What is "The Next Step" for SC MBB? NIT? Big Dance?
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I think we are starting to be more competitive and the edition of PJ Dozier should put us in the big dance. The caveat is that we have to keep everyone eligible and healthy.
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The NCAA should be within our grasp....the NIT should be the least of what we get. I will be disappointed if we don't get an NCAA bid but really upset if we are sweating an NIT bid.
I think we will be an NCAAT team next season. We only lose 1 senior and we will finally have a lot of upperclassmen next season.
A sad indicator of this team is that this team couldn't even muster .500 in the SEC. 5 teams made it into the NCAAT, 2 moved onto the 2nd round, now only Kentucky is left. If this team can't win or make the NIT in the SEC there's some serious issues.
In my opinion, we should aim for 10-12 SEC wins and the NCAA tournament. Anything less than an NIT bid should be considered a failure. Actually about a year ahead of where I thought we'd be when Martin was hired.
Sounds like a lot, but I expect to make the NCAA next season. If not, at least get to 20+ wins and the NIT. Have to keep moving forward.
I think we should be a lock for the NIT but do believe we will make the big dance. Probably around a 8-12 seed. Anything less and I feel we need to start looking for another direction to go in as far as coaching.
That and the fact that the best players on this team were Soph who seemed to think that they had made it after beating Iowa St... Remember FM lamenting not seeing players in the gym for extra shooting as much after that win... We really don't have the Sr leaders to say this is how you maintain success... but hopefully we have players who are learning how to and will take another step towards that next year with a Tourney bid either automatic or at large....
Should expect to be in the ncaat.
Dozier will be a program changer. Not because hes going to dominate games, but the fact that adding our 2nd McDonald's all American will open up shots and driving lanes for thornwell and notice. Dozier will make the team better just by handling the ball. With bunch and silva, plus our returning guys, we'll have the deepest, most talented roster we've had in the frank martin era.
Dozier will be a program changer. Not because hes going to dominate games, but the fact that adding our 2nd McDonald's all American will open up shots and driving lanes for thornwell and notice. Dozier will make the team better just by handling the ball. With bunch and silva, plus our returning guys, we'll have the deepest, most talented roster we've had in the frank martin era.
NIT. I guess NCAA is possible but it seems a reach. I expect a lot of other SEC to be better just like us.
Temarcus Blanton and Sheppard were plenty talented enough to help this team. Blanton is a good athlete that is long with a body ready to compete on the college level. He excels on the break and is a slasher in the halfcourt with a good mid range game that makes him a difficult wing match up. Sheppard is an incredible athlete with the big time bounce to play above the rim like few others can. He has a great motor, strong body, and aggressive demeanor on the court. These 2 guys alone could've have helped this team.
next year's "edition" will feature the addition of Dozier, Silva and others
we will have a stronger, more experienced team
Re: Aim small...at this point, I am looking for just not getting
punked again by freaking Auburn at home.....
How about not being the "first SEC win..." for every team in a 3 week stretch including extending a losing streak to a Auburn team which had a team is about going like 6-56 for the past five year which 5 of those wins coming against SC.
This post was edited on 3/23 11:32 PM by SClanding
punked again by freaking Auburn at home.....
How about not being the "first SEC win..." for every team in a 3 week stretch including extending a losing streak to a Auburn team which had a team is about going like 6-56 for the past five year which 5 of those wins coming against SC.
This post was edited on 3/23 11:32 PM by SClanding
I was actually shocked to see the general sense of optimism in this thread. I think the NCAA Tournament is an achievable goal, but definitely should not be the end-all-be-all of the season, sort of like an NIT bid this year. A good goal and something to strive for (and something we almost got, if we had held on against Arkansas or beaten UGA a third time), but not the definition of failure if we miss.
When Martin was hired, I thought it would take him five years to make us competitive. With 92% of our scoring, 88% of our rebounding, and 85%+ of our minutes returning next year, we can and will be absolute monsters. We may very well be in the top three to five teams in the SEC next year. We are definitely ahead of schedule.
Re: Aim small...at this point, I am looking for just not getting
Are you kidding me about Auburn? I know we lost to them this season but have they only won 6-30 wins in the conference?
Obviously the next step is the NIT. However I have hopes and believe that we can make the NCAA tournament. I'd be a little disappointed if we barely make it into the NIT. Twenty wins should be our goal next season.
A winning conference record should be the next step. That, with a couple of solid OOC wins away from home. Whether we get in the dance or not, we should be an NCAA bubble team at the least. I see no reason we shouldn't be.
I'm not saying we dump Martin if we're not quite at that point next year, but he should clearly be on the hot seat.
I'm not saying we dump Martin if we're not quite at that point next year, but he should clearly be on the hot seat.
