Mekel makes an appearance

[shock]

I was really surprised about Mekel stopping in. I always had the impression that things weren't jiving here and that might have played a part in him going ahead and leaving. I must be wrong about that if he came back for a visit. It's cool that he is doing so well and bestowing some high end practice time on our guys :)

He was severely homesick.

[wufan]

He was severely homesick.

That's understandable...most internationals use basketball as an opportunity to better a rough home situation. I don't think that was the case for Gal.

[pinstripers]

That's understandable...most internationals use basketball as an opportunity to better a rough home situation. I don't think that was the case for Gal.

Probably the case for all basketball players

[Aargh]

I'm starting to be more than eager to see what we've got with VanVleet, Baker, and Cotton. It might be next year before we see the full force of our young guards.

[Kung Wu]

I'm starting to be more than eager to see what we've got with VanVleet, Baker, and Cotton. It might be next year before we see the full force of our young guards.

I'm not on board the "reloaded" train, just yet. I'm as excited as anybody, but the variance in outcomes this year is just too wide to be making a reload-vs-rebuild call. Regardless, the next few years are gonna be special!!

[wufan]

I'm not on board the "reloaded" train, just yet. I'm as excited as anybody, but the variance in outcomes this year is just too wide to be making a reload-vs-rebuild call. Regardless, the next few years are gonna be special!!

If you are referring to a 16-2 MVC record as reload, I don't think we are there. If you mean 20+ win season and a top three Valley finish after losing our top 5 scorers, I think the coaching staff has done their part in the offseason to make that happen. There are a lot of athletic, well-rounded winners on this roster and I think that will keep us in the hunt for a conference championship for the foreseeable future.

Looking at the underclassmen only; VanVleet, Cotton, Baker, Wessel, Green, and White have the skills and attitude to be part of something special!

[InWuWeTrust]

there is no reason that even after losing the top five scorers, that we shouldn't be able to reload and continue to be a top 50 team. marshall knows what he is doing and has the horses to back that up.

[Kung Wu]

If you are referring to a 16-2 MVC record as reload, I don't think we are there. If you mean 20+ win season and a top three Valley finish after losing our top 5 scorers, I think the coaching staff has done their part in the offseason to make that happen. There are a lot of athletic, well-rounded winners on this roster and I think that will keep us in the hunt for a conference championship for the foreseeable future.

Excellent point. It really matters where you draw the line. I think of reload as having an NCAA tournament calibre team -- which is probably higher than other posters' bar. I also don't consider 3rd place in MVC as "reload". I have a higher bar than that. And 20 win season isn't enough unless coupled with very high RPI (gotta have several quality wins in that group of 20).

But the next few years are gonna rock regardless what happens this year!