We're only about three weeks from the Cats' regular season opener against the Buckeyes, so I have a few thoughts about this teams' prospects. First, with all of the new faces, to go along with a new coach and philosophy, I believe there will be pitfalls along the way for a few weeks. The schedule is littered with strong programs during a time in which CJB will be working through the best lineup combinations.
I believe, with the three solid returnees (Jarron Cumberland, Tre Scott and Keith Williams), they will hold up well. These are quality, experienced players around whom the rest of the team must rely. But, they can't be the whole story. Jaevin Cumberland is experienced and can score.
The questions surround the newbies, particularly the freshmen. How will they mesh? Zach Harvey showed some real flashes at Bearcat Madness, but that was played more like an AAU game. There was no organized defense to speak of. Most of the rest of the incoming talent are unknown. Chris McNeal has been around the block and seems to be a tough-minded upperclassman. Chris Vogt and Jaume Sorolla are departures from the rest of the squad, in that they are post players, rather than capable of playing multiple positions. Vogt knows the Brannen system and his role.
All that said, I could see UC at 7-4 or 8-3 heading to AAC play. @ OSU, @ XU, IA in Chicago are going to be tough sledding. Not impossible, but they'll have to work to win any of them. Then, the Vols will come to town and, while they've turned over a bit of their roster from last year, Rick Barnes is an outstanding coach and will have them ready. I don't see TN being in awe at the Shoe. But, I see them as being less of a problem than the other three.
The AAC is a mixed bag. Memphis and Houston figure to be dynamite. Don't sleep on USF, as Brian Gregory has a group of sophomores who went deep into the NIT last year as frosh. The Cats get them once, down there. Greg Marshall has a ton of quality with at least a year in his system in Wichita. Beating them will take a lot of work. UConn, in their swan song season, will be improved (although Danny Hurley's act in front of the bench is a side show to itself). Then, there's the other side of the coin. Tulane? Bad. ECU? How did UC lose to them last year? Tulsa? Actually, Frank Haith is a good coach, but he can't get the types of athletes needed to compete effectively at this level to come to Tulsa. I foresee a 15-5 or 16-4 conference finish. Solidly in The Dance, but not enough to win the regular season title.
Thoughts?
