This is a question that is hard to answer right now, b/c it isnt known who we will play in the tournament.
Just like last year we were better than some of the teams that made the sweet sixteen, but we had a horrible matchup in GTown and we were bounced.
But I don think that we will be able to match up with anyone next year, and actually be the team that is creating those unstoppable mismatches.
Not many teams are going to be able to match Oden's size, and then combine that with a Harris, Twig, Hunter at teh 4 and we have nice size down low.
Then we will have at least 3 guys in Butler, Cook, Lewis capable of putting up 20 on any given nite.
That is just for offense and that is leaving out guys like Lighty and Conley who should be great role players.
We once again will be a threat to hit the 3 ball so we will not be out of games and we will have the inside outside game again next year to open up the outside.
I also think the fact that a couple of the younger guys have played together and the older guys have played together it is basically like meshing two team into one unlike a UNC who has to mesh 1 by 1 each player.
Then take into account that we should be a terror on defense. Oden will be a force in the middle and we have all seen what he can do in terms of blocking shots and altering shots. I think we are going to see a lot of teams forced into taking bad shots that they wouldnt take. Then we will have another guy with height on teh court to match up to a team that has two big guys and we have guys like Hunter and Harris who can stay with some athletic 4's and a guy like twig who can play with a banger. I think we could also see some zone out of Matta next year if a team goes with a quicker lineup.
Then we already know Butler can play defense and should be even better next year and then Lewis and Cook are both long and athletic and will be able to step into passing lanes and start the break.
The only bad thing about competeing next year is the fact that there are a lot of good teams that will be fighting for that NC.
Teams like Florida, Kansas, UNC and I am sure I am leaving a couple other teams out. One thing is that these young guys are going to have to grow up in a hurry when we go on the road and play some big games.
I don't see any reason why we should split with the big timers we play early in teh season and the big ten is down in terms of talent besides Wisky, so we should have a decent record going into the tourney and should get a one seed, so we shouldnt have to play those team mentioned above untilt he final four.
I had to vote for the NC b/c I don't want to sell these guys short, I know it is a bit of a stretch, but I have faith in these guys.
BTW fall practice hasnt started and we are already talking bball team.