weberwildcat
Active member
Anyone have any info on how good every big sky team will be in 2011? Is Rod Eyre going to do a recruiting class ranking like last yr?
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How Good Will They Be in 2010-11?
- Thread starter weberwildcat
- Start date
weberwildcat
Active member
I think we will have 8 votes from the coaches poll for first place but what can we expect from the rest of the 'sky?
Will UM and NAU be top 3? Can Sac make the conf tourney? Will ISU win any games?
Will UM and NAU be top 3? Can Sac make the conf tourney? Will ISU win any games?
oldrunner
Active member
We could be very, very good. A lot is riding on how much a couple of seniors improve and how much we can get out of a couple of freshmen. We could see anything from a good season to an outstanding season. I'm inclined to think the later. I personally feel that the conf. schedule favors us to have a very strong finish and that may be better than a strong start. Sometimes a little adversity, at the right time of a season can be a growth experience for a team. If you have a choice, you'd rather be peaking at the end.
catcat said:
I heard that Rod Eyre is in hiding because of the comments he made about Kirk Earlywine in his blog last year. But you never know. Maybe he will reemerge!
As for the approaching basketball season.
Each team had a fairly good recruiting class. ISU, has some questions marks, but I think O'Brien did a good job getting the personnel he will need to be successful in Pokey. He does return a really good PG in Ghilcrest and has a group of JC's coming in. You never know with JC's. They could make or brake your team. I think they will fill some of the holes. ISU still needs consistent play from their bigs and good outside shooting to be among the top teams in the Sky.
Baldy (Adras) didn't need to recruit to much, since most of his team will be back next fall, but he was able to get what he needed. Cameron Jones is a stud. Plain and simple, he is responsible for three or four wins himself, each year. Also, NAU has a sensational sophmore in Gabe Rogers. Yes, there is always that worry that a SO will not perform as solidly as he did the year before, but I think Rogers will do another good job living in Jones shadow. Also, NAU has some solid Bigs returning to Flagstaff. The biggest issue is depth...They do have the talent to make a run.
Up in the Montanas, Tinkle Bell did a lot of recruiting, and lets be honest, he has some great recruits coming in. I wonder if he will be able to get them to play together. Team Chemistry is huge! Qvale is their team leader, and with that being the case, I think the Grizz will be very dangerous and competitive. I know the Grizz have some awesome recruits, who will be great for them in the years to come, but I think the Grizz faithful are asking to much of their incoming FR. No matter, they will be good.
Huse will have a very young, but athletic team. Personally, I think they are rebuilding, but are still volatile and could cause some upsets. Like the Grizz, the Bobcats have some great talent coming in, but unlike the Grizz, they don't have much left over from previous season. I like what Huse is doing though. Most of his recruits are going to be coming in as FR. He is building a solid program that doesn't change every two years.
PSU...hmmm...on paper they have some decent players coming in. They have a big that has the potential to be huge, but until he gets on the court, we don't know. They might have some serious growing issues this season and next. However, they still have a good solid base from which to build upon. But this year could be really long for Grieving. I guess we will see how good of a coach he is. I think it will all turn out for him, if not in the immediate future, in the years to come. Just be patient Viking fans.
SAC...hmmm...I really like Katz. I think he has the Hornets headed in the right direction. Hornet success is really dependent upon the personel he has been able to bring in. If this was three or four years ago, the Hornets would be able to make an impact upon the Sky standings and maybe even a run at the crown. However, this isn't four or five years ago. The Sky is getting better. Every team has done an excellent job improving their programs. Nevertheless, Katz understands what he is up against, and is more interested in team chemistry and those players who play team ball first, which will pay dividends in the long run and could translate into a tourny apperance. Also there is some talent he has available to build upon.
UNC, the Bears took a hit losing their best player and their head coach. Regardless of the losses, the Hill era shouldn't have a rough start. Boyle left some good recruits for the upcoming seasons, and the Bears still have a core of experienced players returning. Most notably, Devon Beitzel, Proctor, and I believe Montgomery. After Qvale and Selvig, UNC has the best Bigs in the conference. However, can they replace losing one of the best PG and defensive players in the Sky? I think so, and I think they are in very capable hands. I wouldn't doubt it, if UNC becomes the basketball power in the state of Colorado. CU will continue to sputter, and CSU...well, they are getting better, but still couldn't beat the top Sky teams.
Eastern...This is the make it or break it year for Kirk. He can't lean on the "they aren't my players" excuse anymore. This team is his. He has perhaps the second best PG in the league, after Lillard, and a good though undersized SG, but what else? He lost two bigs, who were the team leaders, and hasn't done a great job filling their shoes. YES, he has a really good looking FR power-forward joining the team, and who knows if he turns out, the Eagles could turn some eyes this year. I'm sure it will be enough for Kirk to keep his job. The Eagles do have the talent to make a run in the ensuing years.
So... Now for my beloved Cats. Weber's biggest issue is depth. Yes, there is talent in the wings, but untried talent. Will Fulton be as good as he is billed? Will Bullinger find his shot (confidence) and some speed? How good will Bamforth and Richardson be? Can Davis and Porter fill in for the 3? Tresnak and Hajek are big and long, but will they be able to contribute as Freshman? There are a lot of question marks. The one thing that Weber knows for sure is that the Lillard and Hughey are going to be legit and Mahoney can always be counted on to play good solid defense. Morris is my biggest if...I hope he turns into a monster this season. He has had the potential since day 1, but hasn't quite lived up to the hype, YET.
1. Weber
2. NAU
3. Montana
3. UNC
4. SAC
5. Eastern
6. ISU
7. MSU
8. PSU
There are a lot of ??? between 4-9
Each team had a fairly good recruiting class. ISU, has some questions marks, but I think O'Brien did a good job getting the personnel he will need to be successful in Pokey. He does return a really good PG in Ghilcrest and has a group of JC's coming in. You never know with JC's. They could make or brake your team. I think they will fill some of the holes. ISU still needs consistent play from their bigs and good outside shooting to be among the top teams in the Sky.
Baldy (Adras) didn't need to recruit to much, since most of his team will be back next fall, but he was able to get what he needed. Cameron Jones is a stud. Plain and simple, he is responsible for three or four wins himself, each year. Also, NAU has a sensational sophmore in Gabe Rogers. Yes, there is always that worry that a SO will not perform as solidly as he did the year before, but I think Rogers will do another good job living in Jones shadow. Also, NAU has some solid Bigs returning to Flagstaff. The biggest issue is depth...They do have the talent to make a run.
Up in the Montanas, Tinkle Bell did a lot of recruiting, and lets be honest, he has some great recruits coming in. I wonder if he will be able to get them to play together. Team Chemistry is huge! Qvale is their team leader, and with that being the case, I think the Grizz will be very dangerous and competitive. I know the Grizz have some awesome recruits, who will be great for them in the years to come, but I think the Grizz faithful are asking to much of their incoming FR. No matter, they will be good.
Huse will have a very young, but athletic team. Personally, I think they are rebuilding, but are still volatile and could cause some upsets. Like the Grizz, the Bobcats have some great talent coming in, but unlike the Grizz, they don't have much left over from previous season. I like what Huse is doing though. Most of his recruits are going to be coming in as FR. He is building a solid program that doesn't change every two years.
PSU...hmmm...on paper they have some decent players coming in. They have a big that has the potential to be huge, but until he gets on the court, we don't know. They might have some serious growing issues this season and next. However, they still have a good solid base from which to build upon. But this year could be really long for Grieving. I guess we will see how good of a coach he is. I think it will all turn out for him, if not in the immediate future, in the years to come. Just be patient Viking fans.
SAC...hmmm...I really like Katz. I think he has the Hornets headed in the right direction. Hornet success is really dependent upon the personel he has been able to bring in. If this was three or four years ago, the Hornets would be able to make an impact upon the Sky standings and maybe even a run at the crown. However, this isn't four or five years ago. The Sky is getting better. Every team has done an excellent job improving their programs. Nevertheless, Katz understands what he is up against, and is more interested in team chemistry and those players who play team ball first, which will pay dividends in the long run and could translate into a tourny apperance. Also there is some talent he has available to build upon.
UNC, the Bears took a hit losing their best player and their head coach. Regardless of the losses, the Hill era shouldn't have a rough start. Boyle left some good recruits for the upcoming seasons, and the Bears still have a core of experienced players returning. Most notably, Devon Beitzel, Proctor, and I believe Montgomery. After Qvale and Selvig, UNC has the best Bigs in the conference. However, can they replace losing one of the best PG and defensive players in the Sky? I think so, and I think they are in very capable hands. I wouldn't doubt it, if UNC becomes the basketball power in the state of Colorado. CU will continue to sputter, and CSU...well, they are getting better, but still couldn't beat the top Sky teams.
Eastern...This is the make it or break it year for Kirk. He can't lean on the "they aren't my players" excuse anymore. This team is his. He has perhaps the second best PG in the league, after Lillard, and a good though undersized SG, but what else? He lost two bigs, who were the team leaders, and hasn't done a great job filling their shoes. YES, he has a really good looking FR power-forward joining the team, and who knows if he turns out, the Eagles could turn some eyes this year. I'm sure it will be enough for Kirk to keep his job. The Eagles do have the talent to make a run in the ensuing years.
So... Now for my beloved Cats. Weber's biggest issue is depth. Yes, there is talent in the wings, but untried talent. Will Fulton be as good as he is billed? Will Bullinger find his shot (confidence) and some speed? How good will Bamforth and Richardson be? Can Davis and Porter fill in for the 3? Tresnak and Hajek are big and long, but will they be able to contribute as Freshman? There are a lot of question marks. The one thing that Weber knows for sure is that the Lillard and Hughey are going to be legit and Mahoney can always be counted on to play good solid defense. Morris is my biggest if...I hope he turns into a monster this season. He has had the potential since day 1, but hasn't quite lived up to the hype, YET.
1. Weber
2. NAU
3. Montana
3. UNC
4. SAC
5. Eastern
6. ISU
7. MSU
8. PSU
There are a lot of ??? between 4-9
I enjoyed the overview/speculation. Thanks, talhadfoursteals.
You've given the Lumberjacks more thought and credit than most Big Sky fans will. I expect a decent season from the Jacks but Weber State gets top billing and the Griz get my vote for second until they show that they aren't able to compensate for losing Anthony Johnson. I'd put the Jacks at third place to start the season.
I shouldn't be looking forward to hoops this early but I am. Hoping to go to Tucson to see NAU play the UofA and possibly make the trek down to see Northern Colorado as well.
You've given the Lumberjacks more thought and credit than most Big Sky fans will. I expect a decent season from the Jacks but Weber State gets top billing and the Griz get my vote for second until they show that they aren't able to compensate for losing Anthony Johnson. I'd put the Jacks at third place to start the season.
I shouldn't be looking forward to hoops this early but I am. Hoping to go to Tucson to see NAU play the UofA and possibly make the trek down to see Northern Colorado as well.
Honestly, the biggest reason why I think NAU will be much improved is because of three reasons. 1. Baldy (Adras) is an excellent coach. He always gets the most out of his players. 2. He has a core group of players returning that were starting to mesh and play really well together at the end of last season. Also, NAU was slightly afflicted by illness and injury, which hurt them a bit. 3. They have more experience. Last year NAU was pretty young and inexperienced. One thing that NAU has is a great wing in Jones, good guards in Rogers and Salvatar and, most importantly, will have some decent bigs. Those things together make them really tough. Depth is the biggest weakness for the Jack.
Montana...have some pretty good freshman coming in, but they lost a lot. Yes, they have two bigs that are really talented and Cherry, but other than that...they have some question marks. Personally, I think they have some studs coming in, but until the ball hits the hardwood we wont know how good.
Just in case there are any MSU fans looking through this. I put the Bobcats at 7 because they are the biggest unknown. Remember, last year, I thought ISU was going to be the bomb. So...I'm frequently wrong. I do think that MSU has a really good group of recruits coming in.
Montana...have some pretty good freshman coming in, but they lost a lot. Yes, they have two bigs that are really talented and Cherry, but other than that...they have some question marks. Personally, I think they have some studs coming in, but until the ball hits the hardwood we wont know how good.
Just in case there are any MSU fans looking through this. I put the Bobcats at 7 because they are the biggest unknown. Remember, last year, I thought ISU was going to be the bomb. So...I'm frequently wrong. I do think that MSU has a really good group of recruits coming in.
weberwildcat
Active member
its still early and i haven't done much research but here is my guess
1. Weber
2. UM
3. NAU
4. UNC - woulda said 2nd/3rd with same coach
5. MSU - they are still good for making the conf tourney even if we aren't sure what to expect (4th-6th)
6. ISU, EWU, PSU - 3 way tie for 6th, like 2004 or 2007 type situation
9. Sac
I would expect more from PSU but last yr's team getting 6th was a failure big time, the 2011 team has nothing to play for because of the ban. I wont be surprised if they dont finish top 6.
1. Weber
2. UM
3. NAU
4. UNC - woulda said 2nd/3rd with same coach
5. MSU - they are still good for making the conf tourney even if we aren't sure what to expect (4th-6th)
6. ISU, EWU, PSU - 3 way tie for 6th, like 2004 or 2007 type situation
9. Sac
I would expect more from PSU but last yr's team getting 6th was a failure big time, the 2011 team has nothing to play for because of the ban. I wont be surprised if they dont finish top 6.
