Expectations for 2015-16

[jacobkdoyle]

I had predicted us at 27-4 towards the end of last year. That can still happen, but the schedule is looking tough. We're going to have 10 conference games against Top 75ish RPI teams (if not better). Plus with Mick beefing up the non-con, we're going to end up playing one of the harder schedules in the country. So for RPI and seeding purposes, we may not need to run up a record that good to get a Top 4 seed. I think this is the year where the committee starts to show some respect for the AAC.

[Bearcat Rob]

The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year

[david aka the TYZ]

Originally Posted by jacobkdoyle

I had predicted us at 27-4 towards the end of last year. That can still happen, but the schedule is looking tough. We're going to have 10 conference games against Top 75ish RPI teams (if not better). Plus with Mick beefing up the non-con, we're going to end up playing one of the harder schedules in the country. So for RPI and seeding purposes, we may not need to run up a record that good to get a Top 4 seed. I think this is the year where the committee starts to show some respect for the AAC.

If we go 27-4 with our schedule, I'd have to imagine we'd be a top 2 seed.

[JumpinJack5]

Originally Posted by Bearcat Rob

The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year

That's exciting to hear! This year could be very special if we can get DeBerry in better shape and Ellis to bulk up.

[Bcatfollower]

What are the chances Ellis and Deberry get on the court at the same time? Is moore the next option at center?

[JumpinJack5]

Originally Posted by Bcatfollower

What are the chances Ellis and Deberry get on the court at the same time? Is moore the next option at center?

I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

[waterhead]

Originally Posted by Bearcat Rob

The team has been working hard this off season I think they understand what this year can be.

Michael Rehfeldt ‏@RehfeldtU
@uc_shaq @Tay_UC2 have been putting in extra time this spring and summer. Stacking on mass. #makingmonsters
-(there was a picture of those two in the gym with the tweet but I couldn't attach it for some reason)

His Instagram if u want to check it out has some decent pics/ videos of the team. He put some good ones up last off season too. I believe he said a few weeks ago Octavius was already up 10 pounds in body weight, he is going to be a force this year

That's good to hear. I hope these kids were inspired by the KY game (and others of course) concerning their own potential this year. They stuck with one of the best teams in college basketball in recent memory. That game (because it is the last thing they remember all off season) may have been one of the best things to happen to this program in a while. I think the kids saw something in themselves and gave them a good reason to work their tails off in the offseason. I think they are riding a wave of confidence and anxiousness to get back out there.

[BearcatSpaniard513]

Originally Posted by JumpinJack5

I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I still have around 15 games saved on my DVR. I re-watched the Purdue game and DeBerry was HUGE in that win. I'm still not sure how we won that game. OT was pretty ugly for both teams, and we were down 7 with less than a minute to go.

[Bcatfollower]

Originally Posted by JumpinJack5

I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I want to see then both out there together too. That would be a tough defensive front.

[Bearcat22]

Originally Posted by JumpinJack5

I hope DeBerry and Ellis are out there together. They were great during the tourney when they both played. Quadri will be interesting to watch. He isn't very athletic, but if he improves his conditioning and works on his shot, he could become a very solid contributor offensively. Defense is his big question

I think Quadri could be an x factor for the Cats. He has a unique skill set for a big. He seemed a step behind in the transition to D1 - which is normal. A year of coaching, conditioning, experience, and confidence could lead to him making a nice contribution.