2016-17 Season Preview: Programs on the Rise, Decline

[H.U.S.T.L.E.]

Summary:

Virginia Tech: To me, they suck and are overrated and beat no one in non-conference... I watched a lot of their Northwestern OT game and they were horrible. Article likes them because of (1) Buzz, (2) they beat UNC last year and (3) they beat Florida State (who sucks) in the ACC tourney.

Ok, VT grad here to chime in:

First off, the Northwestern game was the seventh game of the season. Freshman guard Justin Robinson played 8 minutes in that game - by the end of the year he was averaging around 25 minutes a game, and he was a big contributor in the late-season surge. VT was a very different team by the end of the year, as Buzz started the year playing his big men more, but by the ACC tournament leaned on a lot of 4 guard lineups with LeDay as the big man.

Secondly, we did not beat UNC last year. We beat UVA on our home court when they were #4. That being said, I can see why some would look at last season's results and be skeptical. Of the 10 games we played against ranked opponents, we only won two (the aforementioned game against UVA and a regular season finale thrashing of #7 Miami in Cassell).

As others have said though, the outlook for VT is more based on the fact that we're bringing back almost every major contributor, getting guys like Ahmed Hill & Ty Outlaw back from injury after missing an entire season, and the recruiting momentum. Buzz figured out his best lineups in the latter half of the season and they played much better leading into the ACC tournament. There's lots of reason for optimism in Blacksburg, and that's not something we've been able to say about basketball for a while. It's very refreshing!

[Omaha1]

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2016/09/28/2016-17-season-preview-programs-on-the-rise-decline/

PROGRAMS ON THE RISE:
Virginia Tech
Memphis
TCU
Western Kentucky
Rhode Island

PROGRAMS ON THE DECLINE:
UNLV
Georgetown
Missouri
Stephen F. Austin
Nebraska

Why is Nebraska "on the decline?" They have one tournament appearance this century. They were an 11 seed. You can't really decline when you already suck.

Whoever gave advice to the Butler assistant who left to join the Nebraska basketball coaching staff was not a friend to him. Miles is very likely on his way out after the season in Nebraska – he did not receive the automatic contract extension that all coaches seem to get there at the end of each season. Their best player left late in the summer and the Huskers will likely be even worse than last year. Career suicude.

[stever20]

You said the same thing about LSU last year.

I don't THINK I did. Could be wrong. I believe I was much more lets see how this goes.

Where the difference between LSU last year and Va Tech/TCU this year is the coaches involved. Buzz/Dixon light years better coaches than the guy at LSU.

[milksteak]

Whoever gave advice to the Butler assistant who left to join the Nebraska basketball coaching staff was not a friend to him. Miles is very likely on his way out after the season in Nebraska – he did not receive the automatic contract extension that all coaches seem to get there at the end of each season. Their best player left late in the summer and the Huskers will likely be even worse than last year. Career suicude.

FWIW, I believe he received a pretty big bump in pay.

[billyjack]

Thanks for the insight HUSTLE on Va Tech. I didn't see them a lot in the late season. Based on the little I've seen over Buzz's two years at VT, they looked really weak.

This included off the top of my head a game at the Carrier Dome against a bored post-season banned Syracuse team where the Hokies completely choked in the last 5 to 10 minutes... I was rootibg for them of course against the Orangemen and it was painful to watch them collapse.

Regarding other peoples' posts on TCU and Memphis, and signing 4-stars with a coaching upgrade... based on that criteria, hell, DePaul and St John's should be on the Rising list.

I know the article was quickly written and all, so no biggie either way.

[stever20]

Thanks for the insight HUSTLE on Va Tech. I didn't see them a lot in the late season. Based on the little I've seen over Buzz's two years at VT, they looked really weak.

This included off the top of my head a game at the Carrier Dome against a bored post-season banned Syracuse team where the Hokies completely choked in the last 5 to 10 minutes... I was rootibg for them of course against the Orangemen and it was painful to watch them collapse.

Regarding other peoples' posts on TCU and Memphis, and signing 4-stars with a coaching upgrade... based on that criteria, hell, DePaul and St John's should be on the Rising list.

I know the article was quickly written and all, so no biggie either way.

I think the difference between VT, TCU, and Memphis vs DePaul and St John's- is the coaches involved. Buzz, Dixon, and Smith a lot more accomplished as coaches than Letaio and Mullin. I think if the list had been any longer, St John's probably would have been on there.

[H.U.S.T.L.E.]

Thanks for the insight HUSTLE on Va Tech. I didn't see them a lot in the late season. Based on the little I've seen over Buzz's two years at VT, they looked really weak.

This included off the top of my head a game at the Carrier Dome against a bored post-season banned Syracuse team where the Hokies completely choked in the last 5 to 10 minutes... I was rootibg for them of course against the Orangemen and it was painful to watch them collapse.

Year 1 of Buzz's tenure was extremely weak. Basically, Buzz cleaned house and the only holdover from the previous regime still on the team is Devin Wilson (who is actually playing football as a WR right now, go figure). Upon Buzz arriving at VT, three guys who played decent minutes as freshman transferred immediately: Ben Emelogu (now at SMU), Marshall Wood (now at Richmond), and Trevor Thompson (now at Ohio State). So basically, Buzz had a really young team in his first year.

Year 2 had a mix of guys who had received lots of minutes as young players, some transfers that Buzz had brought in when he arrived at VT (Zach LeDay and Seth Allen being the most notable), and talented freshmen like Justin Robinson and Chris Clarke. They started real slow (including losing the opener to Alabama State), but by the end of the year really came together as a team once the pieces started falling into place.

Winning on the road was still a big issue last year though - we got blown out fairly often, but lost games at Notre Dame & Syracuse where we held the lead in the final minutes of regulation. That Syracuse game was especially rough, with Gbinije hitting a big shot. This will sound cliche, but I think the team was learning how to win on the fly. Even though there was more talent and experience, VT had been a bad team for the prior 3 years. Buzz talked a lot about building a winning mentality and I think it came to fruition in the latter half of the season.

It remains to be seen if this team can put together a tourney-worthy season, but I think the guys returning give us a legit shot. Plus, the recruiting momentum is building in Blacksburg so hopefully this is just the start of something special. I know a lot of people think VT is a crummy basketball school (and with good reason), but while I was in school from 06-11 we had some good teams and fan support was always great. Cassell can get really loud if you put a winning product there and it started to show last year. I'm really excited for the upcoming season! Basketball has always been my favorite sport and I'm glad to see my alma mater getting their act together again in the ACC.

[hoyahooligan]

I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Will Memphis be better?
Tubby couldn't get it done at Minnesota. Yeah Memphis has better history than Minnesota, but the knock on Tubby was he hates to recruit. Good coach. I see why memphis went with him since he's like the anti-pastner, but I don't think it's a sure thing he turns Memphis into a contender.

[stever20]

I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Will Memphis be better?
Tubby couldn't get it done at Minnesota. Yeah Memphis has better history than Minnesota, but the knock on Tubby was he hates to recruit. Good coach. I see why memphis went with him since he's like the anti-pastner, but I don't think it's a sure thing he turns Memphis into a contender.

Well he's gotten 2 pretty high 3 star guys so far in September this year. The thing is- it's a whole lot easier to recruit to Memphis than either Minnesota or Texas Tech.

[Savannah Jay]

I think a big part of it is recruiting for both Va Tech and TCU. TCU is #30 right now, and Va Tech is #45(and could go up if they get Bede tonight). This is year 3 for Buzz. He's got a lot coming back from a team that wasn't that far from the tourney.

I do understand the Memphis one. Tubby Smith is a light years better coach than Pastner was. Might not be this year- but Memphis will be MUCH better off with Tubby Smith.

Will Memphis be better?
Tubby couldn't get it done at Minnesota. Yeah Memphis has better history than Minnesota, but the knock on Tubby was he hates to recruit. Good coach. I see why memphis went with him since he's like the anti-pastner, but I don't think it's a sure thing he turns Memphis into a contender.

Well he's gotten 2 pretty high 3 star guys so far in September this year. The thing is- it's a whole lot easier to recruit to Memphis than either Minnesota or Texas Tech.

What's the basis for saying Memphis is easier to recruit to than Minnesota? Because they have almost no academic standards or because the weather is warmer? Outside of those two, Minneapolis is a much better place in every material aspect than Memphis.