I agree with you. We're used to being picked somewhere between 8th & 12th and then exceeding expectations and finishing higher. I'm not going to make any crazy predictions in October, but this year's WVU team could potentially go down as one of the best ever, ranking up there with the 1958-1959 Jerry West led team that lost to California in the National Championship, 71-70. Everything seems to be in place for a nice run.
[Reply]
bighoff63 12:27 PM 10-23-2009
Louisville had their media day from seeing the photos guys like Samardo and Jennings have bulked up so I'm really looking for a stronger inside presence both on the boards an scoring in the paint. One key IMO is that Sosa finally embraces the role of a true point guard an becomes the play maker the Cardinal fans have been hoping he would be.
[Reply]
bighoff63 12:30 PM 10-23-2009
Originally Posted by countryboy:
just seems funny seeing West Virginia up there. Not saying they don't belong, but its just "out of the norm". :-)
UofL 4th...hmmmm....where were they picked last year? :-)
People are underestimating the Cardinals the loss of Williams and Clark hurts but Jennings, Samardo, and Swopshire will fill the rolls and this team will be just as strong as they were last year.
[Reply]
countryboy 03:43 PM 10-23-2009
The only big concern I have right now for UofL, going into the exhibition games, is rebounding. I don't know where we are going to get the rebounds from that Williams and Clark gathered last year.
I don't expect us to be as good of a passing team this year as we were last year, but we will be a better outside shooting team and better suited to run the ball.
Defense is always a concern when the season begins, but under the coaching of Pitino, I'm not worried about it coming around in time for conference play. :-)[Reply]
kgx2thez 05:18 PM 10-23-2009
Originally Posted by bighoff63:
People are underestimating the Cardinals the loss of Williams and Clark hurts but Jennings, Samardo, and Swopshire will fill the rolls and this team will be just as strong as they were last year.
I highly doubt that but OK. When you lose 2 1st round picks with the versatility of T-Will and Clark you don't easily replace that with guys like Swopshire. Samardo and Jennings should be strong down low but Swopshire didn't show much of anything last year. He only scored in 2 of their last 14 games. You're gonna need Gerry and Sosa to knock down some shots from the outside to keep teams from packing it in.
Pitino's a great coach though so you guys will still be tough.
I'm not 100% sold on Nova. Cunningham was their glue guy. Yeah they have guards for days but how will they handle being the hunted now.
It's going to be a really down year for the Big East.
[Reply]
ehh 05:33 PM 10-23-2009
Originally Posted by bighoff63:
People are underestimating the Cardinals the loss of Williams and Clark hurts but Jennings, Samardo, and Swopshire will fill the rolls and this team will be just as strong as they were last year.
:-) Your posts always bring a smile to my face.
[Reply]
bighoff63 06:02 PM 10-23-2009
ehh, I'm glad I can provide some amusement with my posts.
I'll clarify my thoughts a bit better, yes loosing T-Will and Earl hurts this team they are not easily replaced but as a group if Samardo , Jennings, Sosa, Smith, Swopshire, and the rest of the lesser known players including freshman Peyton Siva can come together and play smart intense Rick Pitino basketball that they could repeat the feats of last season.
[Reply]
countryboy 08:17 PM 10-23-2009
I won't say that people are underestimating UofL since we are picked to finish 4th in the league, but I do think that we have the capability of making it 3 for 3 in terms of getting to the Elite 8 this year.
Williams and Clark are irreplaceable no doubt, but at the same time, we have a guys such as Swopshire who added roughly 25lbs in the offseason to become stronger, Reggie Delk, who will shine this year mark my words, George Goode who's one of the most improved players in the early season according to the coaches, Samuels who will be a beast, and then guys like Buckles, Siva, & Kuric, who will see significant playing time.
And as I said earlier, this team will be a better shooting team vs last year and we may have one of the deepest backcourts in not only the Big East, but in the country, with Sosa and Smith as starters and Siva and Knowles as the backups.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks