Realistic =/= Negative. I actually am fairly optimistic about next year, but to say that not being a serious bubble team will be a major disappointment a year after going 2-22 is absolutely hilarious.
Jalen Coleman-Lands is has entered the transfer portal
- Thread starter LLCoolCY
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Sure it’s not out of the question but this is gonna be an entirely new team basically. You’re setting yourself up to be disappointed if you think we’re going to be near a tournament team. Don’t come here and b*tch after the season because TJ didn’t meet your unrealistic expectations after the first year coming off a 2-22 season.
The point isn't that it's impossible. The point is that if its achieved, its an amazing/improbable outcome that makes TJ a COTY candidate. You just don't seem to appreciate how real life organizations evolve. This isn't picking players for a video game.
I’m floored by the amount of people who think TJ should be able to sign a few transfers and easily be a bubble team. Do you not know anything about team chemistry? Even a lot of Fred’s great transfers took a lump year before breaking out, not even counting their sit out year. Obviously there were the home runs like White(who still sat out a year) and Kane. Look at the blue bloods, usually when Kentucky or Duke win it all they have a few guys who stuck around longer than expected. Chemistry and experience play a bigger role in basketball than some want to believe.
IMO the chemistry issue is much of what's driving this. All those things about instilling a new system and a new culture are true, but many believe chemistry (or lack thereof) is what caused a team that had enough talent to win 8-10 games to only win 2.
I don't think anyone here is saying we should "easily" be a bubble team, but rather that it's possible and is a reasonable goal. For several years Calipari put together groups of 1st year players who challenged for national championships. If TJ can get enough of the right pieces and get them to buy in, there's no reason we can't get to the level of being in the conversation of being a tournament team...even if it's a long shot.
I believe we will see a team that takes some lumps early but shows gradual improvement throughout the season... and maybe even wins a game or two which they're not supposed to and wins a game or two in KC. But it is not my expectation, and I won't be disappointed if they fall short of that.
I agree. And while it's highly unlikely 7th would get us into the tournament, it would at least get us into a position of consideration. I think several here are assuming that the definition of a bubble team is one that actually makes the tournament which isn't the case.
Are there a lot of people who think this or just a vocal minority? I've only seen a few.
No, I think the major difference is between "expect" and "possible".
I think the ceiling is bubble team and I think it is possible, but not likely. My hope is for a near .500 record overall with a solid identity and positive direction for the future. Floor still looks higher right now than this past year was but that’s not saying much.
I'm pretty sure it's just idiots who don't understand the hole we are digging out of.
In this specific case, a poster who's made it clear he's had it out for TJ. It's all intentional.
I don't really want tj but would be ecstatic with 13+ wins this year.
I think just don’t mention any possibility of being a bubble team, schedule as many non-con games as possible against Maude Frickert and her crew, get to 12-15 wins, and people will be ecstatic. 9-10 non-con, 3-5 B12. Sign me up.
This is my thought exactly. If we make the NIT next year I think we would exceed expectations. Just saying that I don’t see a world where NCAA contention is a realistic expectation
