While not the non-conference some thought, we held our own, and have improved along the way. Sure some bad competition the last 2 weeks, but we've blown the doors off these teams like a good team should.
SMU is 10-0 and #18 - they might not lose a game the rest of the way and will be a top 10 team
Xavier is 12-0 and #6 right now - looking at their schedule, they probably stay top 10
UConn is likely going to be a top 25 team by the end of the year with their easy conference schedule
All "good" losses
We have two quality wins in Texas and NC State
Five very tough games vs Purdue, Maryland and MSU - 3 of these are at home - if we can go 2-3 in these games (not settling for that, but would be a decent result)
Four probable wins vs PSU, Nebraska and Rutgers
If we can go 5-4 in the toss-up nine remaining games, you're at 11-7
- Think the Duncan/Dawkins swap has helped both players - we haven't lost a game since making this switch
- Doyle and Donnal have stepped it up slightly - Wagner needs to find what he had early
- Walton, Irvin and Levert are all playing at a higher level than early in the year
- Rotation is a bit tighter now - a guy like Rahkman appears more comfortable knowing he's getting 10-12 minutes, and not buried on the bench
Like what we're doing rotating the 3 bigs - something we did with Mitch, JMO and Horford - if one is playing well, and another can hold his own for a few minutes, you're good for the night
Dawkins and Rahk are the subs for the other 4 spots - Chatman, Wilson and Dakich are only playing if games that are already decided or foul trouble
Playing Walton, Levert, Irvin, Robinson, Rahk and Dawkins for 160 minutes at the 1-4 has provided this team some cohesion - don't see us going any deeper unless the opposing team is killing us at the 4 and 5, and we try two bigs with Chatman or Wilson playing the four
Win in a week vs Illinois on the road, get PSU at home, and you're suddenly 12-3, and likely back in the top 25 with a gravy road game vs Purdue - go there with confidence and take control of the conference (3-0 start) with a win.
SMU is 10-0 and #18 - they might not lose a game the rest of the way and will be a top 10 team
Xavier is 12-0 and #6 right now - looking at their schedule, they probably stay top 10
UConn is likely going to be a top 25 team by the end of the year with their easy conference schedule
All "good" losses
We have two quality wins in Texas and NC State
Five very tough games vs Purdue, Maryland and MSU - 3 of these are at home - if we can go 2-3 in these games (not settling for that, but would be a decent result)
Four probable wins vs PSU, Nebraska and Rutgers
If we can go 5-4 in the toss-up nine remaining games, you're at 11-7
- Think the Duncan/Dawkins swap has helped both players - we haven't lost a game since making this switch
- Doyle and Donnal have stepped it up slightly - Wagner needs to find what he had early
- Walton, Irvin and Levert are all playing at a higher level than early in the year
- Rotation is a bit tighter now - a guy like Rahkman appears more comfortable knowing he's getting 10-12 minutes, and not buried on the bench
Like what we're doing rotating the 3 bigs - something we did with Mitch, JMO and Horford - if one is playing well, and another can hold his own for a few minutes, you're good for the night
Dawkins and Rahk are the subs for the other 4 spots - Chatman, Wilson and Dakich are only playing if games that are already decided or foul trouble
Playing Walton, Levert, Irvin, Robinson, Rahk and Dawkins for 160 minutes at the 1-4 has provided this team some cohesion - don't see us going any deeper unless the opposing team is killing us at the 4 and 5, and we try two bigs with Chatman or Wilson playing the four
Win in a week vs Illinois on the road, get PSU at home, and you're suddenly 12-3, and likely back in the top 25 with a gravy road game vs Purdue - go there with confidence and take control of the conference (3-0 start) with a win.
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