ESPN: Bradley = #1 recruit in the nation

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I think the odds are high that this team will be the best that UT has ever produced. I also think it has potential to be a dominating team by mid-season.Thinking of next year in simplistic terms of addition and subtraction look at it this way.SUBTRACT -Connor Atchley - lose experience, solid defenseAJ Abrams - lose scoring, experience

**** I expect Damion to return

ADD-
Jai Lucas - adds PG skills and basketball IQ
Alexis Wangmene - adds depth in paint, strong defender (out last season w/injury)
Avery Bradley - #1 frosh in the nation, SG
Jordan Hamilton - #8 frosh in the nation, SF
Shawn Williams - #53 frosh in the nation, SF
and potentially....
J'Covan Brown - 2008 #54 frosh in nation, SG

Additionally, consider
- how Varez Ward came on to end the season
- ditto with Dexter Pittman

Further, I expect Chapman to get stronger and more physical next year. He too showed some development as the season ended.

The upside for next year is huge. Unless the wheels fall of the bus, we should expect a FF from these guys.
 
Most preseason rankings have Texas in the 11-15 range. Without, a true top point guard ala TJ or DJ (I hear Lucas likes to score the ball more then play QB), I will never, ever pick a Rick Barnes coached team to the Final Four. They'll be awfully talented, but we need to see how the parts mesh before I would even think Sweet Sixteen. Right now, let's just hope they continue the streak of making the tournament. They will certainly need to walk before they are run. Here's hoping all the kids show out like we expect.
 
How about this ridiculous comment...Which is probably from an Illini fan:

"I watched the NHSI, and the best player Findlay had was Richardson. He was the only player who never came off the court for Findlay, who played within the framework of the game, and who made his teammates better, although the PG Joseph, a junior was also a team player. Bradley seems to me to be a gunner, and a short one at that, without the ability to get to the hole like a Derrick Rose or Ty Lawson, or other top G's of recent vintage. I thought he was a nice player, but top player in the nation? Not even close. "

Not only is he calling Bradley selfish...but also short.
 
All the pre-season rankings I've seen have had UT in the top 10, and that's without all the people that are entering the draft now (Flynn drops 'Cuse way lower, Wake is decimated, UNC will probably lose Lawson and Ellington).

Expect UT to be around the top five and a favorite to make the Final Four after the aftermath of the draft period and Damion's more and more likely return. Should be yet another UT/KU battle for the Big 12, and possibly nationally also. I'd expect the other two Final Four teams to be Villanova and, unfortunately, Michigan State again.

The X-Factor is where all the former Memphis commits, signees, etc. go. Cousins gives a Patterson/Meeks UK team top ten cred, Henry makes them top five, and Wall makes them the best team in the country by far. KU should definitely get Henry OR Stephenson, but they won't get both.
 
I'd be really surprised if Henry didn't go to Kansas.

Stephenson... seems like UK would be a surprise for him -- he was down to KU, St. John's and Maryland (so I read). If Henry goes to KU, Stephenson would be out of luck there.
 
I think Henry's dad was hired by Pastnor to ensure that Xavier and CJ stayed at Memphis. Could be wrong though.

To EXPECT a Final Four is a bit much, but questioning if they get in the tournament is crazy.

Avery is already an upgrade on AJ on both ends of the floor, Jordan is an upgrade over Mason at the 3, and Jai Lucas is an upgrade to Balbay on offense. I don't care if he's a shoot 1st PG.....at least he shoots. And very well.

Add in Williams and Wangmene, and an improved Pittman and Chapman and I don't see how they wouldn't get in the tournament and win at least a couple of games if not more.

Now, if Brown qualifies.........WOW!!!
 
Just an FYI, Rivals has rankings for various positions and specific skills at those positions. They have Shawn Williams listed at the #1 long range shooting small forward in the nation. Jordan Hamilton is at #5.

Everyone is excited about Avery, Jordan, and possibly J'Covan and rightfully so, but Shawn will bring some serious game as well. This team will be silly with talent.
 
if this team is putting it together by Christmas, then watch out. with the youth of this team, they will have to have it together by then. a more veteran team could still be finding its way nearing the post-season and make a run, but i don't see it that way for a younger group. either way, this will be a much anticipated year.
 
I agree that PG could be a trouble spot but on the other hand I think when you throw in two legit outside scoring options Balbay's contribution will increase exponentially. As a pass-first, shoot-never PG he had A LOT of trouble bringing anything to the floor when his only option was passing to AJ or Pittman. Next season this should change.

Add in that he gets a whole 'nother offseason to develop and I think we'll be fine at PG. He has all the talent, he just needs to learn the ropes a bit.

If he can learn to sink a free throw that'd just be gravy.
 
Well, we can all hope he sticks around. Guys like Monta Ellis and Louis Williams, both similar sized SGs, are having success in the NBA without running the point. Not sure if learning how to play PG would be a reason for Bradley to stick around. But we can hope.
 
True about Ellis and Williams, but Lou had to play in the NBDL for a long time so that definitely makes a case against tweener guards. And he was the number one prospect for most of that time, though it was one of the worst recruiting classes of all time...
 
Yes, he was a 2nd rounder. But, he also went straight from High School to the NBA...which wouldn't be the case for Bradley, no matter when he enters the league.

I think the League is more accepting of smaller SGs now (due in part to the success Ellis has had) than when Monta first entered the league. I read that Don Nelson is looking to play Ellis at PG next season, meaning that he's been able to learn some PG skills while playing SG full time as a pro.

But, it's not really a point worth arguing, as this is about how long Bradley stays, not Ellis. And that will depend on how well Avery plays next year as a freshman.
 
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