.... I don't know about the rest of you, but for me it still hurts. That game was an instant classic, but losing in that fashion is incredibly tough to take. Still, it was a great season, and I'm really proud of the way those guys represented our University all year long. It was a special run, and even though it came to an end before any of us wanted to, it's time to look forward, I guess. So, on that note...
What are your thoughts/expectations for next year? Do you see the Bulldogs making another run at the Tournament? Obviously it would be unfair to expect a nother 28- win season from a team who loses 3 starters, including its MVP and its best long- range specialist... But we get our top scorer back (Young), as well as Bucky Cox, who showed in the WKU game that he's ready for primetime. I don't know much about the incoming freshmen, but Wendell Faines was supposed to be a player a couple years ago, and at 6'11" Sean Jones has the potential to give the 'Dogs their first true Center since Greg Danielson. I really think a move to the 4 could make Bucky even better if Jones can win the Center job (though I've read that Jones has problems with intensity and attitude... hopefully he can prove them wrong). Josh Parker came in with a lot of hype and will get a chance to prove himself, and Adam Templeton has already showed that he has Korver- like range on the Knapp Center floor (I was there for his career- high game with UC- Irvine when he torched the Bulldogs for 5 or 6 threes). At first glance, the lineup might project something like this:
Parker/Baryenbruch/Daniels/Weldon
Young/Baryenbruch/Hall
Hall/Templeton
Cox/White/Faines
Heemskerk/Jones/Cox
Not sure what to expect from the Freshmen... Iowa natives should have a better idea of what to expect from Weldon. If he can compete for playing time, it would be nice for Jacob to concentrate on being a spot- up shooter at the 2. Also havent heard much about Faines in the past year or two. Anyone have any inside info?
General expectations for next year?
I think we finish fourth in the Valley. Southern has a huge recruiting class coming in, Creighton returns some really good young players (Stinnett, Woodfox, Witter), and Illinois St. has the best player in the Valley in Eldridge. Still, two straight top- 5 finishes would definately be moving this program in the right direction.
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