Pops at the Big East Tournament

[SirSaxa]

Did everyone think what I did when i saw the interview with Pops during our UCONN game?

1. Pops shows up at the game likely to be the most watched of GU's games, gets himself in position behind the bench to be on camera frequently, and knows he'll be asked for an interview.

2. During the interview, he manages to get in his belief that T3 is a better coach at this stage than he was... which is true, by the way. Partly due to all that T3 learned growing up as Pops' son, and partly to the Pete Carril influence.

3. And when Pops was asked about the current GU offensive style being much more perimeter oriented and not the inside, power game that Pops had, he says: (to paraphrase) "That's because of the talent level he has currently. But when he starts bringing in those big men, he'll be throwing it inside to them too!" -- WHAT A GREAT RECRUITING AD!

I was convinced he said that to influence and reassure PF/C recruits and their coaches and parents that GU is still committed to being "Big Man U".

Pops is a smart guy.

[RDF]

Great point about JT stepping in to help the program but I also think he wanted to support the kids as well. He's very close to team still and that's an aspect he doesn't publicize which is cool. That interview during a game that Hoyas made a gutsy showing sure won't hurt things in terms of recruiting and the fact Hoyas Staff is already establishing themselves on recruiting trail will only benefit from their performance Thursday night and JT's words.

With the comments about bigs, I think it's interesting how JT has mentioned repeatedly that III and Staff haven't been able to get "their system" into place due to limited depth/talent at this time and that "You'll see a different style once things get into place". I think we'll see Princetown Halfcourt offense with more running and free flowing offense incorporated and much more pressure defense as we see from Hoyas late in games. We don't have enough personnel at this time to get after it like that for 40 minutes but I am certain we'll see more of that because we really stifled SH and UConn down the stretch of those games with good defensive pressure.

I love how all the players touch the basketball and get to make plays--handle, pass, shoot. It's more fun to watch and eventually will make program better. Combine that with selling points as a strong Academic University (new NCAA Guidelines will make that more important) and you'll see Hoyas back among top teams soon. I really believe that and in this program--something I've not been able to say in a LONG time.

[idhoya]

I said the same thing yesterday. once we get more bodies, you'll see more running. this year we're just learning how to play it. The foundation.

[nychoya3]

Transition baskets are really limited by our rebounding deficiencies. Because everyone has to crash the boards on every defensive rebound, it's tough to break out and beat the other guys down the court. I actually think our lack of a full court offense is more a product of our poor rebounding than our guard play.