I was on another board and notice the negativity toward

[Reality Man]

the basketball program. The team should be relatively mediocre unless Irvin turns into an all big ten type player along with major contributions from Wagner and some of the frosh. Robinson should be fine if he continues to get stronger and develop.

All that being said...why all the down faces? Is it because MSU is recruiting like gangbusters? JB sure seems like he is trekking upward. Matthews is a great addition. Livers isn't too bad of a recruit not to mention the other guys who seems like they have good offers and are ballers. Seems like UM is going in the right direction and have some new coaches to emphasize defense.

We will see about Teske/Davis but Matthews, Livers, Watson, Poole, Simpson, Brooks seems like a pretty solid nucleus of guys to get excited about. If JB can't get the program turned around in 2 years then let's discuss making a change. Until then...


RM

 

[Scavenger]

the basketball program. The team should be relatively mediocre unless Irvin turns into an all big ten type player along with major contributions from Wagner and some of the frosh. Robinson should be fine if he continues to get stronger and develop.

All that being said...why all the down faces? Is it because MSU is recruiting like gangbusters? JB sure seems like he is trekking upward. Matthews is a great addition. Livers isn't too bad of a recruit not to mention the other guys who seems like they have good offers and are ballers. Seems like UM is going in the right direction and have some new coaches to emphasize defense.

We will see about Teske/Davis but Matthews, Livers, Watson, Poole, Simpson, Brooks seems like a pretty solid nucleus of guys to get excited about. If JB can't get the program turned around in 2 years then let's discuss making a change. Until then...


RM

What are you guys' expectations of this year?

Rothstein has his early top 25 as:
16-17 Top 25: 1. Duke 2. Villanova 3. Kansas 4. Xavier 5. Kentucky 6. Wisconsin 7. Virginia 8. Oregon 9. UNC 10. Indiana 11. Louisville
12. Arizona 13. UCLA 14. Gonzaga 15. Michigan State 16. West Virginia 17. UConn 18. Syracuse 19. Cal 20. Cincinnati 21. Dayton 22. URI
23. Colorado 24. Virginia Tech 25. Creighton

A lot of love for Wiscy, Indiana, and Michigan State. No mention of Michigan though so was wondering where you guys stood basketball wise this year. Where do you expect to finish in the Big 10?

 

[Reality Man]

Now in the top 5. Here are the reasons.

1. Irvin is too inconsistent.
2. Walton is a solid PG but no enough scorers to compliment him.
3. Team still learning to play defense and rebound .


The ONLY way UM gets into the top 5 in the Big Ten is that Wagner has to become a legit BT center, Robinson needs to play better in conference play and be better defensively. Donnal has to continue to contribute. Wilson will have to give UM something and some of the new guys will have to be able to handle BT competition.

Is it possible? Yes. Likely...probably not. Unless Irvin starts playing like an All Big Ten 2nd team guy this team just doesn't have enough guys. Next year with Matthews is when UM probably starts turning the corner but it will depend on what guys like Livers, Teske and Davis can do.

The clock is ticking on the JB era. In my humble opinion he has 2 years depending on the 2nd year. Matthews is probably the guy who will get him a 3rd year. What is funny is that you don't have to be a great basketball coach at UM to stick around...this isn't North Carolina.


RM