech - Gillispie knows the Big 12(10) enough to keep them from the bottom, but it’s a rebuilding year, like big time rebuilding year.

[netsportsguy]

On the ESPN scrawl, MU's Bowers and English are declaring for the draft but not hiring agents.

[KSUftw]

Good update nets.  I still think I will keep Mizzou at that spot for now.  I am still really shocked that they hired Haith.  KU must be going nuts with easy wins in the future.  O well, nothing we can do about it.