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Post by ghostofdylan on Mar 17, 2011 7:01:01 GMT -6
It's disappointing to have had 20 wins in our sights and come up just short. It's especially agonizing given the legitimate quality of our schedule. By my count, the Panthers played all but 10 of their 33 games this year against teams with winning records. Only UC Davis, Niagara, Youngstown State (twice), Bowling Green, Green Bay (twice), UIC (twice) and DePaul finished under .500.
In fact, a very easy case could be made that this was the best schedule the program has ever faced top to bottom.
Because of that and the team's finish in conference, I believe the season must be pronounced an unqualified success.
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Post by uwmfutbol on Mar 17, 2011 7:35:39 GMT -6
They made the NIT. I deem it a success.
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Post by panthersteve on Mar 17, 2011 7:38:07 GMT -6
No doubt a success... excellent progress... heck , we are Regular Season Horizon League champs for gosh sakes and an NIT bid...Rob coach of the year,, Ant first team all conference...huge crowd at the Cell for the title game...man.. only thing better is an NCAA bid and that will come
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2011 7:54:08 GMT -6
In the end, we were best suited for the NIT and at this point were not quite ready for the NCAA tournament. But there was clearly progress with the program. Kudos to Rob and staff.
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Post by Hack on Mar 17, 2011 8:20:55 GMT -6
Exceeded my expectations (especially my adjusted expectations after the slow start).
Like others have said, this is a good step and I think getting Kaylon some help at point next year will lead to more improvement overall.
But let's not kid ourselves, Hill will be tough to replace.
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Post by PANTHERfan on Mar 17, 2011 9:39:02 GMT -6
I agree with that sentiment, Hack. This season certainly should be viewed as a success, and hopefully a sign of things to come. I like how the program is growing --- the kids care about each other, we seem to be recruiting good people, the coaching staff is improving, etc... There's lots to feel good about. But we can't discount the loss of the Horizon's best post-player. I suspect we'll be tabbed a fourth or fifth place team next year behind Butler, Valpo, and Detroit. Of course we all know how that prediction worked out this season. So a big thanks to the seniors. You were fun to watch and fun to support. Looking ahead, I'm excited for the Shaq, Evan, James, and JJ era to begin. I'm excited to see Kyle's improvement, and I look forward to senior leadership from Kaylon, Tony, and Ryan. Let's land a quality big man in the meantime. Nobody out there's looking to do the same, right? Should be a piece of cake  |
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Post by BBFran on Mar 17, 2011 9:43:26 GMT -6
It was a great ride. Lots of ups and downs early, of course. Steve points out the biggest things -- HL Champs and the Cell rocking again for the HLT. Those will be worth their weight in gold among our fans and potential fans and on the recruiting trail. Every single player on our roster will have important things to work on this summer. Kaylon and Ja'Rob their ball security, Ryan his shooting, Tony and Kyle their core strength and low post abilities, etc. But it's always easier to put that work in when you can see the rewards that are out there. Overall it was a season that both stands on its own and that portends even better seasons to come. Speaking of Kyle, has he ever NOT been on a team that won its conference? I say we keep that young man around.  |
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Post by longtimefan on Mar 17, 2011 10:12:52 GMT -6
I gave up on these guys mid-year. My mistake.
Thought they didn't have the horses or the coaches to be more than mediocre.
20 wins, NIT bid, beat the defending NCAA runnerups, share of the title and best of all, a spot in the ESPN Tuesday night title game... that's a good year. A very good year or great year if they hadn't struggled so much in Butler 3 and again last night.
Congratulations, Coach Jeter and the seniors, especially Hill for achieving much of his potential, and Boyle for fighting back from injury.
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Post by ghostofdylan on Mar 17, 2011 11:20:21 GMT -6
In terms of individual player development:
Tony obviously made the biggest leap. I think he was perhaps the one guy (along with Ryan Allen) for whom the stage wasn't too big the last two games. He's what I would call a starring complementary player who would do just fine in the Big Ten.
If Ryan Allen had any outside shot, he wouldn't be playing in this league. He's a physical freak.
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Post by Super King on Mar 17, 2011 11:31:05 GMT -6
He should work on it in the offseason. If he can pull a Patrick Souter he'll be something else.
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Post by panthersteve on Mar 17, 2011 15:41:43 GMT -6
I love Anthony and Tone...yes, a big loss but look at CSU losing Cole and others, WSU Duggins, Butler, Howard...etc etc...we will adapt.. Haarsma is a good player and Tony, Kaylon back .. Ryan a year under his belt and maybe we patch in another guy here or there. Not to discount Anthony but we can adapt and find a different way...things are on solid ground.. we will be solid contenders..
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Post by skrapheap on Mar 17, 2011 16:39:38 GMT -6
A very good season once the Panthers got things going.
Next year i hope to see the players embrace the team concept the coaches preach sooner in the season. It will also be help a ton that his teammates will know what Kaylon Wiliams's style/philosophy are.
If next year's team can avoid the maddening inconsistency of the first part of this season, they will win games in bunches, and begin to attract more fans.
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Post by Super King on Mar 17, 2011 17:15:45 GMT -6
Of all the teams that are losing important cogs, I think we will suffer the least for it pound-for-pound. Butler has an exceptional recruiting class, but counting on Freshmen to replace Matt Howard is foolish, at least right away. There is no replacing Norris Cole, and without Pogue, who at least represented the shadow of a post game, Cleveland State is severely weakened. Wright State not only loses Duggins, but with a new coach entering into his second season, his players will be on the front lines for the first time, so we'll see how they do. (Although I think Wright State will be fine, because they always are, same as Butler. But the losses might hurt, especially right away.)
We, however, lose a shooting guard without whom we proved we could be successful just last season, and an interior presence that has a real shot at being replicated with a player who averaged 11 and 7 as a Sophomore. Plus there's our stable of young players like Kelm and McCallum who have contributed well early in their careers and will continue to improve.
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Post by tyrunner0097 on Mar 17, 2011 20:19:41 GMT -6
I do agree with that...we are really losing only Hill and Tone, and those are not crippling loses. Jeter has always had a more team emphasis then some other coaches.
As for possible improvements, if Tony can get just a bit more muscle next year, he could possibly be Ant and Tone rolled into one.
Kaylon should start planning his summer for the film room to get his mind super sharp.
And if Allen can be just a tad less aggressive and work on his outside shooting, he could go INSANE on the league next year...I am so looking forward to next year...
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Post by PantherU on Mar 17, 2011 20:39:32 GMT -6
Butler has an exceptional recruiting class, but counting on Freshmen to replace Matt Howard is foolish, at least right away. Just as it was to count on freshmen to replace Gordon Hayward. We'll be OK. |
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