Next year
 

We lost. It sucks. But we can sit here and feel sorry for ourselves, or we can look on the bright side, and realize that what lays ahead will be pretty good.

Here's what I think for next season:

Starters:
PG - Selby: I think we land him and his ability trumps Tyshawn's experience
SG - Johnson: Tyshawn may start the season there, but I think EJ, even a year younger is more mature than Taylor.
SF - Little: Judging by Mario's reaction after the game yesterday, he really wanted this for a team he didn't log a minute for. As a 5th year senior, who's gone through a lot of adversity, I think he'll make a HUGE impact next year. Could see time at PF just to get him on the floor, but we're already pretty deep at the post.
PF - Marcus: Could be all Big XII, player of the year time year next year for him. If he continues his progression upward. I don't think he'll go pro yet. One more year of development like we saw this year could land him in the lottery.
C/PF - Markieff: Showed some big improvement down the stretch this season. Will continue to be that steady role player rather than a show stopper. He won't bring in Aldrich numbers, but I can see him averaging 10 and 7 easily.

Guard rotation:
Releford: All accounts are that he and Little were two of the best players on the floor any given practice. If his perimeter game has improved as much as some reports indicate, he and Little could see time on the floor together.

Taylor: His athleticism will get him on the court, but I just don't see "it" with him. To tell the truth, if he were to transfer, I wouldn't be all that upset.

Reed: I think he's our heart and soul next season. They guy busts his ass non stop. I wouldn't be upset if he starts next year, especially early. We know he can shoot and that he's not flashy with the ball, but he doesn't turn it over.

Woolridge: Hopefully he can play his way into some minutes where EJ couldn't.

Bigs rotation:
Robinson: An offseason with Danny and the Morrises could be the difference for him. He reminds me a lot of Gooden his freshman year. So full of energy and moves, but just has the accelerator pinned. He has to learn how to slow down.
Withey: Seems to have a soft touch offensively, and at least a few moves in his bag. We know he can block shots. An offseason with Hudy could be the difference between him starting or coming in off the bench.

Coaching staff:
Self: Steady as a rock. We can nit pick in hindsight when he should have started pressing, but he's won a national title and we haven't.
Dooley: His name has come up for some open positions. He may be gone.
Manning: I hope Danny stays forever. He's done wonders for guys like Jackson, Kaun, the Morrises, and hopefully he can whip Robinson into shape.
Townsend: Keep getting those big recruits Coach T.

If Dooley leaves, who fills the spot? Hinson is rumored to be the next guy in. Ballard is headed to Baker. Norm Roberts is out of work as is Gillispie, though I could see Billy taking a job at a lower tier school next season.

Long post I know, but I have to turn this crappy feeling into something positive.

I hope the talk of actual basketball keeps away a certain element.

You guys are practically in the final four already!

What about Brady? He's going to be forced in there somewhere.

Also, I have serious doubts about landing Selby.

Forgot Morningstar. He took a step back this season. I'd love to see him play a roll as a special assignment defender and nothing more. His shot left him this season and if he doesn't have that he's almost worthless. He has experience though and Self loves him, so who knows. I hope other guys and play their way over him.

They could be anywhere from about 1st through 5th in the Big XII next year.

Nothing was said of where we'd go. Just a look position by position of what's coming back.

I think this team could win the Big XII and be a solid 3 seed next season. I doubt a Final Four, probably a Sweet 16 is our ceiling.

I'm going to stay hopeful on Selby. I don't know a whole lot about him, but some kids want the opportunity to be the guy who brought the team back from the depths. Sort of like Wall this year.

Someone here said that he was putting a lot of stock in the tournament. If that's true, we're pretty much out of the running.

All I know is that I hope the team is hungrier next year than the one we saw this year. It was shocking how many times they just didn't go out there and put teams away with the talent they had. Caught up with them in the tourney. The real question will be who the leaders will be next year, and will those guys be able to keep the team focused?

The talent is there, but the window as the favorites has shut...

I'm pretty indifferent about the whole thing, since I only watch college hoops and most other sports as a time filler between football seasons.

But as a Chief fan, I have to say the banner call of "Wait till next year" is pretty hollow.

Just an observation from the sidelines, as it were.

SOme may laugh at this, but I see Reed as one of the big leaders next year along with Litlle, even if they both come off of the bench.

I hope that's inaccurate. If not, that sucks.

Well, according to the scout recruiting page, the only teams that were interested in him that were in the tourney to begin with were Tennessee, us and UK. The others didn't even make it, like UConn.

It would be fantastic if Marcus became a vocal leader in the off season. I don't see it happening; but hell, nobody saw Sherron becoming the leader he was. It's pretty apparent he's gonna be our go to scorer next year, with Reed being our big-shot guy.

They should just hand you guys the National Championship now.