Looking to next year already (wet blanket thread - sorry guys.)

[Bisonic]

It's disappointing to me that this CU team had to fight for their lives in this game, AGAIN versus ISU. (2nd time in a week we're fighting for our lives against the bottom team in the league and we barely won.)

After today's game, looking at Burks' Tourney MVP-type numbers ... without Alec we're about #11 in the league this year, perhaps #12.

Let's face it, the #12 team took us to the wire today with our best player going OFF - 29 points and 15 rebounds. When Burks isn't being super-human on offense, I just don't see much to get excited about with this team. Teams in this league have figured out Higgins, Relphorde, and Knutsen. Burks athleticism separates him from those guys so if Alec is on, the other team just needs to answer his bursts.

I'm looking for a lot more in the way of offensive identity out of Coach Boyle's team next season. Again, sorry to be a wet blanket but if we're depending on the following, we're not going to be a good team -

Burks - may come back but only if there's a lockout.

Roberson - hasn't shown the ability to be an offense force yet, but great in all other aspects.

Dufault - disappears for long stretches. Hasn't "gone off" on offense in 32 games this year.

Harris-Tunks - showed nothing on offense his Freshman year. I'll believe it when I see it.

Mills - Nice on offense but more weaknesses than strengths in other aspects.

Sharpe - The leaper needs to add a LOT more to his offensive game.

Tomlinson - Still hasn't make a Buff team 'his' yet after 3 seasons.

Freshmen - I don't count on Freshmen to be contributors ever.

Sorry guys, without a much, much better identity, I see us as about #8 in the 12 Pac next year.

 

[dyemeduke]

I think we'll be middle of the pack, but yeah, I agree. Next year is a struggle. Not only do you lose your best player, but Higgins was an amazingly underrated player - I thought he was great. Your 3rd option in Relphorde is also gone, as is your 6th man in Knutson. We're going to struggle, but hey, rebuilding years happen. I think we'll still be competitive. You're forgetting about Carlon Brown - dude is athletic and can score okay.

 

[cnbuff410]

I have no problem with Relphorde's gone. Levi's surely hurt though

 

[Scotch]

I think we'll be middle of the pack, but yeah, I agree. Next year is a struggle. Not only do you lose your best player, but Higgins was an amazingly underrated player - I thought he was great. Your 3rd option in Relphorde is also gone, as is your 6th man in Knutson. We're going to struggle, but hey, rebuilding years happen. I think we'll still be competitive. You're forgetting about Carlon Brown - dude is athletic and can score okay.

:nod: @ the bold. As long as recruiting is still going well, and the team is showing signs of improvement throughout the year, then I can live with the rebuilding tag.

 

[Bisonic]

Forgot about Carlon Brown - thanks DMD. That's a guy that should really help take up some slack. However you get my point - even WITH talented players like Burks and Higgins, teams have figured out how to put the clamps on Boyle's offense. He needs to adjust better as the season wears on OR keep bring in superstars consistently, otherwise he'll be the next ApkeMillerHarringtonPatton. He gets a break with the new league in terms of athleticism and depth, but the coaching over there isn't a substantial step down from the B12.

 

[tante]

Geez can't you wait until the season is over. Seriously get the **** out of here with that ****. Enjoy now we are on the cusp of an ncaa berth.

 

[MtnBuff]

Not saying that CU becomes a contender for the conference championship but I think we see some players make some major steps forward.

Burks - don't know if he is back or not, if he is its hard to be better but he will be more consistent with experience.

Roberson - Gets stronger, experience makes him a much better player. Has skills, needs to learn to use them

Dufault - With Harris-Trunks back and Mills better gets to return to his natural forward position, has made major step forward this year.

Harris-Trunks Anything he gives us is a step up from this year. Came into season 25 lbs stronger. Not a big-time offensive player but a legit center who can hit a shot

Mills - Showed flashes, you can't teach 7 foot but you can make it stronger and work on skills. Showed some flashes

Sharpe - showed flashes, agree needs to step up to his talent level

Tomlinson - Won't ever be a star but could continue to develop and be a key role player. Can shoot outside, needs confidence to use the shot.

Carlon Brown - Should at least make up for losing Higgins, reportedly a really explosive offensive player.

Freshmen - True you can't predict but of the three from Cali at least two should contribute at least as role players.

The PAC isn't that strong, this team will be at least in the middle if not upper half.

 

[dyemeduke]

...I understand your point somewhat...I think there's some GREAT coaches in the PAC10, and Boyle will have his hands full. However, I think give Boyle some better depth in the frontcourt, and you'll see his teams do better. A lot of our offense is perimeter oriented, with some penetration, etc. However, if you give him a decent post presence, even if the guy just camps around the free throw line to pass the ball out. Boyle's offense is limited in what it can do.

...I do think our picks could use some coaching up though...they're horrible.

 

[Buffnik]

Too early to make these judgments. We have no idea what we have with Carlon Brown, the 3 freshman, Tunks returning from injury, or the 1 or 2 additional recruits (likely JUCO transfer/s). That will be half the roster. We could be bad. We could be mediocre. We could be conference champions. I know it will be fun. Love the style this team plays under Boyle and the players he has brought in are really fiery guys.

 

[Bone Buff]

Too early to make these judgments. We have no idea what we have with Carlon Brown, the 3 freshman, Tunks returning from injury, or the 1 or 2 additional recruits (likely JUCO transfer/s). That will be half the roster. We could be bad. We could be mediocre. We could be conference champions. I know it will be fun. Love the style this team plays under Boyle and the players he has brought in are really fiery guys.

Pretty much this. I do know the PAC 10 hasn't impressed me much at all this season.

Swings in College basketball happen so quickly, much faster than in Football.

 

[Tractor]

Forgot about Carlon Brown - thanks DMD. That's a guy that should really help take up some slack. However you get my point - even WITH talented players like Burks and Higgins, teams have figured out how to put the clamps on Boyle's offense. He needs to adjust better as the season wears on OR keep bring in superstars consistently, otherwise he'll be the next ApkeMillerHarringtonPatton. He gets a break with the new league in terms of athleticism and depth, but the coaching over there isn't a substantial step down from the B12.

I'm not sure I buy this. We're currently 13th in the nation in scoring averaging 79.3 points per game. The last 5 games, we're averaging 78.8. By my count, that's half a point different from our season average. Granted, we played a pretty crappy defense twice (ISU), but we also played two of the nations' best defenses (Texas and Nebraska). Hell, we just scored over 50 points in a half in tournament play.

Our team might look different next year, maybe we'll be more of a big, long, physical, defensive and rebounding team. I'll be ok with that. I don't think we're going to win 95-90 games next year. But I'm excited that this team can win 91-89 games as well as 58-56 games. Makes me feel pretty good about our coach.

Now if we could be on the winning side of 91-56 games or any road games, I'd be even happier.

Can we worry about next year next year?

 

[absinthe]

shut. up.

 

[CVilleBuff]

Can't we at least wait until the end of the year before we start this ****? We're going to be just fine. Burks hasn't announced anything, we really don't know anything about our recruits/Carlon Brown/SHT, Andre Roberson is going to be even more of a beast than he already is, and other players will improve. Waaayyyyy too early to be hitting the panic button, or even having this conversation. I know we're used to the basketball season being over at this point, but believe it or not, the biggest games of this season are still in front of us.

Beat KSU

 

[Bone Buff]

Birth of a monster.

 

[absinthe]

If Andre can give us a double-double most nights and Carlon Brown can give us the 17-7 he seems capable of while still shooting 35%ish from three we'll be mediocre or better. One thing is for sure we are going to be a very different look team, probably will be much better on the boards.

 

[Mick Ronson]

while Levi certainly has a "role" on the team (that isn't just to shoot the 3), i think as an uptempo team if you have the athletes it's easier to replace "parts". seems like the Cali recruits are good athletes. Higgins and Burks are not going to be replaced overnight and we'll miss the scoring and "go to" aspect....but, if guys buy in on D, Brown can come in and score right away in the 15 range....i think we can be decent.