Pan Am Games Team Discussion

[lichoya68]

hey did roy make the pan am team they had a post article about the players staying at mason but no mention or roy ANYBODY KNOW

[hoyatimmy]

The trials are underway. The finalists will not be announced until Sunday, July 15.

www.usabasketball.com/men/2007/07_mpag_trials_schedule.html

[dajuan]

hoyatimmy said:

The trials are underway. The finalists will not be announced until Sunday, July 15.

www.usabasketball.com/men/2007/07_mpag_trials_schedule.html

Also, here's the current roster from the site:
www.usabasketball.com/men/2007/07_mpag_trials_roster.html

[ExcitableBoy]

Wow, according to that Roy is one of TWO (2) true centers at trials. I'll take Roy over Brian Butch, thank you very much

[kghoya]

i hope devendorf doesnt make it

[DudeSlade]

Without having a clue how the trials are going and not knowing what the coaches are looking for, I think it'd be fun to take a stab at who I would take on a 13-man roster (college size) based on their college play thus far:

1) Roy Hibbert (C) -- duh moment #1
2) Chris Lofton (G) -- duh moment #2 -- shooters are always necessary, esp. at int'l level
3) Drew Neitzel (PG) -- experienced and knows how to run a team, also can score lots
4) D.J. White (PF) -- looks like best all-around PF of the bunch
5) James Brockman (PF)-- strong, great rebounder, much better than Hawes last year @ UW
6) Derrick Low (PG) -- underrated, very tough defensively, plays full speed all the time, never say die attitude
7) Eric Maynor (G) -- could play either guard pos., big time clutch, wants the ball when it counts
8) Joey Dorsey (F) -- super-athletic, jumper, scorer, experienced senior, match up probelm at int'l level
9) Tasmin Mitchell (SF) -- super-athletic, can score loads, match-up problem at int'l level
10) Shan Foster (SF) -- looked good against us, though I'd have preferred Byars, good fit at SF
11) Scottie Reynolds (G) -- you knew it was coming, can play either guard pos. on this team, scorers and ballhandlers are needed on a team that doesn't know each other or a system
12) Bryce Taylor (SF/G) -- you don't know how much this pains me to put him here -- he played on my high school's b-ball rival and could shoot lights out back then, just as he can now -- happy to say my HS led by Omar Wilkes usually beat him, but that 13 for 13 effort for Oregon in the Tourney shows how dangerous he can be and how he can spread the defense -- also more athletic than given credit for, as he can now take it to the basket when defenders jump out on him
13) Wayne Ellington (SG) -- need for a big guard determined him as last pick over Chalmers and McNeal

Didn't choose Butch, because frankly I'm not impressed by him, and thought Dorsey or Brockman (who is bull strong) could move over when Roy needs a rest. Thought the spot could be better utilized with someone who brings a unique skill set or need, rather than just because a back-up is needed. Note also that I didn't choose Scheyer or Nelson because I'm sick of seeing Dukies on post-season or int'l teams. Devendorf irritates me. In general, seemed like too many little scoring guards and not enough big post players, so feel free to disagree with my picks as I could easily see McNeal, Chalmers, Collins, and others being in there.

[mapei]

Nelson is overrated anyway. Scheyer has a nice upside but isn't yet where the people on your list are. And I say that as a fan of their team (as well as ours).

[Oh My!]

"11) Scottie Reynolds (G) -- you knew it was coming, can play either guard pos. on this team, scorers and ballhandlers are needed on a team that doesn't know each other or a system"

You can remove either of the "1"s in your 11. Note that Jay Wright is the Head Coach for the Pan-Am games. Wright as coach also helps Roy over Brian Butch, as he sees more of Roy in the BE.

As for the rest, I see:

3) Lofton
4) Brockman
5) Chalmers
6) Dorsey
7) Ellington
8) Leunen
9) McNeal
10) Maynor
11) Scheyer
12) Neitzel
13) Foster

Odd men out on my team would be Nelson, White, & Taylor. Also, I don't see how Gottfried serving as Asst. Coach could help Hendrix enough for him to make the team.

Note, athletic size is terrific in international game, so I don't see Butch AND Roy on team. USA needs Forwards who can guard the 3-point line.

[Locker]

Brandon Costner is going to make this team and probably should start next to Roy. In the international game especially, Roy needs to be paired with a smart and skilled 4 who can make perimeter shots, not someone (like White and Dorsey) who needs to be camped in the low post to be effective. Costner is that guy, and he's a heck of a player to boot.

[hoyastrong]

why is Roy the only Hoya? Where's the love for J-Wall, DaJuan and the gang? (partially kidding)

[Locker]

hoyastrong said:

why is Roy the only Hoya? Where's the love for J-Wall, DaJuan and the gang? (partially kidding)

Summers is still recovering from whatever injury he's had in the offseason (and yes, the lack of information on this is killing me -- does anyone know the nature of the injury and whether he had surgery?), or else he almost certainly would have been trying out for either this team of the U-19s. He played for the U-18 team last summer.

I imagine Wallace was very close to being invited. He would certainly deserve to be on the team more than Dominic James or Eric Devendorf, whose me-first games would be terrible on a team with this many talented scorers.

[SFHoya99]

Like I said the first time this came around: Neitzel, Lofton, Foster and Costner. Line em up at the three point line and throw it into Roy.

[Locker]

sfhoya99 said:

Like I said the first time this came around: Neitzel, Lofton, Foster and Costner. Line em up at the three point line and throw it into Roy.

I like it, except I might sub Josh Carter or Bryce Taylor for Foster.

[lichoya68]

thanks for the info good luck roy you should be there when they name the team on sunday when are the games willl they be televise d go h oyas gu usa go roy

[ArlingtonHoya]

Maybe Roy isn't a lock to make the team. See these blogs covering the action...

haverfordathleticspanam.blogspot.com/
slog.cstv.com/hangtime/

[bubbrubbhoya]

I'd be excited to see Neitzel with Roy. After seeing him at the Meadowlands last year, I was really impressed with his energy and his ability to draw defenders out. With him running around the perimeter and Roy hulking underneath the basket, opposing teams will really have a difficult defending situation on their hands.

[dajuan]

arlingtonhoya said:

Maybe Roy isn't a lock to make the team. See these blogs covering the action...

haverfordathleticspanam.blogspot.com/
slog.cstv.com/hangtime/

The CSTV blog had this to say:
"If there is a mortal lock for the final dozen players who will go to Rio, it is Hibbert - this camp's biggest man (7-foot-2) and biggest name."

They also had a bunch of other coverage on Roy. Apparently he doesn't have cable or internet in his townhouse this summer because he can't afford it. They contrasted that with the millions that Jeff will get this year.

[hoyastrong]

arlingtonhoya said:

Maybe Roy isn't a lock to make the team. See these blogs covering the action...

haverfordathleticspanam.blogspot.com/
slog.cstv.com/hangtime/

We're talking about a guy who wouldve been drafted in the top 10 if he hadn't chosen to come back, and is clearly one of the best, if not THE best returning college basketball player (since these wacky freshemn can't play, right?). And theyre saying that he isn't a lock? If thats true, then this whole thing is one big joke, which wouldnt be much of a shocker to begin with considering its only on ESPN deportes.

[MCIGuy]

SI story on Roy.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/07/13/roy.panam/1.html

[hoyaLS05]

mciguy said:

SI story on Roy.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/07/13/roy.panam/1.html

Great story on the Big Fella. Can you imagine him walking the halls of the Department of Education, wearing an intern badge?

Also, the idea of Big Roy running for governor of Maryland is an equally hilarious thought.