Post by MCIGuy on Apr 8, 2014 12:49:07 GMT -5
Let’s look at the guys returning first (in theory at least).
Obviously the #1 guy is Smith-Rivera who led the Hoyas this season with 17.6 points a game. Can he be the first III player to average 20? Possible. But the question then becomes is the 20 points a less efficient 20 because DSR is forced to carry the load on offense more than he did this past season or is it a more efficient 20 because DSR has more offensive help and still scoring a efficient 20 a game anyway because he isn’t as hounded by defenses? If it is the latter the Hoyas are going to be in great shape next year. What may be more realistic though is a more efficient roughly 17.6 points per contest, and I’d take that too. Of course it is to be determined how much of the ball-handling duties DSR will take on next season.
Next and arguably most important is Josh Smith. Easily the most polarizing figure on the team as well as the most vital when it comes to the success of the team. There are reports from HT and CH of eyewitnesses claiming that Smith looks noticeably slimmer. That may be true or may not be. Still regardless of how much weight he may lose, I don’t see Josh as being more than a 25 minutes per game player. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Wasn’t that about the amount of time Roy played per game his last season? Clearly Josh is not going to be a great defender, which will lead to a lot of zone, and it is to be determined if he will actually be a decent rebounder for his size. But instead of the same gloom and doom talk about what Josh can’t do I’d like to emphasize what he can: score around the basket. He had the top fg% of any player in the Big East before he was suspended. And that isn’t a fluke, that is legit. He has GREAT hands, has great footwork in the paint, has enormous strength and has much more explosion than any guy his size has any right to have. What Josh does best is score down low. So if he is going to only play around 25 minutes a game either because of stamina, foul trouble or he is a liability on D on occasion, then all I ask is that the Hoyas give him the ball when he is on the court. I hated in the early games this past season when Starks or DSR would launch jumpshots without trying to get Josh the ball. Considering the amount of minutes they played and how they dominated the ball, Starks and DSR could get those shots anytime during the game. It was frustrating instead to see Josh pick up fouls before he could do damage of his own, especially when he was only being guarded by a single defender. Give the dude the ball when he is on the court. I know many aren’t that fond of him but I think if everything goes right he is good enough to put up 20 or more points anywhere from six to a dozen times this upcoming season. And the Hoyas hadn’t had a big man/center who could that since Monroe. And unlike any Hoya center under III he has a chance to ignite his team and the crowd with some powerful, exciting slamdunks.
Third most important guy is Jabril and I’ll admit if Jabril hadn’t come back from his wrist injury playing at such a high level that he did I would prefer him coming off the bench as a supporting player. But the Jabril who returned was easily the best version we had seen at that point in a GU uniform. He was a better finisher, a more consistent scorer (averaging around 12 points when he got back and finishing the year with an average of 9 points per game) and a more respectable three-point shooter. If Jabril continues that development, if he further improves his shooting and dribbling and scoring and adjust to the new officiating rules, than he will have a hell of a year. I think he goes underappreciated for the leader he has become.
Next is Mikael. Sigh. I don’t expect a Henry Sims-like jump (if that happens the sky is the limit). All I ask for is smart, seasoned play as all seniors should provide. And shooting 50% from the floor rather than 42% shouldn’t be too much to ask for Whether Hopkins is starting as a PF or C, or merely coming off the bench, he needs to hold down the fort for the stretch he finds himself on the court. Less fouling would be a major bonus.
I am part of the crowd that is enthusiastic for Bowen’s return. I saw so much growth in his game just within this season. Yes, he is a great athlete and he too can fire up a crowd as well as his teammates. But what shouldn’t be overlooked is how he really raised his f%. He is now an efficient player and may be on the verge of being a 32% three-point shooter (which would be a great for him). Needs to take the time this summer to raise his game again and if so look out. Needs to be a better dribbler. Would really flourish in a more up-and-down game so hope the Hoyas continue to push the pace. Maybe not a starter and may not average any more minutes than he did this season. But he will be a better player regardless. And he gives the Hoyas to match up with the athleticism of any other team (especially when you include Jabril, LJ, Copeland and Hopkins).
I expect Reggie Cameron to be instant offense off the bench next year. I see him as being further motivated to continue to get into top notch shape. He WILL improve his three-point fg%, my only question is will he be able to get it to Hollis level next season. Too much to ask for? I also want to see him use his pullup two-point jumper off the dribble ore and even the post up leading to a turn-around jumper. I think the fact that he actually started a few games will help him immensely in terms of confidence and knowing what he needs to do to get to that next level. Hey, the fact that he even played that much last season is a good sign considering how little Domingo and Hayes saw the court. I have a feeling, even in limited minutes, Cameron will be very valuable to the team when he is on the court because of his ability to stretch the floor. Defense by him of course still remains a concern.
I’ll admit I like what I saw of Bradley Hayes starting wit that game at Marquette during which he was put on the court out of desperation. Is he gonna get much better with much more time or is what you see is pretty much what you get? To be determined. But he great size, seems capable of grabbing a few boards in traffic, can alter some shots and has a nice free throw shooting touch. Even showed some attitude against Florida State. I’ll take that from my backup center. Hell, two months ago I would have thought he would transfer after this season, but now I think he will have a role on this team going forward.
As for Domingo, well, I don’t know what I can say. He either hasn’t done anything, or hadn’t gotten the opportunity to do anything or a combination of the two. Normally I hate talking about guys transferring and players with more seniority stepping aside for newcomers. I also worry that the guy pushed out/aside could end up at another program and light up the world. But now I’m at a point in which I don’t care. Whether because of III or because Domingo wasn’t ready, Domingo has been wasting time on the bench his first two seasons. I’d rather see the new guys next year get time rather than him, s perhaps a change of scenery could be for the best. If he comes back next season, though, I hope he is ready to be a factor when he steps on the court.
The newcomers/recruits have been exhaustedly been discussed on this board in regards to what their roles will be next season. I’m expecting at least one to be a starter and possibly a second one to start too before the season is over. Likely candidates are Copeland and White because what they bring may be more valuable to the team next year. Copeland has to bulk up but he provides shooting, scoring and explosiveness from the forward position and will fill in at times for the PF position./ White also needs to add some bulk himself but he too bring size, shooting ability and scoring to the table at the forward positions. Most importantly he adds an element of ball-handling that may sorely be needed. Then again I could be wrong in that the coaches won’t be able to keep LJ on the bench. Even if is stuck to a first season apprenticeship of coming off the bench, LJ should be able to provide instant offensive firepower for a team often looking for some this past year. And he more than anybody may bring must-see excitement to the Georgetown team. Despite being perhaps the closest thing to a true point guard the team will have next season I do not see Campbell starting as a frosh. I realize there is disagreement on this. For his first season I see Campbell as a valuable bench player who sees court time when our other players are having an extremely difficult time with the press and III needs an extra ball-handler. He will also spell guys when they are tired or pick up foul trouble.
This makes for about an eleven man rotation which is subject to be thrown for a loop if III brings in another player like T. Mourning. This is a larger than normal rotation for III but there are reasons why his could/should happen. First of all Josh is not going to average 30 plus minutes a game. So there should be 15 to 20 minutes per game for the five position when Josh is sitting. That may mean sliding Hopkins to the five rather than the four where he would steal minutes from Copeland or even White. Don’t see Jabril averaging 30 minutes either which leaves opportunities for Tre, LJ and Paul. In fact the only guy I hope gets 30 minutes is DSR and even with him I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t be anything more than 32 on average.
Obviously the #1 guy is Smith-Rivera who led the Hoyas this season with 17.6 points a game. Can he be the first III player to average 20? Possible. But the question then becomes is the 20 points a less efficient 20 because DSR is forced to carry the load on offense more than he did this past season or is it a more efficient 20 because DSR has more offensive help and still scoring a efficient 20 a game anyway because he isn’t as hounded by defenses? If it is the latter the Hoyas are going to be in great shape next year. What may be more realistic though is a more efficient roughly 17.6 points per contest, and I’d take that too. Of course it is to be determined how much of the ball-handling duties DSR will take on next season.
Next and arguably most important is Josh Smith. Easily the most polarizing figure on the team as well as the most vital when it comes to the success of the team. There are reports from HT and CH of eyewitnesses claiming that Smith looks noticeably slimmer. That may be true or may not be. Still regardless of how much weight he may lose, I don’t see Josh as being more than a 25 minutes per game player. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Wasn’t that about the amount of time Roy played per game his last season? Clearly Josh is not going to be a great defender, which will lead to a lot of zone, and it is to be determined if he will actually be a decent rebounder for his size. But instead of the same gloom and doom talk about what Josh can’t do I’d like to emphasize what he can: score around the basket. He had the top fg% of any player in the Big East before he was suspended. And that isn’t a fluke, that is legit. He has GREAT hands, has great footwork in the paint, has enormous strength and has much more explosion than any guy his size has any right to have. What Josh does best is score down low. So if he is going to only play around 25 minutes a game either because of stamina, foul trouble or he is a liability on D on occasion, then all I ask is that the Hoyas give him the ball when he is on the court. I hated in the early games this past season when Starks or DSR would launch jumpshots without trying to get Josh the ball. Considering the amount of minutes they played and how they dominated the ball, Starks and DSR could get those shots anytime during the game. It was frustrating instead to see Josh pick up fouls before he could do damage of his own, especially when he was only being guarded by a single defender. Give the dude the ball when he is on the court. I know many aren’t that fond of him but I think if everything goes right he is good enough to put up 20 or more points anywhere from six to a dozen times this upcoming season. And the Hoyas hadn’t had a big man/center who could that since Monroe. And unlike any Hoya center under III he has a chance to ignite his team and the crowd with some powerful, exciting slamdunks.
Third most important guy is Jabril and I’ll admit if Jabril hadn’t come back from his wrist injury playing at such a high level that he did I would prefer him coming off the bench as a supporting player. But the Jabril who returned was easily the best version we had seen at that point in a GU uniform. He was a better finisher, a more consistent scorer (averaging around 12 points when he got back and finishing the year with an average of 9 points per game) and a more respectable three-point shooter. If Jabril continues that development, if he further improves his shooting and dribbling and scoring and adjust to the new officiating rules, than he will have a hell of a year. I think he goes underappreciated for the leader he has become.
Next is Mikael. Sigh. I don’t expect a Henry Sims-like jump (if that happens the sky is the limit). All I ask for is smart, seasoned play as all seniors should provide. And shooting 50% from the floor rather than 42% shouldn’t be too much to ask for Whether Hopkins is starting as a PF or C, or merely coming off the bench, he needs to hold down the fort for the stretch he finds himself on the court. Less fouling would be a major bonus.
I am part of the crowd that is enthusiastic for Bowen’s return. I saw so much growth in his game just within this season. Yes, he is a great athlete and he too can fire up a crowd as well as his teammates. But what shouldn’t be overlooked is how he really raised his f%. He is now an efficient player and may be on the verge of being a 32% three-point shooter (which would be a great for him). Needs to take the time this summer to raise his game again and if so look out. Needs to be a better dribbler. Would really flourish in a more up-and-down game so hope the Hoyas continue to push the pace. Maybe not a starter and may not average any more minutes than he did this season. But he will be a better player regardless. And he gives the Hoyas to match up with the athleticism of any other team (especially when you include Jabril, LJ, Copeland and Hopkins).
I expect Reggie Cameron to be instant offense off the bench next year. I see him as being further motivated to continue to get into top notch shape. He WILL improve his three-point fg%, my only question is will he be able to get it to Hollis level next season. Too much to ask for? I also want to see him use his pullup two-point jumper off the dribble ore and even the post up leading to a turn-around jumper. I think the fact that he actually started a few games will help him immensely in terms of confidence and knowing what he needs to do to get to that next level. Hey, the fact that he even played that much last season is a good sign considering how little Domingo and Hayes saw the court. I have a feeling, even in limited minutes, Cameron will be very valuable to the team when he is on the court because of his ability to stretch the floor. Defense by him of course still remains a concern.
I’ll admit I like what I saw of Bradley Hayes starting wit that game at Marquette during which he was put on the court out of desperation. Is he gonna get much better with much more time or is what you see is pretty much what you get? To be determined. But he great size, seems capable of grabbing a few boards in traffic, can alter some shots and has a nice free throw shooting touch. Even showed some attitude against Florida State. I’ll take that from my backup center. Hell, two months ago I would have thought he would transfer after this season, but now I think he will have a role on this team going forward.
As for Domingo, well, I don’t know what I can say. He either hasn’t done anything, or hadn’t gotten the opportunity to do anything or a combination of the two. Normally I hate talking about guys transferring and players with more seniority stepping aside for newcomers. I also worry that the guy pushed out/aside could end up at another program and light up the world. But now I’m at a point in which I don’t care. Whether because of III or because Domingo wasn’t ready, Domingo has been wasting time on the bench his first two seasons. I’d rather see the new guys next year get time rather than him, s perhaps a change of scenery could be for the best. If he comes back next season, though, I hope he is ready to be a factor when he steps on the court.
The newcomers/recruits have been exhaustedly been discussed on this board in regards to what their roles will be next season. I’m expecting at least one to be a starter and possibly a second one to start too before the season is over. Likely candidates are Copeland and White because what they bring may be more valuable to the team next year. Copeland has to bulk up but he provides shooting, scoring and explosiveness from the forward position and will fill in at times for the PF position./ White also needs to add some bulk himself but he too bring size, shooting ability and scoring to the table at the forward positions. Most importantly he adds an element of ball-handling that may sorely be needed. Then again I could be wrong in that the coaches won’t be able to keep LJ on the bench. Even if is stuck to a first season apprenticeship of coming off the bench, LJ should be able to provide instant offensive firepower for a team often looking for some this past year. And he more than anybody may bring must-see excitement to the Georgetown team. Despite being perhaps the closest thing to a true point guard the team will have next season I do not see Campbell starting as a frosh. I realize there is disagreement on this. For his first season I see Campbell as a valuable bench player who sees court time when our other players are having an extremely difficult time with the press and III needs an extra ball-handler. He will also spell guys when they are tired or pick up foul trouble.
This makes for about an eleven man rotation which is subject to be thrown for a loop if III brings in another player like T. Mourning. This is a larger than normal rotation for III but there are reasons why his could/should happen. First of all Josh is not going to average 30 plus minutes a game. So there should be 15 to 20 minutes per game for the five position when Josh is sitting. That may mean sliding Hopkins to the five rather than the four where he would steal minutes from Copeland or even White. Don’t see Jabril averaging 30 minutes either which leaves opportunities for Tre, LJ and Paul. In fact the only guy I hope gets 30 minutes is DSR and even with him I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t be anything more than 32 on average.
