Not one bit, actually.

I didn't expect anything out of them this season. Everyone who follows even slightly thought this season would be a transition season. They lost 2 guys to the NBA and lost some solid role players. In the post you quoted, all I talked about was the recruiting class next year and how they could be really good "in a couple years".

So it wasn't quite the "gotcha" moment you thought it was. Better luck next time. :-)
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Yeah, when Nick Honor and Noah Carter are going to be expected to be your highest volume scorers, you're a probable NIT team at best.

I don't think anyone expected this team to do a ton unless Aiden Shaw had one of those crazy Kareem Rush/Keyon Dooling sort of breakouts.

And he's just not there. He's a really nice defensive player; active everywhere. He's just not a scorer. And maybe he never will be. So I think we have to continue to try to push Bates usage rate up a lot - he's probably the next best option in term of offensive skill.

But man, even if he becomes a 16-18 point/gm guy, Honor and Carter just aren't enough even as 2nd and 3rd options. Those are 3rd and 4th option guys - at best. Really I'd like to see Carter as an energy guy off the bench and Honor as purely a spot up shooter or distributor.

It's just a roster that's lacking at the top. And that's what that big freshman class is designed to address.
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My thoughts after yesterday:

Honor and Carter are vets and good guys to have as the last two people in your starting lineup. If you're counting on them to be high-usage players, you're counting on trouble. They're both limited.

They really need to emphasize roles for East and Bates and try to run everything through the two of them. Pick-and-pops with Carter, with East initiating and Bates on the opposite wing. Bury Honor in a corner for the kick-out.

It was nice to see Trent Pierce hit some deep shots yesterday. He has a great-looking 3-point shot and was the team's best shooter in camp.

This team may be a small step back from last year but I still am excited by what is building.
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Haven't paid as much attention the past couple of weeks, but early on I noticed most of the players listed as "starters" were seniors which doesn't really seem ideal in a rebuilding season. I'm assuming we'll see the young players getting more and more time as the season goes on?
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Only if you think this season was one where expectations should be to contend for the SEC or a national title given the roster construction. Which it shouldn't be.

Gates is building a roster and it takes time. He over achieved last year. The fact that Mizzou is probably going to be .500 or slightly above when the season ends doesn't change what Gates is doing and how bright the future is.

Cuonzo couldn't recruit for shit and ran an archaic offense. Kim Anderson is a clown.

Gates is none of that and is killing it on the recruiting trail. If not next season, I'd expect 2025-2026 for Mizzou to take off.
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I don't think anyone would believe that. This was always going to be a rebuilding year. The young talent on the roster is going to be fun to watch develop. The class we just signed is going to be a ton of fun to watch. Hell, we just got a kid for 25 that should be outstanding.

I know it's not what Chief fans tend to do, but sometimes one needs to take a bit of a longer-term view of the program. It would be difficult to not love what Gates is doing and how he's doing it.
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Team has had a rough last several games. They've played several really good teams and can't seem to pull it off against any of those good teams.

The bench only had 3 points today against Georgia and only had 31 minutes of playing time combined from the bench. East played every single minute. The guy needs some type of break with the tempo this team usually plays with.
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This team is not improving at all. I think it's fair to be concerned about the job Gates has done with this team.
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Two chances with six seconds left today and they couldn't get off a clean shot in either instance. Yes, the team is not talented, but there is no semblance of a coordinated offense. Dribble handoffs at the 3pt line is not going to get it done.
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Damn boys
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Member when I toll you guise that Dennis Gates was a bad coach because he can't coach defense...

I still think you will find one win in SEC play this year. IT CAN HAPPEN!

via GIPHY

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And I thought the Kim Anderson years were bad. Yikes.
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Just quoted and bookmarked because this post is going to be the gift that keeps on giving for years and years. Like a Jelly of the Month Club membership.
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I'm not giving up on Gates yet, but damn this year is embarrassing. Next year better look MUCH better.
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Yeah, this is rough. It looks like a team that is just completely broken mentally.

I got worried when I was reading reports from camp, before the season, that Noah Carter was their best player (yikes).

The talent isn't great. But they are definitely less than the sum of their parts, and not "winless in the SEC" bad.

Big year now coming next year. Going to have to land at least one guy who can score/create off the wing in the portal and hope Boateng is ready to nail it from Day 1.
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