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Is it possible we could be the best team in the SEC next year?

Started by -Blu, March 09, 2014, 07:01:32 pm

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-Blu

Was looking at teams and what all they were bringing in/back next year, and is it possible we could be the best team in the SEC next year?

You look at us next year, and we are returning 5 out of 6 of our leading scorers, and returning 3 starters on a 21+ win team, really could say 4 starters since Bell started a good portion during the beginning of the year.  We're only really losing 1 major contributor, and that's Coty Clarke.  But we bring in Keaton Miles (Former 4 star recruit), and possibly add a guy like Willie Atwood to help replace his production.  Then you add guys like Anton Beard and Nick Babb who should be an upgrade in scoring at the guard positions. 

The only teams right now in the SEC that can be argued to be better than us this year is Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and possibly Mizzou.

-Florida is losing 4 out of 5 of the starters, they do have some solid underclassmen, but won't be near as good as they were this year, they are losing a WHOLE lot of production.

-Kentucky, their off-season is going to be very interesting, who's going to stay and who's going to go.  We know Randle is gone for sure.  It's possible Cauley-Stein and Pothyress could go ahead and leave, Cauley-Stein could probably go late first round, and Pothyress could go late first or early second.  James Young will probably be gone, the Harrison twins will probably return, but will throw some feelers out there to see how early they can go.  And while the class they have coming in is good, it's not going to be star-studded like this previous class, and if they lose their best players, it could be another "mediocre" season in Kentucky standards for them.

Mizzou-  Has been slowly declining each year.  Really underachieved this year, they have 3 NBA guards and on their roster and on the wrong side of the bubble.  And they are losing all 3 of them at the end of the season.

Tennessee-  Losing 3 of their top 5 scorers to graduation.  Could be losing 4 if Stokes decides to leave early, which would be a nightmare for them and it's a possibility.  He could be a late first or early second round guy as well.  Have checked their recruiting class out, but I'm assuming since I haven't heard anything about it, it isn't too special.

LSU and Georgia could be teams that get better next year.  Georgia is starting to come on as of late, and I believe they are still pretty young, but we should still be much better than them next year.  LSU is losing O'Bryant and Stringer but had a very good freshman class that hasn't disappointed, Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are big time, if these guys have a nice off-season LSU could actually be better next year.

nextlevel

I think you will see most of the Kentucky roster return (due to sliding draft predictions) combined with another top recruiting class and they will be said to be the favorite to win the Tourney, probably won't see 40-0 predictions again, just 39-1.
Quote from: GUVHOG on March 07, 2011, 11:26:42 am
I'll make a prediction: If BCG were to get the Tennessee job, Calipari will be fired from UK within 2 years because from the 2013-2014 season on, Tennessee will own the SEC East until BCG moves on or retires.

ell oh ell

 

TMc


Smithian

We lose 5 seniors, including two starters. If Beard comes in and takes a couple seasons to develop like Madden then the Hogs will be hard pressed to improve much. Hogs have to find a JUCO guard or two.

Florida will still be good. Wouldn't surprise me if Calipari drops the hammer this offseason and they come back with a vegence next season. LSU is due to improve.

k.c.hawg

I suspect we will open as a Top 4 team in the league barring any unexpected casualties. We could easily play ourselves into the Top 2 and then see how it all shakes out.
Just sitting on the deck with a cold beer and a hot tequila watching the razorbacks roam.

High Octane Hog

Would not surprise me if we regress just a little bit next year. I still would not have a problem with that, because I believe the future is still very bright.

swinesation

We're losing our three best defenders. I'm not saying we won't be better, but I don't think it's a sure thing.

poloprince

We should be right there until the very end next season.
$PoLoPrInCe$

latrops

Quote from: High Octane Hog on March 09, 2014, 08:22:28 pm
Would not surprise me if we regress just a little bit next year. I still would not have a problem with that, because I believe the future is still very bright.

If we narrowly miss the NCAAT this year, then regress next year....that is 4 years of no NCAAT.  I wouldn't be thinking how bright our future is if CMA can't get to the NCAAT through four years.

That said, we still have a decent shot of making the NCAAT this year.  We should win our first game in the NCAAT (I know, no guarantee) and then play UT with a bid probably on the line. 

Next year, losing Clarke and Wade hurts, but we bring a most of our production back and with a little development from Portis and Kingsley while Bell continues to play with confidence and hit shots, I expect even bigger things.  Between the continued development of our current players as well as the addition of a handful of newcomers, we should see a net gain.  I do wish Clarke had another year of eligibility.  Gonna miss that guy.

ErieHog

The team is losing one of the main stabilizing performers and willing crunch time players, in Clarke.  It will take us time to figure out how to redistribute that among our returnees and new folks.

We are likely to end up in the same 3rd to 5th range.
No cause, ever, in the history of all mankind, has produced more cold-blooded tyrants, more slaughtered innocents, and more orphans than socialism with power. It surpassed, exponentially, all other systems of production in turning out the dead. The bodies are all around us. And here is the problem: No one talks about them. No one honors them. No one does penance for them. No one has committed suicide for having been an apologist for those who did this to them. No one pays for them. No one is hunted down to account for them. It is exactly what Solzhenitsyn foresaw in The Gulag Archipelago: "No, no one would have to answer. No one would be looked into." Until that happens, there is no "after socialism."

bobcat ball

To the OP yes we should be up there near the top for sure. Clarke is gonna be missed but the other spots are being upgraded IMO.
WOO PIG

Uncommon

I think we'll be the 3rd best team in the SEC next year.  Florida and Kentucky will return as 1st and 2nd best.

-Blu

Quote from: Atlhogfan1 on March 09, 2014, 10:05:46 pm
So we are expecting a bad major conference to get worse and we expect we may be better? 

Mike obviously thinks he needs more guards and just whiffed(for now although signing day is a ways away) on one of his top JC guard reaches.  Plenty of time discuss next season after this one which will have more ups and downs on the Anderson Rollercoaster.

*Hater Alert* *Hater Alert*

Sorry my hatedar just went off.  But, to entertain your need to hate, nobody said anything about the conference being worse, I actually think it will be more well rounded next year.  This year it was just Florida and Kentucky dominated.  This could be a league next year with 5 or 6 teams are in the top 50 RPI for most of the year.


I think we'll be really good next year, I think LSU will be pretty good, If Stokes comes back Tennessee will be competitive, Georgia is young and improving, they'll be a competitive team.  If Kentucky brings back most of their guys they will of course be good again, and Florida has a nice core of underclassmen they'll be another good team as well, not #1 good, but still a very good team.  Then Mizzou of course, Frank Haith always finds transfer and JUCO to bolster his team, they won't be pushovers, so you have to put them in the equation as well.




 

Hoggycronopolis

Quote from: nextlevel on March 09, 2014, 07:04:27 pm
I think you will see most of the Kentucky roster return (due to sliding draft predictions) combined with another top recruiting class and they will be said to be the favorite to win the Tourney, probably won't see 40-0 predictions again, just 39-1.
I think cauley-stein goes... If he stays? Look out 'merica.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they SMITE you, and then you win"  
-Ghandi

"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity"
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3kgthog

We lose our best man to man defender in Wade, the guard that probably has our best assist to turnover ratio in Gulley, our stat stuffer guy in Clarke, and our occasional spark plug in Haydar.

We're going to take a step back, folks.

yraciv

Both Kentucky and Florida should be preseason Top 10.  I think we'll be better and will probably project us 3, depending on who goes pro. Most projections have both O'Bryant and Stokes leaving early. 

Florida just reloads. They return Frazier, Finney Smith, Chris Walker, and Kasey Hill. Throw in 3 Top 50 recruits and Alex Murphy they should just keep rolling.

Kentucky will lose their share again and reload. I'm of the opinion this is their weakest class in recent years, but they are likely to start both Wiggins, Poythress, Johnson, & Marcus Lee who all should be drafted in 2015. Throw in 4 top 30 recruits, and this will be a deeper UK without a star.

Atlhogfan1

Quote from: -Blu on March 09, 2014, 10:48:00 pm
*Hater Alert* *Hater Alert*

Sorry my hatedar just went off.  But, to entertain your need to hate, nobody said anything about the conference being worse, I actually think it will be more well rounded next year.  This year it was just Florida and Kentucky dominated.  This could be a league next year with 5 or 6 teams are in the top 50 RPI for most of the year.


I think we'll be really good next year, I think LSU will be pretty good, If Stokes comes back Tennessee will be competitive, Georgia is young and improving, they'll be a competitive team.  If Kentucky brings back most of their guys they will of course be good again, and Florida has a nice core of underclassmen they'll be another good team as well, not #1 good, but still a very good team.  Then Mizzou of course, Frank Haith always finds transfer and JUCO to bolster his team, they won't be pushovers, so you have to put them in the equation as well.

This is more optimistic in relation to the SEC than your OP.  Thanks for clarifying your view at this point of what the conference could be next season. 
Quote from: MaconBacon on March 22, 2018, 10:30:04 amWe had a good run in the 90's and one NC and now the whole state still laments that we are a top seed program and have kids standing in line to come to good ole Arkansas.  We're just a flash in the pan boys. 

yraciv

Mizzou being good is dependent on Clarkson and Brown coming back. Both are projected to leave on the mocks I've seen. Their big transfers sitting in the wings are Deuce Bello, who averaged 2 a game at Baylor, Cameron Biedscheid, 6 a game at Notre Dame, and Zach Price who barely saw the court at Louisville.  Most important thing in my opinion with Mizzou is the Haith effect. They'll certainly have talent, but I've seen regression and a lot of underperforming. There is no way that team should be an 8 seed in the conference tourney.

Temprees

Quote from: 3kgthog on March 09, 2014, 11:22:34 pm
We lose our best man to man defender in Wade, the guard that probably has our best assist to turnover ratio in Gulley, our stat stuffer guy in Clarke, and our occasional spark plug in Haydar.

We're going to take a step back, folks.
You are incorrect.  Hogs will be better next year.  One reason is Coach is bringing in a point guard or guards, who can take the ball out of Madden's hands.  Madden is really a 2-guard, who has tried to take on a point guard's playmaking role.  If you notice that in some of those games where we had scoring droughts, Madden and Qualls  were dribbling too much, and not making the best of decisions. 

With a true point guard, Madden will be able to move to the 2-guard, where he can knock down some stationary shots, instead or shooting so much off the dribble.


Rawker

Quote from: Smithian on March 09, 2014, 07:32:06 pm
We lose 5 seniors, including two starters. If Beard comes in and takes a couple seasons to develop like Madden then the Hogs will be hard pressed to improve much. Hogs have to find a JUCO guard or two.
Wouldn't surprise me if Calipari drops the hammer this offseason and they come back with a vegence next season.

Pfff....yeah, a hammer of complaints, blames, and feigned tears.  MA will continue to have his number the longer he thinks that a rediculously gaudy class will cover for him each year.  Without Davis, they wouldn't have come close to the one they got a couple of years ago.  Have you watched that dude in the NBA (32, 17, 6 blk last night)?  He would have won a national championship at High Point.

Wahls

Quote from: Temprees on March 10, 2014, 12:10:20 am
With a true point guard, Madden will be able to move to the 2-guard, where he can knock down some stationary shots, instead or shooting so much off the dribble.

I just hope he finds a more consistent shot.
Quote from: A.Ziffle on April 20, 2012, 10:39:01 pm
You have two kinds of tough guys... those that do it from behind a keyboard, and those that juggle soap in prison just to show they're a fearless bastard.

latrops

Quote from: 3kgthog on March 09, 2014, 11:22:34 pm
We lose our best man to man defender in Wade, the guard that probably has our best assist to turnover ratio in Gulley, our stat stuffer guy in Clarke, and our occasional spark plug in Haydar.

We're going to take a step back, folks.

I like Gulley and Haydar.  Losing them doesn't much matter, though.  They are capable players that usually didn't hurt and occasionally helped.  Bottom line, though is that they combined for 30 minutes a game and averaged a total of 7 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists a game.  That isn't the kind of production that you stress over being able to replace.

Clarke is the guy that we lose that really matters.  His ability to make shots and intangibles will be missed.

Inhogswetrust

Possibly and probably have different meanings. Possible = yes. Probable = no.
If I'm going to cheer players and coaches in victory, I damn sure ought to be man enough to stand with them in defeat.

"Why some people are so drawn to the irrational is something that has always puzzled me" - James Randi

gmarv

madden and qualls hopefully will take another step
providing the leadership that will be lost in clarke.
harris gets a little more consistent, portis and kingsley
also get more consistent.then we are looking at a very
good team. throw in bell the three freshmen and williams.
should be a very fun year.

 

three hog night

Quote from: gmarv on March 10, 2014, 08:03:36 am
madden and qualls hopefully will take another step
providing the leadership that will be lost in clarke.
harris gets a little more consistent, portis and kingsley
also get more consistent.then we are looking at a very
good team. throw in bell the three freshmen and williams.
should be a very fun year.

We sucked early in conference this year, yet pulled it together to finish at 5th.  I think KY and UF will be up at the top.  The Hogs and LSU will be beating on the door.  We will consistently be in the top 5 of the conference next year.   
Petrino left a mess and Bielema is trying to fill in the talent gaps.  Anderson finally has some talent to work with.  He needs more at select positions and that will come in the next recruiting class. 
Posters that think they are Jim Rhome are ruining message boards.

hoghappy


micali

Quote from: ErieHog on March 09, 2014, 09:05:37 pm
The team is losing one of the main stabilizing performers and willing crunch time players, in Clarke.  It will take us time to figure out how to redistribute that among our returnees and new folks.

We are likely to end up in the same 3rd to 5th range.
[/quote
We said something similar last year when we lost BJ and Powell.  who will replace them?  Well a few guys stepped up and we are a better team then the previous.  I can hope the same for next year as well. 

Hawg Red

Quote from: Smithian on March 09, 2014, 07:32:06 pm
We lose 5 seniors, including two starters. If Beard comes in and takes a couple seasons to develop like Madden then the Hogs will be hard pressed to improve much. Hogs have to find a JUCO guard or two.

This is what I think will hold us back from being the top team in the league next season. Coty Clarke is one of the more versatile players you'll find, so even though we add Keaton Miles and could potentially sign Willie Atwood, it's going to be tough to replace that. Then you have Gulley, Wade and Haydar. 3 veteran guards that knew and embraced their roles. The incoming players seem to be more talented, but like you said, we don't know how long it's going to take for them to contribute on a level that would allow us to be the top team in the league.

Naturally, our most talented players (Portis, Kingsley, Qualls, Madden) figure to improve, but I'm not sure they will improve enough to offset the veteran role player losses and still elevate us to the top of the league. But I suppose it could happen, especially if someone like Kingsley takes a monster jump.

razorsharp94

The key is going to be the additions in this spring period. We are on two 20+ PPG point guards. The key might be adding Atwood though.  He seems to be a guy that will come in and possibly start. When you add a point and possibly Atwpod to this roster it makes it a pretty deep one. I do believe going into next year we will be better. 

dotnet

Quote from: 3kgthog on March 09, 2014, 11:22:34 pm
We lose our best man to man defender in Wade, the guard that probably has our best assist to turnover ratio in Gulley, our stat stuffer guy in Clarke, and our occasional spark plug in Haydar.

We're going to take a step back, folks.

I like how Wade and Gulley are horrible or awesome depending on the arguement you're (general you, not you specifically) making. 

Its hard to really know - but there is real talent on this team.  If Portis and Kingsley improve as much as Madden and Qualls have - then the low post will be a lot better. In addition, Miles will have been in the system for a year also. 

Plus, there is no telling how ready to contribute Beard and Babb will be.  Or how much better Qualls, Madden, or Williams will be. 

That and fans always under estimate returners from other schools.  I promise you that no fan of any other school thought "oh boy, Qualls is going to be returning for Arkansas next year and he'll be tough to handle"

Jek Tono Porkins

Losing Clarke and Wade is going to hurt. Wade is a tenacious defender and still a good three point shooter.

I hope that Beard or a JUCO PG can come in and immediately contribute...they can take the pressure off Madden and get him back to his natural SG position instead of being a SG taking on PG responsibilities. Hopefully Mike can develop Jacorey Williams or Keaton Miles to take the place of Clarke.
I have known the troubles I was born to know
I have wanted things a poor man's born to want
And in all my dreams and memories I go running
Through the fields of Arkansas from which I sprung

jry04

Quote from: Smithian on March 09, 2014, 07:32:06 pm
We lose 5 seniors, including two starters. If Beard comes in and takes a couple seasons to develop like Madden then the Hogs will be hard pressed to improve much. Hogs have to find a JUCO guard or two.

Florida will still be good. Wouldn't surprise me if Calipari drops the hammer this offseason and they come back with a vegence next season. LSU is due to improve.
Gulley, Scott, Wade, and Kikko are replaceable. Wade and Gulley have stepped up down the stretch, but neither have had a great season. Wade had multiple DNP in a row this year. Of our top 5 players, Clarke is the only one not returning. It is reasonable to think everyone returning will be improved, as well. Everyone Razorback fan should expect to be a better team next year. Just like we should have expected to be a better team this year despite you saying we will miss Young and Powell.

LSU loses Coleman and Stringer. Their success next season will depend on whether O'Bryant returns.

Kentucky will lose Randle and Young at a minimum.

Tennessee loses 3 starters, and could be 4 if Stokes gets the wrong people in his ear. Losing Maymon and McRae could be killer for them, though.

Florida loses 4 starters, if not more. They lose 3 of their top 4 scorers. The SEC will likely be wide open next year.

code red

Quote from: ErieHog on March 09, 2014, 09:05:37 pm
The team is losing one of the main stabilizing performers and willing crunch time players, in Clarke.  It will take us time to figure out how to redistribute that among our returnees and new folks.

We are likely to end up in the same 3rd to 5th range.
I agree.  Stability is going to be slow to come until recruiting improves.  We made a good start this year.  MA said year 3.
"If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today."  Dr. Lou

Breems

We found ways to replace half our scoring this year and improved. We have a really solid core returning.

Let's be honest. Once Bell and/or Beard/Babb/a possible JUCO can learn the defense, they have effectively replaced Gulley, Kikko, and Scott. If they can score 6-8 PPG, they're an upgrade. Wade's defense will be sorely missed. Hopefully we make a trade for a more assertive offensive player.

You just can't replace Clarke. Such a wonderful player.
Proud member of the "Left Before Halftime" football club.

Quote from: Breems on January 27, 2011, 08:42:29 pm<br />SCREW VANDERBILT<br />

PonderinHog

Quote from: Hawg Red on March 10, 2014, 10:03:44 am
This is what I think will hold us back from being the top team in the league next season. Coty Clarke is one of the more versatile players you'll find, so even though we add Keaton Miles and could potentially sign Willie Atwood, it's going to be tough to replace that. Then you have Gulley, Wade and Haydar. 3 veteran guards that knew and embraced their roles. The incoming players seem to be more talented, but like you said, we don't know how long it's going to take for them to contribute on a level that would allow us to be the top team in the league.

Naturally, our most talented players (Portis, Kingsley, Qualls, Madden) figure to improve, but I'm not sure they will improve enough to offset the veteran role player losses and still elevate us to the top of the league. But I suppose it could happen, especially if someone like Kingsley takes a monster jump.
Hopefully, Harris and Williams step up and deliver next year.

The_Iceman

Our returning lineup as of now (with no JUCO additions):

G: Madden / Beard / Wagner
G: Bell / Babb
F: Qualls / Williams
F: Harris / Miles
C: Portis / Kingsley / Thompson

We really need to add a JUCO PG to go with Beard so we can slide Madden over to SG full time. Other than that, it looks like a pretty good lineup.

SSPK2505


Hawg Red

Wade, Gulley and Haydar are definitely replaceable. But there is something to be said for knowing your role on the team. For a long time, that hurt the Hogs. It was even hurting us at one point this season. Most players know there role right now and have embraced (I think of at least 1 that hasn't yet). How long will it take the newcomers learn and embrace their roles? That's the big question. How much will the returning players improve? Another big question. The question being asked here is will Arkansas be good enough to the best team in the SEC next season. To be the best team in the league, you need to have everyone knowing, understanding, and embracing their roles. That can take a while sometimes.

Tick Hog

Quote from: High Octane Hog on March 09, 2014, 08:22:28 pm
Would not surprise me if we regress just a little bit next year. I still would not have a problem with that, because I believe the future is still very bright.
I would have a major problem with that. We pay a man top 15 possibly top 10 money. Regressing from a bubble team would be horrible in year 4

RazorPiggie


jjdlc

Last year we lost our 2 leading scorers, and a lot of people predicted there was no way that we would be better this year.  Yet, here we are, ranked 1st in PPG in SEC, and sitting on the verge of making the NCAAT, NIT at a minimum.  Yes, we are losing some players that have given a lot to this team this year, I absolutely do not want to diminish what they've given, but there is still a ton of room for improvement, and a lot of potential in our underclassmen.  There is no reason to think this team can't improve again next year.

jkhamhog

I think we will be preseason SEC number 3 in most circles, based on the fact we are returning our 3 most well-known players in Madden, Portis, and Qualls.  If we close strong recruiting I think that's achievable.  I'd guess 4-5 road wins, hold court at home for something around a 13-5 record.   

To win the league you need to win at least 6-7 games on the road along with basically all your home games. I don't see us quite making that much of a step up. 
Kirk Lazarus: I know what dude I am. I'm the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude!

swinesation

Against Alabama, Wade got caught up in a switch and was covering a big man near the rim. He manned up on him nicely, refusing to budge and allow him to get closer to the basket. I turned to my friend and said, "man, that's impressive. If that was Madden or Bell (or most likely either of our incoming freshmen guards), that guy would have moved them out of the way with ease."

It is easy to underestimate the importance of everyone being capable of defending all positions on a MA style team. When we have Madden & Bell in there at the same time, we're vulnerable defensively. Honestly, I don't know how strong Beard and Babb will be defensively their first year in the SEC, but we're sure gonna find out. The answer to that question will provide the answer to the OP question.

olivebranchhog

Quote from: RazorPiggie            (Matt D) on March 10, 2014, 12:53:47 pm
Best team, NO.

Top 5, yeah probably.

Need dynamic guards that can shoot and play great d. Beard, Bell, Wagner are all guys that can score, but they don't play great d and they are all streaky.  We'll be about what we are right now.  Which is actually a good thing when you realize we're losing 3 players that got a lot of PT this season. 

Ok now that we've all made ourselves prophets, can we move on to discussions about this year? This team still has 4-10 games to play.
Sometimes it takes a loss to make us realize what's really important

Atlhogfan1

Beard could likely be the team's best on the ball defender next season.

Problem will be when SEC teams get the Hogs in the halfcourt on the defensive end and we start switching which they will force us to do.  Beard's size could become a liability at that point. 

Mike obviously thinks he needs another guard immediately since he is doing his usual JC scavenger hunt. 
Quote from: MaconBacon on March 22, 2018, 10:30:04 amWe had a good run in the 90's and one NC and now the whole state still laments that we are a top seed program and have kids standing in line to come to good ole Arkansas.  We're just a flash in the pan boys. 

olivebranchhog

Quote from: Atlhogfan1 on March 10, 2014, 02:04:00 pm
Beard could likely be the team's best on the ball defender next season.

Problem will be when SEC teams get the Hogs in the halfcourt on the defensive end and we start switching which they will force us to do.  Beard's size could become a liability at that point. 

Mike obviously thinks he needs another guard immediately since he is doing his usual JC scavenger hunt. 

I'm going to let him guard a D1 pg before I call him the best on ball defender.  You forget that Ricky Scott was locking guys down in AAU-Prep. When he got into SEC play he was just too slow and couldn't work the press against speedy guards. I think it'll take Beard a full year to come into his own. Not often you get a 3 star guy that is your best defender in year one. Wade wasn't even the best defender his freshman year. Big difference in "the best" and "one of the best".
Sometimes it takes a loss to make us realize what's really important

Atlhogfan1

Quote from: olivebranchhog on March 10, 2014, 02:18:41 pm
I'm going to let him guard a D1 pg before I call him the best on ball defender.  You forget that Ricky Scott was locking guys down in AAU-Prep. When he got into SEC play he was just too slow and couldn't work the press against speedy guards. I think it'll take Beard a full year to come into his own. Not often you get a 3 star guy that is your best defender in year one. Wade wasn't even the best defender his freshman year. Big difference in "the best" and "one of the best".

It says as much of the defensive skill of the returners as it does Beard.  I agree on freshmen and I think Beard will get abused by SEC teams at times.  But if you look at our guards, not one returner is even a good on the ball defender and this would include Qualls.  It won't take much for Beard to be the best.  This is a reason Mike is reaching for another guard even though the 2015 class looks to be loaded and he is using scholarships now unbalancing classes.  Hope we don't end up in the situation he had Mizzou heading towards.
Quote from: MaconBacon on March 22, 2018, 10:30:04 amWe had a good run in the 90's and one NC and now the whole state still laments that we are a top seed program and have kids standing in line to come to good ole Arkansas.  We're just a flash in the pan boys. 

rzrbackramsfan

Quote from: nextlevel on March 09, 2014, 07:04:27 pm
I think you will see most of the Kentucky roster return (due to sliding draft predictions) combined with another top recruiting class and they will be said to be the favorite to win the Tourney, probably won't see 40-0 predictions again, just 39-1.

I disagree, randles gone, Cauley stein stuck around one year and won't do it again.  Poythress stuck around to sit on the bench and get trashed out by cal, I don't see him doing it again. I think either the Harrison twins leave or young leaves.

Even though I don't want to think about next year yet, good post.

Wahls

Quote from: A.Ziffle on April 20, 2012, 10:39:01 pm
You have two kinds of tough guys... those that do it from behind a keyboard, and those that juggle soap in prison just to show they're a fearless bastard.

olivebranchhog

Quote from: Atlhogfan1 on March 10, 2014, 02:22:25 pm
It says as much of the defensive skill of the returners as it does Beard.  I agree on freshmen and I think Beard will get abused by SEC teams at times.  But if you look at our guards, not one returner is even a good on the ball defender and this would include Qualls.  It won't take much for Beard to be the best. 

Good point. I just see Qualls and Madden getting better with the press and they are both big enough to guard any pg-sg. If Beard can play D against SEC guards the way he locks down guys in AAU, I'll be really excited. Just not often a freshman comes in and plays lock down D. Especially a 3star guy against the guard heavy league of the SEC.
Sometimes it takes a loss to make us realize what's really important