GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Mar 25, 2008 9:54:58 GMT -5
I'm probably the biggest freshman-hater on this board and if Monroe is anything close to his 900 highlight reels on Rivals and youtube, he's one of the best players in the Big East next year. Are you sure his handle isn't too loose? Hmmm I'll say I'm worried about his...position defense...or something. So let's slow down on this guy, he'll be...ah forget it. You got me Greg Monroe, you got me. I'll be shocked if you're not good Day 1.
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Post by strummer8526 on Mar 25, 2008 10:39:48 GMT -5
Are you sure his handle isn't too loose? Hmmm I'll say I'm worried about his...position defense...or something. So let's slow down on this guy, he'll be...ah forget it. You got me Greg Monroe, you got me. I'll be shocked if you're not good Day 1. How about his free throw offense? Or whatever that nonsense during the Alabama game was.
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RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Mar 25, 2008 11:28:23 GMT -5
It'll be a different team to judge for a lot of reasons.
1. Some fans will still hold the romanticism of the "no name recruits" making the program relative again.
2. Some fans will be expecting to see the same style of play we've seen for 4 seasons and not recognize the differences.
3. Some fans will be pleasantly surprised with how good of a defensive team next year the Hoyas will be. For instance-Monroe/Sims shot blocking element will allow Vernon Macklin to be up top hedging/harrassing. Did you see his defense on Curry in First Half? That was beyond impressive for a 6'10 guy--he was quicker then Curry, gave him space to shoot and then blocked the shot. Now imagine that with a guy like Monroe back to protect the rim--and if you haven't seen him block shots--he's easily the most natural shot blocker Hoyas have had since Mourning--not that he'll be the same type of defensive force--but the kid is a natural at blocking shots-he has soft hands and keeps ball in play--and knack for not coming close to fouling. Said it before--will say it again--left handed post players have an advantage in blocking shots.
4. Chris Wright factor--the two plays that signify the change about to happen for Hoya basketball--Wright pushing ball in BET--and finding Roy for an easy dunk against WVU. Wright pushing ball against Davidson--finding Macklin for an easy dunk. Easy points on transition plays/created by defensive stops.
5. Increased team speed/quickness. This will help on defense, it will help on offense, it will help getting to loose balls, it will help in team rebounding. When the ball goes up anywhere--be it in your "area" or out of "area"-the Hoyas have a legit shot of getting the ball--Monroe, Braswell, Sims, Summers, Wright, Sapp, Clark, Rivers, Freeman all can get rebounds. Macklin can-but I think he will be able to play a lot differently with additional help/size-and be more active--not less. I thought Vern had a strong postseason and provided what was missing--problem with Davidson game wasn't Vern--it was Roy didn't get to play much and didn't produce his average--if he does--we see GU moving on with an 8-10 point win.
6. Versatility. The difference for most fans/opposing teams next year--adjusting to how the Hoyas can play/versatility of bigs. Monroe isn't a great shooter yet--but he will improve. He's good enough to take a foul line jumper facing up--but also strong enough with ball to take his man off the dribble and either finish/draw and kick like a guard or make a strong entry feed to teammate down low. Sims can hit shots to 3pt line--and at 6'11 he is a strong passer from high post--to Monroe or Braswell who are good post players on block, although Monroe has quicker moves on block/potential to be a stronger finisher. Braswell is vastly underrated--but I'm just not counting on him for '09 until we know he's qualified.
7. Better Spacing will help a better passing/ball handling team. Difference between this year and next--if you get pressed--your guards can throw to a 6'10 kid in middle of press--who can turn and attack a press by leading break--Monroe is a fantastic passer/strong enough ball handler he can lead a break off a missed shot or shot he blocks--so imagine him in middle if being pressed with Summers/Freeman on wings--or Henry or Macklin--who is also a fine passer for a big. When you have 6'10 kids who can pass--that is a WEAPON not seen in CBB much. Wright is a one man press breaker, Sapp is strongest returning ball handler--and seems to feed off the style of play we'll see from team next year--and showed more of in '07 season.
8. Spacing on court-when you have guys who can pass--and I left out Nikita--who according to III and everyone I've talked to is a strong shooter/passer--that is a versatile team who can pass/shoot/will ADD athleticism. What's not to like? Inexperience but give me talent over experience. If you can blend both--great, and the key is having guys like Sapp, Summers, Rivers, Macklin, and Freeman who played an entire season together--help the younger guys--but also they'll benefit from the skills the younger guys have.
Just think so many fans keep thinking of RECENT past when Pops would have a good team for a year and then be mediocre due to marginal recruiting--the recruiting is lifeblood of a program--you can't win a BE, BET, or National Title without talent. Now it doesn't have to be a team full of McDonald's All Americans-but you better have kids who can play--which Hoyas do. I just view the recent run as a beginning-because in my years watching basketball, this is first time since Ewing's 4 years--I know Hoyas will have a loaded roster of talent and re-load--not hoping for some guys to emerge--they are loaded with talent-just a matter of how quickly they can blend their game and adjust to next level. Either way--it's going to be fun watching them play/grow and the schedule is going to be challenging as we know Hoyas are facing Duke and Memphis at Verizon in non conference for certain--and who knows who else is on the schedule. I'd like to see Davidson scheduled for a little payback--but that is just the bitter fan in me.
'09 isn't time to be skeptical-it's time to get excited as things are about to get scary on the Hilltop--for OTHER TEAMS.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Mar 25, 2008 12:03:14 GMT -5
4. Chris Wright factor--the two plays that signify the change about to happen for Hoya basketball--Wright pushing ball in BET--and finding Roy for an easy dunk against WVU. Wright pushing ball against Davidson--finding Macklin for an easy dunk. Easy points on transition plays/created by defensive stops. I forget which game it was, but I loved that play where Wright was going left to right at the top of the three point line and does a half-lob type of pass over the defense to Roy, who was going down the lane and ended up dunking it. That's what I'm looking forward to next year.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Mar 25, 2008 12:43:03 GMT -5
4. Chris Wright factor--the two plays that signify the change about to happen for Hoya basketball--Wright pushing ball in BET--and finding Roy for an easy dunk against WVU. Wright pushing ball against Davidson--finding Macklin for an easy dunk. Easy points on transition plays/created by defensive stops. I forget which game it was, but I loved that play where Wright was going left to right at the top of the three point line and does a half-lob type of pass over the defense to Roy, who was going down the lane and ended up dunking it. That's what I'm looking forward to next year. That was against WVU in BET Semis--the play described above.
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GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GIGAFAN99 on Mar 25, 2008 13:37:25 GMT -5
re: macklin--even in his "good" games, has anyone actually thought he looked like a serious player? i find myself wincing when he has the ball in his hands and any made free throw feels like mannah from heaven. not to mention the standard 2-3 wild block attempts per game resulting in 2 free throws each. he's awkward, his confidence swings wildly from set to set (and he has a tendancy to try to do way too much, particularly passing, after doing anything good) and his shot generally looks like it's being made by a man with no fingers. his good offensive games (i count three) result from wide open dishes and managing to shoot free throws as well as 80% of the guys at the local YMCA. i think he's a good shot blocker but that's it. i hate to be so critical of someone who is obviously a great kid and a hard worker, but the talent and atheticism simply isnt there (MCD AA or not). truly athletic 6-10 kids tend to dunk the ball, even in traffic. my MPG chart for next year assuming braswell is eligible (OK, my dream MPG since vern will undoubtedly get more minutes than this (starters listed first)): 5--Monroe (15) Braswell (13) Sims (7) Macklin (5) 4--Summers (13) Sims (11) Monroe (8) Braswell (5) Macklin (3) 3--Freeman (19) Summers (18) Monroe (3) 1 & 2 (interchangeable)--Sapp (26) Wright (26) Clark (16) Freeman (7) Rivers (5) 1 Wright 30 Rivers 10 2 Sapp 28 Freeman 10 Rivers 2 3 Summers 20 Freeman 20 4 Monroe 18 Summers 12 Sims 10 5 Macklin 28 Monroe 12 Who starts? Wright, Sapp, Freeman, Summers, and Macklin. Monroe is in at the first horn. Speculation doesn't get much earlier and inaccurate than this.
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