Ron Baker!

[Aargh]

I remember a year when we were in the S16 and only lost 1 player. It was around mid-season the next year that we fnally realized the significance that losing one player can have.

We have WAY more depth going into next year than we had in 2006. We're going to miss Armstead and Hall. We won't know how much we're going to miss them for a month or so into the season. We get Coleby and Wessel (much D1 experience) in addition to the incoming recruits.

I think we've got the players, coaches, and attitude to be top-20 for most or all of the year. I think we'll start the year somewhere in the mid-teens in the polls.

[Shoxfan11]

I remember a year when we were in the S16 and only lost 1 player. It was around mid-season the next year that we fnally realized the significance that losing one player can have.

To be fair, we also lost two walk-ons that were leaders and while I don't know the details, something was very, very wrong with the team chemistry.

[HarpBros]

well.... I heard the rumors at the time Sean O did something that didn't sit well with his teammates and team chemistry was destroyed.

[ShockerFever]

The media can be really dumb. However, this type of run, coming off a season where we lost our 5 top scorers will settle deep in their minds. Don't underestimate the power of the Final Four and the cache that is being built up.

I think we'll easily be preseason Top 20 next year.

[ABC]

well.... I heard the rumors at the time Sean O did something that didn't sit well with his teammates and team chemistry was destroyed.

I am sure the team chemistry was part of the issue, but we had zero depth on the front court and we were small.

Kyle Wilson was out of position at the #5 spot for starters. Our front line was 6'8" and 6'5" with 6'7" off the bench, and that was about it. We had zero depth up front. I think that finally caught up to us.

[Zardoz]

Depth in the front court on that team was a big issue. Turg wasn't able to attract the front court players "at this level" to continue the success of the program. Kyle Wilson who should have been a stretch 4 was playing center and all the other posts were small even by MVC standards. Then there were the off court issues that really upset team chemistry. Lastly I think Turg just lost the team at the end of the season.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I am sure the team chemistry was part of the issue, but we had zero depth on the front court and we were small.

Kyle Wilson was out of position at the #5 spot for starters. Our front line was 6'8" and 6'5" with 6'7" off the bench, and that was about it. We had zero depth up front. I think that finally caught up to us.

Plus the opponents figgered out that Sean was a one trick pony.

[shoxlax]

Depth in the front court on that team was a big issue. Turg wasn't able to attract the front court players "at this level" to continue the success of the program. Kyle Wilson who should have been a stretch 4 was playing center and all the other posts were small even by MVC standards. Then there were the off court issues that really upset team chemistry. Lastly I think Turg just lost the team at the end of the season.

I thought Stretch Four was a type of offense. You mean it's a position?

[LandStander]

Add to that we made the Final Four with only 2 scoring. DWill has been absent sense the last game of the season.

I think DWill is much more valuable in Valley Games. 4 years here, he knows the Valley inside and out, I think that's why (and injuries) his minutes have dropped in the tourney

[Rlh04d]

Depth in the front court on that team was a big issue. Turg wasn't able to attract the front court players "at this level" to continue the success of the program. Kyle Wilson who should have been a stretch 4 was playing center and all the other posts were small even by MVC standards. Then there were the off court issues that really upset team chemistry. Lastly I think Turg just lost the team at the end of the season.

We were #8 in the country at one point that year, with wins over George Mason (off the FF run), a top 10 LSU team on the road, and a top 15 Syracuse team on the road. The problem wasn't that we were a bad team by any means.

That was a weird year, but I don't think talent, depth, or positions were the problem, or we wouldn't have been able to start the year off so well. That was a mental thing.

[shock-it-to-me]

Yeah, but all three of those teams (GMU, LSU and Syuracuse) completely tanked that year, so none of those wins ended up being very impressive.

[im4wsu]

I think DWill is much more valuable in Valley Games. 4 years here, he knows the Valley inside and out, I think that's why (and injuries) his minutes have dropped in the tourney

Or it might be his shooting has been awful! Hope that three-ball gets him untracked!!!!!

[McShocker]

Or it might be his shooting has been awful! Hope that three-ball gets him untracked!!!!!

I think DWill is much more valuable in Valley Games. 4 years here, he knows the Valley inside and out, I think that's why (and injuries) his minutes have dropped in the tourney

It isn't his shooting. It is two things: his decision making and the fact that Ron Baker and FVV are absolute studs. 3G can live with some poor shooting if everything else is equal, but the hard truth is 2 freshman are playing much smarter basketball than he is.

[The Mad Hatter]

While the return of Ron has certainly contributed to shifting minutes away from DWill, the reality is that he is seriously banged up (knee and hip I believe). That has been the single biggest issue in his playing time. Hopefully the time off has given him some to get at least a little healthier.

[HarpBros]

Ron Baker @RDB_sh31ox1h
I just recreated a classic Buzzer Beater at #FinalFourweekend in Atlanta! Check out my @Buick #EncorePerformance http://social-gen.com/finalfour13/index.php?s=1&e=69&id=223 …