Topic: Dantoni admits building weak schedule

[Herdmeister]

I see so many naysayers here so I was surprised that I didn't see any of you at the practice Saturday or Sunday morning. I thought that with some of you in town for the football game Saturday that you may stop by and see what Collis, Bust and I have been talking about.
The last week have practice has been brutal. These guys are throwing themselves all over the floor for loose balls. Unfortunately it has led to minor injuries to Handlogten and Early.

These guys are playing balls to the wall. The smile on Danny's face is something we haven't see in a while. These guys are the tightest knit group that we have had in the D'Antoni era.

[herdorbust2]

I see so many naysayers here so I was surprised that I didn't see any of you at the practice Saturday or Sunday morning. I thought that with some of you in town for the football game Saturday that you may stop by and see what Collis, Bust and I have been talking about.
The last week have practice has been brutal. These guys are throwing themselves all over the floor for loose balls. Unfortunately it has led to minor injuries to Handlogten and Early.

These guys are playing balls to the wall. The smile on Danny's face is something we haven't see in a while. These guys are the tightest knit group that we have had in the D'Antoni era.

No question herdmeister. That is my biggest fear at this point is getting someone hurt. The competition is so fierce that they are diving into scorers table, seats and everywhere else. I talked to one of the parents at practice and he was raving over the new strength coach and what he has done. I wish we would have had him all along because he is making a difference in all areas. I haven't seen a team with so much energy and excitement every practice. That is another thing the parent told me and how impressed he was with the closeness of this group and how well they all got along. Let the naysayers have their fun but I'm going to enjoy the ride into the future.

[pembrook burrows III]

Went to practice on Saturday and can confirm the physical play. That was the number one thing that stood out. Players were diving everywhere, then 6 guys helping the diver up. Lots of contact around the basket. I have always considered us a finesse team, but Saturday was palpably different. Toussaint and Handlogten were already out with minor injuries. Then Fricks got dinged. Then Early got dinged. It was intense. Not sure if the intensity is due to the addition of the strength coach or Adam Williams, but it was evident. The AD was there and seemed pleased. So were 5-6 recruits, who got an eye full.

[herdorbust2]

Went to practice on Saturday and can confirm the physical play. That was the number one thing that stood out. Players were diving everywhere, then 6 guys helping the diver up. Lots of contact around the basket. I have always considered us a finesse team, but Saturday was palpably different. Toussaint and Handlogten were already out with minor injuries. Then Fricks got dinged. Then Early got dinged. It was intense. Not sure if the intensity is due to the addition of the strength coach or Adam Williams, but it was evident. The AD was there and seemed pleased. So were 5-6 recruits, who got an eye full.

Yesterday they didn't have enough to scrimmage properly. But all injuries are just minor as you said. They will be back in a day or two. When you have a 7'1" guy diving into the scorers table and players flying into the seats then you know they are playing hard. And then teammates yelling praise for their efforts. It's fun to watch so much length that is so athletic flying all over the floor.

[GreenDaddy]

I am excited about basketball. Kind of feel like last year was a fluke of a wreck, and I hope that we aren't disappointed again. I love that we were able to switch conferences this year and our style of play should stand out in the SBC. Hopefully it leads to a title and punching our ticket to the NCAA's.

[Toro Toro Taxi]

If we were to have another season like last years , Spears wont have to fire DD , Id say hed step down immediately . He cares more about MU basketball than his own well being .

[herdorbust2]

If we were to have another season like last years , Spears wont have to fire DD , Id say hed step down immediately . He cares more about MU basketball than his own well being .

I agree. He knows last year was a disaster and has said so. He also knows a lot of it was his own doing. He also knows he has all the pieces now and is ready to prove last year was a one year thing. Also the players are ready to show they are better than that. Adam and Corny have these guys fired up and playing with a lot of energy.

[herdyouweresaying]

NON CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

L @Queens (One of the better D2 programs hosting their first ever D1 game) See Newberry when they came in and beat the Herd in a scrimmage and it seems like we don't play well on the road.
W Ten Tech Looks to have struggled last year, but was able to keep it a 10 point game with a few decent teams
L @Miami See previous road struggles and this team beat P5 Georgia Tech and almost beat Cincy
W Coppin State Should be one of the easiest W's on the schedule
W Chicago State Another one of the worst teams in college basketball
L Morehead State They were about a minute away from being a tourney team last year
L Akron MAC always has our number and this was a tourney team
L Ohio See above about the MAC
W Duquesne Nervous about this one, but think we will get the dub. They only won 6 games last year, but we only beat them by 1 at our place last year.
W Robert Morris Road game, but it seems like they weren't very competitive last year.
L UNCG Don't think we will win 3 straight road games and they will probably be the toughest test out of the 3.
W Toledo We usually seem to get at least 1 MAC win and I think this will be it at home gearing up for Sun Belt play
W Glenville State Tune-Up W

When you add it up I think we are 7-6 coming out of the non-conference slate. Maybe 8-5 if we can play well in one of the road games (Queens/MAC)

[herdorbust2]

13-0

[herd2win]

NON CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

L @Queens (One of the better D2 programs hosting their first ever D1 game) See Newberry when they came in and beat the Herd in a scrimmage and it seems like we don't play well on the road.
W Ten Tech Looks to have struggled last year, but was able to keep it a 10 point game with a few decent teams
L @Miami See previous road struggles and this team beat P5 Georgia Tech and almost beat Cincy
W Coppin State Should be one of the easiest W's on the schedule
W Chicago State Another one of the worst teams in college basketball
L Morehead State They were about a minute away from being a tourney team last year
L Akron MAC always has our number and this was a tourney team
L Ohio See above about the MAC
W Duquesne Nervous about this one, but think we will get the dub. They only won 6 games last year, but we only beat them by 1 at our place last year.
W Robert Morris Road game, but it seems like they weren't very competitive last year.
L UNCG Don't think we will win 3 straight road games and they will probably be the toughest test out of the 3.
W Toledo We usually seem to get at least 1 MAC win and I think this will be it at home gearing up for Sun Belt play
W Glenville State Tune-Up W

When you add it up I think we are 7-6 coming out of the non-conference slate. Maybe 8-5 if we can play well in one of the road games (Queens/MAC)

If they give us points for diving on the floor and running into things as Bust has said we are doing in practice then we will lose only 1 or 2 of the non conference games.

[herdyouweresaying]

13-0

Seems unlikely. I would genuinely be curious to know how many teams finish the non-conference undefeated each year. I did a google search, but couldn't find any stats on it.

[herd1990]

Where is the final four this year?  I want to go ahead and get a block of rooms.

[ru4mu2]

Where is the final four this year?  I want to go ahead and get a block of rooms.

31-0.  Get ya a new pair of sunglasses..... ;D

[herdorbust2]

Seems unlikely. I would genuinely be curious to know how many teams finish the non-conference undefeated each year. I did a google search, but couldn't find any stats on it.

Yep it is unlikely but I'm not betting against them. I'm sure there will be a slip up somewhere.

[herdorbust2]

Where is the final four this year?  I want to go ahead and get a block of rooms.

Why would you do that? You aren't interested in a Dantoni team!!!

[herdorbust2]

31-0.  Get ya a new pair of sunglasses..... ;D

Must be a lot of fun mocking the team you supposedly care about!!

[ru4mu2]

Must be a lot of fun mocking the team you supposedly care about!!

It's not the team any of us are mocking......

[herdorbust2]

It's not the team any of us are mocking......

So we can count you as a no to come and support the team this year? Lol!!!

[ru4mu2]

So we can count you as a no to come and support the team this year? Lol!!!

lol!!!  Be at every home game, just like last.....I'm just not going to go on suicide watch if we stumble in one of those 13 OOC games.......

[herdorbust2]

lol!!!  Be at every home game, just like last.....I'm just not going to go on suicide watch if we stumble in one of those 13 OOC games.......

Who is? You should try and come to practice sometime and get a look for yourself. You might even enjoy it.

[2xBison]

Where is the final four this year?  I want to go ahead and get a block of rooms.

it wouldn't be a basketball thread without straw man overstatements

[herdorbust2]

it wouldn't be a basketball thread without straw man overstatements

But then they turn around and say they live herd basketball but continually make outlandish statements mocking and degrading. Heelbilly ball, final four, all Americans, and on and on. Asking questions or having concerns is one thing. Some of these people have an agenda but just won't come out and say it. They won't go to practice or have an open mind but sit home and spew their hatred and mock the program and or coach.

[muherd34]

But then they turn around and say they live herd basketball but continually make outlandish statements mocking and degrading. Heelbilly ball, final four, all Americans, and on and on. Asking questions or having concerns is one thing. Some of these people have an agenda but just won't come out and say it. They won't go to practice or have an open mind but sit home and spew their hatred and mock the program and or coach.

Coach DD had a terrible year last year.  However the man has accomplished what no other coach her has done.  If anyone deserves a little lead way it is him. I think we will have a great year this year, because of multiple factors.  Weak ooc, weak conference schedule and I think we will be a better team.

[jdonaccbus]

NON CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

L @Queens (One of the better D2 programs hosting their first ever D1 game) See Newberry when they came in and beat the Herd in a scrimmage and it seems like we don't play well on the road.

Queen's lost their best player from last season in 6'8" D2 All-American forward Jamari Smith who transferred to Murray State. He took his 18 ppg and 7 rpg elsewhere. There is no rhyme or reason that we should lose this game.

[herd2win]

it wouldn't be a basketball thread without straw man overstatements

It wouldn't be a basketball thread without Bust bring up Doc.