just no basis in reality or perspective
MUCH, MUCH better. Final Four better. National Championship better. Write it down. If Nanu stays legit top five all year. If he doesn't, still top five by the end of the year. Never sit and evaluate after a horrible game. Everyone will be a year older, VJ King is coming, Mitchell, Spalding, Adel, Johnson, Anas, and Matz should all be significantly better, we should have Mango back. This game doesn't change my thoughts about next year much at all. No team will have a better chance at winning it all than us.
I'd pick UofL as one of 5-6 teams who could win it all next year. A pissed off/motivated Pitino combined with a special freshman class returning all has the makings of a great season. IF Nanu returns the offense will flow through him. Mitchell could be one of the best 2 guards in America next year. Deng and Ray will continue to improve. Q will be great as a junior.
I actually think next year we will be significantly better defensively since we have all offseason to allow our young players to get acclimated to the 2-3 matchup. Length for days!!
Hard to believe anyone who actually follows the team could think we'll be worse next year. As someone else pointed out, we lost >80% of our scoring from last year, and came in 4th in the conference--without Mango to boot. I'm feeling championship, but that's obviously optimistic. But write it down, unless there are multiple unexpected defections, we'll be in the preseason top ten, one of the teams picked as a favorite for a final four. If you can't see that, you're either an eternal pessimist or don't know basketball.
Mitchell, Adel, and Spalding will be one of the most talented trio of sophs in the nation. IMO, assuming he stays healthy, Adel COULD be the most improved player on the roster. Q may not be a game changer, but he's super steady and will continue to get better. Then you've got 2 seven footers in mahmoud and stockman, who were already sufficient contributors. Those guys will work on strength and come back much stronger. Add in some talented newcomers, and the possibility that nanu comes back, and you've got a title contender.