Return entire team that went 21-12. Last years team was a dissapointment. A lack of desire on the defensive end proved costly in 5 of last years losses as the Vols managed to lose those 5 games because of a defensive lapse on the last possession of the game. I think if UT improves on defense, (Wayne, stay in the post) the Freshman that were counted on so heavily show more desire and maturity, sprinkle in a true p/g and Juco transfer Melvin Goins and improved 3 point shooting, this team could go from pretender to contender. All of this remains to be seen. The SEC should be A LOT better next year. Factor in the fact that Bruce has only had 1 team who did not atleast win 20 games, in his entire coaching career, I do not think this team will regress or be worse than they were last year. They have alot to prove and probably should not be ranked in the pre-season due to the way they finished the season.
Three returning starters and a deep bench (backcourt-wise) from a Final Four team including the return of Scottie Reynolds to provide senior leadership - and Corey 1 & 2 showed they are for real. Corey Fisher is also getting more experience this summer playing for the USA at the World University Games
They have one of the top recruiting classes in the nation with two 5-star & two 4-star recruits including a 6-9, 235 PF to replace some of the size they lost up front. Also eligible to play next year is Taylor King, a McD All American who transferred from Duke and had to sit last year
I'm a bit wary of their high ranking in preseason guessing polls because a lot is based on the freshman contributing quickly - which is anyone's guess.
If the team gels - then they will contend for the Big East title - and should go deep in the tourney. If not, it could be a disappointing season
o yea the roster will look the same oh thats right is will be the same. They got hall, shelby, and could be getting a transfer who was out at duke because of a sick mother.
If you look at last season's UNLV roster and who's departing, you might think the 2009-10 season could be a rough one for the Rebels. Truth is, expectations are extremely high going into the next few seasons. The overall talent and athleticism at UNLV should improve dramatically starting next season thanks to the arrival of high profile transfers Derrick Jasper (formerly of Kentucky) and Chace Stanback (formerly of UCLA). They will join another former transfer, and UNLV's leading returning scorer, Tre'Von Willis, to form a bigger, more athletic nucleus than UNLV has had in recent years.
In addition to the transfers, UNLV brings in a very good recruiting class led by Rivals 150 members guard Anthony Marshall and center Carlos Lopez. The Rebels also return, after missing last season with a knee injury, 6'-8" forward Matt Shaw. And led by guard Oscar Bellfield, who started in over 20 games last season, the Rebels bench should be deeper and more athletic than it's been in recent years.
How well and how quickly the new talent gels, and whether or not one (or both) of the big men...returnee Brice Massamba and newcomer Carlos Lopez...can provide the Rebels with quality production on both ends of the floor, will determine just how good UNLV will ultimately be.
I think Rebel fans are expecting, at the very least, a return to the NCAA Tournament. And once there, hopefully UNLV can grab at least one win if not maybe a pair of wins.
I think Rebel fans are expecting, at the very least, a return to the NCAA Tournament. And once there, hopefully UNLV can grab at least one win if not maybe a pair of wins. I think the main question the rest of the country has about UNLV involves their psyche. Have they really completely recovered from the 70-60 loss to Kentucky in the NIT, and has Joe Darger gotten the taste of Perry Stevenson's ____ out of his mouth?
If calipari can get these players to work together, UK might have something special. Key Word "might" As a long time UK fan, I can see a rough road at the beggining of next season. I obviously don't have the outrageous expectations of most UK fans, I would consider myself more of a realist. However, I'm sure your sick of UK. I think the SEC might be overlooking a couple good teams inside the conference. Vandy and Miss St. are going to be a tough matchup with most of us. They can shake things up in the West. They both return a good amount of last years team, and Vernardo is an animal. This is just my .02 Go Cats
