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Post by Coyote Fan on Mar 9, 2015 21:00:54 GMT -6
Well the Coyotes season is now over after a Semi-final loss at the Summit Tourney. The Coyotes were picked 8th in the league and finished at tied for 4th. The Coyotes won their first ever tourney game in 3 tries and made alot of progress as the season progressed. They finished 8-7 on the road including a very impressive 5-3 mark in Summit road games. The Coyotes lost their first 5 games and some were already questioning the new direction of Coyote basketball. The Yotes remedied the poor start and continued to gain momentum as the season progressed. The Yotes lost their first Summit game at home (which would be a pre curser of things to come) but ended up sweeping a two game road trip at Denver and IPFW before defeating NDSU at home to start 3-1 in the league. They were briefly tied for the lead before hitting the skids losing 4 out of 5. It appeared things were really going downhill at that point but the Yotes responded by finishing strong in the league and ending up 9-7 including an impressive win over league leading SDSU.
The Coyotes really showed an upside to their game proving that when they were invested into a game they could give anyone trouble. On the other hand they also proved that they had many moments where they didn't really show up for games and ended up losing big or losing to teams they should have beaten. There was a time during the midstretch of league play where the Coyotes would get down early and never recover failing to fight hard to get back into a game. When things were going well the Coyotes always had plenty of fight and responded well to being down in games, especially on the road.
Going into next year the Coyotes have got to focus on being a more consistant team bringing their best effort on most nights. Trying to finish in the top 3 next year will help the Coyotes get a more favorable seed at the tourney. It would be helpful to not have to play the Jacks until the final as their crowd makes a big impact on the game. Against anyone else the Coyotes will have the advantage from the stands. Getting in some of Smith's recruits should help but replacing Bos and Larson will be a challenge. There appears to be help on the way in the front court with new recruits and the return of Tyler Flack. Getting longer and more athletic will help the Coyotes to move up in the Summit standings.
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Mar 10, 2015 19:51:12 GMT -6
It will help so much to have the hops and length of Flack and Avila next year. Adding the depth of Robertson and Spark will be a luxury. I see a Jech playing the traditional 4/5 role with Hagedorn being more of a stretch 3/4. Defense should improve and rebounding should at least stay level.
Offense will be interesting. Burnette needs to lead our scoring, DJ needs to take a big step forward and Norris needs to be our facilitator. With a better inside presence, our offensive spacing should be better, which should actually free up Casey's outside shooting.
I have no idea what to expect from Dickerson or Power. My expectations for Mayot are not high, but it would be awesome to see a big offseason jump from either of Harris or Thoseby. I have my doubts, but I would love to be wrong. I believe we still have one more open scholarship available for a spring signee or transfer.
Go Yotes!
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Post by coyotecrazie5 on Mar 10, 2015 21:48:37 GMT -6
I am excited to see Jech in coyote red. I'm a little worried about losing Larson as a slasher and all around player, and Bos' ability to create and make shots off the dribble. It will be interesting to see who can step up as a solid scorer. Brunette is very streaky, if he is off who is going to consistently step up?
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Post by Coyote Fan on Mar 10, 2015 22:07:50 GMT -6
Coach Smith will really start to put his imprint on Coyote basketball next year. He is going to have to piece some things together. I don't think it's going to be easy to get the production and leadership from the guard spots as it was this year. Many people questioned the talent on this Coyote team but Bos and Larson are two very good players and are going to be missed. It's also too bad after the finish to the season that Hunter had that we can't have him back for a couple more years. I really believe the Coyotes will be better in the front court but also inexperienced. I don't worry too much about that but filling spots 1,2 and 3 will be a challenge. At least Kasperbauer and his lethal shooting will be back. Burnett will hopefully turn into a dominant Summit player next year after the late season progress he made this year. I am a bit unsure about the end of the rotation being ready to step into more prominent roles. Will we see at least 2 freshman making big contributions next year.
I think a realistic goal would be to grab that #3 seed next year and maybe the year after challenge for the regular season title. Hopefully one or both or those years the Coyotes will be playing on the Summit's big Tuesday Night ESPN showcase.
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Post by Yotes on Mar 11, 2015 6:51:03 GMT -6
My prediction on the year was 20 wins. We finished 17-16 and were just a few bounces shy of matching my perhaps lofty prediction.
I believe that Craig Smith easily exceeded all reasonable expectations this year. We finished with a winning record overall for the first time since joining the Summit League, posted a winning record in Summit League play for the first time, had 8 road wins (6 more than last year), beat every team in the league, won our first game in the Summit League tourney, all with a team that no one else expected to accomplish much of anything. That's a very successful first season. Smith had to get the returning players to buy into his philosophy as well as finding some key contributors very late in the recruiting cycle last year in order to have this happen, and he pulled it off.
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Post by sdyotefan on Mar 11, 2015 8:28:05 GMT -6
Couldn't agree more Yotes. Can't wait to see the program continue to progress!!
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Post by Coyote Fan on Mar 12, 2015 17:42:55 GMT -6
www.argusleader.com/story/mickgarry/2015/03/11/usd/24736377/This is a story regarding what USD might look like next year. Mick has the same concerns about who might step in to replace Bos and Larson. The team will undoubtedly get taller and probably longer. I think the defense should probably be better and the rim can be protected a little more easily. The biggest question might be who will be able to step in and create their own shot off the dribble. Will the Yotes have a go to guy next year.
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Post by miniravo on Apr 13, 2015 15:55:45 GMT -6
It will help so much to have the hops and length of Flack and Avila next year. Adding the depth of Robertson and Spark will be a luxury. I see a Jech playing the traditional 4/5 role with Hagedorn being more of a stretch 3/4. Defense should improve and rebounding should at least stay level. Offense will be interesting. Burnette needs to lead our scoring, DJ needs to take a big step forward and Norris needs to be our facilitator. With a better inside presence, our offensive spacing should be better, which should actually free up Casey's outside shooting. I have no idea what to expect from Dickerson or Power. My expectations for Mayot are not high, but it would be awesome to see a big offseason jump from either of Harris or Thoseby. I have my doubts, but I would love to be wrong. I believe we still have one more open scholarship available for a spring signee or transfer. Go Yotes! It's nice to see you being positive about Thoseby! I know everyone on here seems to think I have a thing for him, but i don't agree with making someone to be a scapegoat. He was brought here for a reason and while he's still a yote, we need to encourage him, the same way that we all encouraged Casey and Larsen this year. You've all seen what he can do and Id like to think that while some of you have your doubts about him, we can take what's actually in front of us in an athletic 6'5 scorer that has the potential to be something seriously good. I hope we can pick up from where we left off last season. |
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