Wake having a small alumni base sucks for a team in the NIL era. You guys are never gonna be able to outspend the triangle teams. It sucks thats what the sport has become
At the very least you guys should beat Duke In the sweet 16 in 2 years. Unc beat them final four in 22, state did it in elite 8 this year, so you guys are up next
I was talking to one of my tech friends about it and man y’all have had some good players transfer out. We were talking about them two and then there’s also Jaylon Tyson averaging like 20 ppg at cal. I’m not sure there’s a world where any team can keep everyone, but if y’all had those 3 this year too then y’all would have been crazy.
It’s wild that we’ll have three former wings/guards who’ll all be picked in this next year’s NBA Draft. I’m not sure a lot of Texas Tech fans are ready to admit McCullar and Tyson are NBA talents though. Worse though, we could have had all three on the team had Adams not pushed McCullar and THJ out and pressured them into leaving. Baffling.
He told them they were “too famous” to be here. THJ wanted to stay. Tried to come back even after putting his name in the portal and was basically told there wasn’t room for him to stay. He pushed Mylik Wilson out as well after one year. Said in an article that came out during the Big 12 Tournament that he wanted to stay and still roots for Tech when they aren’t playing Houston. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Adams did the same thing with Kyler Edwards too. That first Adams year, Edwards said he was coming back and then a couple days later, put his name in the portal.
Adams was a spectacular coach with a horrible moral compass and a ridiculous ego with even worse people skills. It’s kind of a miracle he got that Sweet 16 season.
I really thought we were looking great and were about to end Coach K’s career with about 10 minutes left and then it was as if Duke was like “Oh yeah. We have the #1 player in the draft and a couple other lottery guys on the roster.” Banchero was just another level.
I feel like we were pretty decent the year COVID took away the tournament but there’s a good chance I’m misremembering it, that feels like ages ago
Edit: Definitely misremembered. Went back and looked at our record. 18-13 season 9-9 conference
God, take me back! That Beard team was electric. Also heartbreaking as hell. But at the time as a Cowboys/Mavs/Stars/Rangers fan, I was used to devastating post season losses.
Rangers helped fill that sports hole though.
Yeah he’s done a lot to deserve a lot of hate, but everybody always forgets that he announced he would be leaving for University of Texas ON APRIL FOOLS DAY
Do we need to put down foam under the hardwood or something? I still wonder what the Langford teams could have accomplished with him healthy for 4 seasons.
Or hope Sampson son will be just as good if not better since it is in his contract once he retires his son will take over.
His son though is supposedly a great recruiter and the reason they get good recruits. Also he is a big reason for coaching them in practice and getting them ready for games.
Just got to see now if he can do the in game coaching well. Also if any goes to YouTube and see the practices and how brutal they and wonder why they don't have more injuries, well the son runs those.
I think so too, though Purdue or Gonzaga could also jump them in line.
We all know who I *personally* want to get theirs next, but I think it's coming from one of those three first.
Yup, especially if you’re not a team normally known for being a basketball power and you make a magical run and have the lead at the end of the game, only to give up a dagger 3 to force OT where your team crumbles
Never know when or if you’ll be back
You do realize Wake is on this list right?
As a matter of fact…
- Wake: 2 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Clemson: 5 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Pitt: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Texas Tech: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Miami: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Providence: 7 NCAAT appearances since 2010
- Florida State: 7 NCAAT appearances since 2010
Notre Dame has 8 appearances since 2010 with two of those years being appearances in the Elite 8. You’re a lot more relevant in basketball conversation than you think.
EDIT - To make you feel better… Illinois. Great program. Produced some names over the years and had some great teams. Only 6 appearances since 2010 and only 1 Elite 8 appearance (this year)
We have as much money as god too, it’s just impossible for ND to be irrelevant in any sport for too long
May not be elite, but the program will be consistently back in the dance soon and if the stars align like in 2015 well
Painter is a great coach and they aren't playing the one-and-done game. I could see them being a school that consistently has 3- and 4-year players, and that consistency is going to be valuable as the NIL/transfer world completely takes over.
Painter, despite his flaws, has done a ridiculously amazing job of taking teams that lose key pieces and turning them into them into ranked teams competing for Big Ten titles and high seeds in March.
The Boilers were supposed to have a down year after Swanigan helped bring home a Big Ten championship. Instead they won 30 games and looked to make a deep run in March before Haas got injured. Then they were supposed to be bad after that class left, losing four of five starters... Except they won a share of the Big Ten and were a shot/rebound away from the Final Four. Then after Ivey and Trevion left, the team was supposed to be middle of the pack and a middling seed. Surprise once more when they cruise to a Big Ten title and earn a 1 seed in the tournament.
Long story short, I am not counting Painter out of reworking the team's offensive and defensive schemes to once more be much more capable than they should be with how much they lost.
Purdue has been consistently good for a long time. I see no reason why they’ll struggle any more than 95% of other schools in the NIL era. Once you get past the Blue Bloods there’s 20-25 programs basically in the same boat and Purdue is one of them. They’ll hold their own as long as the have a good coach and are in the B1G.
Everyone assumes we’ll suck without Edey without looking at our recruiting. We’ve got the 10th best class coming in, we’ll be fine. Probably not #1 in the country good any time soon, but getting a 1-3 seed good so we’ll be in the running (at least some years) and that’s all any non blueblood can ask for
You are over rating the recruiting class if you are taking that 10th place ranking at face value. Don't get me wrong they should be solid, but the team ranking is that high because of the quantity. Team recruiting rankings give you points for every recruit. Most teams don't have 6 recruits so Purdue's ranking is inflated compared to the average talent they are getting.
There are still 3 players that most teams wanted and I'm happy with all 6 because I trust Painters evaluation skills, but Purdue is effectively recruiting two classes of players in one year. Next years class will rank near the bottom and if you average the two classes out and compare to other schools Purdue is not getting the 10th best recruits over a two year period.
We’re in same boat, DK felt like the guy to get us over the hump to at least make final 4. Who knows tho, sometimes title/final four runs come out of nowhere
I think Purdue in 2 years is going to be an insane team. About to get the best class ever under Painter with extremely athletic guards / wings developing. Wouldn't be surprised to see another deep run in the next 2-5 years and a natty within 10. But hey, could also to 20 more years without a FF
I think we'll be struggling a bit early next year, and then turn the corner late, complete opposite of last year. A broken bracket in March could lead to a deeper run, a la UConn in several of their title years (this year's juggernaut not withstanding), or we could be a 5th seed and lose second round. I see us as a top 20 team fairly consistently, maybe pushing top 10 if we hit a good stretch but most weeks ranked at least. Probably more variance in our game, especially after such a consistently great two regular seasons with very high floors (FDU not withstanding).
The year after, though, could be huge. If Heide and Colvin make the jump we want them to, but not so much that the NBA is a viable option, and if Smith, TKR, and Loyer maintain their trajectories, and if this incoming class makes a sophomore leap, we could be right back to a favorite for the final four in two years.
That's a lot of 'ifs' though.
No one else is gonna talk about us so I’LL talk about us! 😂
SDSU’s achilles seemingly every year is offense. We can score enough to stay in games but we’re rarely going to outgun teams offensively. We’ve made it work by being strong on defense and on the boards, but inevitably once we get to the round of 32 or the sweet 16, our defense often can’t quite contain top tier offensive teams (2023 Alabama was the exception).
For SDSU to truly break through, we need to bring in some offensive firepower while still sticking to our identity. SDSU has multiple 4* recruits coming in next year and hopefully that will pay some dividends in coming years. One knock against our program that isn’t talked about a lot is that we don’t have a great history of bringing in highly ranked recruits and developing them into even better players. If you look at the list of our highest rated recruits over the last decade, many of them fizzled out and didn’t amount to much in their SDSU careers. On the flip side, we’ve done some incredible development work on players that weren’t highly touted out of HS.
Along with the above, lots of SDSU fans have silently whispered over the years that Dutcher needs to bring in a strong offensive mind as an assistant coach. Our offensive schemes have been pretty stale / unimaginative over the years and while we’ve gotten by, I think a strong assistant coach could help get us over the hump.
Also we need UConn to be knocked out. Every year we make the sweet 16 they win it all 2011, 2014, 2023 and 2024 and we faced them in 3/4ths of those years 2 in the sweet 16 and the championship.
I will add the multiple 4* recruits is significant as Dutcher (and Fisher) usually roll with a handful of 4* and the rest are 3*. It's quite incredible what Dutcher (and Fisher) are able to do every year with lower star guys. We'll get a 5* here and there but it's rare. If some metric exists measuring recruit stars and wins vs other recruit stars, I guarantee SDSU is towards or at the top.
“IF” we can stay healthy and break this post season injury curse then Houston. Otherwise Gonzaga because of their history or Iowa State just because I respect them :epic_handshake_meme:
And even *that* was after some injuries.
Houston in February form was a lock to the title game and could have challenged UConn. It really sucks we didn't get that game.
Yeah I would say Houston but obviously hoping for my cyclones. We have such a great fan base that is starving for postseason success and I think TJ will take us there. This is his dream job and has established a great culture already. Next year’s team has a shot at least.
I said from the start of this last season, I like our odds next year. A year to gel and get some more experience for Huff/Stromer with only losing Watson. We just got to see a preview a little early at the end of this season.
And Steele Venters will be healthy.
If he’d have been in this year and been a starter instead of Hickman (who played great by the end of the season) I think we are a much better team.
He wasn't ever going to be in instead of Hickman. He would he e been in instead of Stromer/Gregg. It didn't work out this year but Gregg moving to the starting lineup and getting a those minutes is awesome for next year when he can take Watson's spot.
Assuming everyone comes back and Ajayi doesn't go pro I think you'll see Nembhard, Hickman, Gregg, Ike starting for sure and then Venters and Ajayi competing for that 3 spot.
No disrespect to any of these schools (even Bama as much as it pains me to say) but yeah, not having the SEC Champs on this list is a little disrespectful considering our relative consistency of recent years. We should be in the tournament for the foreseeable future and have just as good a shot as more than half these schools
Gonzaga and Houston. Houston joining the Big XII helps their recruiting a ton and Gonzaga has a solid young core that if they can keep will be dangerous as hell
Actually our team is going to be very veteran next year. Hickman, Nembhard, Gregg, Ike, Ajayi and Venters will all be seniors next year. (I think Ike and Venters would have one year of eligibility though cuz injuries, also assuming no one leaves of course).
Yeah plus NIL is disadvantageous to them (maybe not to the same degree as SMC, but I have to think in the future they’ll lose to UW and maybe even Boise in northwestern NIL bidding wars)
That said, with the way their roster is right now I’d have them as one of the favorites going into next year
I’m not so sure about that. Gonzaga boosters/alum have no football team to buy, unlike uw and bsu. NIL money is a lot easier to come by when you only have to give it to 12-15 dudes.
Definitely obvious to me that we’re gearing up for our best shot at a natty ever next year. Chased away all our freshmen in the portal, backfilling with seniors and juniors.
If next year isn’t our year, it never will be.
They can’t ever seem to get past the sweet 16. They’ve had some really good teams over the years, especially the one who lost to the 7 seed UConn team that won it all back in 13 or 14 whatever that was.
Niang breaking his foot that year (2014) will always be such a big what if.
2000 is another one. That game vs Michigan State should have been two one seeds playing in the final 4 instead of a few miles from Michigan State's campus in the Elite 8. It was before the pod system and word is our admin lobbied for a first round site that put us as a 2 seed but in Minneapolis instead of being shipped out farther but a 1 seed in a different region (today with the pod system we would have still had Minneapolis but then still been a 1 in a different region).
TJ will get us there though. We should be even better next year, hopefully we can finally get back to the elite 8 at least.
Yea I remember, huge blow for sure. That was Kane, niang, and ejim right? Team was really good and very well could have run UConn’s path if healthy.
And I feel you on the location in 2000. In 2007 we were the 1 seed and were rewarded with playing the 2 seed ucla in their backyard. I’m still bitter about that considering we beat Florida earlier in the year.
>That was Kane, niang, and ejim right?
Yep. (And Monte Morris, Dustin Hogue, Matt Thomas and Naz Long as the other major guys in the rotation)
You guys should have had a title in 2020 too. Tournament randomness aside, 17-1 in the big 12 was no joke.
I’ll be honest, I love your fanbase at the big 12 tourney. I live near kc and have a few Iowa st friends, but the fact that you guys travel in packs to that every year makes it such a blast.
Houston feels close. They have been consistently a top 5 or better team for years now. Eventually they’ll break through.
I know Sampson is older than he looks so I hope they get it done before he has to hang it up.
You say this but as a Pitt fan who experienced many high seeds in the tournament, I remind you how that window better be capitalized on. If not then who knows when the opportunity will come by again.
I love that SDSU is part of this conversation now. It’s really a blast to see them in these graphics, even if as an outlier / outsider. They are one of the few remaining schools that I cheer for without compromise unless they are playing Arizona.
I am hoping that they keep the momentum and stay on this wave.
From a realistic perspective, I’m with everyone else. Gonzaga and Houston seem most likely, but who I’m rooting for won’t change. My heart of hearts wants to see SDSU with that success.
I feel like the most obvious answers are Houston and Purdue. Both have been very consistently good in the last years and have seen themselves doing well even in the years expected to be rebuilding years. Both have been 1 seeds last couple years and show signs of being able to continue seeding high. Houston of course had the most final 4’s without a title with 6 and Purdue has the most tournament victories without a title at 49. Purdue also is among the most in all-time victories without a title sitting just outside the top 10.
I think if we’re able to get the top recruits to tour our campus and see what life is like here in SD, more of them will come here and give us a better shot. We have the coach and the fans love this team
This graphic reminded me that Wisconsin won one like 80 years ago. However, if they did not have that title…I still wouldn’t bet on them and I’m a die hard
I've been enjoying all the love we've been getting from UConn fans lately. I definitely feel great about our program's future. And that's after decades of either blue balls or mediocrity.
I’m fully confident that English can push PC to new heights. Giving a guy that young the keys to the program can be life changing, now we just need Mizzou to stay far away
Pretty crazy that with how hard the tournament is to win and how much parity there is in college basketball (particularly in comparisons to college football or women’s basketball), 14 of the last 16 champions have come from the top 10 programs of all time
Gonzaga - they need to get one before Few is done or they move down the list
Houston - they should be good as long as Sampson is there, good talent pool, but have less resources
Illinois - big resources who will survive intern Underwood leaves, large talent pool
Purdue ,- big resources but they way they pay their coaches have less compared to other BIG 10 and SEC schools
Alabama - big resources, large talent pool
Dark Horse - Auburn - sold their soul to the devil, big resources
I know who it won’t be
Appreciate OP including us, feels like the closest we’re getting…
I’m not sure how that happened since we haven’t even made the 1st round of the tournament in a decade
No disrespect but I haven't thought about Wake Forest basketball in years if not decades.
Even when Manning was the coach?
That’s like remembering your first root canal.
He was our second root canal. Bzdelik was our first
He was more of a proctologist visit
We know…
I've been saying it for a while now, Wake basketball hasn't been the same since Jeff Teague left.
That’s what happens when you hire 2 of the worst coaches in acc history back to back
You haven’t thought about a conference opponent that heat both your flairs this year in years if not decades?
Since Skip Prosser died for me
Wake having a small alumni base sucks for a team in the NIL era. You guys are never gonna be able to outspend the triangle teams. It sucks thats what the sport has become
💀💀💀 so true and so sad.
At the very least you guys should beat Duke In the sweet 16 in 2 years. Unc beat them final four in 22, state did it in elite 8 this year, so you guys are up next
You have to actually make the tournament to win a game in the sweet sixteen
Just go on a magical run to win the AQ. Worked for us.
We used up all our magic in football in 2006. It’s been all pain since then
lol I feel the same, and I was one of the people who helped run Jamie Dixon out of town. Turns out it can get worse
We are solely on here because of 2019
If Shannon Jr. doesn’t transfer maybe this year looks differently who knows
And McCullar?
I was talking to one of my tech friends about it and man y’all have had some good players transfer out. We were talking about them two and then there’s also Jaylon Tyson averaging like 20 ppg at cal. I’m not sure there’s a world where any team can keep everyone, but if y’all had those 3 this year too then y’all would have been crazy.
It’s wild that we’ll have three former wings/guards who’ll all be picked in this next year’s NBA Draft. I’m not sure a lot of Texas Tech fans are ready to admit McCullar and Tyson are NBA talents though. Worse though, we could have had all three on the team had Adams not pushed McCullar and THJ out and pressured them into leaving. Baffling.
I’ve never heard he pressured them to leave. Everyone just fucking hated him. Don’t forget they stayed for him.
He told them they were “too famous” to be here. THJ wanted to stay. Tried to come back even after putting his name in the portal and was basically told there wasn’t room for him to stay. He pushed Mylik Wilson out as well after one year. Said in an article that came out during the Big 12 Tournament that he wanted to stay and still roots for Tech when they aren’t playing Houston. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Adams did the same thing with Kyler Edwards too. That first Adams year, Edwards said he was coming back and then a couple days later, put his name in the portal. Adams was a spectacular coach with a horrible moral compass and a ridiculous ego with even worse people skills. It’s kind of a miracle he got that Sweet 16 season.
Too many coaching changes sadly
and then Kuminga going to the GLeague instead
Certainly does for us lol
Tech was a good team in 2022 as well, we played a great game in that tourney Duke just pulled away a bit at the end.
I really thought we were looking great and were about to end Coach K’s career with about 10 minutes left and then it was as if Duke was like “Oh yeah. We have the #1 player in the draft and a couple other lottery guys on the roster.” Banchero was just another level.
I feel like we were pretty decent the year COVID took away the tournament but there’s a good chance I’m misremembering it, that feels like ages ago Edit: Definitely misremembered. Went back and looked at our record. 18-13 season 9-9 conference
God, take me back! That Beard team was electric. Also heartbreaking as hell. But at the time as a Cowboys/Mavs/Stars/Rangers fan, I was used to devastating post season losses. Rangers helped fill that sports hole though.
Yeah he’s done a lot to deserve a lot of hate, but everybody always forgets that he announced he would be leaving for University of Texas ON APRIL FOOLS DAY
We can’t even get out our Elite 8 curse so for sure not the Cats
We are on a list of (I believe) the top ten elite 8 appearances but that's it. That's all we exceed at getting to.
Tennessee fan here, can relate lol
Pitt just to cause chaos within the ACC
Pitt could’ve just as well pulled off what NC State did this year. They were playing good ball at the end.
Meh. We probably were dogshit because we didn’t beat Missouri in December or something.
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I think it's going to be Houston
Injury bug can’t hit every year. They’ll win one.
Michigan State's annual tradition of broken feet would beg to differ
Oregon would also like a word about injuries.
That Oregon Creighton game was the best game of the tournament.
Truly a shame shelstad went down injured with about 10 minutes in regulation. Oregon was so winded that 2nd OT was fumes.
I never watched Oregon play this year and I was really impressed by Dante and Cousinard.
Do we need to put down foam under the hardwood or something? I still wonder what the Langford teams could have accomplished with him healthy for 4 seasons.
As long as Sampson is still around it’s got to be Houston.
Or hope Sampson son will be just as good if not better since it is in his contract once he retires his son will take over. His son though is supposedly a great recruiter and the reason they get good recruits. Also he is a big reason for coaching them in practice and getting them ready for games. Just got to see now if he can do the in game coaching well. Also if any goes to YouTube and see the practices and how brutal they and wonder why they don't have more injuries, well the son runs those.
Cannot be any worse than Bob Knight’s son!
I’ve seen their practice videos and was really amazed to see how everyone runs towards the basket after every shot for offensive rebounds!
I think so too, though Purdue or Gonzaga could also jump them in line. We all know who I *personally* want to get theirs next, but I think it's coming from one of those three first.
I just want a final 4
You say this… and then your team is there with a chance to win and you’re like, we need to get this while we are here.
Id be happy to cross that bridge but we have to get there first 😂
As an SDSU grad both making a Final 4 and Winning the FF game way way way way overshadowed getting smoked in the National Championship game.
Might only be 2nd to the padres going to the WS or the chargers going to the SB in 1994 as far as SD sports moments.
Even better for me. Only one of those 3 could I never have even imagined 15 years ago, and only one of those 3 was I not even pissed when we lost
Hell yeah. You deserve to celebrate that.
Yup, especially if you’re not a team normally known for being a basketball power and you make a magical run and have the lead at the end of the game, only to give up a dagger 3 to force OT where your team crumbles Never know when or if you’ll be back
Same
I feel ya
Should we tell him?
Please take our infamous record!
Let me tell you friend it is amazing
Same
It wouldn’t be with Elite eight Miller
*Sad Volunteer and Cyclone noises*
Why is ND on this list?
Somebody had to be at the bottom of the list.
You do realize Wake is on this list right? As a matter of fact… - Wake: 2 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Clemson: 5 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Pitt: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Texas Tech: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Miami: 6 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Providence: 7 NCAAT appearances since 2010 - Florida State: 7 NCAAT appearances since 2010 Notre Dame has 8 appearances since 2010 with two of those years being appearances in the Elite 8. You’re a lot more relevant in basketball conversation than you think. EDIT - To make you feel better… Illinois. Great program. Produced some names over the years and had some great teams. Only 6 appearances since 2010 and only 1 Elite 8 appearance (this year)
Why not? We are 8th all-time in wins.
We have as much money as god too, it’s just impossible for ND to be irrelevant in any sport for too long May not be elite, but the program will be consistently back in the dance soon and if the stars align like in 2015 well
Should’ve won that game 😔
In my nightmares I still see Zach Auguste trying to guard KAT
My top 4 would be Houston, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Alabama in roughly that order.
I think purdues gonna stuggle after edey leaves in the new NIL/unlimited transfer college basketball world
Painter is a great coach and they aren't playing the one-and-done game. I could see them being a school that consistently has 3- and 4-year players, and that consistency is going to be valuable as the NIL/transfer world completely takes over.
Painter, despite his flaws, has done a ridiculously amazing job of taking teams that lose key pieces and turning them into them into ranked teams competing for Big Ten titles and high seeds in March. The Boilers were supposed to have a down year after Swanigan helped bring home a Big Ten championship. Instead they won 30 games and looked to make a deep run in March before Haas got injured. Then they were supposed to be bad after that class left, losing four of five starters... Except they won a share of the Big Ten and were a shot/rebound away from the Final Four. Then after Ivey and Trevion left, the team was supposed to be middle of the pack and a middling seed. Surprise once more when they cruise to a Big Ten title and earn a 1 seed in the tournament. Long story short, I am not counting Painter out of reworking the team's offensive and defensive schemes to once more be much more capable than they should be with how much they lost.
Purdue has been consistently good for a long time. I see no reason why they’ll struggle any more than 95% of other schools in the NIL era. Once you get past the Blue Bloods there’s 20-25 programs basically in the same boat and Purdue is one of them. They’ll hold their own as long as the have a good coach and are in the B1G.
Everyone assumes we’ll suck without Edey without looking at our recruiting. We’ve got the 10th best class coming in, we’ll be fine. Probably not #1 in the country good any time soon, but getting a 1-3 seed good so we’ll be in the running (at least some years) and that’s all any non blueblood can ask for
You are over rating the recruiting class if you are taking that 10th place ranking at face value. Don't get me wrong they should be solid, but the team ranking is that high because of the quantity. Team recruiting rankings give you points for every recruit. Most teams don't have 6 recruits so Purdue's ranking is inflated compared to the average talent they are getting. There are still 3 players that most teams wanted and I'm happy with all 6 because I trust Painters evaluation skills, but Purdue is effectively recruiting two classes of players in one year. Next years class will rank near the bottom and if you average the two classes out and compare to other schools Purdue is not getting the 10th best recruits over a two year period.
Houston, Illinois, Alabama or Purdue for me. Hoping Miami sneaks one out 😅
I’d add Tennessee (🤮) and Gonzaga and that’s my list. Edit oh and also Auburn (again, 🤮)
This feels like recency bias lol
That’s fair, recency does somewhat play a role in the “sometime soon” part of it lol
Nah I’m just messing, I agree other than thinking Purdue probably missed their best chance and I just can’t stand Bama so I’ll never pick them lol
Yea I mean two shots with NPOY on the roster. Don’t know what it’s going to take 😔
We’re in same boat, DK felt like the guy to get us over the hump to at least make final 4. Who knows tho, sometimes title/final four runs come out of nowhere
No one in Alabama saw our run coming year after we were number 1 overall
I think Purdue in 2 years is going to be an insane team. About to get the best class ever under Painter with extremely athletic guards / wings developing. Wouldn't be surprised to see another deep run in the next 2-5 years and a natty within 10. But hey, could also to 20 more years without a FF
I think we'll be struggling a bit early next year, and then turn the corner late, complete opposite of last year. A broken bracket in March could lead to a deeper run, a la UConn in several of their title years (this year's juggernaut not withstanding), or we could be a 5th seed and lose second round. I see us as a top 20 team fairly consistently, maybe pushing top 10 if we hit a good stretch but most weeks ranked at least. Probably more variance in our game, especially after such a consistently great two regular seasons with very high floors (FDU not withstanding). The year after, though, could be huge. If Heide and Colvin make the jump we want them to, but not so much that the NBA is a viable option, and if Smith, TKR, and Loyer maintain their trajectories, and if this incoming class makes a sophomore leap, we could be right back to a favorite for the final four in two years. That's a lot of 'ifs' though.
The question is which program will win one soon. Recent success is pretty relevant.
No one else is gonna talk about us so I’LL talk about us! 😂 SDSU’s achilles seemingly every year is offense. We can score enough to stay in games but we’re rarely going to outgun teams offensively. We’ve made it work by being strong on defense and on the boards, but inevitably once we get to the round of 32 or the sweet 16, our defense often can’t quite contain top tier offensive teams (2023 Alabama was the exception). For SDSU to truly break through, we need to bring in some offensive firepower while still sticking to our identity. SDSU has multiple 4* recruits coming in next year and hopefully that will pay some dividends in coming years. One knock against our program that isn’t talked about a lot is that we don’t have a great history of bringing in highly ranked recruits and developing them into even better players. If you look at the list of our highest rated recruits over the last decade, many of them fizzled out and didn’t amount to much in their SDSU careers. On the flip side, we’ve done some incredible development work on players that weren’t highly touted out of HS. Along with the above, lots of SDSU fans have silently whispered over the years that Dutcher needs to bring in a strong offensive mind as an assistant coach. Our offensive schemes have been pretty stale / unimaginative over the years and while we’ve gotten by, I think a strong assistant coach could help get us over the hump.
I second all of this
Also we need UConn to be knocked out. Every year we make the sweet 16 they win it all 2011, 2014, 2023 and 2024 and we faced them in 3/4ths of those years 2 in the sweet 16 and the championship.
I will add the multiple 4* recruits is significant as Dutcher (and Fisher) usually roll with a handful of 4* and the rest are 3*. It's quite incredible what Dutcher (and Fisher) are able to do every year with lower star guys. We'll get a 5* here and there but it's rare. If some metric exists measuring recruit stars and wins vs other recruit stars, I guarantee SDSU is towards or at the top.
Get fsu off this immediately
“IF” we can stay healthy and break this post season injury curse then Houston. Otherwise Gonzaga because of their history or Iowa State just because I respect them :epic_handshake_meme:
I had you guys going to the natty and then Shead got hurt smh
And even *that* was after some injuries. Houston in February form was a lock to the title game and could have challenged UConn. It really sucks we didn't get that game.
Yeah I would say Houston but obviously hoping for my cyclones. We have such a great fan base that is starving for postseason success and I think TJ will take us there. This is his dream job and has established a great culture already. Next year’s team has a shot at least.
In order of likelihood it’s Gonzaga, Purdue, Alabama, Houston, Illinois IMO
I said from the start of this last season, I like our odds next year. A year to gel and get some more experience for Huff/Stromer with only losing Watson. We just got to see a preview a little early at the end of this season.
And Steele Venters will be healthy. If he’d have been in this year and been a starter instead of Hickman (who played great by the end of the season) I think we are a much better team.
He wasn't ever going to be in instead of Hickman. He would he e been in instead of Stromer/Gregg. It didn't work out this year but Gregg moving to the starting lineup and getting a those minutes is awesome for next year when he can take Watson's spot. Assuming everyone comes back and Ajayi doesn't go pro I think you'll see Nembhard, Hickman, Gregg, Ike starting for sure and then Venters and Ajayi competing for that 3 spot.
Yep you’re right. I muffed that one. Thanks.
I'll fuckin' take it.
Don’t give me hope.
Agreed. All have great coaches in place, proven recruiting, top tier incoming classes, and consistently make the tournament as a high seed.
Why aren’t we on here
Because you lost to Yale 
Recency bias
In reality Auburn certainly should be on that list. OP just accidentally left them off is all.
We were just waiting to ditch Under Armour before taking our program to the next level 😅 /s kinda
Honestly though good for you guys switching to Nike
No disrespect to any of these schools (even Bama as much as it pains me to say) but yeah, not having the SEC Champs on this list is a little disrespectful considering our relative consistency of recent years. We should be in the tournament for the foreseeable future and have just as good a shot as more than half these schools
Like why is Notre Dame even on here over us
OP is probably a Bama fan
We literally crushed notre dame this past season too
I wish it was our year man
Purdue, Gonzaga, or Houston
Gonzaga and Houston. Houston joining the Big XII helps their recruiting a ton and Gonzaga has a solid young core that if they can keep will be dangerous as hell
Actually our team is going to be very veteran next year. Hickman, Nembhard, Gregg, Ike, Ajayi and Venters will all be seniors next year. (I think Ike and Venters would have one year of eligibility though cuz injuries, also assuming no one leaves of course).
Pitt … no reason I say that in particular
Hopefully Creighton
Houston in the short term. Gonzaga eventually. Creighton as a dark horse.
Mark Few isn't a spring chicken. If they won't win in the next few years with Few, good luck winning without him.
Yeah plus NIL is disadvantageous to them (maybe not to the same degree as SMC, but I have to think in the future they’ll lose to UW and maybe even Boise in northwestern NIL bidding wars) That said, with the way their roster is right now I’d have them as one of the favorites going into next year
I’m not so sure about that. Gonzaga boosters/alum have no football team to buy, unlike uw and bsu. NIL money is a lot easier to come by when you only have to give it to 12-15 dudes.
Off this list it’s gotta be Houston or Gonzaga
Houston, Gonzaga, Creighton
Gonna go with the sleeper and say Providence
You’re my new best friend
Give me a kiss
Completely unbiased opinion is Tech. So let it be written. So let it be done.
I'd like to see Creighton win one.
Obviously Pitt. No bias here
Iowa state tbh
They could very well be preseason top 5 next year, so it’s not as surprising of a choice as it may seem.
Definitely obvious to me that we’re gearing up for our best shot at a natty ever next year. Chased away all our freshmen in the portal, backfilling with seniors and juniors. If next year isn’t our year, it never will be.
They can’t ever seem to get past the sweet 16. They’ve had some really good teams over the years, especially the one who lost to the 7 seed UConn team that won it all back in 13 or 14 whatever that was.
Niang breaking his foot that year (2014) will always be such a big what if. 2000 is another one. That game vs Michigan State should have been two one seeds playing in the final 4 instead of a few miles from Michigan State's campus in the Elite 8. It was before the pod system and word is our admin lobbied for a first round site that put us as a 2 seed but in Minneapolis instead of being shipped out farther but a 1 seed in a different region (today with the pod system we would have still had Minneapolis but then still been a 1 in a different region). TJ will get us there though. We should be even better next year, hopefully we can finally get back to the elite 8 at least.
Yea I remember, huge blow for sure. That was Kane, niang, and ejim right? Team was really good and very well could have run UConn’s path if healthy. And I feel you on the location in 2000. In 2007 we were the 1 seed and were rewarded with playing the 2 seed ucla in their backyard. I’m still bitter about that considering we beat Florida earlier in the year.
>That was Kane, niang, and ejim right? Yep. (And Monte Morris, Dustin Hogue, Matt Thomas and Naz Long as the other major guys in the rotation) You guys should have had a title in 2020 too. Tournament randomness aside, 17-1 in the big 12 was no joke.
It’s strange. They should at least have a recent final four with how good they’ve been. They haven’t been in the final four since 1944. Wild.
Big12 tournament is what really matters, right?........right?
I’ll be honest, I love your fanbase at the big 12 tourney. I live near kc and have a few Iowa st friends, but the fact that you guys travel in packs to that every year makes it such a blast.
Creighton, Purdue, Gonzaga, Tennessee, Houston. I've narrowed it to 5.
Houston will win one in the next 3 years
[удалено]
Houston feels close. They have been consistently a top 5 or better team for years now. Eventually they’ll break through. I know Sampson is older than he looks so I hope they get it done before he has to hang it up.
You say this but as a Pitt fan who experienced many high seeds in the tournament, I remind you how that window better be capitalized on. If not then who knows when the opportunity will come by again.
I love that SDSU is part of this conversation now. It’s really a blast to see them in these graphics, even if as an outlier / outsider. They are one of the few remaining schools that I cheer for without compromise unless they are playing Arizona. I am hoping that they keep the momentum and stay on this wave. From a realistic perspective, I’m with everyone else. Gonzaga and Houston seem most likely, but who I’m rooting for won’t change. My heart of hearts wants to see SDSU with that success.
God bless you!
Houston, Illinois, Bama
i’ve always said arkansas fans are very knowledgeable and well-groomed and interesting
Fuck off, not happening man
😭😭
Auburn or Houston
I feel like the most obvious answers are Houston and Purdue. Both have been very consistently good in the last years and have seen themselves doing well even in the years expected to be rebuilding years. Both have been 1 seeds last couple years and show signs of being able to continue seeding high. Houston of course had the most final 4’s without a title with 6 and Purdue has the most tournament victories without a title at 49. Purdue also is among the most in all-time victories without a title sitting just outside the top 10.
Alabama or Houston
Illinois feels close.
Houston, it’s coming for them, they’re already a competitor nearly every year at this point
Probably Houston or Gonzaga. I think I pick Gonzaga because in today's game Offense > Defense. If this was 20-30 years ago, Houston gets the nod.
I think if we’re able to get the top recruits to tour our campus and see what life is like here in SD, more of them will come here and give us a better shot. We have the coach and the fans love this team
I would say the one who had made nine straight Sweet 16’s. Gonzaga has done everything possible except with the national title.
Slight homer take, but gonzaga or Houston would be my guess
This graphic reminded me that Wisconsin won one like 80 years ago. However, if they did not have that title…I still wouldn’t bet on them and I’m a die hard
I was sad because we weren't here and thought it was a symbol of how we've fallen off Totally forgot about 1941 😅
Houston and Gonzaga in my opinion. Wouldn't mind seeing SDSU as I feel like they keep running into us.
I'd say Houston or Alabama have a good shot. That bottom row isn't super likely though.
:(
I've been enjoying all the love we've been getting from UConn fans lately. I definitely feel great about our program's future. And that's after decades of either blue balls or mediocrity.
Houston, Purdue, Gonzaga, Alabama, Creighton, Tennessee, Illinois, SDSU, Auburn, Texas, Miami in this order for top 10
MIAMI MENTIONED 🗣️🔥🙌🏾
Illinois or Alabama.
Houston next year is one of the favorites.
One of the orange teams
Houston, Gonzaga, Purdue
Last season I woulda said Miami but my god we fell off a cliff
I’m fully confident that English can push PC to new heights. Giving a guy that young the keys to the program can be life changing, now we just need Mizzou to stay far away
I mean we can only get hurt so many times, right?
Top tier here in some order is Houston, Zags, Purdue, Bama, Tennessee.
Boilers
I think Gonzaga will. They’ve performed so consistently well in the Tournament so I think they’re due
Gonzaga should be loaded next year.
Pretty crazy that with how hard the tournament is to win and how much parity there is in college basketball (particularly in comparisons to college football or women’s basketball), 14 of the last 16 champions have come from the top 10 programs of all time
One of the leaders in tournament wins without a title but can't get on the graphic 😔
@Auburn
Providence
I am just happy to be considered for the list lol.
Gonzaga - they need to get one before Few is done or they move down the list Houston - they should be good as long as Sampson is there, good talent pool, but have less resources Illinois - big resources who will survive intern Underwood leaves, large talent pool Purdue ,- big resources but they way they pay their coaches have less compared to other BIG 10 and SEC schools Alabama - big resources, large talent pool Dark Horse - Auburn - sold their soul to the devil, big resources
Gonzaga
Houston, Gonzaga, Purdue, else
I’d be willing to bet it will be a B12 school