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Post by daymondmyles on Jun 22, 2015 9:43:24 GMT -5
OK, I know we could post this a lot of years, but I was just thinking how fortunate we are to have the pieces we have right now. First of all, a 4th year of DSR. Would have thought this was a guarantee last year, but his initial decision to leave made me realize how lucky we are with that one. Second, we have had back to back years of big and very good recruiting classes. Third, and I think most importantly (with some speculation for the incoming class), we have been extremely fortunate to buy somewhat low and get kids that are better than advertised in both those classes. Copeland was very good when he signed, but he really matured and blew up after that. Peak was a surprise signing in the first place, but his senior year, he really developed into something special and his final ranking was still much lower than it should have been. Now, it looks like he's taking it to another level with the Team USA play. Paul White was rated decently high but I'd argue he outperformed that and is a perfect fit for us. And even Tre has outperformed expectations. Combine that with signing Govan who is by all accounts way better than his current ranking and really took off this year and then getting Derrickson who just hit another level after a great year of conditioning, and we really have had as good of recruiting successes as we could possibly have (barring signing all 5 stars that perform to their level) in back to back years. And we have players that can be solid pieces like Reggie, Hayes, Agau, Mourning and Kaleb Johnson depending on how they develop. It's as close to a perfect storm as we've had in awhile and it won't last long. DSR is gone next year and it's very possible Copeland and Peak could be too. Gotta take advantage while we can.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 22, 2015 10:47:15 GMT -5
Without getting into semantics around words like "needs," I generally agree. Having DSR return combined with two strong young classes and very possibly the last year of lottery pick talent (Copeland), this could come together quite well.
That said, it also illustrates why we need to continue to have strong classes. If there is one real weakness with this team, it's that our upperclassmen are DSR, Hayes and Cameron. It's a young team, fundamentally, and especially down low. We're relying on backups and freshmen to hold the fort there so other players can provide the edge. If those classes had fundamentally been stronger -- even by a player or two -- the team would be significantly better.
So yeah, we have a team that can really come together this year. But it's also important that even with reduced scholarships that we hit in '16 and '17 so that when Tre Campbell is a senior he's surrounded by a full team that has quality players at every position.
But I'm irrationally exuberant about these two classes as well. Four out of five contributed last year, and Mourning seems like he will end up a contributor at some point, unlike some of our projects. And from everything I've read, I think everyone in this class will be able to chip in. Last year's team had back-end bench depth like no other Thompson team so far, and while we have to replace four guys (with four guys + an increased role for Hayes), I think the team can come close.
And hopefully with freshmen becoming sophomores, our star power is increased as well. If Copeland makes "the leap" and the rest of the freshmen improve a normal amount, and someone can play center, this may end up being Thompson's best team. That's a lot to ask, but it is in the realm.
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lichoya68
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
OK YOUNGINS ARE HERE AND ARE VERY VERY GOOD cant wait GO HOYAS
Posts: 17,434
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Post by lichoya68 on Jun 24, 2015 12:39:40 GMT -5
WILL BE nuf said SURPRISES COMING
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Just Cos
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Eat 'em up Hoyas
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Post by Just Cos on Jun 24, 2015 20:18:06 GMT -5
I'm psyched about this team but what happens when a player not at the F position gets into foul trouble? Maybe we have enough versatile wings that it won't matter.
I also have doubts about this team's ability to play defense for 40 minutes.
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skyhoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by skyhoya on Jun 24, 2015 22:45:49 GMT -5
just need another Jeff to lead us to the promised land
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Just Cos
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Eat 'em up Hoyas
Posts: 1,506
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Post by Just Cos on Jun 25, 2015 0:19:36 GMT -5
just need another Jeff to lead us to the promised land Amen
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Post by michaelgrahmstylie on Jun 25, 2015 0:24:33 GMT -5
just need another Jeff to lead us to the promised land Amen Maybe, Sir Isaac to the rescue.
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blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by blueandgray on Jun 25, 2015 8:28:21 GMT -5
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.
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seaweed
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Member is Online
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Post by seaweed on Jun 25, 2015 9:07:13 GMT -5
a little late for that if the Question is this year's squad. Or do you not think the 15-16 roster is locked up B&G?
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by prhoya on Jun 25, 2015 9:58:20 GMT -5
I think he meant the effect winning and going deep into the tournament would have in future recruiting.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Jun 25, 2015 15:13:01 GMT -5
I think he meant the effect winning and going deep into the tournament would have in future recruiting. Circle of Life. Winning makes recruiting easier. Recruiting makes winning easier. No guarantees of course, you can miss on a couple of recruits, unexpectedly lose early entries before their backup is ready - but for the most part you gotta win to be in it.
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blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by blueandgray on Jun 26, 2015 11:56:05 GMT -5
Hypothetical ....if we beat Wisc, Duke, Maryland and Syracuse....that would get the attention of every '16 kid we are pursuing. A deep tourney run does the samething.....which usually goes hand in hand with a couple of first round picks in the NBA draft. Selfishly, a deep Tourney run is ideally the best....having a kid blow up on the national scene like Jeff Green or Otto Porter is a close 2nd.
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