Ready for next year!!

[UD90]

Where do you think we will fall in the final Top 25 rankings? They do a final ranking don't they? Also, Given our bench returning any chance of a preseason ranking?

[maddog07]

Not in it. We finished Tied for 5th in our conference. Don't think Our great three wins in the tourney will overcome that
Posted via Mobile Device

[UDBrian]

I think UD will end up ranked about 20th. Two top twenty five teams were beaten in the past two weeks and the game against Florida was not a blowout. The final polls usually give a lot of consideration to how you finished.

[DetroitFlyer]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm hoping for 24 or 25.

[udx2]

Here is the last AP ranking and I see mainly a shuffling of the top 20 to reflect tournament performance. The impact may be that we knock out another A-10 team for a spot in the 20s. I can see us at 23.

Rank

1. Florida (50)
Last game: vs Dayton, W 62-52 (3/29)
Next game: (4/5)
36-2

2. Wichita St. (15)
Last game: vs Kentucky, L 76-78 (3/23)
35-1

3. Virginia
Last game: vs Michigan St., L 59-61 (3/28)
30-7

4. Arizona
Last game: vs Wisconsin, L 63-64 (3/29)
33-5

5. Louisville
Last game: vs Kentucky, L 69-74 (3/28)
31-6

6. Villanova
Last game: vs Connecticut, L 65-77 (3/22)
29-5

7. Michigan
Last game: vs Tennessee, W 73-71 (3/28)
Next game: Kentucky (3/30)
28-8

8. Duke
Last game: vs Mercer, L 71-78 (3/21)
28-9

9. Iowa St.
Last game: vs Connecticut, L 76-81 (3/28)
28-8

10. Kansas
Last game: vs Stanford, L 57-60 (3/23)
25-10

11. Michigan St.
Last game: at Virginia, W 61-59 (3/28)
Next game: Connecticut (3/30)
29-8

12. Wisconsin
Last game: at Arizona, W 64-63 (3/29)
Next game: (4/5)
30-7

13. S. Diego St.
Last game: at Arizona, L 64-70 (3/27)
31-5

14. Syracuse
Last game: vs Dayton, L 53-55 (3/22)
28-6

15. Cincinnati
Last game: vs Harvard, L 57-61 (3/20)
27-7

16. Creighton
Last game: vs Baylor, L 55-85 (3/23)
27-8

17. New Mexico
Last game: vs Stanford, L 53-58 (3/21)
27-7

18. Connecticut
Last game: at Iowa St., W 81-76 (3/28)
Next game: Michigan St. (3/30)
29-8

19. N. Carolina
Last game: at Iowa St., L 83-85 (3/23)
24-10

20. UCLA
Last game: at Florida, L 68-79 (3/27)
28-9

21. Oklahoma
Last game: vs N. Dak. St., L 75-80 (3/20)
23-10

22. Ohio St.
Last game: vs Dayton, L 59-60 (3/20)
25-10

23. Baylor
Last game: at Wisconsin, L 52-69 (3/27)
26-12

24. VCU
Last game: vs S.F. Austin, L 75-77 (3/21)
26-9

25. Saint Louis
Last game: at Louisville, L 51-66 (3/22)
27-7

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

[UD90]

I'm hoping being the top team tweeted in the Sweet 16 will get the attention of voters that never heard of us!

[frisco flyer]

Count me in. I am definitely ready for next year. The only thing that could make it better is if Archie can snag a big time recruit to help us at the 5 position. JR is a much better 4 than 5 and would be lethal at that position if he develops a reliable mid range jumper. Playing him at the 5 limits his potential and puts the team at a disadvantage against big physical teams. I think this is our biggest need at this point. We have great talent at the PG position and several interchangeable skilled players that can play the forward positions. If we get production at the 5, we will. Be a serious contender in the A10 next year.

[longtimefan]

We might be much higher in the final rankings than some of you think. Last year Wichita State was not ranked going into the NCAA Tournament. After reaching the Final Four they were ranked FOURTH in the final poll. Using that as a guide we should be ranked 8th, but I'm not expecting that. If we get the respect we deserve we should be ranked around 10-12, but no worse than 15th. We'll see if we get any respect. (Also, Syracuse went from 18th to 3rd last year after making the Final Four.)

[udx2]

I agree, Longtime, that making a Final Four has a big impact on a team's final rankings, and I would love to be surprised by how the voters look at our Elite 8.

Ending the year ranked is a good thing and we deserve that, but I am controlling expectations to avoid disappointment.

[Fudd]

We are going to get a lot more respect in the pre-season next year, IMO. I hope we have the goods to back it up.

[Fudd]

Next year's roster at this moment:

C: Alex Gavrilovic, Steve McElvane
PF: Jalen Robinson, Devon Scott
SF: Dyshawn Pierre, Kendall Pollard
SG: Jordan Sibert, Kyle Davis, Darrell Davis
PG: Khari Price, Scoochie Smith

Losses: Matt Kavanaugh, Devin Oliver, Vee Sanford

- All of our seniors played fantastic in our final run.

- I feel good about both of our guards. They were both tested in the tournament.

- I would not mind having another SF or PF, just for depth.

- How will Alex do with more minutes? Will he be strong enough as a center?

[NCkevi]

Originally Posted by maddog07 Not in it. We finished Tied for 5th in our conference. Don't think Our great three wins in the tourney will overcome that Posted via Mobile Device

Baylor was ranked #25 in the AP 2013-14 preseason poll after finishing 2012-13 with a NIT championship and a 6th place (9-9) finish in the Big 12

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by Fudd Next year's roster at this moment: C: Alex Gavrilovic, Steve McElvane PF: Jalen Robinson, Devon Scott SF: Dyshawn Pierre, Kendall Pollard SG: Jordan Sibert, Kyle Davis, Darrell Davis PG: Khari Price, Scoochie Smith Losses: Matt Kavanaugh, Devin Oliver, Vee Sanford - All of our seniors played fantastic in our final run. - I feel good about both of our guards. They were both tested in the tournament. - I would not mind having another SF or PF, just for depth. - How will Alex do with more minutes? Will he be strong enough as a center?

Can't we do this at least some of the time?

C: Devon Scott, Alex Gavrilovic, Steve McElvane
PF: Jalen Robinson, Kendall Pollard
SF: Dyshawn Pierre, Jordan Sibert
SG: Kyle Davis, Darrell Davis
PG: Khari Price, Scoochie Smith

[jack72]

Originally Posted by frisco flyer Count me in. I am definitely ready for next year. The only thing that could make it better is if Archie can snag a big time recruit to help us at the 5 position. JR is a much better 4 than 5 and would be lethal at that position if he develops a reliable mid range jumper. Playing him at the 5 limits his potential and puts the team at a disadvantage against big physical teams. I think this is our biggest need at this point. We have great talent at the PG position and several interchangeable skilled players that can play the forward positions. If we get production at the 5, we will. Be a serious contender in the A10 next year.

You are 100% on the money. We have great, young guards and another one coming next year. Alex is not a center and neither is Robinson. Next year we have a frosh project and Scott, who has a ways to go, especially with his BB instincts.

[oldfan]

I think we are blowing smoke if we think next year will be as good as this year. Before this season began I expected this year to be the year and next year to be a step backward as the team regroups and nothing I have seen changes my thinking.

Kav's had more to do with this season's success than many on this board will give credit. It is not coincidental that the January losing streak occurred when Kav's was injured. JR looks like Benson playing center, Scott has not shown the discipline to fill the center role full time and Gav's appears to be a step too slow.

I only hope that the love affair for AM that seems to have reached a high point will last through a less than grand next season.

[Alberto Strasse]

Some UD fans are too preoccupied with the team being ranked when that will take care of itself when UD takes care of business in their conference play. It starts right at home at UD arena. They should establish a team goal of winning all conference home games. Play well and it can be done. When did UD last qualify for a bye in A-10 post season tournament play? That can be accomplished with good conference play. Neither the team nor any real UD Flyer fan should establish a goal for the team that is out of their control. Such as...being ranked in somebody's top 25.

[FlyingArrow]

Originally Posted by Alberto Strasse Some UD fans are too preoccupied with the team being ranked

What fan responsibilities are being ignored while fans are preoccupied with being ranked?

[Alberto Strasse]

Originally Posted by FlyingArrow What fan responsibilities are being ignored while fans are preoccupied with being ranked?

at a rational level.

[DetroitFlyer]

Originally Posted by Alberto Strasse Some UD fans are too preoccupied with the team being ranked when that will take care of itself when UD takes care of business in their conference play. It starts right at home at UD arena. They should establish a team goal of winning all conference home games. Play well and it can be done. When did UD last qualify for a bye in A-10 post season tournament play? That can be accomplished with good conference play. Neither the team nor any real UD Flyer fan should establish a goal for the team that is out of their control. Such as...being ranked in somebody's top 25.

Oh I see, all we need is a team goal to win games? Heck, I say go big or go home, team goal should be to win all games.... I am going to go out on a limb here and bet that the team goal referenced above is the goal every season.

[FlyingArrow]

Originally Posted by Alberto Strasse at a rational level.

I think getting ranked is a rational goal.

Here are my goals for next year's team:

* Top 4 in the A10 (bye in the tournament)
* Either a regular season or tournament conference championship (Bonus for both)
* NCAA bid
* Ranked for at least two weeks during the season
* Sweet 16


If they get that, that would be an amazingly successful season. Arguably better than this year. Elite Eight sounds better than Sweet 16, of course, but meeting all the goals above would require more sustained success during the year... not just one more good game at the end of the year.



While I would call those goals, I would call these expectations:

* NCAA bid
* Top 4 finish in the A10

If they get that, I'd say that's clearing the bar. Nothing to get too excited about, but nothing to be disappointed about either.

[TA111]

Originally Posted by oldfan I think we are blowing smoke if we think next year will be as good as this year. Before this season began I expected this year to be the year and next year to be a step backward as the team regroups and nothing I have seen changes my thinking. Kav's had more to do with this season's success than many on this board will give credit. It is not coincidental that the January losing streak occurred when Kav's was injured. JR looks like Benson playing center, Scott has not shown the discipline to fill the center role full time and Gav's appears to be a step too slow. I only hope that the love affair for AM that seems to have reached a high point will last through a less than grand next season.

This is a perfect example of making assumptions based upon nothing. None of us know exactly how certain players are going to improve. We have a very solid core coming back with high end recruits joining the team. I bet you were one that during the little slump in Jan thought we were a horrible team. You cannot make assumptions in a vaccum. If you look around the A10 most of the teams who finished in the top spots are losing most of their starters.

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by FlyingArrow I think getting ranked is a rational goal.

Agree. I see nothing wrong with fans wanting UD to be ranked. I hope they are ranked in the pre-season next year and stay there all season.

[Smitty10]

Originally Posted by oldfan I think we are blowing smoke if we think next year will be as good as this year. Before this season began I expected this year to be the year and next year to be a step backward as the team regroups and nothing I have seen changes my thinking. Kav's had more to do with this season's success than many on this board will give credit. It is not coincidental that the January losing streak occurred when Kav's was injured. JR looks like Benson playing center, Scott has not shown the discipline to fill the center role full time and Gav's appears to be a step too slow. I only hope that the love affair for AM that seems to have reached a high point will last through a less than grand next season.

I'm not expecting an Elite 8 next season, though I don't think I ever expect an Elite 8, they just seem to happen. But I want to see this team get to the Dance again no matter what the results from that point. That would show we're in the right direction when a transitional year still equals an invite to the dance.

[UACFlyer]

In recent years UD has benefited significantly by adding good transfers..both BG and AM. And, every year the turnover is large.

One would think that, given the enormous, unexpected, shot of publicity UD has received, that a few doors would open for AM that otherwise would not have.

Likewise, many HS prospects that otherwise would not have thought of UD, opr who thought very little, must have had there UD awareness level amped up a notch or two.

AM is a smart guy and must be working hard to capitalize on his unexpected treasure. Our great PR won't last long. He knows he's got to move.

[DallasFlyer]

I suspect Archie will go right back to work, with the next few weeks being very interesting on the recruiting front.

[frisco flyer]

Originally Posted by oldfan I think we are blowing smoke if we think next year will be as good as this year. Before this season began I expected this year to be the year and next year to be a step backward as the team regroups and nothing I have seen changes my thinking. Kav's had more to do with this season's success than many on this board will give credit. It is not coincidental that the January losing streak occurred when Kav's was injured. JR looks like Benson playing center, Scott has not shown the discipline to fill the center role full time and Gav's appears to be a step too slow. I only hope that the love affair for AM that seems to have reached a high point will last through a less than grand next season.

The one thing that was most evident this year that we have not seen from UD teams in years past was player development. I think if we stay on this trajectory, and with the players we have coming in, there is no reason to be pessimistic about this team next year. We have talent and we have size. We also have a little athleticism. I think the pieces are in place for another good year, so long as the players develop and play together as a team.

[priceg75]

Dyshawn Pierre and Jordan Sibert both have 1st team All-Conference talent. If that shows up on the floor next year, we can certainly have an even better regular season than this one.

But that's a big if.