Quick poll - what are your expecations for basketball?

[dawgstudent]

I'm saying sniffing if not making the NCAA tourney.

sidebar - what does Malik Newman do if we don't make the NCAA tourney? Is he still one and done?

 

[Drewbowski]

We make the NIT and Newman is a 1 and done regardless of missing the NCAA

 

[patdog]

Malik is 1-and-done no matter what. Howland has been very clear that that was the deal from the start. Only way he comes back for year #2 is if for some reason he's just not projected to be a 1st round pick in the draft, then he and Horatio would have to decide what to do from there.

As for expectations, I expect us to be improved. Whether that means NIT, NCAA, or Sweet 16, I have no idea.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Possibly last four in or out and Malik is gone no matter what.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Winning season. I just don't think its fair to expect a complete 180 out of the program. A proven coach and influx of talent is great, but they still have to put it all together on the court. I'm expecting an entertaining product.

I don't have a clue about Malik. If he's good enough to be one and done, then I kind of think we should make the Tournament. Conversely, if we don't make the tournament then I think he may need another year....whether he will stick around for another year is something I can't answer.

I guess its possible Malik could have an amazing year and the team still not be good enough to make the Tournament. That would suck.

 

[KentuckyDawg13]

NCAA (2nd round loss) and Malik is gone.

I'm saying sniffing if not making the NCAA tourney.

sidebar - what does Malik Newman do if we don't make the NCAA tourney? Is he still one and done?

 

[ronpolk]

I say we make the ncaa tournament. Probably will be a quick exit though. In college basketball, if you can put some complimentary players around a superstar you can you be good. I think with ware and sword, we have enough around Malik to be good.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

After losing Aric Holman to a knee, I'm not so optimistic. We would have made the NCAA with those two. Although I doubt we got past the first round. He was going to play a huge role this year. He's done for at least 4 months, and I would guess will probably medically RS.

NIT with second round exit. Newman is gone, regardless. Sad to not get to see he and Holman play together.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Around 19 wins, NIT berth. Malik will be gone.

 

[MSUDC11]

NIT. Don't think our post players are good enough for us to be anything better than a bubble team.

Malik and Chicken will win us some big games, but we are in trouble if they struggle on any given night.

 

[engie]

NCAA bubble, although my expectations drop with every successive injury. Expect us to surprise some people. Especially Weatherspoon, who Howland is starting to really pump up as an even better player than we all thought he could be...

 

[horshack.sixpack]

NIT/NCAA bubble

 

[Shmuley]

I'm hoping for a chance at the dance with a good SEC tourney run.

 

[msstate7]

NCAA tourney

Sword and Malik are gonna be a very good backcourt

 

[HueFreeze]

sweet 16 appearance!

let the stans haters, have a little fun!

 

[Cow College]

NCAA tournament

 

[Junction John]

Chicken needs to stay healthy.

Ware needs some help - not sure if Fallou is the answer but he may be all we have. Solid first 5, but it drops off significantly after that.

My guess is we will be much improved but barely miss tourney and NIT bound. NCAA next year.

 

[Col. Forbin]

Newman is one and done regardless. I think we will be competitive but we don't make the dance. NIT is a maybe. I just won't the excitement back.

 

[MCsMGs]

I'm thinking our tournament fortunes are riding on what contribution we can get in paint from Johnny Z and Fallou. I think if we can get 10-15 productive minutes out of each of them and have no additional injuries, we can make the big dance.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

4th or 5th in the SEC and a Tourney appearance. We have a lot of experience and one of the most talented players in the country. This team can play great D and now we have a true top level scoring threat.

 

[DerHntr]

I'm hoping for a chance at the dance with a good SEC tourney run.

It's actually exciting to have you post something other than "3 long years"

 

[tenureplan]

To be fair

He posted "Two Long Years" and "One Long Year" as well.

 

[DawgsOnTheWing]

With Holman, I think we would have made NC2A. Without Holman, maybe first 4 out. Adios, Malik.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Resume beating Mississippi both games, finish 4th-6th in the SEC, win a couple in the SEC tourney and be a top 2 seed in the NIT.

 

[mstateglfr]

Expectations
- to be in every game except for 3 for the season.
- to finish in the top 9 of the conference.
- to win 20 games.
- to make a postseason tournament.

Hopes
- finish in top 5 of conference.
- reach NCAAT.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

No more. Long. Years.

 

[MagnoliaHunter]

i think that we are in

Newman- enough said
Fred - first week Howland was fixing his shot. said he was jerking his head to the side every time he shot the ball. Stopping this should make him a much more consistent shooter.
Johnny Zuppardo was scored 21 points in the juco all-star game and lead his team to the juco national title.
Ware - will be much better.
Sword - will be healthier than he has been at MSU.
Weatherspoon - is better than Howland thought he was.
Ready - will play much better now that he doesn't have all the pressure of being the only real ballhandler.
I think a couple of others will step up this year too.

It may be my maroon glasses, but I think that we are in the tournament and not as one of the last 4.

 

[whosyourdawgy]

I just don't know if we have enough inside to play with the big boys just yet. Our 1s 2s and 3s look pretty damn good. The 4s and 5s just aren't there. Ware can't do it by himself. Ndoye will give us 5 fouls unless somebody attached hands to the ends of his arms to actually be able to catch a basketball. Zuppardo and Daniels aren't 4s Teams with good bigs should be able to dominate us in the paint.

That being said. I can't wait to see chicken and Malik on the court at the same time. Those 2 should wreak absolute havoc on opposing teams defenses. If we have anyone that can knock down open 3's, they should get plenty of chances. Im excited for basketball for the first time in what 4 years now?

 

[Shamoan]

i expect a trip to the big dance. nit would be a disappointment for me personally speaking, but that might not be rational of me.

 

[Lettucexxxx]

I think we have the starting roster of a tourny team. I dont know about our depth just yet but I believe we will be competitive and in every game.
Malik is a special talent and ultra competitive. If he sees that we have a shot next year for a deep run, I believe he thinks about returning. But in my heart of hearts, I just dont see anyone turning down that kind of money.

 

[AlCoDog]

I expect to still give a damn about college basketball in January this year. It's been a while. I think we dance.

 

[Shmuley]

Amen.

 

[kired]

SEC West Champs

But seriously... I expect to make the NCAA tourney. We've got a legit coach, one & done elite player, and surrounded by a solid group of returning guys. I just hate the Holman kid got hurt or I'd be saying sweet 16.

 

[tcdog70]

We have Newman, we Have Howland, we don't have Ricky Ray. All that means we will be dancing.

 

[fishwater99]

NCAA tourney for sure if Malik is one and done.
I would love to see Malik come back for year two. He needs to work on his outside shot

 

[Snog]

18 wins and I have no idea. If he has great numbers.....he's gone

 

[Faustdog]

We're really going to struggle guarding the post.

I said last year that if you add Malik to that team, they still wouldn't make the NIT. With Howland I have much more hope. Ray was no better floor coach than Stans despite popular opinion. Zuppardo could make or break this season, and I really have no idea what he'll do.

I got to see Weatherspoon in high school a few times, and I'm really high on him. He'll have a bigger impact on our program long term than Malik.

I'm going to put my maroon glasses on here and say we get in as a 12 seed.