Wow, I thought I was a Debbie Downer!  Sheesh.  I don't think things are as dire as that.  It would appear that Coach Chritian's first recruiting class could be a good one, so let's let things play out before we commit basketball hara-kari.

Wow 71, you really brightened my day.   Guess I should withdraw all financial and emotional support of the program.   I'm rooting for Akron from now on.

 Long time reader , first time poster . Having been a season ticket holder for the last few years and watching this team I have to say I am dissapointed the way the season went. I think Coach Christian  will do a good job moving forward but I think this team was missing the fire of coach Groce. Yesterdays result was not suprissing because the cats hadn't beaten a good team all year , I mean Richmond I suppose was the feather in the cap as far as wins go. The thing that dissapoints me most is the lack of improvement from one year to the next for some of the player like say Ivo . When he decided to go with a fall away jumper last night instead of taking the layup I thought that pretty much summed the season up. I felt bad for Coop it just wasn't his night but I have sure enjoyed seeing him play. 
  I hope the Cats get a home NIT game and hope they can get up for it regardless of where it's played. I have enjoyed the last few years and look forward to next years edition of the team. GO CATS !

I actually think we are going to be pretty darn good next year.  It would not surprise me at all to see us in the MACtion title game again next year.  We've got great players coming back and some studs coming in.  Things are more than fine.  

Post more often, Pomeroy--'cause your first post hit the nail squarely on the head.

We are a huge question mark next year but I think we'll still return more talent than most.   The big key is.Willis. If he lives up to the pub we will be good.

PG
Willis
Taylor

SG
Kellogg
Wilkens
Wingfield

SF
Hall
Johnson

PF
Ndour
Setty
Green
Campbell

C
Smith
Mompremier

I'll probably wait to post my final thoughts on the season when the season is final.

71 Bobcat:

There are some logical fallacies in your "logic."  It's not as simple an equation as you make it.

Your main assumption is that the only change from last year was the coaching change.  How do you know that?  Do you know the players personally?  Sometimes players change from one season to another.  People could have had struggles or personal issues or injuries that impacted their performance.

Also, you are also overlooking another change:  Akron got better since last year.  A great deal better with the additions of Kretzer and McAdams.  

Another logical fallacy in your post is the idea that "correlation implies causation."  It doesn't.

The key next year will be these starters: Stevie, Nick, TJ, and Jon

- Stevie needs to continue to improve his offensive game and distribution. 
- Nick needs to continue his improvement on his handling, driving to the basket and regain his old 3pt shooting form.
- TJ of course needs to improve his defensive game, a combination of being smarter and work to be in better shape as well so that he can move quicker.  And of course just continue the improvement in his offensive game.
- Jon needs to improve his post game and work to be smarter on defense.

If at least three of these guys improve we will be in decent shape next year.  Of course developing our bench will be of high importance too, so that we have some depth.  More than likely we won't be a top 3 team in the MAC, you don't just replace 4-year guys like Reggie, DJ, and Walt in one offseason.

All we can do is enjoy this last little ride with a team we will so deeply miss in just a few short months.  They've spoiled us and I don't think it's hit us yet how much we're losing. 

Simply too many unkown variables to make any kind of assumption about next year.  My guess is that we will have a minimum of 3 new starters with possibly only TJ and Nick starting from the veterans.  If the new guys aren't ready, then it could be more, but we have an awful lot of points to replace in just a few short months.  Like I said, enjoy it while we can because the next few months are unpredictable, but predictably bumpy.

Not knowing anything about most of these guys, my shot in the dark guess for a starting lineup next November is:
Ndour
Setty
Willis
Kellogg
Hall

Quiz: What is the only difference between last year and this year right now?

Answer: Two points!  This year we are 24-9, shared the MAC Regular Season Championship and unfortunately lost in a must win to get to the tournament. 

Last year at this same point we were 27-7 and had just won the must win game to get in the tournament.  Then we made the most of the opportunity we had.  Had the game shifted by TWO points, we would be where we are this year.  Last year was a slightly better record, but probably a slightly easier non-conference schedule.

When you boil it all down, despite the fact that it feels a whole hell of a lot different it really was not a whole lot different.

Congrats to the seniors for all the hard work they have put in through their career and the mark they have left on this program.  Regardless of whether you think the future is bright or not, it is absolutely brighter thanks to what this group had accomplished. 

Congrats to the coaching staff!  Did they inherit a senior laden team with the sky as the ceiling?  Absolutely.  While that is certainly something you would like to inherit, it is also very difficult.  If you win, the previous staff, the players and their experience get the credit and if you lose you get all the blame.  I thought they did an outstanding job through this seaosn and based on the recruits they have pulled, I think we have a bright future.  Let's not forget that Christian went through this season operating the Groce system because it fit this team.  That is a tough thing to do.  A lot of coaches would have been to arrogant to do that and would have blown things up and seen a possible disaster.  I applaud this staff for the job they did because again, the only difference is TWO POINTS!