Beyond the Arc 2011-12 bball rankings
has us at #9, ahead of osu even, but assumes that morris doesn't go pro. in fact, there's mention of other prospect potentially going pro (on other teams), but not even lip service is paid to the possibility that d-mo might.
http://beyondthearc.nbcsports.com/2011/04/05/a-waaaay-too-early-2011-12…
The skinny: Best team in the Big Ten? I’ll make that leap. Every starter returns from a team that posted a negative efficiency margin during conference play, but has the talent to do more than make small improvements. Michigan’s good enough to be next year’s breakthrough team, much like UConn was in 2010-11. Morris, Hardaway and Morgan are a solid young trio who will be reason why. Morris and Hardaway can create their own shots, while Morgan’s a beats on the boards. The wild card? John Beilein’s offense relies on 3-pointers more than just about any other team. The Wolverines were about average (35.3 percent) this season; a slight uptick next year would be the difference between 20 wins and 27.
All I know is, is that I am pretty excited for next season. These boys are going to be even better, and that's pretty scary for most of the B1G.
these instinct these guys showed to win, definitely wolverine like! They will be a year older, a year more experienced, look out! That said, there will be some differences that may make it difficult to have success; they will now be the hunted, teams will be getting up to play THEM, and also might they be a tad complacent after the unexpected flush of success from this year.
I tell you what, I haven't looked forward to a basketball season this much since the Fabs were here...
I haven't looked forward to one since, well ever (I was too young to remember / know about the Fab Five).
Thats great and all, but a quite a bit higher than I'd expect and/or like to see. We all know what happened last time we came out ranked highly. I'd be much more content with around 20th or so. That way the kids get a taste of being ranked, but not enough to where they get big heads and are full of themselves.
In other news its refreshing that MSU is no where to be found on that list.
He needs to develop his shooting and his left hand....he'll get picked early second, he'll stay a year and improve his draft stock. 12 seems high, but coach B. is building a legit program
Not mentioned in the top 25 and 5th in the Big Ten...
Nothing would make me happier if this becomes true. Other than a national championship, of course.
If Sullinger and Buford come back, they're still the favorites IMO. I say this in part because, similar to raptor, I don't want expectations getting too wild for next year.
Why would they make this list now? The deadline for guys to enter the draft is April 24th.Just wait a couple of weeks. It is too hard to make a this list without knowing who will be entering the draft. If Darius stays, then Michigan is a top ten team. Obviously, if Sullinger and Buford stay, then they are the team to beat in the big ten like already mentioned. Also, if Barnes, Henson, and Zeller all come back, they the Tar Heels will clearly be the #1 team coming into next year.
Why can't they make two lists and get more page hits?
Why would they make this list now?
Because the college basketball season just ended. By April 24 people will be thinking about other things.
http://www.thesportsbank.net/college-bball/2011-2012-college-basketball-pre-season-top-25/
The Sports Bank has MIchigan at 12.
I'd rather just be unranked to start the season. This is why I hate preseason polls. [Except, of course, when MSU is preseason #2 and falls into the pit featured on the movie 300, then I like them]
Big Ten next year: http://basketball.realgm.com/article/212838/On_To_The_Next_Season_Of_College_Basketball
Sleeper Teams for Next Year?
Teams that give freshman a lot of minutes tend to improve significantly the next season. The biggest jump is usually from freshman to sophomore year. Here are the top-10 teams that gave the most possessions to freshmen this year:
Playing Time for Freshman |
||
Team |
Percentage of Possessions |
Percentage of Minutes |
Kentucky |
59.2% |
47.6% |
Ohio St. |
46.0% |
40.3% |
Wake Forest |
44.9% |
40.9% |
NC State |
44.7% |
37.1% |
Michigan |
42.5% |
38.8% |
Louisiana St. |
42.5% |
38.9% |
South Carolina |
41.2% |
43.0% |
Connecticut |
40.8% |
46.8% |
DePaul |
40.4% |
32.5% |
Stanford |
36.8% |
40.2% |
Kentucky gave over half their possessions to their younger players. That’s usually a strong indicator that the team will play better next year. Of course it only works if those players come back. NC State, Michigan, and Stanford could all be real sleepers.
I see know way we're better than OSU if Sullinger comes back, which, it seems pretty clear he will. Add Buford, DeShuan Thomas to the starting 5, and that slew of highly-ranked freshmen...yeah.
I see no way we're better than OSU if Sullinger comes back, which, it seems pretty clear he will. Add Buford, DeShuan Thomas to the starting 5, and that slew of highly-ranked freshmen...yeah.
English please senor.
When's the last time MSU wasn't in most pre-season top 25 rankings? :)
#9 or #12 sounds nice, but remember MSU was #2 going into this season. How'd that work out for them. I know there were extenuating circumstances that caused their season to tank, but let's try to keep a little perspective.
I can't wait for the fall: an exciting football season, followed by an even more exciting basketball season. That sounds weird. Oh well, I'll take it.
While we're keeping perspective, we should note that most preseason top 25 teams . . . stay in the top 25. I'm not sure why people are obsessing over the handful of outliers.
If obsessing over a handful of outliers wasn't an acceptable Internet argument strategy, do you realize how many things people would have to stop complaining about?
that he thinks we made it to the third round of the NCAA tourney. Close.... but not quite.
Edit: Bah... nevermind. I don't know if I will ever get used to calling the "First Four" the "First Round."
Not enough points to post new thread (if it even deserves), but Illinois took a hit today with Jerome Richmond announcing he wasn't coming back.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-04-05/richmond-l…
don't know that he would've been allowed to even if he wanted to.