thedragon
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Post by thedragon on Jan 2, 2024 20:52:24 GMT -5
Cooley always knew that Year 1 would be rough but even I'm sure he never imagined it would be this bad. Losing Akok late summer was the first blow. And Injuries and sickness have made very few games with a full roster. Add in that he gambled on Heath being able to be a net positive and a portal swing and miss on Massoud (as your veterans)- and well, in the words of the grounds keepers from Major League "They're still sh*tty".
Brumbaugh and Fielders growth should be the focus. And that seems to be occurring. And keep engraining Epps and Styles into building culture and ridding bad habits. Add a few portal guys and a good recruiting class (check) and they will be fine.
Won't make this year any easier to swallow hard to get down.
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xpathoya
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Post by xpathoya on Jan 3, 2024 7:36:00 GMT -5
This year's mantra: Coach Cooley gambled hard on Dickinson and Spencer (jeez I wish we could have bagged the latter), but I think it totally makes sense that neither player would come to a critically damaged program and brand like ours no matter how big the NIL bag was that we offered them. I'm sure that Ed probably wasted a great amount of time and effort on these two and the fact he didn't have any contingency plan set up is likely a misstep on his part. That's on him. I can't remember the exact Akok transfer timing, but with Cooley's dream team scenario coming up rather thin, I could see how Akok might jump ship for a bigger bag of cash and seemingly greener pastures at WVU versus a complete bottom-up rebuild here at the Hilltop. As for Heath, I think we're just stuck with him for what it's while hoping he will recognize his role, but I'm still holding out a sliver of hope for Ish (despite admittedly not having any access to yesterday's game yet outside of the Creighton radio broadcast I had to suffer through, although I know everyone is down on him right now). Likewise, highly encouraged by Rowan and Fielder who didn't give up down the stretch, and I think that with this razor-thin rag tag bench roster that we are stuck with, coach may be saving Epps to ensure that we win the games that we are expected to win to appease the "win now at all costs" faction versus running our eight-man rotation into the ground both potential injury wise and morale wise in the first-half of conference play. I'd still give it some time.
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Post by ColumbiaHeightsHoya on Jan 3, 2024 10:15:49 GMT -5
The Brumbaugh & Fielder minutes are very valuable. We weren't going to be great this year regardless and probably should have shot for some front court depth rather than Dickinson (who I am admittedly happy isn't here). With the kids coming in next year and add a few impact transfers, I think we are right there. We need continued defensive growth out of Epps & Styles. So for '24, my wish list is better overall D out of our core four (Fielder/Epps/Styles/Brumbaugh) for the 24/25 season. That and a few wins to maintain respectability is a massive W for this year.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jan 3, 2024 13:43:32 GMT -5
This year's mantra: I prefer the groundskeepers: "They're still ty."
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jan 3, 2024 13:44:55 GMT -5
Will say that Brumbaugh gave us a bit of a sneak peak last night of how he'll be good. Five assists, 2 TOs, good control and tempo setting, 3-7 from 3 ... Just needs to make a few more interior shots and be a bit more aggressive, but his size will be a big plus.
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Elvado
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Post by Elvado on Jan 3, 2024 16:02:52 GMT -5
My son watched Sorber last night and was thoroughly impressed. Had 22 vs St Joe’s Prep on night when according to the Prep’s PA guy (Harry) he didn’t get a single call. Said he moves well and knows how to use his body to get position well.
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Post by gambo on Jan 4, 2024 10:13:25 GMT -5
I saw Caleb Williams play last night. Very fluid, good shot, plays with in the game. With 10-15 lbs of muscle, he will be very good!
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Post by hibernatinghoyafan on Jan 4, 2024 12:27:51 GMT -5
The reason we need 2-3 high quality transfers is to let the young guys continue to develop at a normal pace without crushing their confidence. We’ve got great depth next year if the lineup looks something like: Starters - Epps, transfer, Styles, Transfer, Cook (or Sorber) Bench - Rowan, Fielder, Sorber, Mulready, McKenna
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Jan 4, 2024 14:19:27 GMT -5
The reason we need 2-3 high quality transfers is to let the young guys continue to develop at a normal pace without crushing their confidence. We’ve got great depth next year if the lineup looks something like: Starters - Epps, transfer, Styles, Transfer, Cook (or Sorber) Bench - Rowan, Fielder, Sorber, Mulready, McKenna I think this is a perspective you could have before the portal. I am not sure it applies to today.
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
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Post by the_way on Jan 4, 2024 14:32:04 GMT -5
The reason we need 2-3 high quality transfers is to let the young guys continue to develop at a normal pace without crushing their confidence. We’ve got great depth next year if the lineup looks something like: Starters - Epps, transfer, Styles, Transfer, Cook (or Sorber) Bench - Rowan, Fielder, Sorber, Mulready, McKenna I think this is a perspective you could have before the portal. I am not sure it applies to today. This right here. The landscape has changed for College Basketball (and Football). You don't know who is going to stay or leave anymore.
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hoyajmw
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Post by hoyajmw on Jan 4, 2024 14:59:36 GMT -5
The reason we need 2-3 high quality transfers is to let the young guys continue to develop at a normal pace without crushing their confidence. We’ve got great depth next year if the lineup looks something like: Starters - Epps, transfer, Styles, Transfer, Cook (or Sorber) Bench - Rowan, Fielder, Sorber, Mulready, McKenna Don’t forget Caleb Williams! With all the uncertainty portal creates, way too soon to speculate about who starts etc., but I’m confident he will get meaningful run…
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Jan 4, 2024 15:45:17 GMT -5
The reason we need 2-3 high quality transfers is to let the young guys continue to develop at a normal pace without crushing their confidence. We’ve got great depth next year if the lineup looks something like: Starters - Epps, transfer, Styles, Transfer, Cook (or Sorber) Bench - Rowan, Fielder, Sorber, Mulready, McKenna I think this is a perspective you could have before the portal. I am not sure it applies to today. This is certainly harder now, but programs with well established cultures are going to be much better able to convince kids to stay patient and stick around to develop. If the Hoyas have multiple transfers out of the core group of Epps, Styles, Fielder and Brumbaugh--Cooley isn't doing his job effectively. [Note--I feel good that Cooley is a coach who can establish that culture.]
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Jan 4, 2024 17:40:26 GMT -5
I think this is a perspective you could have before the portal. I am not sure it applies to today. This is certainly harder now, but programs with well established cultures are going to be much better able to convince kids to stay patient and stick around to develop. If the Hoyas have multiple transfers out of the core group of Epps, Styles, Fielder and Brumbaugh--Cooley isn't doing his job effectively. [Note--I feel good that Cooley is a coach who can establish that culture.] I think Cooley can and will establish that culture over time. I think that at this point in time, DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, bringing someone in to play in front of Rowan or Cole begins to elevate the risk of a departure. It would not necessarily be probably but certainly possible.
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Jan 4, 2024 18:16:30 GMT -5
This is certainly harder now, but programs with well established cultures are going to be much better able to convince kids to stay patient and stick around to develop. If the Hoyas have multiple transfers out of the core group of Epps, Styles, Fielder and Brumbaugh--Cooley isn't doing his job effectively. [Note--I feel good that Cooley is a coach who can establish that culture.] I think Cooley can and will establish that culture over time. I think that at this point in time, DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, bringing someone in to play in front of Rowan or Cole begins to elevate the risk of a departure. It would not necessarily be probably but certainly possible. Would agree to the extent that the transfer is brought in clearly to push Brumbaugh/Fielder/etc. aside. I also don't think that's likely. More likely transfers are brought in to replace the departures at guard and wing/forward (Heath and Ish), add depth, and to give the freshmen more time to grow. Certainly, the 2024 freshmen could become discouraged if they feel that the transfers are blocking their path, but a big part of Cooley's (and really any coach nowadays) is to convince the younger guys that there is a clear plan and a path for them to grow and develop.
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Post by HoyasAreHungry on Jan 5, 2024 8:10:49 GMT -5
I saw Caleb Williams play last night. Very fluid, good shot, plays with in the game. With 10-15 lbs of muscle, he will be very good! more importantly he'll break the curse of Josh Hart and allow our once great program to win again
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hoyajmw
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Post by hoyajmw on Jan 5, 2024 11:00:50 GMT -5
If anyone was interested in seeing Caleb and Acaden tomorrow in a great game, Sidwell plays Bullis in the MAC/IAC challenge event at 5pm at Georgetown Day. I have the doubleheader with Hoyas/DePaul penned in..and there will be a 3pm game at GDS as well (not sure who is playing) so triple header also doable…
Note specifically to you, HoyasAreHungry: I converted your avatar into a t shirt, and it is a HUGE hit at games… Thank you for your creativity and artistic/electronic chops!
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Post by HoyasAreHungry on Jan 5, 2024 13:33:10 GMT -5
If anyone was interested in seeing Caleb and Arcaden tomorrow in a great game, Sidwell plays Bullis in the MAC/IAC challenge event at 5pm at Georgetown Day. I have the doubleheader with Hoyas/DePaul penned in..and there will be a 3pm game at GDS as well (not sure who is playing) so triple header also doable… Note specifically to you, HoyasAreHungry: I converted your avatar into a t shirt, and it is a HUGE hit at games… Thank you for your creativity and artistic/electronic chops! Love to hear it! I may have to do the same!
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Jan 5, 2024 19:34:16 GMT -5
If anyone was interested in seeing Caleb and Arcaden tomorrow in a great game, Sidwell plays Bullis in the MAC/IAC challenge event at 5pm at Georgetown Day. I have the doubleheader with Hoyas/DePaul penned in..and there will be a 3pm game at GDS as well (not sure who is playing) so triple header also doable… Note specifically to you, HoyasAreHungry: I converted your avatar into a t shirt, and it is a HUGE hit at games… Thank you for your creativity and artistic/electronic chops! Love to hear it! I may have to do the same! Hoyas are Hungry, I would be happy to represent you to get you paid for your idea.
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thedragon
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Post by thedragon on Jan 6, 2024 10:24:53 GMT -5
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SDHoya
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Post by SDHoya on Jan 6, 2024 15:29:20 GMT -5
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