|
Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Sept 24, 2014 10:20:48 GMT -5
I am really not worried about our offense. I realize that some people do not like efficiency statistics, but even despite all of our limitations, we had the 44th most efficient offense last year, which is actually better than our numbers from 2013.
Regardless, there's really no logical reason why our offense will not be better. First, Josh Smith is an offensive machine, and if he actually plays the full season, that will greatly improve our offense. Part of the problem last year was that we only had two scorers, and they were both guards. We essentially were a one-trick pony (give it to Starks and DSR, let them score) on offense, which allowed defenses to really hone in on us.
Second, no matter who replaces Nate Lubick (except maybe Hopkins) should improve on his offensive performance. He was efficient enough when he shot, but he shot so rarely that defenses ignored him. That should not happen regardless of who replaces him this year. We have so many options at PF this year that somebody will step up.
Third, there is no reason to expect DSR will not get even better. If Trawick keeps up his post-jaw performance from last season, we suddenly have another high quality guard, too.
Fourth, Hopkins should not get as much playing time this year. I like Hopkins, but he has been a drag on our offense the last two seasons because his efficiency has been terrible, his turnover rate is very high, and he uses a lot of possessions. Smith taking time from Hopkins is a huge offensive plus because you are replacing a very inefficient player with a hugely efficient player. Of course, I do expect Hopkins to get some playing time, and hopefully he'll be improved too.
This is really the first season is several where we actually might have a balanced attack:
2011-2012: This is probably the last season where we had any sort of balance, with our main scorers coming in Henry Sims, Jason Clark, Hollis Thompson, and Otto Porter.
2012-2013: The offense was essentially Otto Porter with help from DSR and Starks. We had absolutely no offense in the frontcourt.
2013-2014: Our offense was essentially DSR and Starks once Smith became ineligible. DSR was really the only credible threat from three, even though Trawick came on at the end of the season. We had no production at all from the frontcourt.
I realize stranger things have happened, but unless we have injuries or eligibility problems, I do not see any way our offense will be worse than last year's, which means it will be pretty good.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 10:31:13 GMT -5
I just don’t get the fascination with starting, when minutes is most important. Idk... Oh, don't front. You know you are just upset that Rothstein didn't suggest that Paul White should start. You know me to well! haha jk
|
|
hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
Posts: 8,392
Member is Online
|
Post by hoyainspirit on Sept 24, 2014 10:33:13 GMT -5
So many coaches... But I do enjoy reading everyone's thoughts and predictions! Can't wait to see how III utilizes the talent.
|
|
Talos
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 612
|
Post by Talos on Sept 24, 2014 11:17:00 GMT -5
He's a long 3 and D reserve. He's already an average rebounder. He looked lost on defense but in the freshman way. If he's dedicated to defense and is a poor man's Hollis, I'll take it. The lost on D part is to be expected. The too slow on D part is what worries me more. Agreed. I don't think it was his weight that caused him to be a poor defender, it was his lack of athleticism. Watched some of his HS games, and he couldn't stay in front of average HS players either. I do think losing weight should help him slightly improve his mobility/quickness, but I don't think it will turn him into an above average defender. Technique and effort help on defense, but on many occasions it just comes down to do you have the quickness/athleticism to stay in front of your man. On the other hand, with this year's roster I don't think he needs to be a great defender. If he is surrounded by good athletes, his deficiencies can be hidden better than they were last year. He'll be a perfect complement to the rest of the team by coming off the bench for a few minutes at a time and knocking down some threes. I think Cameron is a perfect 4 year bench player to complement our current and future rosters. I expect him to shoot 40% + from three for his career.
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,736
|
Post by SFHoya99 on Sept 24, 2014 12:21:42 GMT -5
These reports should have people very excited. It all points to a vastly improved team over last year.
The only thing that has gotten worse is that Markel graduated. That's it. It's not a small thing, but most teams that only one starter get better, even if that starter is one of their players.
In contrast to that:
* Everyone else has gained a year * Josh Smith and Cameron have lost substantial weight * Still a good chance Smith is eligible for the whole year * We have a highly lauded freshman class and at least two of them seem to one observer to be grabbing starting spots * ...which pushes our weakest players to bench
How can you not get excited?
|
|
blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,748
|
Post by blueandgray on Sept 24, 2014 12:26:25 GMT -5
These reports should have people very excited. It all points to a vastly improved team over last year. The only thing that has gotten worse is that Markel graduated. That's it. It's not a small thing, but most teams that only one starter get better, even if that starter is one of their players. In contrast to that: * Everyone else has gained a year * Josh Smith and Cameron have lost substantial weight * Still a good chance Smith is eligible for the whole year * We have a highly lauded freshman class and at least two of them seem to one observer to be grabbing starting spots * ...which pushes our weakest players to bench How can you not get excited? Agreed! Can't emphasize enough the jump Jabril has made in his game.
|
|
|
Post by hoyalove4ever on Sept 24, 2014 12:28:52 GMT -5
I hope that Jabril gets the chance to play pro ball somewhere. What a fun guy to watch.
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,736
|
Post by SFHoya99 on Sept 24, 2014 13:00:30 GMT -5
These reports should have people very excited. It all points to a vastly improved team over last year. The only thing that has gotten worse is that Markel graduated. That's it. It's not a small thing, but most teams that only one starter get better, even if that starter is one of their players. In contrast to that: * Everyone else has gained a year * Josh Smith and Cameron have lost substantial weight * Still a good chance Smith is eligible for the whole year * We have a highly lauded freshman class and at least two of them seem to one observer to be grabbing starting spots * ...which pushes our weakest players to bench How can you not get excited? Agreed! Can't emphasize enough the jump Jabril has made in his game. And I even forgot to specifically mention Jabril, who has made a noticeable jump, as evidenced by his Kenner performance.
|
|
|
Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Sept 24, 2014 13:35:20 GMT -5
These reports should have people very excited. It all points to a vastly improved team over last year. The only thing that has gotten worse is that Markel graduated. That's it. It's not a small thing, but most teams that only one starter get better, even if that starter is one of their players. In contrast to that: * Everyone else has gained a year * Josh Smith and Cameron have lost substantial weight * Still a good chance Smith is eligible for the whole year * We have a highly lauded freshman class and at least two of them seem to one observer to be grabbing starting spots * ...which pushes our weakest players to bench How can you not get excited? I think we have multiple reasons to be excited. Not only should we be better than last year (which is exciting on its own), but it seems like we might have a team that's really fun to watch. I think a lot of fans have been waiting a long time for that.
|
|
blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,748
|
Post by blueandgray on Sept 24, 2014 13:57:15 GMT -5
These reports should have people very excited. It all points to a vastly improved team over last year. The only thing that has gotten worse is that Markel graduated. That's it. It's not a small thing, but most teams that only one starter get better, even if that starter is one of their players. In contrast to that: * Everyone else has gained a year * Josh Smith and Cameron have lost substantial weight * Still a good chance Smith is eligible for the whole year * We have a highly lauded freshman class and at least two of them seem to one observer to be grabbing starting spots * ...which pushes our weakest players to bench How can you not get excited? I think we have multiple reasons to be excited. Not only should we be better than last year (which is exciting on its own), but it seems like we might have a team that's really fun to watch. I think a lot of fans have been waiting a long time for that. Anyone want to bet we have over double the dunks we had last year? Bowen, Hopkins, Smith, Jabril, Copeland and Peak....all finishers.
|
|
|
Post by FrazierFanatic on Sept 24, 2014 14:55:03 GMT -5
I hope that Jabril gets the chance to play pro ball somewhere. What a fun guy to watch. There is always American Ninja
|
|
prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,264
|
Post by prhoya on Sept 24, 2014 14:55:05 GMT -5
B&G, Hopkins a finisher??? I wish it to be true as much as you, but that's not a word that describes Hopkins and his game.
|
|
blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,748
|
Post by blueandgray on Sept 24, 2014 14:57:57 GMT -5
Hopkins a finisher??? I wish it to be true as much as you, but that's not a word that describes Hopkins and his game. I stand corrected....wrong application of finisher, but he can certainly dunk....especially if we are getting out and running more.
|
|
prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,264
|
Post by prhoya on Sept 24, 2014 15:00:00 GMT -5
Dunk??? Ehhh...
|
|
|
Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Sept 24, 2014 15:04:41 GMT -5
Hopkins can dunk as long as there's nobody within 5 feet of the basket. Again, I like Hopkins, he's a good Hoya, but he has limitations.
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on Sept 24, 2014 19:03:18 GMT -5
Do you know anything about his game?
|
|
MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,420
|
Post by MCIGuy on Sept 24, 2014 19:07:20 GMT -5
Hopkins can dunk as long as there's nobody within 5 feet of the basket. Again, I like Hopkins, he's a good Hoya, but he has limitations. Nonsense. He has a quick leap that allows him to throw it down even when in close proximity to the opponent. It may be the one time he is actually reliable as a finisher because he is more likely to miss a point-blank layup.
|
|
prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,264
|
Post by prhoya on Sept 24, 2014 19:10:49 GMT -5
Do you know anything about his game? That he even misses dunks as we have seen time and again?
|
|
MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,420
|
Post by MCIGuy on Sept 24, 2014 19:33:41 GMT -5
III comes across as he is chomping at the bit. I'm guessing he realizes the talent and experience at his disposal and is ready to unleash it upon an unsuspecting world.
The part about Gtown being so important to this new BE is something we don't discuss enough. That is so on point. But I'll take it a step further: if the Hoyas are to be the glamour team for the Big East they must play a way that attracts eyeballs to the tube. It isn't just about winning, it is about putting a product on the floor that entices college basketball fans and casual (no, not that Casual)sports fans to care. This team has the personnel that can accomplish that so it is a matter of just letting the hounds loose. It won't help the Big East (and thus it won't help the state of the Gtown program) for the most storied team to continue to be a squad rarely scores as much as 70 in conference games, rarely push the ball on the break, seems allergic to the thought of dunking and puts its center at the top of his key with his back to the basket as he waits for a teammate to make a backdoor cut. Going back through some games of the 2011-2012 BET I was reminded of a comment Doris Burke quoted from III which he said something like "our backdoor cuts are like other teams' dunks" because it fires up the Gtown players. No, sir, let your dunks be like other teams' dunks. The backdoor cuts are a key weapon and may please the basketball purists, but nothing wrong adding elements that please the majority of the viewers. Push it when we can and finish strong.
If the Hoyas continually start finding themselves at MSG on a Saturday evening to decide a BE Championshp and they are playing a more exciting, uptempro brand of the Princeton, that alone may take care of any recruiting woes III has been facing.
|
|
MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,420
|
Post by MCIGuy on Sept 24, 2014 19:35:27 GMT -5
Do you know anything about his game? That he even misses dunks as we have seen time and again? He doesn't miss that many. There are enough legit criticisms regarding Mikael, no need to invent any.
|
|