Should open as a top 10 team...unless the coach gets hired by a bigger program and the whole team enters the transfer portal.
FAU returns everybody except one player
- Thread starter akaukswoosh
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He sounds like the epitome of a team player instead of an NBA prospector. Before Cal, UK had players like that. Now it is all about how fast they can get to the NBA.
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It will be tempting for a couple of them I’m sure. Chance to go to a bigger name, play in front of bigger crowds, probably make a lot more money.
That was the case for ODU big name stars a couple of years ago . The guard Max stayed but the big man(forgot his name) left to go play at Texas Tech .
I would take Nick Boyd on my team. I believe his numbers could have been much greater, but he as well as their team of players seem to be all about the team.
Poor coaching and time management down the stretch and they went home. Burned 2 timeouts and still got it wrong.
If Martin wants to enter the portal I wouldn’t be mad if Kentucky could get him. But they are all returning to FAU probably want will be really good again next year
I seriously doubt they do much next season. These teams that make these runs rarely duplicate them. Butler is the big exception of course.
I bet they end up a 4-5 seed next year but likely lose in the 2nd round/Sweet 16
If your prediction is correct, it is better than what we did this year and likely to do next year.
Cal recruits players he doesn't have to develop. Problem is they are young and inexperienced and don't stay long enough to get aged and experienced. If they don't leave on their own he pushes them along to make room for his next crop. After all they wouldn't be here if they didn't know they would get major floor time.He took a break from that for 2 years but we are back to it.
While I believe that Cal definitely has his flaws, "before-Cal" was 14 years ago. It's not just a "Cal-thing". College basketball, as a whole has changed and getting-to-the-league as soon as possible is the mindset for most elite players. FAU's players don't have a lot of other options.
Cal is the father of the OAD era. He encouraged his players to leave.
I am not aware of a single player who played for Cal who didn't need development. There is nothing about high school and/or AAU ball that prepares a player for the NBA. There is a difference between not needing development and not knowing how to develop players. Cal simply has no idea how to develop players.
Yeah, the coach has said there's been tampering while they played their NCAA games. It's a dog eat dog world out there.
They will have a target on their back every game next season will be the hunted but they have a good coach and nice team. They should be able to make a run next season.
That's true, but FAU was really good all year this year. 35-4 on the season after yesterday's loss. UNC was mediocre most of the year before their late season run. They really just reverted back.
Oral Roberts was in a similar position after their run a couple years ago. They had a star guard and theoretically could have returned every other player of note. I think their second best player, a big, transferred and then they were unable to recapture that magic.
You do realize that was created by the NBA not allowing players to go straight to the pros right? Not by Coach Cal. NBA changed the rules just before Cal came to UK. That’s what created the one and done culture, Cal was just the first coach to see the potential and start utilizing it.
I’m not saying it’s a good strategy either, just stating how that came about. Cal didn’t create that, the NBA did.
It will be interesting to see if they can repeat the magic. Sometimes stuff just goes your way all season and you get special seasons like that.
You are exactly right. He demanded and was proud of it. At that point, I knew that Cal didn't give a crap about the university or the fans.
The NBA did create the rule, but Cal did more than just follow the rule. He exploited the rule and some of the players too. Cal is all about the number of players he pushes to the NBA. His recruiting strategy required players to leave as quickly as possible. Eventually, players felt like if they didn't leave after one year that they were somehow lesser players. That was Cal's creation and not the NBA's.
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This is true. If his malfeasance continues for much longer, he will be begging them to stay. By the time that would happen though, his goal of the complete dismantling of the UK program will be complete.
They caught fire at the right time. They will not be a top 10 team next season and won't do much in the NCAAT either. They were a lucky turnover and layup away from losing in the first round to Memphis. If they miss that there is nobody on the planet who thinks they are a top 10 team.
Oral Roberts was 18-11, made it to the sweet 16 and finished the year ranked 125th on Kenpom.
FAU was 35-4, made it to the Final Four and finished the year ranked 17th on Kenpom.
Let’s not act like FAU and Oral Roberts are the same thing. Oral Roberts got hot in the tournament and won a couple of games. FAU was winning all year long.
Doesn’t mean FAU will repeat next year; it simply means that these are not analogous situations.
I’d be surprised if they all come back. Kids say stuff in the heat of the moment, but after reflection I’d think some will transfer some will try out the NBA draft.
Remember FAU could have easily lost to Memphis in the first round. They captured lightning in a bottle during this run and odds are they won’t do it again.
I think Dusty May could be another Shaka Smart in the making. I hope I am wrong though.
Everybody comes back, they will not fly under the radar as they did this season. They will go from being the hunter to being the hunted as they say. Different dynamic. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Do we have Memphis fans on this board or something? Almost every team that makes the Final Four or wins a championship catches a break somewhere along the line. The fact that FAU could have lost to Memphis does not negate their run.
True, may be huuuuuge dud just like UNCheat this year lol, but will be interesting to follow if they stay together.
Have any other phrase you want to parrot for the 1000th time on this board?
Guess it's too hard for some people to grasp the concept that someone can want to leave early for the NBA while still being a good teammate.
I would bet most players would like to get to the NBA as quickly as possible if they had that opportunity, regardless of where they play.