Pre-Season Hoops Predictions

[StablerBumParticipant]

Picked up my electronic copy of the Blue Ribbon Yearbook. They have Lehigh at 7th in the PL, with HC at 1 and Seth Hinrichs as POY. They have Kahron as ROY.

As we knew, Reed seems very high on Kahron, and appears to be viewing this year as a maturation year with the current group before two really good teams in 15-16 and 16-17. Pretty much in line with what we all have been thinking/saying, although I do think 7th is a little low for this group. I’d like to see them finish in the top half.

[lehigh90Participant]

7th seems very low to me. We should be improved from last year, and if Kahron Ross is thought of that highly, we shouldn’t see a huge dropoff from MM loss, and could even be a potential upgrade. TK will only be better, and hopefully JC and JG continue to improve up front. We should have a pretty deep group of wing players, no studs, but a lot to choose from. I think anything less than 5th in the PL will be a disappointment. SW loss is not huge, as he didn’t give us much last season. AD no loss as he never suited up. You have to think AP will be more comfortable on the wing, and you know CS will be solid in either backcourt spot. If we have a talented PG and talented big man, that should take us pretty far. I would like to see us develop a 12-15 ppg scorer to complement TK and hopefully KR. Hopefully, that is JC. I think he is the key to the season. We will need consistent scoring options.

[StablerBumParticipant]

I would like to see us develop a 12-15 ppg scorer to complement TK and hopefully KR. Hopefully, that is JC

I agree with this. I think JC certainly has the potential to score at that rate if he ups his % and shoots less jumpers. Krueger and Reed both seem pleased with AP’s improvement over the summer, and I expect him to make a nice sophomore jump and average over 12 this year.

My guess is that KR won’t be a big-time scorer or shoot a high % (especially this year) but his main contributions will be pushing the tempo, putting pressure on the defense, and getting the ball to other guys in a position to score.

[lehigh90Participant]

Hoping KR has a similar impact to what Nick Lindner had a Lafayette last season. I think both are true pass first PG’s. Lindner started early on, and ended up averaging just over 10 ppg for Leopards. I think 4-5 assists as well. I would be thrilled with that for KR. He should get plenty of attempts if he is going to be the starter at the PG. That’s not yet set in stone, but looks like he becomes the next 4 year starter at the PG.

[toddcuddParticipant]

I’m probably overly optimistic about this season – but I’ll be disappointed if we don’t finish in the top 3. I fully expect to compete for the PL title.
When you consider where we were at this time last year, current state just feels good to me. We lost SO much in terms of points and minutes after the 2013 season, last year felt like starting from scratch. To my mind, for this year, we really only lost MM. Granted, that’s a significant loss, but we’ve got a bunch of other guys who have now played MAJOR minutes at this level, and have been together for a full year. I don’t think we can overlook how many guys were brand-spankin’ new last year – and in the end, the results weren’t bad.
Based on feedback we’re hearing, I too expect AP to make a significant leap this year. I’ll be pretty disappointed if he is not a 12+ ppg guy. I think we can also expect to see JC continue to develop, and his role clear up. Even with no great leap, I think we all feel good about where TK is now. I do expect his game-to-game production to be more consistent, having the year under his belt. But I think he’s a rock we can build on.
The big question remains PG. Does KR step right in, or does MS make some major strides? I think the second is very likely, even if KR is day 1 ready; he reminds me of JG’s path. The biggest issue we saw in JG’s first year, to me, was with confidence and the adjustment to the game speed. That changed dramatically last year, and I feel like that’s not unreasonable to expect from MS this year. If neither of those two seem to be catching on, I have no concerns about CS running the point. He’s got the experience and the head to do it.
I hope I’m not disappointed, but I fully expect a big return this year.

[RichHParticipant]

Admit to being concerned about meshing all this talent into a team. As I look at our team and read all the comments, I find myself being concerned with how high we go not whether we will do well. Lots of new parts but also a young veteran core. To me,the key will be how well doc can use this talent in game. Gonna be an interesting yr. I agree with todd. Think we will do much better than predicted.

[toddcuddParticipant]

CoBL posted their preview for us this morning; link is below. Nothing too newsworthy there, but it does seem to be more in line with our expectations, vs. gloomy previews we’ve seen elsewhere. Only criticism I have is that the article seems to contradict itself as to who the starting PG will be. Some spots seem to indicate MS, but most of it seems to project KR.

CoBL Lehigh Preview

[RichHParticipant]

Very complete preview. Josh did his homework. The seeming inconsistency with Ross and Simelton actually makes sense to me given Doc’s statements on KR. I’ m guessing MS will start early but KR and CS will all rotate thru PG slot.
My question is how Doc will use his up tempo talent. We have more individual talent than I think we’ve ever had.Do we play transition and pressing man to man? I’ll leave it to you guys as I dont know nearly enuf to have any clue.

[toddcuddParticipant]

Feeling grumpy after seeing yet another crappy LU hoops review. Anybody have a KenPom subscription? If not, I might grab one this year. Feels like consensus is that we’ll be worse this year. I’m guessing that if we go by KenPom numbers, it’s an ugly finish.

[RichHParticipant]

Dont get it. Yup, Mackey graduated. 4 starters and top players off the bench back. Great recruit class.We may not be dominant but cant believe we’ll be worse.

[norcalfanParticipant]

Hello Lehigh! It has been a while. I have been busy following girls basketball the past year. LU will not come in 7th. They just need to come together and get comfortable with each other. Chuku will step it up. I see LU has a recruit from CA. What are your thoughts on him?

[RichHParticipant]

Hi norcal. Must be Bball season.
Leufroy a*** combo G. Can score . Impressive video. How good is his competition?

[pafan11Participant]

Never put much stock in sports writers previews. They only have as much information as programs wish to leak out. Word on the street is that KR is the real deal and some believe could be best PG in PL this year. I predict he is starter from day one with MS backing him up.

[LUHoops00Participant]

I don’t know where American was picked preseason last year but it wasn’t first and it wasn’t top half even if I remember correctly. I think it was 9th off top of my heads actually. I put zero into these bs sports writers who follow this stuff about one tenth as close as we do, well said pafan. Well said.

I am probably overly optimistic for this season but that is probably what you all love about me the most, rose colored glasses. I just look at the talent we have, the new talent coming in, and do some simple projections and I see us as as top 4 team and right where we need to be in march, competing for a title. I believe we can win a title this year, I really do.

We lost Mackey who was a very big piece to the team, 35 minutes a game and all the stats to go with it, but Mackey wasn’t a leader and this young team needed a leader last year and no one stepped up. Pretty sure that is why we went to this leadership committee thing and not name Mackey a true captain. When I think about how young we were last year combined with how many close games we lost, 7/8 by two possessions or less, I get optimistic. We were in a lot of games boys a lot.

The leap between year one and two is huge for a lot of players and between Kempton, price, and Chuku all making that leap that gives me hope. If Kempton body got as tuned up as advertised he is going to be a monster in year 2. What is he takes the muscala leap??? Is that unrealistic? I don’t think so. Kempton could be a 18/9 guy this year.

Chuku, said he has worked on his post game, he won’t shoot 38 from field again. Ap silky smooth and starts getting to basket more at end of last year and is ready for big year 2. I love ms who we just gotta figure out how to use.

I reads a ton of twitter and internet stuff on KR last year and many Arkansas fans wanted him over the other instate guard they got named Beard. If KR were 6’0 he probably in bcs conference but instead we are beneficiaries. Kr reminds me of Stockton he sees the floor ridiculously well and I think is day 1 guy.

Alston reclassified and was in line for for some bigger offers if he stayed in 15 class. He reminds me of paul pierce, he can get his own and I think will be hard to keep off floor. We got a good deep and sizable front court and a ton of options in backcourt and leadership with CS and sc. Jenkins pedigree and athleticism exciting addition. Didn’t even talk about CS and sc and cb and Goldy. We deep boys.

I am fired up for the season, please join me.

[RichHParticipant]

Hoops
Can always count on you to rally my spirits. Thanks. Doc can present so many looks this year. We will be a very tough out. Dont forget JRG.

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