[paradox]

I think that most of the pre-season prognostications had LU finishing at best fourth or fifth in the conference. I'm wondering if Barber and Falwell's expectations for this season were to such a high degree that Dunton's seat is as hot as some here imagine it to be? My guess would be that next year would be more definitive for Dunton and this team because there is a much more realistic chance of winning the Big South. Next year we'll have a senior backcourt with a true point gaurd and floor leader in Bannister and a big-time player at the two in Brewington. Also, Smith at the three, a 7'1 Nigerian in the low post, and Mclean at the four. We'll have Jenkins, Baker, Holland and Porter, hopefully Winters, and hopefully that new 6'6 prep guy. Just my opinion, but that is where I think Dunton stands at the moment, unless of course this team goes completely belly-up and we end up sixth or worse in the conference.

My guess is that we'll could end up fourth with a .500 conference record and hopefully peaking at conference tourney time. If can start winning and can grab the three seed, we wouldn't have to see Winthrop until the title game, assuming we win a couple in the tourney. Let's see how the next three on the road turn out. If LU is going to pull out of this it will most likely happen during this stretch, especially since we were so completely exposed on Saturday. Let's see what corrections are made and if this season is still salvagible.

[thepostman]

with the talent we have we should be no worse then 3rd and playing in the conference championship game...I don't know what JB's expectations were either, I guess we will find out at the end of the season...and who knows we may turn it around...the year we won the Big South we were pretty bad the first half of the season...and ended winning like 10 straight conference games I think..I may be wrong on that..but we started really bad, and ended strong, so I know that anything is possible, especially with basketball

[paradox]

with the talent we have we should be no worse then 3rd and playing in the conference championship game...I don't know what JB's expectations were either, I guess we will find out at the end of the season...and who knows we may turn it around...the year we won the Big South we were pretty bad the first half of the season...and ended winning like 10 straight conference games I think..I may be wrong on that..but we started really bad, and ended strong, so I know that anything is possible, especially with basketball

good point

[SuperJon]

paradox, you wrote the same thing in two threads. Way to bring something to the table. High five on that one.

[Purple Haize]

Well let's take that list for a second:
Using arguments already posited (not so much by me)
Bannister - New guy
Nigerian - New guy
6'6 prep guy - New guy

Losing
Blair and maybe Brew.

Sounds like another rebuilding year. Your point guard is new, so he will take time to get accustomed to playing with this group. A post player who is new and new to the country that will take time. We will need time to adjust to the lose of the 2nd leading scorer in LU history. TO me this sounds like an equation for another "Wait till NEXT year"
GO CUBS

[SuperJon]

No, next year the team will take a bunch of time to gel (or as paradox puts it, to jell) and come together. Then in mid-January when we're playing horrible, they'll say wait til next year all over again.

[paradox]

paradox, you wrote the same thing in two threads. Way to bring something to the table. High five on that one.

Ha.. I tricked ya

[thepostman]

where would Brew go? Since he already transfered once doesn't he lose his red shirt year??

Just curious because I didn't think it was possible for him to leave unless he decided to go to D2 level or something...I could be wrong, and if that is the case please correct me

[Purple Haize]

He can make a living playing basketball.

[SuperJon]

where would Brew go? Since he already transfered once doesn't he lose his red shirt year??

He could make a very good living playing in Europe. He has two kids to feed and a wife to provide for. If we have no chance of going to the tournament, would he see any reason in staying?

[Hold My Own]

good thing is, he's not playing like everyone was expecting (is playing well, but not playing like he's ready for the NBA) therefore that increases his chances of staying next year. Before it might have been 50/50 but they have tipped a little in our favor.

[SuperJon]

I will agree with you on that one.

[paradox]

Haize:

The expectations for next year will be very high. Bannister and Brew will be a senior backcourt, and both experienced, known entities. We should have real leadership at a critical position: point gaurd. If the big 7'1 guy is physical enough, he'll contribute right away.

This year has been different with Brewington who is a two, playing new positions at 1 and 4.
We still haven't settled on a point gaurd yet and it is impacting the overall chemstry of this group.
Also, Mclean appears to be our only real post presence at the moment and this hurts us as well.

Sure we lose Blair, but we'll have Bannister and Brewington. To me that's a huge upgrade to Hubbard and Blair, soley of the huge upgrade over Hubbard at the 1.

[Purple Haize]

But that goes counter to your previous statements that we are not good at the moment b/c we have not had time to "gel". With only one new "major" addition, this year you would think that THIS years team would come together a lot quicker than NEXT year when you lose a "great" player and add 2 to the starting mix. So which argument are you going to stay with? As stated in the Princess Bride "Your intellect is truly dizzying"

[SuperJon]

He's so drunk on the kool-aid that he doesn't know what he's saying. He uses two excuses that completely contradict each other, just like his dime-a-dozen/needle in the hay stack reasoning yesterday.

[flameshaw]

He's so drunk on the kool-aid that he doesn't know what he's saying. He uses two excuses that completely contradict each other, just like his dime-a-dozen/needle in the hay stack reasoning yesterday.

SJ, correct as usual.

[jmdickens]

Haize:

The expectations for next year will be very high. Bannister and Brew will be a senior backcourt, and both experienced, known entities. We should have real leadership at a critical position: point gaurd.

If Hubbard starts at the PG and Blair the shooting guard.....Isn't that a senior backcourt???

[paradox]

Dickens: yes we have a senior backcourt, however, Hubbard is not a true point gaurd, and our lack of a real point guard was one of my main points.

Jon: dime a dozen means easy to come by and not valued highly. looking for a needle in a haystack means that it is very to find. So, the lower level guys who look good seem to be a dime a dozen as far as I'm concerned, and finding one of those guys who would actually have value and be able to take us to where we want to be would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Haize: There is enough variation between the two distinctions that both can be true. Next year will be return a stronger nucleus and will be further along in the process. We'll only lose one guy of importance next year, whereas this year everything is new starting out with only Blair and Smith to build around.

[SuperJon]

Only one guy of importance? Last time I checked, Hubbard started too. He must be a little important.

[paradox]

In my view, he's not. I think that we need a big upgrade over Hubbard at the one if we want to start winning. Personally, I'm ready to see Holland and Jenkins totally take it over, and soon.

[jmdickens]

Well.....would it be wise to start Jenkins or Holland, then next season bench them because of Bannister???? Keep Hubbard (I never thought I would say that, I honestly like Jenkins at the 1)

[paradox]

No, they'll get their minutes and Holland will learn alot from TJ. Jenkins will get his minutes next year and he'll start at the 2 after Brew's gone. They should be averaging just under 20 this year and next either way.

[jmdickens]

so, you think Brew will be gone for next year.....What about The Prep player from Hargrave or the kid from Maryland??? Jenkins is a 1 and that is where he should stay

[paradox]

Jenkins is a combo who is destined by this staff for the two.

We'll have to see where the kid from Hargrove fits in. I'm not sure yet.

Who is the kid from MD? I missed that one.

[thepostman]

for the record i think Hubbard is worthless and nothing of importance for this team...but that is merely an opinion