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

[stever20]

history.

Memphis has 3 final 4's, 6 elite 8's, and 11 sweet 16's since 1973. Yes, I do know about the vacatings, but even w/o those- it's 1 final 4, 4 elite 8's, and 6 sweet 16's.
Minnesota has 1 final 4, 2 elite 8's, and 4 sweet 16's since 1982. But small problem, they have vacating's as well. w/o those- it's 1 elite 8 and 3 sweet 16.

Memphis a lot more of a traditional power than Minnesota is.

[Savannah Jay]

history.

Memphis has 3 final 4's, 6 elite 8's, and 11 sweet 16's since 1973. Yes, I do know about the vacatings, but even w/o those- it's 1 final 4, 4 elite 8's, and 6 sweet 16's.
Minnesota has 1 final 4, 2 elite 8's, and 4 sweet 16's since 1982. But small problem, they have vacating's as well. w/o those- it's 1 elite 8 and 3 sweet 16.

Memphis a lot more of a traditional power than Minnesota is.

All of which happened with different coaches than those currently in place at those schools. Calipari isn't the coach anymore and the 80s are long gone. The kids committing now weren't even in middle school when Memphis was relevant.

History works when you are an elite school, program or at least have sustained success. UCONN can talk about history. Memphis...not so much. To the point brought earlier, Memphis isn't such a "destination" school for recruits that Tubby can rely on it's history to get recruits. That won't happen. Maybe if he gets a GREAT recruiter, he can coach them up. But expect more of the "Pasner" like success from them, not "Calipari" or "Kirk" like success. Even those periods of success I would tie to two players...Keith Lee and Derrick Rose (though Calipari has proven he can recruit and coach anywhere).

[stever20]

history.

Memphis has 3 final 4's, 6 elite 8's, and 11 sweet 16's since 1973. Yes, I do know about the vacatings, but even w/o those- it's 1 final 4, 4 elite 8's, and 6 sweet 16's.
Minnesota has 1 final 4, 2 elite 8's, and 4 sweet 16's since 1982. But small problem, they have vacating's as well. w/o those- it's 1 elite 8 and 3 sweet 16.

Memphis a lot more of a traditional power than Minnesota is.

All of which happened with different coaches than those currently in place at those schools. Calipari isn't the coach anymore and the 80s are long gone. The kids committing now weren't even in middle school when Memphis was relevant.

History works when you are an elite school, program or at least have sustained success. UCONN can talk about history. Memphis...not so much. To the point brought earlier, Memphis isn't such a "destination" school for recruits that Tubby can rely on it's history to get recruits. That won't happen. Maybe if he gets a GREAT recruiter, he can coach them up. But expect more of the "Pasner" like success from them, not "Calipari" or "Kirk" like success. Even those periods of success I would tie to two players...Keith Lee and Derrick Rose (though Calipari has proven he can recruit and coach anywhere).

Memphis is probably the 2nd best basketball in the state of Tennessee behind only Tennessee. Yes, ahead of Vandy. It's not a bad place at all. Right now- they're in the top 40 in recruiting- we'll see if they can keep that up. Also, the City of Memphis is a lot better recruiting place than Minneapolis is- where some guys will just fall into Memphis lap quite frankly. There's really a floor for Memphis competitive wise- and it's pretty high- only 3 losing seasons in 35 years- with those years being 13-16, 13-15, and 15-16.

[REDMEN1415]

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.

Matt A is a beast on the recruiting trail, Mullin and Richmond (the third assistant) name recognition will help. They will only get better each year.
This year I'm going with 15 wins, yes very talented, but also very young.
Just be patient, next year I believe will be SJU's breakout year.

I hope I'm wrong and we get 20 wins, but not likely.

[Jet915]

Top 10 impact transfers for this year. 4 Big East players mentioned.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/gallery/10-impact-transfers-to-watch-for-the-college-basketball-season-101816

[TAMU Eagle]

Top 10 impact transfers for this year. 4 Big East players mentioned.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/gallery/10-impact-transfers-to-watch-for-the-college-basketball-season-101816

Happy to see Reinhardt get some ink, but Rowsey is the transfer at Marquette that people will be talking about.

[XtoDC]

I don't think it really needs it's own thread, but CBS has projected the win totals for all of the Big East teams. They only project 3 teams with over 20 wins.

http://www.cbssports.com/college-basket ... vas-heels/

[stever20]

Those win totals would make for a very testy BET. Butler, Marquette at 18, and Seton Hall at 17- would put all 3 on the bubble.

I feel Georgetown is unfortunately overrated here. 19 wins with OOC schedule of Maryland, Maui, UConn, and Syracuse- that's tough. 7 easier wins OOC, then the 6 tough ones. With the schedule though- if we do get 19- we would be a lock I think.

[GumbyDamnit!]

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.

FWIW Stever Tubby is 65. So there's a good chance he'll be ready for retirement just as he gets Memphis turned around. As you already have pointed out coaches don't stick around into their 70's.

[stever20]

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.

FWIW Stever Tubby is 65. So there's a good chance he'll be ready for retirement just as he gets Memphis turned around. As you already have pointed out coaches don't stick around into their 70's.

I agree Tubby won't be there for that long.

The thing with Memphis I think is that it won't need much to fix. 12 of their 15 losses last year were by 10 points or less. 5 of their losses were by 4 or less or in OT. He's got #32 recruiting class right now for this year.