Is Help Really on the Way??

[BeantownHoya]

I have never personally seen the recruits that are coming aboard, but have obviously read the evaluations from posters on this board as well as recruiting sites. From what I have read it sounds as though the players coming in will certainly improve our backcourt and wing positions.

However is that really where this team is lacking? I mean Sapp and Thornton can come in and avg. double digits in a best case scenario, but we will continue to get killed on the boards. I assume Spann will give us additional help and depth but he is only 6'7'.

Im not going to doubt this staff. I am very pleased with the improvement on this team, but I am also very concerned of the lack of height on this team that has not been addressed at all with the incoming class. I realize there is still the possibilty of a new recruit at the C-PF position, but how realistic are those chances?

If Owens and Wallace receive schollies then obviously there will be no frontcourt help added. If Owens goes or Wallace does not get one we have one left but from what I have read our chances are slim to none to bring anyone with size in that will be of immediate help up front which is what this team desperately needs.

It is unfair to night after night place the burden on Green to be this teams only player on the boards. Even if Hibbert improves and begins to play significant minutes the depth if either is in foul trouble is AKD and Sead. Yikes. I just think we are going to find this program in a similar situation next year. Probably better guard play and added depth on the wings but will continue to get pounded on the boards, poor interior defense, and never getting to the FT line.

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Well if Thornton shoots 9-9 3's every game I don't think it'll matter whether we rebound... ;D

[RBHoya]

Im with you, but I think a key guy were forgetting is Cornelio. I'm really not sure why Coach hasnt played him much this year, but hes a solid 6'9 and a good athlete. At the beginning of the year a lot of people were suggesting that Guibunda could START for us at the 5 spot rather than Roy, but instead we never saw him. Im thinking maybe coach knows something about him that we dont, which is why he recruited 2 guards and 2 SF's. If Cornelio can become a contributor, even if its just as a defender and rebounder, and give some solid minutes out there for Roy and/or Jeff, I think well be ok (considering Amadou and Sead may also be in the fold, thatd give us 3-5 capable big men, which is not great, but decent).

Anyhow, I think Spann is going to be able to crash the boards. I havent seen him play either, but from what I've heard and stuff, I get the feeling that he's going to be a hustle player off the bench, a high energy guy whos gonna be diving on the floor, boxing out, playing pressure defense, and all that good stuff. I think hell really be a spark plug off the bench, if not more.

[nychoya3]

Don't forget Egerson. He is really a wild card among the recruits, but reliable people think he may be the best of the bunch (though Sapp has really stepped up of late.) Moreover, while he's only 6'5'' or so, he is built like truck, and is possibly more muscular today than any of our current players. He may win some serious time at the 3, and help out on the boards.

We have a lot of talent coming in, but I think you're right to worry about the lack of a true, pure frontcourt player. Coach is worried to, based on the fact that he's been invovled with pretty much every big guy in the class that's still available. A couple near misses - Vernon Goodridge and Aboya- hurt us bad. There are still names out there, and if I had to assign a number, I'd bet that it's 50-50 on whether we add another big man to the class. After Saturday, we might be well served to add a juco who can rebound a bit.

A lot will depend on the returning guys. Jeff and Roy particularly need to get stronger on the boards. Roy is a good rebounder already, but some conditioning will help him a lot. I think he could make a huge leap. Brandon is what he is - he's a great player, but he's never going to be a great rebounder.

[][-][ 0 `/ /-\ 5]

I don't think we particualrly need size as much as pure grit, aggression, energy, and the willingness to throw your body around. We need players to have confidence and a strong desire when crashing the boards and while size heps, heart is more important.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

If guibunda is the wild card, I think they must assume they can put twenty pounds on him this off season because he appears to be pretty thin.

[NCHoya]

I am not sure Amadou and Sead will ever be the answer we need in the frontcourt. They are serviceable and I like that Amadou confidently hit two 12 footers against PU and I am confident that Sead can make a jumpshot, but that is not what we need from those positions. We need tough-minded, gritty rebounders that can end possessions for the other team.

Next year we will be carried by whatever improvements Green and Roy make, which I expect to be significant, but I am also hoping that Spann or Egerson can provide us a spark to batte for rebounds. I know nothing about Guibunda, but given his complete lack of playing time is it safe to say he is a total liability on offense?

[SirSaxa]

RE: Guibunda.
If in the biggest game of the year when T3 was DESPERATE for depth, he went to AKD and Sead while keeping Guibunda on the bench.... well, that doesn't make me feel confident that he will make any kind of contribution next year whatsoever.

[NCHoya]

I took a look on rivals, does anyone know the deal with DeAndre Thomas, he is a 6'8" 300 pounder in 2005 class?

We are on his radar, does anyone know more. He would seem to fit the bill of a very big, broad guy that may be able to occupy some bodies while Green does his work on the inside.

[jerseyhoya34]

I think a lot of people increased our expectations of Cornelio but there are some things that perhaps were overlooked in their initial evaluations.

I have a lot of confidence in JT3's ability to identify who can play this level of basketball and who can fit within the system. Right now, I think he knows that he has, at most, 3 guys who are ready to do so this season.

So, he needed help at all spots with the recruiting, and we're going to get a lot of help at the guard spots and we'll get some help at the wings with Spann and Egerson.

Now, I agree with everyone who says we need another big for next season. If there is something that we should realize, it is that this staff recruits full speed ahead, and they're hot on the trail of prospects who can play in the post at the BE level. Remember, it does us no good to rush into offering a scholarship to a player with size if he can't give us anything.

We'll see how it shakes out, but it would have been nice to get a commitment during the fall or winter for this spot.

[Cambridge]

I've never seen any of the kids play...but I have followed what people like Ron and Carlos on hoyareport have said, as well as reports from other, less reliable sources. For what it's worth, here is my general impression of each of our incoming freshmen.

Tay Spann is a long, Bobo-like player who is our highest ranked player coming in. He is all arms and legs. Dribble drives effectively and has a good jump shot. Like Bobo, he will thrive when presented with mismatches at the SF position. For what it's worth, he was a McD finalist and is generally regarded as the best player from his region - the South. An injury sidelined him for much of last summer and he missed out on many of the AAU events which dipped his stock quite a bit. He has absolutley destroyed his senior season however, and many experts feel like we got a big steal.

Jesse Sapp is a New York guard. Bulldog build with explosive power. He has a nice jumper and range. He is probably the second highest ranked recruit...for what that's worth. Many, many people think -- again, we'll see if it pans out -- that Sapp will provide the penetration and tough nosed guard play that so many of us have been pining for.

Josh Thornton is a long, Tony Bethel-built player from DE. He is a shooter with deeeeeeeep range. However, he has a good handle and can jump out of the gym. Some videos of his dunks are VERY impressive. Dangerous scorer in high school, nice shooting touch...the question is will his game translate?

Marc Egerson is a dark horse. Due to academic problems he prepped this year, so he is unranked and was underrecruited. When he was a senior in high school he was regarded as a top 100 recruit. In his junior and senior year in high school he was Mr. Basketball for DE. He has a man's body and is a tall, very very strong SG/SF. Think Crawford after three years in the gym on a diet of creatine and bench presses. However, he is also reputed to absolutely fly to the rack and has a quick first step. There were videos of him dunking on DEprep.com that made my jaw hit the floor. He is regarded as a huge steal by most analysts.

[Air Jordan]

Yes, help is on the way as I have stated recently I have seen all the players play except for Spann. But from reports I hear he is going to be really good. Nextyear we will have a deeper bench but not just gym bodies, but with guys with talent. I think this whole incoming class is underrated, but that is cool so was Micheal Jordan coming into college. I think all four of these guys can contribute right away. I think Sapp will run the point nextyear and Thorton will be a 2. I see the current team being alot different next year. The only two people that I believe have a solid spot for starting is Bowman, and Green of course, but the rest I believe if they start their minutes will be affected heavily. This incoming class is going to be solid, I have seen with my own eyes, much more athletic that what we have now. Just hope the transition is not hard.

[RDF]

Not only is help on the way with this class, it's going to only get better as GU Staff has been really busting their tails to get involved and active with the level of recruits the program needs to get back among the elite and challenging for Big East and National Championships. Now it's not going to happen overnight, but the group signed this year is very UNDERRATED and players like Spann, Sapp, and Egerson are much better than advertised. Thornton is a known commodity but what they all bring that is lacking right now among Hoyas as a team physical play and toughness. These kids aren't afraid to get after it and want the ball and to make plays.

Spann is a better rebounder, ball handler, and passer than Bowman but not as tall. Where Brandon is 6'8, I'd say Spann is 6'6-6'7. He can defend low on blocks because he has long arms and strong frame. He showed very well against Dwight Howard when they played and he's faced excellent competition in Georgia with his district/league being toughest in the State.
He was getting looks from North Carolina, Louisville, and many others before getting injured and missing AAU and Summer Camp season.

Sapp was getting heavy interest from UConn prior to his commitment to Hoyas. He is built like Ben Gordon and has some similarities in his game but not quite the shooter Ben was coming out. Sapp has only played organized ball for 3 years though and he's known to be a physical defender, good ball handler, and able to get wherever he wants on the court.

Egerson is built and plays like former DC High School and Temple Product David Hawkins. Very physical and explosive, he's tough on boards and has a nice post up game and slashes to the hole very strong. Good defender too.

Thornton's most known recruit and he's a great shooter from deep but has expanded his game since getting healthier. He had a knee injury his JR season. He's originally from NYC as well but moved around a lot due to family--father is a Military Man I believe.

All of these kids have had great SR seasons and will see significant playing time next season. They will bring a toughness and willingness to get after it on both ends that we've not had in a while. Main thing is they are athletic BUT also good basketball players. Talent is what is needed and GU Staff has shown a nice eye for identifying it. Now the next step is to get some of the big time recruits which local areas are LOADED with in next 3-4 HS Classes. Mix in a few big time National Recruits and GU will be involved with who's who of players. It all starts with recruiting and Hoyas are mentioned with more players than I can remember. Next step is landing them, but I have no doubt it will happen as the Staff is getting great feedback from recruits and GU is becoming a hot name again on recruiting trail which it hasn't been a longtime.

As for Guibunda, who really knows??? But I'm not surprised considering he didn't even get mentioned when the returning players were asked who had impressed them and will contribute to team in their FR season. Everyone BUT him was named. He also didn't do himself favors by skipping out playing in Kenner when he had opportunities. This is big time basketball and the program is setting goals high again which means you better show up with idea of playing, getting better, and working on your game, not just doing what you want.

[EasyEd]

I agree with Beantown. We need a good big man badly.

[RaleighHoya]

I would be shocked if Cornelio is on the team next year. If he is, I will bet the house he see's almost no playing time.

**If this post is against the rules feel free to pull**

[SFHoya99]

Re: rebounding and the recruits.

Just a couple of points I wanted to bring up. Looking at the recruits as is, people are right in saying that we don't really have 4/5 recruit for next year. Yes, we are on Uche Echefu and DeAndre Thomas, but so are Illinois, Kansas, UNC, etc., so while they are spectacular players...

Anyway, Spann is going to play some 4/5 next year. Jeff's played most of the year at the 5, such as it is, and Brandon has played most at the 4. Brandon's a true 3 and Jeff's a 3/4, as Spann supposedly is.

So minimally, you've got some rebounded when Jeff and Roy are in foul trouble.

But we all know that that really hasn't been the trouble with rebounding. No matter who is in, it's an issue.

So how does it get solved?

1) Roy needs to step up all aspects of his game. Rebounding, but also everything else, so that it pays to keep him on the floor

2) If the perimeter defense can improve (Sapp, Thornton, Egerson and returnees), we can a) get away from zone, which makes it hard to box out and b) not give up easy penetration which makes Jeff and Roy leave the basket area to stop the driving guard.

3) Everybody practices rebounding. That Tom Izzo drill -- football pads and all -- would be a good start.

[lichoya68]

re cornelio ... i agree that he didnot help him self at all by not being at more than two or three kenner league games.. and also jt3 did say at the begininning of the summer that he gave each player stuff to work on ....and come practice time and game time .... hed evaluate how well they did what he asked.. now assuming cornelio had some talent.. i assume that he did not do what jt3 asked... but i quess we have to wait to see what the story is.. but... i do believe help is on the way.. go hoyas.. and then beat the hall .. and then maybe uconn.... what the heck ;D ;D ;D

[idhoya]

Deandre Thomas is a man !! The people I've talked to say he can't be rooted out of the post. forget it. He reportedly has great hands, feet and b-ball skills. He's effective in the high post as well, but knows where his meat and potatoes are. He's prob closer to 6'6 than 6'8, but is close to 300 lbs. He's getting looks from Kansas and Illinois, so you know he's a big timer. I've talked to a kid who played ball against him in high school and he says he's got so many moves and he's very strong. Plays at Westinghouse, a Chicago public league school on the west side, so you also know his comp is stiff. Would be a great get for the program, especially at this stage in the '05 recruiting game.

As for the recruits, the one thing I keep hearing in reference to all of them is that they're great defenders. Lock down defenders! Thorton the shooter, Spann the athlete, Egerson the bull, Sapp the bulldog.

[SirSaxa]

idhoya said:

As for the recruits, the one thing I keep hearing in reference to all of them is that they're great defenders. Lock down defenders! Thorton the shooter, Spann the athlete, Egerson the bull, Sapp the bulldog.

Now THAT sounds like Georgetown!

And Thomas sounds like a Sweetney.
Get him to talk to MIKE!