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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Jun 30, 2005 3:28:53 GMT -5
The Hoyas are returning their entire team from last year minus Ray Reed, 'Bunda, and Izzo. We are also adding 4 new freshmen. This really leaves all of last year's semi-answered questions about Owens/Hibbert, JW's place on the team, Hibbert's growth potential and offensive role, What Brandon needs to do to become a dominant BE player, and How good Jeff Green can get before his jersey goes on the wall in McDonough. Now there are added questions about the freshmen and how they fit into the system - especially Octavius Spann, who has yet to play in Kenner (or apparently show up in DC).
To clarify my question: Which of these questions is most important for the 05-06 Hoyas means: Which of these questions will do the most to determine the success of the 05-06 Hoyas?
IMO, the success of this team depends on the freshmen - we have a baseline from which to form reasonable expectations of each of the upper classmen on the team - and we know that they are an over-sized shoe away from a 20 win season. The ability to go beyond that benchmark greatly depends on the emergence of talent that wasn't on the bench or starting on the court last year. While the improvement or Green and Bowman are desirable, they are not necessary for a post-season run - its an overall improvement in depth, energy, and abilities afforded by 1 or 2 freshmen emerging as key role players or starters that is needed for a long run.
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aggypryd
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 2,419
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Post by aggypryd on Jun 30, 2005 7:14:43 GMT -5
If Hibbert can become a consistent 10 pt 8 reb 3blk guy , that opens up so much that this offense will be able to do...
Won't be able to collapse on Jeff because he'll find Roy...
Can't collapse on Roy, the shooters will make you pay...or he's going to give you some two-fisted fury right in the defenders mouth...or at the very least, make you pay at the line...
Our defenders will be able to take more risks on defense because they know that Big Roy has their back…
I know Roy is still learning and improving, but he can be a very vital reason that makes us a REAL contender next season…
I think if he gets some confidence, and stops being afraid that someone is going to block his shot, he can dominate the Big East next year…
Warrick, Taft(I think) and Villanueva are gone…Roy should be able to BEAST with little resistance…
JMHO…
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Post by WilsonBlvdHoya on Jun 30, 2005 7:50:56 GMT -5
Fraser will be back for Nova and just as Roy will be critical for GU to make the tourney and go places in it, Fraser will be vital for Nova to fulfill all the hype around Top 5-10 placement next year....
But I completely agree with aggy, Roy is the key next year....
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2005 8:03:33 GMT -5
Hibbert, Hibbert, Hibbert.
We should be a good team regardless of how much he improves, but how much he improves could be the difference between getting an at-large bid in the 9-13 region, and playing in the BET finals and hoping to score between a 2-5 seed.
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Post by hoyalove4ever on Jun 30, 2005 8:12:24 GMT -5
Hibbert is the key. If he can be consistently solid, we will be pretty good. If he's really ready to play, look out.
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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: 17,440
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Post by lichoya68 on Jun 30, 2005 11:48:54 GMT -5
needs strength... thats it last year got bounds.. good hands till he frequently got the ball ripped away... due to lack of strength ..and this year in summer league looks a little more beefed up .. go hoyas.. go hibbs i agree hes a critical piece... need 10 and eight.. would be great... go hoyas
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Jun 30, 2005 14:14:18 GMT -5
Hmmm ... this poll looks more lopsided than a Baath party election. So let's change the topic a little: granted that Hibbert is a key to our success in the tournament but he isn't going to be the reincarnation of Patrick Ewing, Alonzo, and Mutombo next year - what are the little things that he needs to be doing to make himself more of a weapon on the offensive end?
I think he already has a good shot but was hesitant about using it last year because of trouble handling the ball while going through his post moves. IMHO he needs to be keeping the ball up around his head through out all of his moves, put a little more bulk and muscle on and use his body more emphatically to get position for a pass from Brandon or Jeff, and really fight for position inside when the ball is in the air. These are all clearly pretty basic post moves but I think when you reach a certain level of college basketball it can't hut to go back to those things to give yourself a stronger fundamental base to fall back on.
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cincyhoya
Century (over 100 posts)
Posts: 165
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Post by cincyhoya on Jun 30, 2005 14:44:16 GMT -5
So just an observation, but I've come to realize this board must be about 80% SFS grads...
I mean come on, who else but an SFSer looks at a poll question and doesn't vote, but debates!
Uh, yeah, D! No class on Friday, yeah, MSB!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2005 14:49:16 GMT -5
How DARE you suggest I'm one of those snobby SFS geeks. I'd sooner have gone to Maryland than taken "Map of the Modern World."
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Jun 30, 2005 15:08:13 GMT -5
Hey Map of the Modern World was fun ... all 4 times ... hey wait - what are you saying ...
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Cambridge
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Canes Pugnaces
Posts: 5,304
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Post by Cambridge on Jun 30, 2005 15:32:07 GMT -5
How DARE you suggest I'm one of those snobby SFS geeks. I'd sooner have gone to Maryland than taken "Map of the Modern World." You scoff, but I think you would have loved the curmudgeonly antics of one Charlie Pirtle. That man was Georgetown's very own Old Hickory.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2005 15:41:42 GMT -5
But then I wouldn't have had the chance to take three Lalitha Gopalan classes. Best. Professor. Ever. (well... in my opinion at least)
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FormerHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,262
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Post by FormerHoya on Jun 30, 2005 17:10:53 GMT -5
I may get a little flamed for this, but I believe the most important improvement for this team will be improved guardplay. Specifically, I had problems with Cook in every game I watched (admittedly, not many out here in Chicago); but it seemed that time after time the offense would stall before it could get started when one of the guards, (and I single out Cook because as a true freshman Wallace should struggle) had some dribbling/passing/poor-decision-making mistake. I would get all fired up, and then reading the boards no one would mention it.
I know Ashanti had a couple of great games, but the inconsistency was troublesome, and frankly I wasn't able to watch any of his good games.
It seems to me that the college game can be dominated by good guards, and that the Hoyas suffered mightily because of those deficiencies.
I'm no expert, but I generally watched with some pretty savvy hoops people who had the same feelings. Everyone else think I'm way off?
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,780
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jun 30, 2005 17:48:04 GMT -5
Our guardplay was our weakness last year in many ways. I don't disagree. But I think so many people selected Hibbert because an improved Hibbert improves every position, especially the depth of the position.
If Hibbert improves enough to swing Green and Bowman over, then players like Crawford and DJ are competing to backup at the 3, not start. They are also competing with Ahsanti and Jon for a guard spot. In a way, Hibbert's improvement could mean improvement even at the PG spot.
If Jon improves, his position improves, but that improvement does not trickle down to the post.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on Jun 30, 2005 20:30:38 GMT -5
It seems to me that the college game can be dominated by good guards, and that the Hoyas suffered mightily because of those deficiencies. I'm no expert, but I generally watched with some pretty savvy hoops people who had the same feelings. Everyone else think I'm way off? No, you are not way off. It's just that many people (including me) see the possible Hibbert improvement as the single most important factor. A talented Big Man on a college team is a huge asset. Roy making a big contribution takes a lot of pressure off Jeff. There are only two "big guys" on this team, Roy and Jeff. IF Roy isn't contributing in a big way, Jeff will be the only one -- that hurts defense and rebounding, as well as offense. Starting an effective Roy, Senior 4 year starter Bowman and Last year's ROY Jeff... wow! that could really be a very strong front court. Finally, for the backcourt: I think with a year of experience in the Princeton, a senior starter at 2G, and a returning sophomore starter at PG.... along with two freshmen who should be able to contribute much more than Ray Reed did, not to mention guys like Crawford and Egerson -- each of whom might play some 2G, the assumption is we will be well covered at the guard position and we should do well. There is upside from the improvement of the returning guys and the potential contributions from the new guys. Compared to the greater variability in Roy's potential contribution next season, and the potential impact of a 7'+ center given the lack of great players at that position in college, the single most intriguing unknown with the greatest potential impact is Roy.
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