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.

 

[nccardfan]

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.

Look injuries suck. Nobody could have predicted those. We're not UK and trying to build one and done's. We asked Kelsey to restore Louisville to where it belongs. Not going to happen overnight. Yes, after seeing this team and knowing what they might have accomplished looks unlikely now but I am counting on Kelsey to maintain the energy of this group. In this world of social media, its going to be hard if fans give up on this team.

 

[Cardiac Red]

In this world of social media, its going to be hard if fans give up on this team.

I think we're going to have to have a great showing against Duke, we may not have to win but we better be in the game and for sure better not lose by 20.

I think most fans realize we're short handed because of injuries and will give a little slack, but just a little, we will have to beat the teams we're supposed to beat and be giving great effort even in losses..

 

[jalovell23]

I say we will be lucky to win 15 games. Going to be hard with all the injuries and conference play coming soon

 

[Thecycle27]

I think we're going to have to have a great showing against Duke, we may not have to win but we better be in the game and for sure better not lose by 20.

I think most fans realize we're short handed because of injuries and will give a little slack, but just a little, we will have to beat the teams we're supposed to beat and be giving great effort even in losses..

They may but I am betting Duke. They are elite defensively.

Really can’t be upset either Duke would have similar issues if Flagg when down. As fans we shouldn’t freak out, you can’t lose your key players and really expect much other than playing hard. Get Hot win a couple games. Don’t see it being Duke especially if they lose to Auburn tonight.

 

[CardX]

Feels like the season is over. Kelsey is saying the right things, but you can tell by his body language this season is gone. The injuries have just been too much.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It's over. Replacing Pryor is impossible. Unique skillset. A few others down also. It's just sad.

 

[shadow force]

Is signing a player to play starting in January even a possibility?

 

[nccardfan]

Is signing a player to play starting in January even a possibility?

Don't think so. Transfer rules are pretty relaxed now but you can't transfer midseason. Basketball is November - May. Not sure you can find someone in high school who is not currently playing and wants to enroll and become immediately available? Doesn't seem likely to me.

 

[nccardfan]

Kelsey needs to hold a tryout asap and find a student who played HS basketball and chose academics or another sport.

 

[Cardiac Red]

Is signing a player to play starting in January even a possibility?

Might be able to pick up a foreign player or if a college player that chose not to play this season and hasn't been on a roster. Not sure what kind of talent you would be getting. Probably not great..

 

[nccardfan]

Might be able to pick up a foreign player or if a college player that chose not to play this season and hasn't been on a roster. Not sure what kind of talent you would be getting. Probably not great..

University offices close after December 15th so they better hurry. Classes start Jan 8th.

Put McCool, Antonelli and Legg in. They should at least know the system. Head scratcher is Anselem-Ibe. Hes 6-10 and a 5th year player. If he wasn't going to play why did we waste a spot for him?