Injuries Mounting- Adjust Expectations Or Not?

[shadow force]

Pat Kelsey: “What we came to fear about Kasean has come to be true. That’s the nature of the beast … our guys have an unbelievable mindset as we attack these two days.”

Pryor out for year with torn ACL. Traore likely out 4 more weeks. Koren Johnson out for the year.

 

[shadow force]

 

[nccardfan]

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I could see getting Kobe to play would help out if Koren is out a significant time but don't think either one really offset the loss of Pryor. That has to be done with what we have now. Scott, Waterson, Rooths and Anselem-Ibe.

 

[CardsFirst]

Man if we didn’t have bad luck in MBB we won’t have any luck at all.

 

[shadow force]

With both Pryor and Johnson out for the season my outlook has changed. I haven't given up on the season but you have to be realistic too.

 

[PushupMan]

I think I am still comfortable with my preseason expectations. I originally (after the two July exhibitions) thought 21-10, (12-8 in conference), but after the two October exhibitions, I decided a more realistic regular season would be 18-13 (10-10 conference record).

Hopefully, we can get this one tonight, and we will then be on pace for rhe 8-3 non-conference record.

The answer to the OP’a original question depends on what your expectations were….

 

[earsky]

My obvious concern is depth at the forward spot. I wouldn't count out this coach's ability to bring along somebody else faster than he wanted to.
I'm still where I've always been- team rebounding,help defense and great shot selection. The margin for error(which includes bad shots) has just gotten thinner.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

With both Pryor and Johnson out for the season my outlook has changed. I haven't given up on the season but you have to be realistic too.

Pryor was a + defender, probably one of the best defenders we've had in a long time. He created a lot of problems, played above the rim. A real team leader. Helped in a lot of areas.

I don't know enough about Johnson, but he was going to be a big spark off the bench, and we never really got a chance to see it.

It's a shame. They seemed poised to break through this year, they won me over with the WVU win.

It's just going to be an uphill battle.

 

[shadow force]

I also worry about Chucky Hepburn getting worn out later in the season without Koren to back him up. He expends so much energy on both ends of the floor.

 

[bigloucards]

I’m going to put a over/under @ 18 wins
I’m a under lean

 

[sdslba228]

Was at the game tonight, I think without Pryor we are in for another bad season. Was really excited with our start, but I think the injuries killing us. Taking the 2 redshirt guys to start the season is backfiring. Now we are short 4 players and 1 with broken arm. I am for sure under.

 

[Thecycle27]

The wrong people got hurt. This wasn’t a loaded roster. This was a good roster that if they played hard and hit shots could be good. With the injuries the roster doesn’t make sense.

I really don’t know what they can do other than learn how to play a zone. There is zero chance Edwards can guard ACC-SEC level guards. They will get downhill when even they want. Even when the other guy gets back they have the same problem. Pryor did things on pick and rolls the other bigs can’t do and while not great he was a nuisance at the rim.

On offense what do you do when all the guys who have historically shot well can’t shoot? They aren’t great with their shot selection but 50-60 percent of the 1st half looks were clean. They have zero shot of winning if they shoot low 30’s from three.

I could be wrong but this another 10-12 win season but hard to say with the current state of ACC.

The redshirting is proving to be a mistake but they did have a solid 10-11 man rotation.