Greg next year

[jsk793]

Assuming Greg returns (he better), what are everyone's thoughts on Greg in the upcoming year, and what expectations are from him?

[daytonahoya31]

My expectation would be for him to strive to be the best small forward in the country. He has that kind of talent

[rockhoya]

He replaces Otto's production. Don't know if he matches his effectiveness/efficiency yet though.

[tjm62]

I think Greg can replace a good amount of Otto's production, which combined with the new guys and some more experience means next year's team could be better (fun thought).

[hoyasaxa2003]

I think it's unfair to expect Greg to replace Otto's production. First, Otto had one of the best seasons (especially if you look at the Big East season only) any player has ever had in the JTIII era, so those are big shoes to fill. That said, with the benefit of Josh Smith, Whittington should get some help. Second, Porter has been a high-efficiency offensive threat from the moment he started with Georgetown. In contrast, while Whittington has made very solid contributions (and is an excellent defender), his offensive efficiency has lagged. I fully expect Whittington to improve, but if we judge based solely on the last two years, it's tough to expect Whittington to be as ruthlessly effective as Porter was this year.

[Loyal Hoya]

I don't think straight A's is too much too ask.

[kghoya]

He should stop settling for 3s. He has a height advantage.

[rockhoya]

Apr 16, 2013 18:38:07 GMT -5 hoyasaxa2003 said:

I think it's unfair to expect Greg to replace Otto's production. First, Otto had one of the best seasons (especially if you look at the Big East season only) any player has ever had in the JTIII era, so those are big shoes to fill. That said, with the benefit of Josh Smith, Whittington should get some help. Second, Porter has been a high-efficiency offensive threat from the moment he started with Georgetown. In contrast, while Whittington has made very solid contributions (and is an excellent defender), his offensive efficiency has lagged. I fully expect Whittington to improve, but if we judge based solely on the last two years, it's tough to expect Whittington to be as ruthlessly effective as Porter was this year.

Unfair? They basically had the same numbers (ppg and RPG and apg wise) when he got ruled ineligible.

[rockhoya]

I'm not saying he is going to be as effective as Otto, but it is not at all unreasonable for him to average around 15 and 8 next year. I see both him and Markel scoring about 15 per game.

[aggypryd]

Get his a$$ in class and stop wasting that education!!

[daytonahoya31]

Whittington is a pro, and he's freakishly lengthy. He's not the offensive player Otto is, but he's a better defender and ballhandler. If he makes a leap this summer, and continues that into next year, I think he can be a lotto pick. With Josh Smith, next years team will have something this year didn't: a post presence. Also, next years team will have a real floor spacer in Reggie Cameron and hopefully Domingo. That should all help Whit. Theoretically, he won't have to do it alone

[skyhoya]

I pray that he has gotten the academic side fixed. We will still be short scorers. If you watched the FF, everyone on the floor can shoot. We will still be playing 3 on 5 unless Lubick and Trawick develop better outside shooting and confidence in their offensive game.. Nate works well as a post passer, but he needs four options to pass to that can score. Inter-changeable players need to be able to score.. In the BE tourney CUSE didn't even bother to guard Nate.

[SirSaxa]

Apr 17, 2013 0:52:15 GMT -5 daytonahoya31 said:

Whittington is a pro, and he's freakishly lengthy. He's not the offensive player Otto is, but he's a better defender and ballhandler. If he makes a leap this summer, and continues that into next year, I think he can be a lotto pick. With Josh Smith, next years team will have something this year didn't: a post presence. Also, next years team will have a real floor spacer in Reggie Cameron and hopefully Domingo. That should all help Whit. Theoretically, he won't have to do it alone

Agree Daytona.. we shall see what Greg is made of. How much determination and perseverance does he have? Do those qualities extend to the classroom, the weight room, and the video tape suite as well as the court? We shall see.

[calhoya]

Whittington has the potential to be a real difference maker next year. His length and athleticism will add quite a bit to the perimeter on defense. His mid-range shot should be solid. Needs to work on the 3 if he is going to play outside. He also is a strong rebounder and very good around the basket--like Otto.

For all that, I believe that the key next year comes down to 3 players/positions--Nate, Smith and the Cameron/Domingo/Bowen spot. Nate needs to shoot all summer--from every spot on the floor that he might conceivably play in the offense. He needs to have someone push him to take shot after shot until he gains some confidence. Smith needs to stay as far away from the kitchen as possible--preferably in the weight room or on the track shedding pounds. If Bowen can pick up his outside accuracy there is a place for him and his athleticism in the rotation. Ditto for Domingo. Lastly, Cameron needs to practice this summer improving his footwork and quickness to be able to contribute on defense. From what I have seen on tape, he brings the same potential benefits and problems as DSR, though at a different position.

Actually next year could be great if the team can solve its offensive problems and add more effective interior play.

[This Just In]

Help the program make the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 7 years. As Skyhoya said we will still be playing 3 on 5 offensively and this is presuming that Josh Smith is the 2nd coming of Henry Simms

[Boz]

My rose-colored glasses have #5 etched in one lens and #2 etched in the other.



(Wait, what? Don Reid?)

[FromTheBeginning]

I loved Henry but Josh has the potential to be much better than that.

[chep3]

If Greg wants to replace Otto, in my opinion he needs to do two things. One, fix his 3 point shot, by which I mean, learn how to set and square up. No more of those leg splayed 3s. He's got a good enough stroke that he should be able to do this. Two, start converting his post ups. He's got the height to take people into the post, and did it willingly last year, but always seemed to short arm those shots. He's there defensively, but needs to up the efficiency on the offensive end. You do that by taking 3s and shots in the paint.

[TBird41]

I want Greg to create some turnovers. We lost that aspect of our defense when he lost his eligibility. He's obviously not going to be playing much SG next year, but since I doubt he'll play much PF (unlike Otto), we're going to be going small a lot less next year and should have a much more effective zone (and press, hopefully)

Also, some turnovers would help speed up our pace, since a big part of the reason we play slow is that we play a stifling half court defense that doesn't create turnovers, forcing the other team to use up much of the shot clock before they end their possession.

[lichoya68]

I just want greg to DO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO TO BE A HOYA nuf said THEn maybe we can talk about bball till then NOPE.