The preseason ranking by ESPN and the recent recruiting success got me to thinking about something.
I thought one of the best things UVa exhibited last year was the ability to go from the climbing program to one that tried to stay up top despite significant personnel losses, even with pretty big expectations. The Hoos have historically had some trouble when big things were expected and likewise have typically been a bit better without expectations. From that standpoint, last year already signaled a difference in this program. Not only did they meet expectations, they exceeded them, flirting with history in the process.
However, this season they're in the top 5 preseason. IF they play well, they would be a top 5-10 team most of next season even with some losses here and there. People have switched from "yeah, but what can they do without Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell?" to "we trust the Cavs will replace Justin Anderson and Darion Atkins". Is this truly the season that will prove whether or not we're a top-tier program and just reload? Or can that only happen next season after MB/AG/MT/EN leave?
All of that said, maybe it really does not matter until you start putting up banners (i.e., UK, KU, Duke, UNC, UCLA, Indiana, and maybe UConn/Florida on a shorter time frame are the only real "heavyweights" that have the history to throw around and we're still in a lower tier chasing them without winning one). Without a deep tourney run, is this team in jeopardy of the "regular season only" label like Pitt and Wake Forest before them and Mizzou much earlier? Would an Elite 8 or F4 be enough to show top program status? Or is finishing in the top 2-3 of the ACC enough?
Just curious to others' thoughts, as I'm not sure where I fall on these subjects ...
I thought one of the best things UVa exhibited last year was the ability to go from the climbing program to one that tried to stay up top despite significant personnel losses, even with pretty big expectations. The Hoos have historically had some trouble when big things were expected and likewise have typically been a bit better without expectations. From that standpoint, last year already signaled a difference in this program. Not only did they meet expectations, they exceeded them, flirting with history in the process.
However, this season they're in the top 5 preseason. IF they play well, they would be a top 5-10 team most of next season even with some losses here and there. People have switched from "yeah, but what can they do without Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell?" to "we trust the Cavs will replace Justin Anderson and Darion Atkins". Is this truly the season that will prove whether or not we're a top-tier program and just reload? Or can that only happen next season after MB/AG/MT/EN leave?
All of that said, maybe it really does not matter until you start putting up banners (i.e., UK, KU, Duke, UNC, UCLA, Indiana, and maybe UConn/Florida on a shorter time frame are the only real "heavyweights" that have the history to throw around and we're still in a lower tier chasing them without winning one). Without a deep tourney run, is this team in jeopardy of the "regular season only" label like Pitt and Wake Forest before them and Mizzou much earlier? Would an Elite 8 or F4 be enough to show top program status? Or is finishing in the top 2-3 of the ACC enough?
Just curious to others' thoughts, as I'm not sure where I fall on these subjects ...
