We have more then 5 top 100 recruits...most of them are either young(freshmen/Sophs) or to this point have not played up to that level(Juan/Taylor)
Top 100
Duane
Burton
Carlino
Juan
Fischer
Taylor
JJ
Cohen
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Didn't think Juan was. Forgot about freshmen, Cohen. Didn't give Carlino thought, other than a solid veteran player.
Your making my point even better! :D
If we had Luke Fischer from Day 1, my expectation may be NCAA Tournament. However, I fear that we drop all of the key non-conference games without him and have too big of a hole to climb out of for an at-large. Now, it would not surprise me if this group entered the Big East Tournament at something like 17-14/18-13 and won the thing, but I think that may be only shot for an NCAA bid. I think this group will be competitive if not undermanned and a bit inexperienced, but probably will be a year away from the return to NCAA's. After this year though, I think Wojo may be capable of taking us on another eight year run of tourney bids with some trips to the second weekend.
I'm not sure Luke Fischer would make *that* much of a difference. That is a lot of expectations to put on a sophomore transfer with about a dozen or so games under his belt.
Yep Juan was......but again top 100 really doesn't mean that much until we see them succeed at this level. MU has had tons of great players who never sniffed top 100 and lots of top 100 guys who never lived up to the ranking.
https://sites.google.com/site/rscihoops/home/2011-final
I think the guard play will be pretty good (even without Mayo) and that we will be a good offensive team. However, I fear us getting killed on the defensive boards/inside the lane as Taylor does not alter shots and Burton was a terrible defensive rebounder last year for a guy with his size and athletic skills. I foresee us losing 80-75 type games against good teams before Fischer becomes eligible. A healthy Fischer will significantly shore up the interior, and allow Taylor and Burton to move down a position at times (and move Juan from a 4/5 to a 3/4). In his brief time at Indiana, Fischer had an excellent block rate and I think could become of the top defenders in the Big East (and he has strong offensive skills to boot).
I feel people are doing that with Duane too... People are sure counting on a lot of inexperience to step up... I think this is an NIT team, lots of young talent and a bright future but I actually think this team would get beat by last years team. I don't know what has everyone so hyped about Duane Wilson, but I'd be shocked if he is the starter during any of the non conference games, even reports from practice last year didn't say Duane was tearing it up. Will he be a good four year player? I think so, but it's too much to expect it this year. I hate to say this because I don't like the guy, but I agree with Hunt's starting 5.
I do not think that Duane was fully healthy for much of last year, and I think last year was such a cluster that I am essentially throwing the results all out the window. The kid was a stud in high school, has put on some needed weight, and is entering a system that has done worlds of good for many players with similar skillsets. I believe that Duane steps right into Mayo's spot in the line-up and rides with the opportunity. I am not expecting an all-conference season or anything like that, and his efficiency will likely be suspect (at least at times), but I think he will be good enough to play over mistakes and learn on the fly.
Regarding Hunt, he also overlooked the fact that for practice purposes we also have Levin and Wally, and that's where we need the extra guys - in the front court. But then again, logic and knowledge do not seem to be among Hunt's strengths.
By the way, I am pretty certain Carlino was not an RSCI Top 100 recruit, though Juan, Luke, Deonte, Duane, JJ, and Sandy were. That's six out of 10.
Steve Taylor also was consensus top 100, #82 overall in 2012. I expect him to look more like a top 100 player next year, and build upon the promising freshman glimpses.