Epl Schedule
What to Expect From Tulane Basketball This Upcoming Season
As I sit down to analyze what we can expect from Tulane basketball this upcoming season, I can't help but draw parallels to that incredible TNT game where a single three-pointer shifted the entire momentum. I remember watching that shot with 64 seconds left on the clock - the way it completely transformed the game's trajectory. That's exactly what I believe Tulane needs this season: that clutch player who can deliver when it matters most, someone who can sink that metaphorical three-pointer when we're down by one with just over a minute remaining.
Looking at Tulane's roster, I'm genuinely excited about the potential I'm seeing. Last season showed flashes of brilliance, much like that TNT shooter who started hot before cooling down in the second half. The Green Wave demonstrated they can compete with anyone in the American Athletic Conference, but consistency remains their Achilles' heel. From my perspective as someone who's followed college basketball for over fifteen years, the difference between a good team and a great team often comes down to maintaining intensity through all forty minutes. I've watched teams transform from middle-of-the-pack squads to conference champions, and what separates them is usually mental toughness rather than raw talent.
The returning players, particularly our backcourt, showed tremendous growth throughout last season. I'm especially bullish on our point guard situation - we've got a veteran presence that reminds me of those steady hands in professional leagues who know exactly when to take control. Statistics from last season show our assist-to-turnover ratio improved by nearly 1.8 points in conference play, which might not sound dramatic but actually represents significant growth in decision-making. What really excites me though is the defensive potential. Our defensive efficiency rating improved from 102.3 to 96.7 between November and February last year, showing the coaching staff's ability to develop players throughout the season.
Recruiting has brought some fascinating new talent to New Orleans. The freshman class includes what I believe could be our version of that TNT shooter - a wing player from Texas who averaged 24 points per game in high school and shows remarkable composure in crunch time. Having spoken with several people close to the program, the word is this kid has that special mentality where he wants the ball when the game's on the line. That's something you can't teach, and it's exactly what we need to close out those tight games that slipped away last season.
The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. We're looking at probably seven games against teams that made the NCAA tournament last year, including some early tests that will really show us what this team is made of. Personally, I love these tough non-conference matchups because they prepare you for March in ways that easy wins never can. The coaching staff, led by Ron Hunter, has proven they can develop players - we've seen multiple athletes make significant jumps under their guidance. Hunter's track record of turning programs around gives me confidence that we're building toward something special here in New Orleans.
What really stands out to me about this Tulane team compared to recent seasons is the depth. We're looking at potentially ten players who could legitimately start, which creates healthy competition in practice and means we won't see the late-season fatigue that plagued us in previous years. I remember watching games last February where we simply ran out of gas in the final minutes - that shouldn't happen this season with the rotational flexibility we'll have.
The offensive system should be more dynamic this year too. We're returning about 78% of our scoring from last season, which is huge for continuity. The players have had another offseason to master the offensive sets, and I'm hearing good things about the improved three-point shooting across the roster. If we can bump our team three-point percentage from last season's 34.2% to somewhere around 37%, that would completely change how defenses have to play us.
Defensively, there's work to do, but the tools are there. Our length on the perimeter should cause problems for opposing guards, and I'm particularly excited about our ability to switch screens effectively. The coaching staff has emphasized defensive communication throughout the offseason, and from what I've seen in preseason workouts, the players are buying in completely. We might not be Virginia-level defensively, but we should be much improved from last year's unit that sometimes struggled to get stops in crucial moments.
When I think about what success looks like for this Tulane team, I believe we're looking at a potential NCAA tournament team if everything breaks right. Realistically, I'm predicting we'll finish in the top four of the AAC and be firmly on the bubble come Selection Sunday. The key will be winning those close games - the ones that come down to making a big shot with 64 seconds left, just like that TNT game I referenced earlier. We lost five games by three points or fewer last season, and if we can flip even three of those this year, we're talking about a completely different season narrative.
The culture seems different this year too. I've been around this program long enough to sense when there's genuine belief in the locker room, and everything I'm hearing suggests this group expects to win. That intangible quality - the belief that you're going to find a way - is what transforms good teams into memorable ones. I'm not saying we're looking at a Final Four run, but I do believe this could be the team that brings Tulane basketball back to national relevance. The pieces are there, the coaching is solid, and the schedule provides opportunities for statement wins. Now it's about going out and proving it on the court, about having that player who wants the ball when everything's on the line, ready to drain that game-changing three-pointer.