Reason for Optimism: Next Year's Frontcourt

[tonyparker]

Next year's GU frontcourt could be very good. I know I might just be pointing out the obvious, but I need something to look forward to here...

I think people are seriously sleeping on Hollis. From what I have heard and seen, I think it is likely that he steals most of Nikita's minutes (hopefully).

Also, I think there is a good chance we get Latavious Williams.

The way I see it, we will probably trot out Dajuan, Henry and Greg at the 3/4/5 (obviously, making some assumptions). With Hollis, Latavious, Julian V and Nikita backing them up - that is a lot of talent and length in the frontcourt. If we get a late pick-up like Jamal O - we'd also have nice, active depth.

As long as these guys pound protein shakes all summer - I can't see another Big East team having a better, longer frontcourt than us coming into the season.

I am less optimistic about the backcourt.

[strummer8526]

Key to the front court: Jason Clark.

OK, the real keys to the front court are (1) whether Wright can calm down and play within himself like he sometimes does. When he takes the shots that are there and drives under control, he's great. He just needs to stop going crazy sometimes. And (2) whether Austin can play 35 minutes a game like he's awake.

But whether we have any depth in the back court comes down to Clark. If he can play the Sapp + Omar minutes, then a 3-man Wright, Austin, Clark back court COULD be awesome.

[cnyhoya]

Agreed tony. It's a potentially awesome frontcourt. I wonder if Hollis might leapfrog Henry as well and get the starting nod? But I like your 3/4/5 for a bigger lineup.

Latavious would be a nice get, and a welcome start to the off-season.

[tonyparker]

Strummer, I second your thoughts. I'd add that I think the keys to the backcourt are:

1.) Wright improving his 3 point shot. Jon Wallace's shot inspired fear in opponents and thus really opened some things up inside. He wasn't the slasher that CW is - but I'm not sure a slasher at the point is what the Princeton O requires. Chris's 30% from beyond the arc is not going to cut it. Led to a lot of empty possessions. Can be improved.

2.) Not going to touch on Austin's weight because it has been discussed ad nauseam. That said, he needs to improve his handle, lateral quickness, 3 point shooting and ability to stay on the court. Has a lot of natural talent, but has regressed. This is a guy who most had pegged between Eric Gordon and James Harden out of high school. And it was deserved. His current level of play is unacceptable - but I think it can and will improve.

[mit0313]

Re: Hollis, he needs to get some bulk because as it stands right now he has a smaller frame than Nikita/Jason. This has to happen for him to be effective as a freshman.

[casualhoya]

Hollis looks like a 10th grader. No one would benefit more from the freshman 15.

Casually.

[idhoya]

I still say Hollis get major run at the two; especially if Lat comes and DS is moved back to the three. I doubt Lat is brought in to sit on the bench. I think he may start at the 4 as a specialty player. Just a thought.

The key is if how many minutes both Nikita and Omar get. They should get very little and if that happens then the Hoyas will have the proper rotation and be successful, imo.

[the_way]

i honestly don't know what is going to happen next year with the frontcourt.

usually, development for a collection of players is gradual.

given the need for the develop for our entire frontcourt, i think an attitude adjustment is in order more than anything.

i can see Vaughan developing nicely for next year.

Sims, i can't really tell right now because he is so raw. Getting 20 minutes a game for him, would be a great improvement.

Nikita, i think we will some improvement from him as well.

I think Monroe will naturally get stronger, but i don't know if he will bulk up like Mourning did when he was here. And i'm not sure if Monroe is a physical, low-post player. I think Monroe will evolve into the player that he is right now: a multif-facited big-man, who can pass and be some sort of a facilitator in the offense. I don't see him being a center down the road here. Maybe put Vaughn at C and Monroe at the 4 next year?

Hollis? don't know anything about him until he steps onto the court next year.

Too many questions and what-ifs to get a feel for next year, because most of our guys are so young and have 1 year of playing experience or barely any.

[NCHoya]

We always pass the eyeball test at Georgetown, but can these guys raise the level of their games to be effective?

I definitely like moving Greg to the 4 and pairing with Vaughn or Sims. Unless Sims makes a miraculous change to his game, I cannot really see him being a traditional 5 to compliment Greg. Vaughn I can see. It actually sounds like that possible recruit would work best in the post-up role with Greg. To me, Henry is the big question mark next year, I think we know what we are going to get with most of our players (Freeman excluded), but Henry is the kid that has the highest upside, but also could be a total flop if he falls in love with the face up game. His combo of height and length are rare in college, he needs to take better advantage of it on both ends.

I actually like our back-court a lot even if it is thin. CW is going to be good, he actually did improve as the year went on, an exception on this team. Austin will either up his intensity and be a real player or Jason Clark will take his minutes. To me, Clark is terrific, he has the length to defend, his shot improved during the season and he has a great attitude and energy. I have a feeling if Freeman comes with same level of play next year, he will lose his spot to Clark pretty quickly.

Hollis and Nikita are the X-men, I can see them providing size in the backcourt while we play zone or I can see them filling the 3 if DS continues his inconsistency and 1st half foul trouble. I am hoping Hollis takes Nikita's minutes because that means he is the level of player that can make a difference.

All of this said, if Summers ever becomes the player he is capable of being, this is all a moot point. Summers can be special, but at this point I have to assume he will give us more of the same.

[idhoya]

Nikita's footspeed is terrible and prohibits him from guarding even the slowest of guards. Hard to mask getting beat off the dribble repeatedly. Just ask Austin! Yes, NM can shoot, but what else does he bring when he's not wide open?

[TrueHoyaBlue]

I think that's why we're likely to see more of Nikita in zone situations going forward, rather than when we're running man. As to what Nikita brings, I would have to say he had more hustle rebounds, and did more aggressive scrapping for loose balls than most of the guys on the team. Now if he had more skills and athleticism, then we'd be talking!

[jgalt]

Mar 24, 2009 13:35:13 GMT -5 casualhoya said:

Hollis looks like a 10th grader. No one would benefit more from the freshman 15.

Casually.

That is definately what it looks like on TV, but in person he looks a lot bigger. Summer lifting will definately help though

Also i thought that this kind of optimism was supposed to be kept to the Recruiting board? ;D

[SFHoya99]

I think Sims will develop sufficiently to be very effective next season as a shotblocker, rebounder, offensive rebounding and finisher and good for a couple of jumpshots. Will he have a low post game by then? I dunno, and don't care nearly as much, as I think Greg's will develop.

Whether he plays five or four is largely immaterial to me. Yes, he'll still be skinny, but a line of Henry and Greg will rebound SOOOO much better than what we had this year and will be much more effective at deterring people driving down low. It's all a matter of degree.

[lichoya68]

KEYS TO NEXT SEason FIRST NEED TO DEVELOPE TOGETHERNES.. SECOND GREG BE MEANER. THIRD JASONS GOTTA IMPROVE HIS HANDLE AND I LOVE JASON.. NEXT DAJUANNS GOTTA STEP IT UP THIRD... CHRIS HAS GOTTA BE CONSISTANT GO HOYSA YUP GO HOYAS

[GIGAFAN99]

Here's the craziest thing you'll read on this board (no really try it out).

Let's say we lose Monroe and Summers to the draft and Sims to transfer but landed Latavious and a JuCo or prep for depth.

Next year's 7 1/2 man rotation of Wright, Freeman, Clark, Nikita, Wattad, Williams, Vaughn, and JuCo/Prep would win more games than this year's team.

I don't know much about Latavious Williams but I know he can't be less of a 4 than Dajuan is. We'd be better on defense and the boards almost by accident.

Back off the idle speculation, please.--Admin

[richfame]

1. The backcourt has to be more proficient hitting the 3 its that simple.

2. The front court has to do a better job rebounding. The best way to shot teh 3 is off the offensive rebound. Rebound, the defense is crashing the boards then pass to an open guard for the 3, thats teh best way to get open 3's.

CW will be so important next year he has to slash and kick for the 3.

Other than that defense is the KEY. All the big east/ or good teams left in the tournament seem tocome out in the second half and really tighten up the screws and clam down on defense. Look at Memphis or a villanova they just dig in, extend teh defense and create turnovers.

We have alot of wor kto do but definitely possible

[paranoia2]

At some point in any battle one side capitulates. IMO only a select few of our current hoyas are never surrender-types. Clark and Wright IMO are the only players returning that embody that. Jason Clark is a great basketball player that can grab a rebound, score in traffic, hit a 3 when it matters, create his own shot and play hard nosed defense. Chris Wright has a great motor and can hopefully harness his game to be a true leader. At some times during games he was the best player on the floor for either team. At other times... Our final four edition featured players that valued team more than individual. That team also had great size (dajuan was a 3) and very good post defense (Ewing, Green, Roy). Jon Wallace was an ultimate coach on the floor. If you want to feel good watch the replay of Jonathan "wallace for the lead" (nantz cbs) of the GU vs. Carolina regional final. Next year the winners need to play and the reputations need to sit. This year was really bad. Coaching, defense, team-oriented focus and especially REBOUNDING. Does Ed Spriggs have another year in him?

[HoyaFanNY]

my concern is the fact that we're only going to have one legit ballhandler in the backcourt in chris. jason, austin, and hollis better work on their handle this summer. the team as a whole has to do a much better job holding onto the ball...esp summers and monroe.

[aggypryd]

Our offense really labored this year. The cuts weren't sharp at all. There definitely needs to be an emphasis placed on our post-play for next season...offense and defense.

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound...

[JohnJacquesLayup]

Going back to the OP, I don't see much reason for optimism based on our front court. There are too many assumptions in saying that 1) all the personnel will be here, based on JTIII's trend of losing players to transfer, 2) that a year on the bench will have made Sims and Vaughn better, 3) that Hollis can play, and will have an impact, 4) that we pick up another big in the offseason, 5) that there will be some growing over the summer.