Let the projections for the season begin

[fjs64]

Here is one with us finishing last in the A10. Is last reasonable? Based on all the change, lack of Div 1 experience, new coach, 4 returnees, 5 frosh, etc.......everyone will project us for last. Last year Duquesne was in a similar position, then the shooting incident, yet they didn't do that badly, this year they are projected to be an NIT team. I am hoping that our coaching
staff will make everyone wrong. Let the projections begin.

collegehoopsupdate.com/html/preview_a10_07-08.php

He did mention Kaba.....it seems so long ago. Of all the prognosticators (try spelling that one), the best is WH on the A10 board.

[mangham]

Well, I don't know how they picked URI over X. In fact , I think St Joe's and St louis will finish higher than URI.

[risaint05]

The author also has 5 teams slated for the NIT. I don't care how good the A-10 is this season, 5 teams is a near impossibility.

[Roger Dorn]

well last year he had the bonnies in the NIT. I dont put much stock in this guy.

[presstowin]

Let 's see how we do against Boston U. in the first game. That should be a good indication of where we are. If we don't win that game, people should step back and objectively expect that we will have to take some growing pains. I hope we do well, but you have to do it on the court and not on paper.

[magnusbu]

I would like to agree with you Press that the 1st game would be a good indication. But I have a feeling that this year we will see a little bit of them playing how they potentially can and playing how they know how to. Meaning, they might come out against BU and destroy them showing the teams full potential or they might come out and get schooled by a more experienced team that knows the D1 game and knows how to win. We have actually seen this the past 2 seasons with more of the team getting schooled in the D1 game. Hopefully we see the opposite with this team.

So, my predictions would be seeing a lot of ups and downs this season with the win total being somewhere between 9 and 14.

[hoopsfan]

I think the win total for this team will fall in the 7-9 range as well. I think Schmidt has gotten the impression from Administration that he must win, gone are the Solomon days of just running a clean operation and getting pounded. While I feel like winning 7-9 this year could turn into 15+ in 08-09, this team also has a scary make up in terms of potential off the court issues. I hope I am wrong but this is a collection of guys that were available late in the game for various reasons. These newcomers join a guy who was kicked off last years team and another who has had documented issues in the past as there senior leaders. I hope they stay out of trouble and take care of the academics.

[pabonnies01]

In an attempt to allow this team to be immediately labeled as "overachievers", I'm projecting that the Bonnies go 1-28 and counting on the brown and white to prove me wrong.

But seriously, how can we project anything? There are eight new guys and although Schmidt must be a much better coach than A-Sol, it will be a task to get them all playing together. I would love to see it.

I guess a realistic wish would be 4 OC wins and 4 A-10 wins. Sounds kinda like the predictions above.

If everybody stays healthy, the boys gel and nobody has academic troubles, we might just surprise a few teams this year. I hope all these guys come in and play with a huge chip on their shoulder.

[LumsdnA10Academc98]

hoopsfan said:

this team also has a scary make up in terms of potential off the court issues. I hope I am wrong but this is a collection of guys that were available late in the game for various reasons. These newcomers join a guy who was kicked off last years team and another who has had documented issues in the past as there senior leaders. I hope they stay out of trouble and take care of the academics.

We all know the problem with Fereti was Solomon. Relph, while he hasn't exactly gone on the wagon or joined the clergy, has noticeably emerged as a leader and stayed free from any run-ins with Johnny Law for over a year now. I've never heard anything negative in reference to Eleby, Morgan or Cook.

If you think this team has "a scary make-up in terms of potential off court issues," I'd hate to hear what you thought of Sol's alleged fine young men, much less any of the characters Jan recruited. I understand you concern considering the in-season deterioration of recent rosters, but you're overlooking a major difference in this year's team: it's led by a coach who commands respect. I, for one, am not anticiating any Solomonesque exodus under the Schmidt regime.

[hamrucker]

I don't really see a basis for the comment about off the court issues. What did you think of this team last year with guys like Jourdan Morris and Jermaine Calvin?

Let's let the kids get through syllabus week before we start accusing them of starting fights at Youngers.

[GoPadres]

I think the success of this team depends on the point guard play. If you look at the roster, it looks like there are only two guys, Relph and Eleby that qualify as point guards. Relph has been injury prone and Eleby, while highly regarded, is still just a freshman. An injury at the point guard spot could spell big trouble. Multiple injuries a disaster.

I was hoping that Schmidt would add some additional depth at the point guard spot, but, in Taylor, it looks like he took the best player available. Nothing wrong with that approach. Finding a quality point guard or two should be the number one priority for next year's recruiting class.

[Sipowicz]

I agree GOPADRES we need another pg and a true (big) center. I know some will say we don't need a "traditional" center in SCHMIDT's offense but I think we will for those night that the other team is dictating the flow of the game.

[Chuck]

Schmidt could use a big physical interior defensive player that can defend offensive minded post players like Ahmad Nivins, Bryant Dunston and Keiron Achara.

For the last 2 years AJ Jackson has been the leading scorer of Schmidt's high octane offense at Robert Morris. He is about the same size as Fordham's power player Bryant Dunston. Same weight on a body 2 inches shorter. AJ is not a speedy slender guard, but a physical and solidly built forward. A physical offensive player like AJ, would be a welcomed addition.

It will be exciting to see Schmidt develop this young team. As for projections, considering the recent past 10 wins this season would be significant progress. The future looks bright.