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Post by phearthephoenix on Oct 7, 2019 13:23:33 GMT -6
I am genuinely curious what fan expectations are for this Green Bay team this season. Yes, the Phoenix lost Sandy Cohen who led the team in every statistical category there is. But only UIC and Youngstown State return more points, rebounds, or minutes from last season's teams. If you look at the pre-season media predictions so far (Commissioner on the Detroit Mercy message board does the lord's work by compiling them all here -> udtitanbasketball.freeforums.net/thread/922/2019-20-horizon-media-predictions) you see most of the publications picking Green Bay to finish in the 4-6 range with 6th being the most common response. Is it crazy to have top two expectations for this season? GB has 9 upperclassmen this year all of which have at least one season in Darner's system under their belt. I think another fourth place finish would be kind of disappointing but right about what I expect. I also really wouldn't be surprised if they're challenging for the #2 seed and the tournament double-bye that comes with it though. What say you? For good measure, here are the numbers. Obviously this doesn't tell the whole story as Wright State is the clear favorite this year based on who they return and the new additions they have. Team | Points Returning | Rebounds returning | Minutes returning | UIC | 99.6% | 99.2% | 99.2% | Youngstown State | 81.0% | 78.4% | 81.8% | Green Bay | 74.8% | 77.3% | 80.8% | Wright State | 66.2% | 55.8% | 53.2% | Milwaukee | 63.0% | 57.1% | 62.0% | Northern Kentucky | 62.3% | 57.1% | 67.4% | Oakland | 45.4% | 54.9% | 38.6% | Detroit Mercy | 44.8% | 36.7% | 36.9% | IUPUI | 33.7% | 33.8% | 36.9% | Cleveland State | 31.0% | 46.8% | 36.3% |
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Post by uscg2012 on Oct 7, 2019 13:38:17 GMT -6
I will be truly disappointed if this team doesn’t finish at least 2 or 3.
As always can Linc Darner figure out how to win on the road in conference? His teams have been very disappointing in that regard.
Go Phoenix!
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Oct 7, 2019 14:45:13 GMT -6
I'm not too worried about losing Sandy. He was a great player for Green Bay. He should have a long professional career. He was devastating in the open court. I also think the half court offense will improve a little bit because they won't be relying on one guy to do everything. This team in not devoid of talent and other guys will get their chance to shine. Kam and Tre for sure are going to pick up some of what Sandy was doing for the team. If GB had one big guy that you knew Darner would play every game then I would be really excited. I still think top 2 in this league is realistic with this team. They have guys that can defend, run, shoot and create. If they don't get blasted on the glass it should be a good year.
If that CIT form is replicated consistently they will be really good. Guys like PJ, Manny and Tre put together some nice games.
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Post by uscg2012 on Oct 11, 2019 6:47:19 GMT -6
How much of an impact do you all think Davis and Kellogg will make this year?
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Post by gbbrl97 on Oct 11, 2019 9:23:01 GMT -6
With the trend of the HL the past decade, the top seed NEVER wins the conference tourney. Also, with GB under Linc, generally most of his teams struggle to shoot well from 3pt range and the defense is shaky. As long as they are competative in the NC part of the schedule (which looks brutal) and ascend in February for a deep run in the HL Tourney, then it can be possible.
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Post by phoenixphan87 on Oct 11, 2019 10:52:42 GMT -6
It is hard for any Phoenix Fan who watched this team grow at the end of last year (especially in the CIT) to think they are not worthy of being in the top 4. Wright State is a clear cut #1 and with UIC returning 99% of scoring and minutes, I get having them picked high. Oakland and NKU have talent but some question marks. Those programs recent success are why they are picked that high but it's anyones guess what they will look like after Christmas. YSU will be better but to have them picked over GB is bold. I like Milwaukee more than the one man show in Detroit. The bottom two teams will be awful.
1. Wright State 2. UIC 3. Green Bay 4. Northern Kentucky 5. Youngstown St 6. Oakland 7. Milwaukee 8. Detroit 9. IUPUI 10.Cleveland St
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Post by Panther on Oct 11, 2019 12:05:06 GMT -6
I'm not so sure about Wright State being #1. We went 1-2 against them and this how it broke down. Game 1 - We lost, Sandy had 4 pts and the guy he was guarding had 21 (Wampler). We also had 3 guys in double figures and 1 with 9 points... Game 2 - We won, Sandy had 24 pts Again, we had 3 guys in double figures and 1 with 9 points... Game 3 - We lost, had 1 guy in double figures and scored only 52 points because of cold shooting I'm not afraid of Wright State especially since they lost 2 of their best defenders in Vest and Hughes. Manny is a better player this year which should put more pressure on Love on defense and when we bring in Schwartz and Chavelier (stronger and more physical), it will put even more pressure on Love because both can hit 3s. Wright State is coming back with 3 guys and maybe only 5 that actually played on the team before. I'm not worried about their transfers that much and losing Smith was probably a big deal for how he played. The Wright State system does get guys in good spots to perform but we play good defense when we want too and this year, I think we will have to be great defense more often and not give up so many easy buckets. The teams that show more promise to me is UIC and Milwaukee... I would almost put both of them ahead but their ability to not kill themselves is where I have most of my concerns. Also, if Oakland can find a guard to give them just a little support, they may be right there too because of their bigs and what they can do. Just some thoughts but we still have to play the game, I just hope that Green Bay rides the hot hand more this year but with our system, we have too much offensive freedom for everyone to do that but I think this year, we should do it more than in the pass... Everyone can't be cold at same time, and we need more of the higher % guys going to the free throw line. If tank is going to get fouled a lot, he needs to be better than 50%. Last year, he had 177 free throws. He get to 65% and that's enough for 2 or 3 more wins there. PS... No disrespect to any teams not mentioned just ranting since the Wright State announcer has a way or pissing me off Let's play some basketball ...
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Post by Panther on Oct 11, 2019 12:07:55 GMT -6
How much of an impact do you all think Davis and Kellogg will make this year? I heard that both are doing really good. Davis is solid from mid-range and just getting used to college speed and Kellogg has been huge on offensive rebounds and put backs all summer long and this could be because of our terrible boxing out or the kid may have a will to go get the ball.
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Post by uscg2012 on Dec 24, 2019 8:04:21 GMT -6
After the Non-Conference schedule, have expectations changed? Thoughts?
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Post by gbbrl97 on Dec 24, 2019 8:48:23 GMT -6
Probably closer to 7th-8th place. This team can score, but cannot defend or rebound with any level of competency.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 24, 2019 10:10:18 GMT -6
It is hard for me to put GB in the bottom tier. CSU, IUPUI, UDM and UWM seem to be struggling a lot worse than GB even with any deficiencies the team may have. Conversely nothing from WSU makes me think anyone has taken the top preseason spot from them.
That leaves GB in the 2 to 6 range with NKU, UIC, OU and YSU. I like how NKU plays but they are banged up and not very deep. I don't see that depth issue getting fixed even though I do know both stars will be back shortly. Guys normally don't get stronger as the year goes along and the way they play might wear them out.
UIC is back at full strength but I have said this for a long time on this board. They are a selfish and poorly coached albeit talented mess of a team. The talent is enough to win some games but the way they play and the lack of inside depth is going to be a problem for them.
OU has no guard play and that is becoming a problem for them. There is a reason every basketball team doesn't play five 7'0" tall guys and they are learning that now. Manny, Will, Cody, Tre and a healthy Josh should be able to match up with them while they have little to match JayQuan, Kam, PJ and Amari.
YSU is still a wildcard.
GB didn't looked great against Colgate, as well as the start of the EIU and start of the Evansville games. However, most of the HL is not as good as those teams. GB does have two decent road wins and battled hard even when most would have quit in their buy games and when EIU and Evansville had them buried. They have fire power and depth. That should keep them in the top 3 hunt in this league.
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Post by uscg2012 on Dec 24, 2019 11:21:03 GMT -6
I think GB can go 7-2 at home (loses to Wright State and UIC).
While going 2-7 on the road. Wins beings at CSU and IUPUI.
Not going to predict wins at Detroit or Youngstown anymore, games have been ugly the past few years.
So 9-9, mid table finish. A lot different than my second place prediction from earlier.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 26, 2019 9:58:27 GMT -6
Current Net: 111 Wright State 116 NKU 151 Colgate 194 EIU 213 Oakland 214 Evansville 215 Northern Illinois 225 Milwaukee 233 Green Bay 241 Montana State 256 Youngstown State 275 CSun 280 UIC 305 CSU 307 IUPUI 313 UDM
The mid major D1 teams GB has played aren't great but they certainly stack up with the Horizon League. GB is 2-1 on the road against mid major D1 teams. I am sure they will win some games they shouldn't and lose some they shouldn't. Only WSU and NKU seem to be far ahead of the pack and NKU is down two key players right now so it is possible that GB is catching them at the best time to play at NKU.
Maybe it is youthful ignorance or blind optimism on my part. I see the short comings in some games but I also see some really good stuff that can translate against the remaining schedule.
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Post by fansincebuss on Dec 26, 2019 17:59:07 GMT -6
My expectations took a hit with Tank Hemphill's injury, but have rebounded a bit with Patterson's improved play. I also think Chevalier can help this team with more playing time.
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Post by GBPhoenix1 on Dec 27, 2019 9:49:32 GMT -6
When I watch the games some guys have a really long leash and other guys get very quick hooks. Manny has definitely been on the quick hook side of things. Manny has a chance to enter the "Kerem Kanter Zone" for GB.
What is the "Kerem Kanter Zone" you ask. Before Kerem went on his big runs at Toledo and Central Michigan he was hardly given a chance to play and show his game. When he did play he would get yanked pretty quickly if things weren't going well. Kerem got hot in a few games in a row and forced Linc's hand into playing him and the rest is history for Kanter. In part due to the lack of depth Manny is able to play his game and has forced Linc to keep playing him through mistakes that normally would have earned him a trip to the bench with no or limited reappearances in the game.
Just like it was kind of obvious before Kerem's big run that he had offensive game, this is the Manny I have believed we would see. Against WSU Manny has to keep his emotions in check or he will be on the pine with foul problems. Love has a way of baiting guys into trouble.
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