Rebuilding Year?

[H2Oya 05]

Some posters are making excuses and saying that this is a rebuilding year and that that explains the team's performance. That doesn't make sense. All summer and through the beginning of the fall, the consensus was that our team was young but that this was a year that we could go on a run and outperform expectations. As the year went on, the consensus went, we would get better.

This hasn't happened, and instead we are forced to claim that we are "rebuilding". If this were a rebuilding year, we would not be playing Sapp as much as we are. As a senior, he won't be here when we are potentially done rebuilding. Instead, the focus would be on playing younger players. Sims would be getting a bigger opportunity to learn how to play in the Big East.

First, this might not be the best team to have to rebuild with. We have a number of McDonald's All Americans and potential pro's. Some of them may not be back next season, and to claim that we can confidently write off this year to be better next year is absurd. If I were someone with pro-potential, this season would make me less likely to stick around.

Second, we have had a fair amount of player turnover so far during the JTIII era. I'm sure this can be attributed to a myriad of reasons, but some of it must be that playing time is not distributed to players who don't come to Georgetown as perfect fits for the system. As a team that really only plays six or seven players (and that has open scholarships), I hope that we are able to retain our current practice only players like Sims.

Third, assuming everyone comes back and including our recruits, how do we solve our rebounding problem? Looking at the recruiting class, what makes us competitive next year?

Rebuilding or not, I cheer for Georgetown, drive hours to every home game, and want the team to succeed. My frustration and, I'm assuming, the frustration visible in so many posters comes not from any ill will or negative sentiment but instead because I am emotionally invested in the team and the school. At the games, I cheer; on the message board, I share in both the enthusiasm and the venting.

Finally, rebuilding or not, I'd love to see a lineup of Monroe, Sims, Summers, Clark (with the added size, I'd rather have a quicker defender than Freeman), and Wright.

[hoyaboy1]

I'm worried that we are going to be rebuilding to an 8 man NIT team.

[Z]

IMO rebuilding implies having better talent next year - is that really likely with one or both of monroe and summers leaving? i hate years like this - i'm afraid we will start talking about this year like the '96 team. our starting five is stacked in terms of pedigree and talent - making this all the more (currently) depressing since the stars dont line up every year.

[Filo]

OK, rebuilding may not be the *best* term since it implies a transition year that will result in improvements next year, and we really have no idea what is in store next year. However, it is a rebuilding year -- we lost 4 seniors and had 2 transfers! With the exception of Macklin, all of them played key roles, whether on the court or as leaders off the court. You can see it most by the lack of composure and on the defensive end.

C'mon people, we lost our 2 best rebounders (Ewing and Roy), our best defensive players (Roy, Ewing and Rivers) and our best pure shooter and go-to guy to calm things down (Wallace). This has made a huge difference (we can't get any stops on the defensive end! we aren't getting any big shots at yet times!).

And, I am not being forced into saying this or using it as an excuse. It's just reality and common sense.

[hoyaboy1]

This would have been a rebuilding year 20 years ago. In 2009 you have to win now with this kind of talent.

[nodak89]

Jan 29, 2009 9:39:07 GMT -5 Filo said:

and our best pure shooter and go-to guy to calm things down (Wallace).

Wallace is showing his worth by his absence.

My kingdom for a rainmaking three from Jon about now.

[JohnJacquesLayup]

Jan 29, 2009 9:39:07 GMT -5 Filo said:

OK, rebuilding may not be the *best* term since it implies a transition year that will result in improvements next year, and we really have no idea what is in store next year. However, it is a rebuilding year -- we lost 4 seniors and had 2 transfers! With the exception of Macklin, all of them played key roles, whether on the court or as leaders off the court. You can see it most by the lack of composure and on the defensive end.

C'mon people, we lost our 2 best rebounders (Ewing and Roy), our best defensive players (Roy, Ewing and Rivers) and our best pure shooter and go-to guy to calm things down (Wallace). This has made a huge difference (we can't get any stops on the defensive end! we aren't getting any big shots at yet times!).

And, I am not being forced into saying this or using it as an excuse. It's just reality and common sense.

Good perspective and reminder of what we lost last season, Filo. The loss of 4 key players, and a couple guys on the bench at least familiar with the system has hurt more than I would have expected. But I can't imagine practices can be too productive when our starters are going up against a group that is so inexperienced. Sort of like in HS sports. How much can the Varsity squad really gain from scrimmages against the JV or Freshman teams?

[the_way]

WE are a team in transition.

We lost a lot of players:

Ewing, Jr., Hibbert, Wallace, Crawford

not to mention Macklin and Rivers.

We have 2 upperclassman on this roster who get significant playing time. The rest are freshman and sophomores. And some of the sophomores like Wright and Omar and Nikita are getting more playing team than they ever did as a freshman. And Vaughn is playing his 1st time in this system this year.

As great as Monroe is, he is still a freshman, and it showed last night.

And freshman like Sims and Clark are still going through understandable growing pains.

We are void of leadership on this team. And its understandable. Guys are in new roles and feeling their way through.

We are a vastly different team this year. For the 1st time in JTIII's era, we have had massive overhaul in personnel.

Before, we had nice transitions with an additional player or two to add to the mix.

so its a different time now for our program.

And the personnel we have doesn't blend well as a unit. all of the pieces don't fit.

It happens, to all programs. UCONN didn't make the tournament 2 years ago, with all of their young talent, and now they are one of the top teams in the country.

We are still a young team AND a young program. You don't build a program in 5 years. You build it over time.

We are okay. We are just struggling right now. Its not like we are playing in a weak conference either. There are no gimme games on our conference schedule.

[GUJook97]

Yeah, who cares what we call it? It's obvious what some of us mean by "rebuilding" and the_way is explaining it. Maybe there was consensus that we were a young team that could go on a run and outperform expectations. But for one, I dont think we've veered too far off that course right now. And, even after UConn, I remember saying, yep, this is a team that could beat UConn, but llose some stinkers. We proved that we can get up for some huge games, but also that we are suspect to poor and inconsistent play.

exactly, Filo. It's not an excuse, it's just a logical way to explain what has happened.

[hoyaboy1]

If you mean this is a down year, OK. But it does matter if you call it a rebuilding year because that implies something totally different - that we are putting pieces in place this season that will prove valuable in future seasons. I really hope that's the case, but it is probably more likely that this will be our most talented team for the next 2-3 seasons.

I really don't think we can afford to write this season off as a "rebuilding year" because that doesn't accurately reflect the position the program is in.

[GUJook97]

Fair enough, but by that account, no team with any good underclassmen can be considered a "rebuilding team." You have to assume we will have pieces back next year. I dont think Monroe, Wright, Summers and Freeman are going anywhere unless one of them puts us on their back and takes us deep into the tourney. And, if that happens, I will be just as happy...

[NCHoya]

way said it best by comparing this team to a real-life example, the UConn of 3 years ago. That team also had some very high ceiling guys and just could not get it together to mkae a run at the NCAAs. I think again, we got a little ahead of oursleves and now we are seeing we are much more like that UConn team of a few years ago then we would all like to admit.

[SirSaxa]

The problem is, if this is a rebuilding year we are not adding any reinforcements next year. Nothing against Hollis, but he is only one guy and he plays the 2/3. We need help and size at the 4/5.

And we need another guard too, unless Freeman shows he can really excel at 2G.
We have yet to see any evidence of that.

Wow this is a tough time... and it came about so quickly and unexpectedly.
JT3 is facing his biggest coaching challenge since his arrival at GU.

But we, as fans, need to support our team. This is when the true fans are tested.... are you a REAL fan? One who is willing to stand by your team through thick and thin? One who will get our there and cheer?

The team needs student support on campus and in class..and they need support from everyone at games.
Finally, questions and constructive criticism are legitimate fan activities -- as long at they don't cross that hard to define "line".

Let's keep pulling for these kids. They are good kids. Talented kids. And they are OUR kids!
GO HOYAS!

[AltoSaxa]

The success of a program consists of maturing the players currently on the squad and adding players each year to maintain a constant level of talent. If there are significant departures next year then the addition of Hollis Thompson will not make up for the departures. In the end we will lose by subtraction and insufficient addition. I do question the number of available scholarship spots. Whey aren't we recruiting more players? I disagree with 'saving' spots for strong years such as 2011. A successful program has to continually add quality players who can mature in the program. If there are early departures then there needs to be quality matriculation into the program. I have not seen that at Georgetown. In part this is due to transfers, a decommitment and a recruit not qualifying. JTIII recruited talented classes in 2007 and 2008. We did, however, lose Braswell and 2009 is notably weak with the loss of Riley. I don't think our program should wait for future years especially when some players who currently see floor time could be considered DII caliber type players. This is why it is difficult to consider this a rebuilding year. Some of the parts may not be here next year and the replacement parts are not adequate. If our program is to remain front and center in the college basketball world this has to happen.

[EasyEd]

Without speculating (heaven forbid) on who, it's entirely possible we may see another transfer or two after this year. This, in addition to Sapp graduating and the possibility of an early entry or two to the NBA. We need to take a chance on one or two 09 grads or CC players.