MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 19, 2024 18:15:11 GMT -5
Agree on your last sentence. I think if you look at his performance against high majors (so include the OOC games against actual teams in addition to the Big East stats) his shooting percentages are pretty woeful. His usage will have to be much lower next year like you said. But many (not saying you specifically) have embraced the narrative that Epps was forced into playing hero ball last year. He didn't want to take all those shots, he was just stuck on a talentless team and was the only person who could put the ball in the hole at all. And next year when the talent is much better he'll be taking only the good shots and the percentages will be much better. I'm just a touch skeptical. I have seen and known many guys who play like Epps over the years, and I don't know that I see him being content to be a supporting player. And given that he doesn't bring a ton to the table OTHER than scoring (short, not a very good defender, not a facilitator) and his scoring is not done in an efficient way, I'm not convinced he's a winning player. But, I am more than willing to admit that I may have him pegged incorrectly. I could be wrong, I hope I am. I hope he really is a team player, and that he cares more about wins than about scoring a lot of points for himself. If he's in that mindset, he can be a valuable piece. A lot hinges on it. Was he forced into being a ball dominant scorer? Of course not. Did he take more shots than he normally would, including basically every end of shot clock shot? Yes. Did we pound the ball out more with the intent of killing time and then just let him take more than we will next year? Yep. Did defenses key basically only on him while that won't be as likely next year. I'd say so. Also, I think he gets something of a bad rap as a facilitator. Sure, he would go ball hog for stretches and his first priority wasn't getting everyone involved, but he actually was pretty decent at creating easy shots for guys. He has a nice pick and roll lob that would work decently, and he's pretty decent at finding an open player down low or at the 3 pt line off the drive. The dude did assist on 27% of made baskets while he was on the floor -- he's not a bad passer. He just tended to go hero ball at times. And he'll do the latter next year. I just think less, and I think between improvement if he's working on his game and less need to be the only man, he improves efficiency-wise. This is my belief as well. The most important thing is to take the ball out of his hands more (much more). I think that goal is guaranteed to be accomplished thanks to Mack.
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jackofjoy
Century (over 100 posts)
Posts: 225
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Post by jackofjoy on Apr 19, 2024 19:45:47 GMT -5
Agree on your last sentence. I think if you look at his performance against high majors (so include the OOC games against actual teams in addition to the Big East stats) his shooting percentages are pretty woeful. His usage will have to be much lower next year like you said. But many (not saying you specifically) have embraced the narrative that Epps was forced into playing hero ball last year. He didn't want to take all those shots, he was just stuck on a talentless team and was the only person who could put the ball in the hole at all. And next year when the talent is much better he'll be taking only the good shots and the percentages will be much better. I'm just a touch skeptical. I have seen and known many guys who play like Epps over the years, and I don't know that I see him being content to be a supporting player. And given that he doesn't bring a ton to the table OTHER than scoring (short, not a very good defender, not a facilitator) and his scoring is not done in an efficient way, I'm not convinced he's a winning player. But, I am more than willing to admit that I may have him pegged incorrectly. I could be wrong, I hope I am. I hope he really is a team player, and that he cares more about wins than about scoring a lot of points for himself. If he's in that mindset, he can be a valuable piece. A lot hinges on it. Was he forced into being a ball dominant scorer? Of course not. Did he take more shots than he normally would, including basically every end of shot clock shot? Yes. Did we pound the ball out more with the intent of killing time and then just let him take more than we will next year? Yep. Did defenses key basically only on him while that won't be as likely next year. I'd say so. Also, I think he gets something of a bad rap as a facilitator. Sure, he would go ball hog for stretches and his first priority wasn't getting everyone involved, but he actually was pretty decent at creating easy shots for guys. He has a nice pick and roll lob that would work decently, and he's pretty decent at finding an open player down low or at the 3 pt line off the drive. The dude did assist on 27% of made baskets while he was on the floor -- he's not a bad passer. He just tended to go hero ball at times. And he'll do the latter next year. I just think less, and I think between improvement if he's working on his game and less need to be the only man, he improves efficiency-wise. Will be interesting to see if he can adapt or if he is who he is. I mean, dude’s usage was 31% last year. Just on some lazy research, those are Markelle Fultz one and done Washington year usage stats. UW was horrible that year … but Fultz’s PER was in the mid 20s. Epps last year … 14
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hoyas315
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by hoyas315 on Apr 20, 2024 10:31:49 GMT -5
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SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
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Post by SSHoya on Apr 20, 2024 12:47:24 GMT -5
HoyaReport: The visit of transfer Clifford Omoruyl, a Rutgers transfer regarded as one of the top big man options in the portal, has been widely circulated. it's confirmed and true, the 6'11" senior pivot is indeed expected this weekend. Georgetown's Hoyas have made his final 12 listing. He is not scheduled to be alone; Also confirmed by high level sources, Curtis Williams, a 6'5" guard/forward, will also make a sojourn this weekend. georgetown.rivals.com/news/pair-of-hilltop-visitors
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Post by dariantownesvanzandt on Apr 20, 2024 20:56:27 GMT -5
Looks like we just added Curtis Williams.
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Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Apr 20, 2024 20:58:58 GMT -5
Now, if we could just land Omoruyi...
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Post by reformation on Apr 20, 2024 21:33:52 GMT -5
Seems like we have momentum which is good. I think the Rutgers kid would make a big difference--we'd have a much more balanced and athletic team by position with him. My biggerst concern is that Cooley seems target guys who are not really good shooters.
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traversb
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 395
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Post by traversb on Apr 20, 2024 21:34:49 GMT -5
Williams makes no sense to me. He may have been Louisville’s worst player last year. I understand one year does not make a career. I also get taking former 4 stars but I don’t see the need unless there’s something we don’t know. This feels more like a Cooley 2023 transfer than what we have seen in 2024.
All that said I hope he proves me wrong. Welcome to the Hilltop.
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thedragon
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by thedragon on Apr 20, 2024 21:39:25 GMT -5
Williams makes no sense to me. He may have been Louisville’s worst player last year. I understand one year does not make a career. I also get taking former 4 stars but I don’t see the need unless there’s something we don’t know. This feels more like a Cooley 2023 transfer than what we have seen in 2024. All that said I hope he proves me wrong. Welcome to the Hilltop. Depth piece. He was quite good in high school. Nothing wrong with taking a flyer or two on guys further down the pecking order.
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Post by aleutianhoya on Apr 20, 2024 21:48:10 GMT -5
It all just depends what the other reasonable options were. A shooter was an area of clear need. If we didn't have a good read on a top tier shooter, this makes perfect sense. A still young player, with size, that reputationally can shoot, likely didn't require much NIL, and doesn't scare off any of our current players. In some sense, this is an example of the staff perhaps learning from last year and locking in what may be a good growth option rather than swinging for the fences and getting left with really bad options
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daveg023
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,339
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Post by daveg023 on Apr 20, 2024 21:56:15 GMT -5
It all just depends what the other reasonable options were. A shooter was an area of clear need. If we didn't have a good read on a top tier shooter, this makes perfect sense. A still young player, with size, that reputationally can shoot, likely didn't require much NIL, and doesn't scare off any of our current players. In some sense, this is an example of the staff perhaps learning from last year and locking in what may be a good growth option rather than swinging for the fences and getting left with really bad options ^^^ This. Any proven commodity is not going to be attracted to this situation given Mack and Epp’s role and Mulready waiting in the wings. As a bench piece with upside potential, let’s hope we can catch lightning in a bottle. If not, low risk add that didn’t pan out.
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Post by Retro_hoya on Apr 20, 2024 22:12:59 GMT -5
It all just depends what the other reasonable options were. A shooter was an area of clear need. If we didn't have a good read on a top tier shooter, this makes perfect sense. A still young player, with size, that reputationally can shoot, likely didn't require much NIL, and doesn't scare off any of our current players. In some sense, this is an example of the staff perhaps learning from last year and locking in what may be a good growth option rather than swinging for the fences and getting left with really bad options ^^^ This. Any proven commodity is not going to be attracted to this situation given Mack and Epp’s autocorrection.cancel and Mulready waiting in the wings. As a bench piece with upside potential, let’s hope we can catch lightning in a bottle. If not, low risk add that didn’t pan out. Agree that he is a low-risk addition and he might just need a change of scenery. My concern would be if this means we are out on a Clifford Omoruyi / Seydou Traore package as what space is left in the wing group for Traore? (no facts that they are a package, just the apparent timing of a double visit / AAU connection). Don't know much about Traore or Williams, so please correct me if I'm wrong and lots of fuzzy lines on positional "groups" but wanted to map out some sense. Where are we at in terms of depth? Guards: Mack, Epps, Mulready, Curtis Williams, (walk on depth). Wings: Peavey, McKenna, Caleb Williams, ____. Bigs: Cook, Sorber, Fielder, ____. Walk ons, if I recall correctly: Van Raaphorst, Assadalah, Montgomery. Might have forgotten someone. [Edit based on later post quoting Caleb's father, moving Curtis to the guard group. If true then my post is dead wrong as there is still depth needed at wing so a still an opening for combo deal on Omoruyi / Traore. Also notable: Caleb's father is excited about each commitment. I know some here don't love his involvement, but he is here cheering what seems to potentially be increased competition for playing time for his son.]
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thedragon
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Posts: 2,307
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Post by thedragon on Apr 20, 2024 22:28:14 GMT -5
This quote should be on a shirt!
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Post by madmike on Apr 20, 2024 23:30:17 GMT -5
If we can just wake up to omoruyl/traore commit I’d love this off-season. Then again I loved last years off season 🙃
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Post by madmike on Apr 20, 2024 23:31:17 GMT -5
This quote should be on a shirt! No idea who this guy is but love hearing this
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Post by daytonahoya31 on Apr 20, 2024 23:40:33 GMT -5
Williams makes no sense to me. He may have been Louisville’s worst player last year. I understand one year does not make a career. I also get taking former 4 stars but I don’t see the need unless there’s something we don’t know. This feels more like a Cooley 2023 transfer than what we have seen in 2024. All that said I hope he proves me wrong. Welcome to the Hilltop. You can never have enough shooting
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Post by madmike on Apr 20, 2024 23:43:27 GMT -5
Not to be negative but going into the off season all I heard was we need a true pg. A pass first floor leader. Like the mack commit but is he a pg? Seems little like Epps. Little concerned we are a bit better overall but didn’t address a severe need.
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jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,006
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 21, 2024 4:34:17 GMT -5
This quote should be on a shirt! No idea who this guy is but love hearing this Caleb Williams’ father -incoming freshman
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,426
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 21, 2024 4:49:36 GMT -5
Williams makes no sense to me. He may have been Louisville’s worst player last year. I understand one year does not make a career. I also get taking former 4 stars but I don’t see the need unless there’s something we don’t know. This feels more like a Cooley 2023 transfer than what we have seen in 2024. All that said I hope he proves me wrong. Welcome to the Hilltop. He can come off the bench and add size to the backcourt for defensive purposes. At the very least we needed more guard depth. And if he rediscovers his outside shot that is an added bonus. Not every transfer has to be an elite guy who is an automatic starter.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,426
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Post by MCIGuy on Apr 21, 2024 4:51:32 GMT -5
It all just depends what the other reasonable options were. A shooter was an area of clear need. If we didn't have a good read on a top tier shooter, this makes perfect sense. A still young player, with size, that reputationally can shoot, likely didn't require much NIL, and doesn't scare off any of our current players. In some sense, this is an example of the staff perhaps learning from last year and locking in what may be a good growth option rather than swinging for the fences and getting left with really bad options A perfect summation .
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