A Strong Run at The Title in 2009/2010

[bowhoya]

In order to make a real run at the NCAA Title next basketball season (2009-2010), the Hoyas will need to acquire more depth in the front court. You can see that the team probably has more quality skill players than the old 1984 Championship team had. However, what's missing is some real "bangers up front". The team needs more muscle and rebounding strength in order to reach the next level (such as Michael Graham).

I would like to see JT III even go to the JUCO ranks to get a big rough rebounding center and/or power forward to help the team on the boards and to provide intimidation in the front court.

What do you think about this suggestion?

[HometownHoya]

I agree that we need another front court player and a banger but additionally we need more back court depth. With Jessie leaving this year it will leave us with Wright, Clark, and Freeman. We could survive on this rotation but in order to allow Freeman to play the 2/3 (instead of the 1/2 like the other guards) another PG or SG would be nice.

BUT Lets finish 2008/2009 first ;D

[robbyt]

Absolutely, precisely, you got it. They need a bruiser on the Hoya Paranoia old school tip. Michael Graham, John Turner, Don Reid after his conversion to being a basketball player, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Lonnie Baxter, etc. If they get that, I concur they definitely have the rest of the pieces for a national title run next year. They are too thin, physically and depth-wise, in the front-court, that is the problem; the teams they have played so far have not had a lot of big bangers (except for the huge but slow guy for Memphis) either so it hasn't been glaring--yet. They have been relying in these early games on random scrap & hustle rebounds from guards, which is great, but you just don't get those against teams with a Joey Dorsey or a Paul Harris plus a big center cleaning the glass.

I was trying to suggest in an earlier post that DaJuan become more of a post-presence, even a part-time bruiser, but that idea was waved off cause it's "not his game," and it isn't, but I think it should be at least be a part-time role for him until they get a true banger. I mean, come on: rebounding isn't Jason Clark's "game" but the dude has pulled down five and six rebounds in multiple games, so that "not his game" argument, I ain't feelin' it. You do what the team needs, they need a post presence, they've got a guy 6'8 sporting licensed guns, you encourage him to be more of a post presence, it's not like asking him to become a point guard.

BTW this dude Henry Sims, right now (I know we just started) on paper he adds depth to the frontcourt, but in reality he is really skinny and keeps shooting threes, he needs a big mentality-shift. If I was coaching I would just tell him you shoot another three you spend the next three games pulling splinters from your behind.

Julian Vaughan, however, I see as trying hard and a possible quiet presence with a good future, I can see the Hoya School of Post Play working on him, maybe a PJ Brown binder-type guy, rebounding and D.

**I just read another post saying JTIII was telling Sims to shoot threes. If this is true, I ain't a fan of that approach.

[tashoya]

I guess we could use a banger. Personally though, I'd rather see us get a Jerome Williams-type rebounding machine (Juco diamond in the rough). Great energy, great rebounder. The only addendum to that would be that it would be nice if this JYD style guy had a little more offensive skill. That's obviously a TON to ask for but the rebounding alone I'd love.

Oh, and not to split hairs, but rebounding IS a part of Clark's game. In fact, he's really good at it for a skinny guard his size. Let's hope that continues to be a part of his game. He gets after it.

[sleepy]

Dec 23, 2008 14:11:06 GMT -5 robbyt said:

BTW this dude Henry Sims, right now (I know we just started) on paper he adds depth to the frontcourt, but in reality he is really skinny and keeps shooting threes, he needs a big mentality-shift. If I was coaching I would just tell him you shoot another three you spend the next three games pulling splinters from your behind.



**I just read another post saying JTIII was telling Sims to shoot threes. If this is true, I ain't a fan of that approach.

Sims doesn't have the the weight/muscle to bang around down low so telling him to do that is counter productive. Right now the staff is having him play around the perimeter because that is where he can be most successful right now.

Also to make a run at the title next year we need to return both Summers and Monroe, which seems doubtful at this point. Sims and Vaughn having an added year of expierence under their belt should be enough for them to provide enough depth for the front-court if they both stay. The backcourt has plenty of depth with Wright, Clark, Wattad, Freeman and Thompson to cover the three interchangeable guard positions.

Personally I don't think there is a certain type of player this team can add to make them a contender. They have everything they need, they just need another year of experience and to return everyone.

[hoyalawyer]

traditionally JTIII rotates 5 guys at the 1-2-3 spots and 3 guys at the 4/5. position Others are used sparingly.

Last year: Jon, Sapp, Austin, J-rivers, Chris/Tyler (while chris was hurt) played 1-3. 4/5 Was really Roy, Pat, DaJuan (with Vern as the sparing 4/5 and Omar/Tyler (while chris was not hurt) used as the sparing 1-3.)

Final Four Year: Jon, Sapp, Jermiah, DaJuan, Tyler played 1-3, Jeff, Roy, Pat (vern sparingly) played 4/5

This year: Chris, Sapp, Austin, Jason, Omar play 1-3, DaJuan and Greg play 4/5 (the problem is that third big is not playing great yet (Julian) but I wouldn't expect both Julian and Henry to BOTH be getting much run (one will be the 3rd big and the other will be used sparingly. It seems like Julian is the 3rd big and henry is the "used sparingly guy" from the bigs Nikita used sparingly from the 1-3's.

Next Year (assuming no defectors): Line up is same and Hollis replaces Sapp. STILL don't think we need another big. (if someone leaves early however, we may add one more big. If 2 guys leave we DEF add one more big.... arguendo if we have two early entry big our lineup may look like this:

1-3: Chris, Austin, Omar, Jason, Hollis
4-5: Julian, Henry , ? (we really only would need one more big b/c the 4th big rarely plays in JTIII system). If only either DS or GM leaves, but the other returns, we dont really need a 4th big if the scholarship is better suited for 2010.

NOTE: THIS POST IN NO WAY INTENDS TO SPECULATE AS TO EARLY ENTRANTS/NON EARLY ENTRANTS IT MERELY IS TO PROVIDE A LOOK AT OUR DEPTH IN ANY POSSIBLE SCENARIO.

[blueandgray]

Dec 23, 2008 13:41:46 GMT -5 bowhoya said:

In order to make a real run at the NCAA Title next basketball season (2009-2010), the Hoyas will need to acquire more depth in the front court. You can see that the team probably has more quality skill players than the old 1984 Championship team had. However, what's missing is some real "bangers up front". The team needs more muscle and rebounding strength in order to reach the next level (such as Michael Graham).

I would like to see JT III even go to the JUCO ranks to get a big rough rebounding center and/or power forward to help the team on the boards and to provide intimidation in the front court.

What do you think about this suggestion?

More quality skill players or not... the starting 5 for the 1984 team would hand our asses to us.

[HoyasAreHungry]

rebounding is a mental thing...commit to getting boards and we will. we ran into problems against a hyper-athletic long team like memphis because it seemed everytime we had them boxed out they would be able to sky over us and get tips without getting called for an over the back. No kidding we need more depth....way to go out on a limb with this post. But yes we are very close to becoming a truly scary team. As long as the players we have now continue to develop and we do bring in one or two more pieces we will be very good

[SFHoya99]

Our biggest recruits for making a run for next year are Greg and DaJuan. Keep them and we have a real shot.

Low post depth will be better next year with a year in the program for Henry and Julian. I don't think you can evaluate Henry at all so far in terms of whether he will bang -- he gets almost no minutes, is always on the floor being told to spread out, and while he hasn't been a banger has shown some decent shotblocking and some O boards. It's just too early to tell.

Next year those two should really help. After that, it'd be nice to get a banger, but it's hard to find a guy who can contribute from Day 1 and is available in the Spring. The good news is if we contending, the depth will be the same as this year but a year older and stronger.

And if people leave, well, we've got depth issues, but I doubt it costs us a shot at the title.

[SFHoya99]

Also, I think DaJuan needs to rebound. And it'd be great if he had a low post game.

But if he doesn't have the game, he shouldn't force it. But he should rebound. He did last year. The only thing that's changed is Roy to Greg -- and that's been a big dropoff on the boards.

[dailey247]

The best college basketball team of the last 5 years was the 04-05 UNC team that featured exactly one "front court banger" - Sean May. You don't need 4 power forwards on your team to win a title. Georgetown can win a title THIS YEAR with our excellent perimeter play and Greg Monroe. If we keep this core together next year, then we get even better, even without any new post recruits.

[blueandgray]

Forget next year... our best chance to make a serious run at the title is NOW. Notwithstanding landing Favors, Wall or Stephenson, or the possibility of Summers and Monroe making a pact that they want to comeback and win it all.... we arguably have the best starting 5 in the country and if they continue to gell ...watch out.

[fburghoya]

Hopefully DS and Greg look at this the Florida back to back champ team and this years UNC team to stay and win a title as a team

[harval]

This team can do it this year. The NCAA appears to be weaker than past years if you look past the hype. GU is not a hype team. They play each one as it comes until the buzzer sounds. As the "rookies" get stronger mentally; this team will get it done.

[SirSaxa]

Dec 23, 2008 14:45:24 GMT -5 hoyalawyer said:

traditionally JTIII rotates 5 guys at the 1-2-3 spots and 3 guys at the 4/5. position Others are used sparingly.

Last year: Jon, Sapp, Austin, J-rivers, Chris/Tyler (while chris was hurt) played 1-3. 4/5 Was really Roy, Pat, DaJuan (with Vern as the sparing 4/5 and Omar/Tyler (while chris was not hurt) used as the sparing 1-3.)

Final Four Year: Jon, Sapp, Jermiah, DaJuan, Tyler played 1-3, Jeff, Roy, Pat (vern sparingly) played 4/5

This year: Chris, Sapp, Austin, Jason, Omar play 1-3, DaJuan and Greg play 4/5 (the problem is that third big is not playing great yet (Julian) but I wouldn't expect both Julian and Henry to BOTH be getting much run (one will be the 3rd big and the other will be used sparingly. It seems like Julian is the 3rd big and henry is the "used sparingly guy" from the bigs Nikita used sparingly from the 1-3's.

Next Year (assuming no defectors): Line up is same and Hollis replaces Sapp. STILL don't think we need another big. (if someone leaves early however, we may add one more big. If 2 guys leave we DEF add one more big.... arguendo if we have two early entry big our lineup may look like this:

1-3: Chris, Austin, Omar, Jason, Hollis
4-5: Julian, Henry , ? (we really only would need one more big b/c the 4th big rarely plays in JTIII system). If only either DS or GM leaves, but the other returns, we dont really need a 4th big if the scholarship is better suited for 2010.

NOTE: THIS POST IN NO WAY INTENDS TO SPECULATE AS TO EARLY ENTRANTS/NON EARLY ENTRANTS IT MERELY IS TO PROVIDE A LOOK AT OUR DEPTH IN ANY POSSIBLE SCENARIO.

Maybe you've seen more games and/or watched more closely than I have, but I don't see the rotation at the 1,2 & 3 spots you refer to.

As far as I know, we have always had two of the following three guys on the court at the same time... Sapp, Wright and Clark.

Why is this important? because next year only two of those guys return and, as of now, no one else is coming to the Hilltop in the fall of '09 who can join that rotation.

Could Freeman? Thompson? Maybe they could fill the 2G spot -- especially if no one else is here. But JT3 likes to have two solid ball handlers who can trade off on the PG role. Next year we only have two guys...Wright and Clark... who can do that.

In my view, we need another guard who can play the 1/2, who has a really solid handle.

I have been making this same general post in various threads on both boards, but we need at least one more guy who can play the 4/5..AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Not a place holder. Maybe Vaughan can become that guy. I sure hope so. Maybe Sims can with a year to grow, gain some weight and strength.

And... we need one more guard of the Jessie Sapp variety. He was brought in as a 2G but has ended up playing a heckuva lot at 1G... last year, and this year when Chris sits.

One more thing... are we lucky as heck that Chris Wright got out of his NCState commit and came home to GU?!?! This kid has the potential to be one of our all time top guards.

Let's see, that would be joining a list of either
THE SUPER ELITE (really tough to crack this group!)
• Sleepy
• Iverson
• Duren
• Derrick Jackson

or

The REALLY good guys (or maybe at the top or near the top of this one)

• Charles Smith
  
• Michael Jackson
  
• Jonathan Smith
  
• Jon Wallace
  
• Jessie Sapp
  
• Kevin Braswell
  
• Mark Tillmon
  
• Dwayne Bryant
  
• Ashanti Cook
  
• Fred Brown (Move him up the list for his healthy years)
  

If I left anyone out, or someone disagrees, I will look forward to hearing more opinions.

[hoyalawyer]

maybe you're not watching the entire game.

Several times this year there has been a lineup of Wright, Wattad, Freeman, Summers, Monroe. (which refutes your two out of three Wright, Clark, Sapp scenario) (possibly next years starting 5??) Who knows. but 1-3 rotate 5 guys, and as long as we have 1 pure point (CW) and one other with solid handling (JC) we are ok.

[lichoya68]

HENRY WILLL BE A BANGER litlle more experience and strength and he will be did you see he had in his limited time seven A TEAM LEADING SEVEN REBBIES also two blocks and probably another that was called a foul and a number of tries inside with alittle more experience and patience hell make soooo HE WILL BE OUR BANGER YUP go OH HENRY block em baby block em yup we will see dont know if hes ready for uconn and early season but will be good very good

[PopeJohn2]

whats the point of discussing this. i can see the roster getting decimated by the draft next year.

[Gold Coast Hoya]

In addition to more inside strenth and much better rebounding, this teams needs better scoring off the bench and I'm not sure I see it on the current roster.

[emkmd]

Please add Joey Brown to the list.