BIG love from Digger

[Frank Black]

Digger said he "loved" Georgetown and said we were going to be a "power top ten team next year." While that may be slightly optimistic, it is amazing to hear. Like music or something.

[GUHoya07]

I just heard it too and I was feeling the same way.

[Frank Black]

It would be something special to see the Hoyas make a real impact next year. I think we are one player away from being top 15 next year.

[SaxaCD]

Yeah, I think we're 2 years away, but I do think we could spend a decent amount of time in the top 25 next year if some of our incoming frosh are as good as advertised, because we return 4-5 starters and they wouldn't have to bear a huge burden, but would get to supplement what we're already building. Fresher legs, more driving, a long-range threat -- if we can sign a good big man, wow.

[IceHoya]

Frank said:

Digger said he "loved" Georgetown and said we were going to be a "power top ten team next year." While that may be slightly optimistic, it is amazing to hear. Like music or something.

Did he really say that? I was watching too, and I just figured I misheard the "Top Ten" part. That's AWESOME. Big love, nice to hear from him.

On another note, Davidson did one heck of a job blowing that big lead they had too. Can't say I mind... I'd much rather get the Terps than Davidson again. Can't count on it just yet, but hopefully it will all shake out that way.

[AustinHoya03]

Digger's always been big on the Hoyas and the Big East, but I've come to realize (after his recent groveling to the selection committee) it's only a clever way to sell the Irish. I can envision Digger next February saying something like "A Notre Dame victory over Georgetown in South Bend would be huge. I mean, I said last year the Hoyas would be a top 10 power team!" Hopefully this will be next spring's reality and not just a Digger Phelps fantasy.

[GIGAFAN99]

It's a little much, but let's put it this way how many disagree with this assessment of next year's all-conference teams:

First Team: Jeff Green
Second Team: Brandon Bowman

I think most people who follow the Big East expect this to be the case. That alone makes the team dangerous.

But we also return the rest of our starters and three legitimate bench players. That sounds even better.

But wait there's more! Because of the 5/8 rule, we were short this year so we add possible DC Met player of the year and Rivals #55 Jessie Sapp at guard and the ideal versatile Princeton forward in Octavius Spann. Even if the other recruits don't see the court, we're running ten.

All this is enough to make the team a high preseason pick. If we add a Rush, Thomas, NDiaye or another high unsigned prospect, this is a very good team.

[TBird41]

GIGAFAN99 said:

It's a little much, but let's put it this way how many disagree with this assessment of next year's all-conference teams:

First Team: Jeff Green
Second Team: Brandon Bowman

I think most people who follow the Big East expect this to be the case. That alone makes the team dangerous.

But we also return the rest of our starters and three legitimate bench players. That sounds even better.

But wait there's more! Because of the 5/8 rule, we were short this year so we add possible DC Met player of the year and Rivals #55 Jessie Sapp at guard and the ideal versatile Princeton forward in Octavius Spann. Even if the other recruits don't see the court, we're running ten.

All this is enough to make the team a high preseason pick. If we add a Rush, Thomas, NDiaye or another high unsigned prospect, this is a very good team.

Exactly. This year was about getting back on track. Next year is about dominating again. ;D

[GUHoya07]

Digger just cant stop himself!!! At halftime of the Vandy-Memphis game he kept going on and on about us.

He was asked to pick a favorite to win the NIT and he just went off about how much he loves Bowman and Green and that all our main contributors are back and how amazing of a job John Thompson III has done.

At one point he actually picked us as his surprise team to challenge Uconn at the top of the conference if they got all their guys back.

Digger is giving us more love than the Irish, is that possible?

[Jack]

Must be back on his meds.

[Deleted]

Did Digger's highlighter match his tie as he does these days? The "tie-lighter" looks is quite possibly the worst thing I've ever seen a sports commentator do fashion-wise. What a pud.

[prhoya]

We'll take all the praise dished out. His comments could help with recruits.

[][-][ 0 `/ /-\ 5]

prhoya said:

We'll take all the praise dished out. His comments could help with recruits.

I could imagine Brandon Rush listening to Digger hail us and then snap his fingers and say, "Well of course I have to go play for the Hoyas, if Digger thinks they're great then they MUST be incredible."

[GUHoya07]

Well, I agree that all that meaningless talk on ESPN is great for any program. It does help out tremedously as propaganda for recruiting and so on. Why do you think the ACC and especially Duke is considered the greatest place on earth to get on offer from now. Among high school recruits, getting an offer from Duke (whether you ultimately decide to go there or not) is the ultimate status symbol, and it's because the media is constantly slamming the Duke propaganda into everyone's heads. Just watch the NCAA tourney commercials for 5 minutes and you'll see what I mean.

[FLHoya]

Publicity's fine, but my main concern is where we end up at the end of the season.

In 2000-2001, we started the season unranked and pretty much unhearalded. Didn't crack the Top 25 until the week of December 11. But we made it all the way up to #9 by mid-January, and more importantly were still in the Top 25 at the end of the regular season (#21) and made the Sweet 16.

Next year, MUCH bigger preseason buzz, started the year ranked #14 in the preseason AP poll. Proceeded to lose the first game we played against a I-A opponent BADLY on TV to Georgia. The last reference I found to us in the top 25 was at #24 in the first week of the New Year. And that season ended with the declined NIT bid and the burst bubble (that year was actually way more disappointing at Selection Sunday than this one).

And again, I realize "buzz" and preseason rankings can have a positive effect on the interest level on campus, with alumni, etc. But honestly, who remembers the 2001-2002 that fondly? Did that preseason "buzz" really do much for us? Conversely, lots of people have fond recollections of the 2000-2001 season because we grew into a high ranking by beating some good teams in good games.

The better "buzz" is the one you CREATE for yourself is the way I see it.

[YB]

Of course playing the games and winning is paramount- but, always nice to get a little love. Digger really was gushing- that was good to hear, finally!

[prhoya]

][-][ 0 `/ /-\ 5, love you sarcasm in "I could imagine Brandon Rush listening to Digger hail us and then snap his fingers and say, "Well of course I have to go play for the Hoyas, if Digger thinks they're great then they MUST be incredible." Aren't you that high school kid? Don't worry, you'll learn with time...

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

Just win baby---and let pinheads like Digger/Dukie V. gush & fawn after the fact.....

[FreeNachos]

What color tie and highlighter was he wearing at the time?

Is that the most ridiculous descriptions in tourney history?

[HoyaAlbany]

GIGAFAN99 said:

It's a little much, but let's put it this way how many disagree with this assessment of next year's all-conference teams:

First Team: Jeff Green
Second Team: Brandon Bowman

I think most people who follow the Big East expect this to be the case. That alone makes the team dangerous.

But we also return the rest of our starters and three legitimate bench players. That sounds even better.

But wait there's more! Because of the 5/8 rule, we were short this year so we add possible DC Met player of the year and Rivals #55 Jessie Sapp at guard and the ideal versatile Princeton forward in Octavius Spann. Even if the other recruits don't see the court, we're running ten.

All this is enough to make the team a high preseason pick. If we add a Rush, Thomas, NDiaye or another high unsigned prospect, this is a very good team.

First team for Jeff might be a little high, there are a dozen underclassmen on the first 3 Big East teams this year, and there are some pretty good players coming into the league next year - but I think that second team is a real possibility. With more support to share the load, Jeff might not see his numbers go up much next year - which would mean that we are a stronger team. But in 2 years, I see him as a definite candidate for POY - unless we recruit someone in the next 2 years who outshines him!!