What will make or break this 2025-26 team?

[MediaMan2k]

When we look back at season's end, what will be the biggest factor that determined their success/failure?
- Coaching
- Chemistry
- Lack of a proven Center
- 3pt shooting
- Schedule

 

[Vorony]

Coaching

 

[cusefan88]

There's enough proven players with talent that it falls on Red now. His make or break season.

 

[hoopsupstate]

If this team defends, they will be tourney bound.

 

[Orangezoo]

It’s hands down coaching and it’s not close.

 

[Lukeyloo]

Having Weitsman bring celebrities to games

 

[RedtheGOB]

Are George/Donnie as advertised as a top of the ACC PG/PF back court / front court?

That’s really all that matters to me. The other guys are role players in my opinion and it all starts with them.

 

[IthaCuse]

If the team can’t get better on D all of the scoring improvement on earth won’t make a lick of difference. That’s what I’m watching for, is whether the team can get stops.

 

[McCuse]

Having a real PG that gets everyone involved. Alley oops to keep opposing D in honest.

 

[Orangezoo]

Having a real PG that gets everyone involved. Alley oops to keep opposing D in honest.

Also a real PG that is a decent shot maker and keeps teams honest while being able to create for himself when it’s necessary and have the feel and IQ to make the right decision in those cases often. All of that of course with being an adequate or better on ball defender that is willing to fight through screens and go over/under consistent with knowing the scouting report.

 

[Eric15]

Obviously there are a ton of things that have to improve after last year's miserable season, but if I had to pin point one thing, it would be Donnie Freeman. I want to see him make the jump from solid role player to All-ACC star, which I think he's perfectly capable of.

 

[Orangezoo]

Obviously there are a ton of things that have to improve after last year's miserable season, but if I had to pin point one thing, it would be Donnie Freeman. I want to see him make the jump from solid role player to All-ACC star, which I think he's perfectly capable of.

Having re watched some of last years games that he played in- I completely agree. His presence on the boards , multi level ability to score and willingness as a defender one on one that just needs to improve with help and in the post he has everything in the toolbox to really blow up. Pair that with having a better defensive 5 to play with, a legit pass first PG and two capable wing scorers and it sets up well for him to be a true go to option/star this year.

 

[Eric15]

One more thing... I like JJ Starling. I think he's a solid player. But he absolutely can't be our leading scorer. He's just not efficient enough. I want to see him in a Scoop Jardine role, where he's our emotional leader, and quite possibly the guy with the ball in his hands at the end of games, but I want him to be our 3rd or so leading scorer.

Instead of averaging 18 per game on 40.7% from the field and 26.8% from three, I want to see him average say 13 per game and be in the high 40s and mid 30s with shooting percentages. That will be a really good sign for us if that's the case. It means other guys are stepping up and he doesn't have to carry the load.

 

[atlanticuse]

Coaching.
One or two players won’t win games nor get us to late March.

 

[McCuse]

One more thing... I like JJ Starling. I think he's a solid player. But he absolutely can't be our leading scorer. He's just not efficient enough. I want to see him in a Scoop Jardine role, where he's our emotional leader, and quite possibly the guy with the ball in his hands at the end of games, but I want him to be our 3rd or so leading scorer.

Instead of averaging 18 per game on 40.7% from the field and 26.8% from three, I want to see him average say 13 per game and be in the high 40s and mid 30s with shooting percentages. That will be a really good sign for us if that's the case. It means other guys are stepping up and he doesn't have to carry the load.

Our new floor general PG can help that become a reality.

 

[JeffCuse]

Coaching, emphasis on break. The real question i have is what will make or break NEXT year's team. Will Wildhack finally cut the cord on this experiment after yet another lost season?

 

[bnoro]

Red's coaching, and JJ Starling on both sides of the floor