What were you wrong about this season?

[uostudent]

People often like to point out how they accurately predicted various events, but rarely the inverse.

So what were you wrong about?

Here are mine:
1. Joevan Catron- I knew Catron pretty well because I had some friends who lived in Barnhart with him. Catron is a really good guy. He's funny, pretty goofy, and a a fairly talented artist. However, he didn't seem very serious about his conditioning. When there was talk about him coming back for a 5th year - my initial thought was "what's the point"? Catron had regressed as a player and had turned into an inefficient jumpshooter. Was I ever wrong. Catron clearly worked his butt off in the offseason and has become one of the better big men in the conference. He has become the team's leader and go to guy. Now I wish that he had an additional year of eligibility.
2. Malcolm Armstead- I thought that Armstead would be the team's leader. I expected him to take that next step and become one of the conference's top tier point guards. Instead, he has regressed significantly. He has played better as of late, but has still been a huge disappointment overall.
3. Jeremy Jacob- imo, Jeremy Jacob is the team's best player. He's a skilled tweener who is a great finisher, a solid rebounder, and a good defender. I expected Jacob to be a major contributor this year. Unfortunately, injuries (knee) have derailed his season. Definitely not Jacob's fault. Fortunately, Tyrone Nared has stepped up and done some solid work as his replacement.
4. Dana Altman- I wasn't thrilled with the hire, but I knew that we were getting a good x's and o's coach (not this good). My main question with Altman was whether he'd be able to recruit. So far, he's done very well for a new coach taking over the supposed worst team in the conference.

[woundedknees]

I was hoping for a better season out of Jacob, and a little more out of Armstead and Singler, earlier in the season.

I have always loved Catron's effort, especially when he has been healthy.

That kid will be missed!

[greenyellow]

For what I was wrong about
1. # of wins: I thought that 10 was tops and 12 was a pipedream. Getting 15-16 wins is now a possibility.
2. Catron: I thought he would be like the player he was his first 3 years, but has clearly progressed now that he's healthy and has a good coach.
3. Loyd and Nared: Didn't think they would contribute as much as they have due to them not being highly recruited and coming in so late.
4. Jacob and Armstead: Thought they would be the leaders of the team but injuries have clearly slowed them down. Armstead's play has come on as of late now that he seems to be healthier and is more in-tune with what Altman wants in a PG.

[oregontrack]

Based on my ongoing debates with just about everyone here, "Garrett Sim" should have been mentioned by now...

For me:

1. Armstead. We took a lot of hits in the offseason, but I really thought Armstead had the potential to become a top flight PG and I was glad he stuck around. I did not see him losing his job to a true freshman.

2. The W/L record. I was afraid we were going to challenge OSU's 0-19 Pac-10 mark, but I thought we'd eventually win a Pac-10 game or two late (like we did two years ago). I didn't see 5 league wins, and I definitely didn't see a potential 7 or 8 win conference season.

3. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself for picking Jacob to break out, I think we all did and I'm positive he'd be a very capable player if not for his knee.

4. I really thought Washington would blow through the Pac-10. I know they lost Abdul Gaddy, but wow. They're struggling.

[buckmarkduck]

First thing I was wrong about was thinking Dunnigan would stay.

I thought the PAC 10 was down and we might steal 3-4 wins total, but we have a real chance to finish 5 th! I was just hoping to get to 8 th tops. For those who arent paying attention with the win yesterday UO won't finish last woohoo!

I thought Nared could be a nice player but he seems to be getting better by the game. As for Ej, what he does is the dirty work and he's the glue guy not really sure what wounded though he would be, but I think he has played great. He'll never be Kyle but he doesnt have to be, he'll take a charge or hit the bog free throw. I just wonder what Wiley is thinking, his game would have fit well with Altman.

[uostudent]

Based on my ongoing debates with just about everyone here, "Garrett Sim" should have been mentioned by now...

I was talking more about preseason predictions. Most of us did not expect Sim to play major minutes (and start). I stated in the UW thread that it appears that Sim may have turned the corner. Next year, he should do a lot better as a scorer off the bench.

For me:

1. Armstead. We took a lot of hits in the offseason, but I really thought Armstead had the potential to become a top flight PG and I was glad he stuck around. I did not see him losing his job to a true freshman.
I think Altman inserted Loyd into the starting lineup to fire up Armstead. Altman's tactic appears to have worked. Loyd is a good playmaker, but his shooting has been anemic. On most Pac 10 teams, Loyd probably would have redshirted.

2. The W/L record. I was afraid we were going to challenge OSU's 0-19 Pac-10 mark, but I thought we'd eventually win a Pac-10 game or two late (like we did two years ago). I didn't see 5 league wins, and I definitely didn't see a potential 7 or 8 win conference season.
Forgot to add this one. My preseason prediction was 10 wins - 2 conference wins.

3. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself for picking Jacob to break out, I think we all did and I'm positive he'd be a very capable player if not for his knee.
Nor is it Jacob's fault. I think he's going to come back next season healthy and have a big year.

4. I really thought Washington would blow through the Pac-10. I know they lost Abdul Gaddy, but wow. They're struggling.
Agree, definitely thought that UW would play well. I thought Arizona and UCLA would be very good. Arizona has exceeded my expectations, while UCLA has been a bit of a disappointment. Oregon St. has underachieved big time. OSU needs to give Robinson a lifetime contract.

[quackattack]

People often like to point out how they accurately predicted various events, but rarely the inverse.

So what were you wrong about?

Here are mine:
1. Joevan Catron- I knew Catron pretty well because I had some friends who lived in Barnhart with him. Catron is a really good guy. He's funny, pretty goofy, and a a fairly talented artist. However, he didn't seem very serious about his conditioning. When there was talk about him coming back for a 5th year - my initial thought was "what's the point"? Catron had regressed as a player and had turned into an inefficient jumpshooter. Was I ever wrong. Catron clearly worked his butt off in the offseason and has become one of the better big men in the conference. He has become the team's leader and go to guy. Now I wish that he had an additional year of eligibility.
2. Malcolm Armstead- I thought that Armstead would be the team's leader. I expected him to take that next step and become one of the conference's top tier point guards. Instead, he has regressed significantly. He has played better as of late, but has still been a huge disappointment overall.
3. Jeremy Jacob- imo, Jeremy Jacob is the team's best player. He's a skilled tweener who is a great finisher, a solid rebounder, and a good defender. I expected Jacob to be a major contributor this year. Unfortunately, injuries (knee) have derailed his season. Definitely not Jacob's fault. Fortunately, Tyrone Nared has stepped up and done some solid work as his replacement.
4. Dana Altman- I wasn't thrilled with the hire, but I knew that we were getting a good x's and o's coach (not this good). My main question with Altman was whether he'd be able to recruit. So far, he's done very well for a new coach taking over the supposed worst team in the conference.

wow, these were pretty much in-line with my thoughts exactly going into the season. and like you, i was wrong as well.

[oregontrack]

First thing I was wrong about was thinking Dunnigan would stay.

I thought the PAC 10 was down and we might steal 3-4 wins total, but we have a real chance to finish 5 th! I was just hoping to get to 8 th tops. For those who arent paying attention with the win yesterday UO won't finish last woohoo!

I thought Nared could be a nice player but he seems to be getting better by the game. As for Ej, what he does is the dirty work and he's the glue guy not really sure what wounded though he would be, but I think he has played great. He'll never be Kyle but he doesnt have to be, he'll take a charge or hit the bog free throw. I just wonder what Wiley is thinking, his game would have fit well with Altman.

Wiley was the first to transfer (I think), I kinda wish he would have waited a bit. He'd definitely get a lot more playing time now, and we could really use his shot.

[woundedknees]

EJ's shooting has been streaky at best... His life as a Duck would have been much better had a couple other guys stuck around to take some of the pressure off him.

Nared is turning into what I sort of thought he could be, once he settled in and started actually playing.

[oregontrack]

This is about the time of year when Jacob started to 'get' it last year. Glad Nared is going down the same path.

[briarduck]

Like you guys I didn't expect us to be this good, even the games we lose our team battles to the end, I love it!

1. DA Hire...wow I was not expecting us to have this much success this early, with all the losses/defections playing the way we have and winning against more talented team is very impressive! DA recruiting has been outstanding as well...I'm just very happy with this hire!

2. I wasn't expecting our style of play, heart, tenacity and just over-all improvement from all aspects...well done all around to our whole team!

3. I am impressed with Nared, Catron, EJ, Sim, Loyd and our collective DEFENSIVE effort!

4. I was expecting more from Armstead, Jacob but injuries are a buggar!

I can't wait for DA to get mote talent on this team...and I agree that if a few of our talented defectors had stayed this may have been one hell of a year!

[woundedknees]

This is definitely the most I have enjoyed watching the Ducks compete in years... Some of EK's teams had so much unrealized potential, even in the midst of their "successful" seasons.

If Altman can keep this intensity,execution, and desire once some higher level talent arrives, this is going to be an incredible ride.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Um everything? I honestly felt like Catron could be a beast if he was healthy & focused. Didn't quite expect this but I haven't been surprised by his season. Other than that though, I got nothing right. I was hoping Nared would be able to come off the bench & get a couple buckets & boards here & there. I mean, he was a mid major commit. The guy shouldn't even be playing in a big 6 conference. Except now he's starting & playing really good. Then theres Sim ha.

And on the opposite end are JJ & Armstead. JJ just had bad luck & thankfully Armstead playing much better but I was expecting them to be our stars. And if you would have told me that one would lose his starting spot to a frosh & the other would be out half the time with an injury I would have bet on us having maybe 1 win in conference.

Morale of the story: Dana is just incredible. It can't be said enough.

[duckfan22]

Morale of the story: Dana is just incredible. It can't be said enough.\

Now were seeing why Altman came highly recommended by
top coaches around the country.

[Prf15]

I agree with the OP on everything except #4. Like everybody else I wanted a Dixon or an Izzo but once Altman was hired, I was thrilled with the hire. The dude flat knows how to coach and he brought Creighton up from nothing to being a mid major to be reckoned with. I did not expect this season to go as good as it has but I knew he would get all the talent out of the guys he has.

I was wrong on Nared/Loyd. I was not expecting either to see a whole lot of playing time this year but both has become integral parts of the team stepping up for Armstead/Jacob.

I just can't wait to see Brown/Barron/Kingma and Joseph in here next year.