Game Day
 

Just win baby!

Finally!

Can't remember ever feeling so much uncertainty going into a season. New coach, new players. Even the returning players are coming off injuries or taking on new roles.

I don't know if there is an outcome to this season that would surprise me. Josh, X, and DD can develop into good enough players to carry this team through the A10 tourney and into the NCAAs. Or - the youth of the team and a transition to a new system could put us in the bottom few of the league. Not sure either of those outcomes would surprise me. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Very excited for tonight - expecting a rough start. But, as the title of the thread says, IT'S GAME DAY!!!!!!

Likewise...expecting to compete but hoping for the best.

Given the ride this program has been on for the last few seasons, I trust the decisions that are being made. I think we may see some short term struggles and with that the results will be better and longer tenured than the AM era. While young, this group of players will end up being really good. Combine that with the 72 million investment into the future of the program, it is hard to not think that there are some things in place that will entice even more talented players to come here even against the wall that mid recruiting can throw at you.

Don't worry gang, the Flyers will compete in games this year. Exactly what that means, is like you are saying, anybody's guess. But, Josh is back in excellent form, Baby D has great experience and is capable, The Junior Pride of Beatty is looking good on the backboards (right Shawnee2?), a host of newcomers are looking promising, and most importantly...Crosby is ready...just don't take ill-advised shots JC, and everything will be exciting in Flyer Land.

The only player that I observed in the Ohio Dominican game that I think might be shocked by the weight and speed of the A-10 and Clemson level front lines, is Kostas. But he obviously has some God given gifts, so experience and continued weight training, should resolve that.

The Flyers will pleasantly surprise the pundits and talking heads this year. This program has for many decades performed well as the "Hunter" and I feel a little underestimation coming on.

Go Flyers Beat ball state.

Shocka, you are spot on with the likely longer tenure of Anthony Grant. It might take a season or so, but I think everyone is going to be loving the Grant higher. I know I am; and I cannot wait to see Coach Grant take the floor for his first regular game. He deserves it, is the most qualified, and I am so very happy for him. It must be a great feeling for him to back at UD as the Head Coach. I remember watching him play, loved him as a player, and it feels like just last night.

This is not the first outlet where I have seen such certainty that Clemson is going to beat Ohio. What makes you think that? I think Ohio is the second best team in the tournament behind us. Would not be surprised if OU handles the Tiger in a somewhat neutral location when Clemson fans are still stuck on football.

I never said that.
 

I never said that! I don't necessarily think that Clemson will win; I agree with you, but I was only using Clemson as an example of the kind athlete that UD could face this year.

I think it is 50/50 on the OU/Clemson game; and I have no doubt that OU could beat UD/Hofstra and win the whole thing. If the Flyers don't get passed OU, I hope the Bobcats win it. I am rooting for OU to win every game down there, sans a game against the Flyers.

This is the type of thread that makes this board interesting. The new era of Coach Grant is here. Thank you to all and this should prove to be a season that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Josh may be our stable and experienced star and with D should be the leaders. Hope X continues his upward improvement curve and looking for surprises from the newcomers. Praying for Crosby and expect to put a dent in my liquor cabinet during the games.

This has typically been a program that does not have guys just break out from one season to the next. I guess Oliver could fit that mold, but we just haven't had a guy that takes it to the next level unexpectedly and carries us on his shoulders. I know this sounds like I am from crazy town, but I am looking for some special things from DD this year.

Also, I am impressed with Trey Landers. He has a nose for the ball, and excellent court instincts. Suspecting that even if he doesn't become a consistent heavy scorer this year, that he will be like "Johnny On The Spot" for the Flyers. I see Trey as the all-purpose player glue man of the team. Mikesell has that as well, just a little different version of it, but of course have to wait until next year for Ryan to return.

I see Trey Landers as one UD player that can drive other coaching staffs silly while attempting to decide how to deal with him; because he doesn't really fit anyone position, but seems to be above average in a plethora of ways.

Hey Beatty you know Matjei may have been unleashed a bit prematurely!!! Hehe

This is my 15th season of flyer basketball, which I realize is shorter than many of you, but This is the most unfamiliar with expectations team I’ve had since my first you’re rooting for the flyers as a freshman. I obviously was not that familiar with the history of this program at that point, so I didn’t know what to expect. I’m just so glad the road from April 1 to now is over. Let’s go play some ball and see what happens!
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Wow, it's finally here. What a whirlwind of an offseason. Never before can I think of that we experienced anything like this with the question marks of a new season following 4 years of remarkable success. When BG took over, we pretty much had the same team in place for his first year that was a 4 seed the previous season so we expected success. When AM took over we came off a bitter season so there wasn't any high expectations. But this is so different. Normally if you lose a very successful coach and 4 starters, you go in with low expectations. But this seems different. Before we knew that Archie was leaving I think we all had it in the back of our minds that we probably had players ready to step up. Afterall, Archie wouldn't leave himself in a position for a dramatic drop with 5 returning juniors and one returning senior would he? Add in one returning Sophomore and a redshirt freshman and a senior, we probably expected some dropoff, but just a hiccup. We figured AM had a plan.

So we've got a new coach, lost 2 of those juniors and 2 freshman who were replaced by one active freshman so what does that do for expectations? How important was Mikesell expected to be for this team and have we lowered the expectations due to his absence? I haven't.

I'll admit I'm nervous about tonight and the upcoming tournament in Charleston. But my expectations are that we will be in the hunt for most of the season, maybe at least bubble, for a trip to the big dance. I also feel that if we do have a talented team, that maybe we will have to finally win the A10 tourney to get there. Maybe this is a team that can't earn their trip through the regular season but will improve enough to have a great shot of taking down the tournament.

However it turns out, I have never been this intrigued by the start of a basketball season as I am today. And if we do play well and win, look great doing it, I must temper my excitement as we all know the adrenaline of the first game of season at UD Arena is rarely a window into the rest of the season.

Interesting
 

Wow, one of the players from Wayne is Roman Catholic Priest released from another continent? That is interesting; and I wish you would have whispered in my ear before now.

With basketball gods like that, the Flyers cannot lose.

Should have looked it up Matej sorry!