Evaluation of the NewComers

[aggypryd]

Very happy with the energy from Macklin, Summers, Ewing, and Rivers. Still looks like they're thinking too much out on offense, but they were plenty aggressive on the boards and on defense. Wish Mack would have finished on that put-back, but it was a sweet attempt.

I am the epitome of pessimism, but I think we're going to be really good this season.

Gotta become more crisp on offense.

A very very talented bunch. Hope we can put it all together.

If Carolina is the number 2 team in the country, then we need to come up with a better polling system for college basketball. They were able to out-talent Winthrop down the stretch. Other than that, they looked really REGULAR.

[BubbleVisionBiff]

the impressive thing to me was that they each settled down as the game wore on and were able to contribute. Same for Luv, who was a defensive force throughout but then found some offensive opportunites in the second half, including a couple of board/putbacks that would have been swatted last year.

The quality of the opponents the next 3 of 5 will really help our young guys. Very excited about that.

[EasyEd]

I was impressed with the athleticism and the handle of Macklin and his hook was great. Rivers seemed to have lost that deer in the headlight look of the Hartford game - at least, almost lost it. Summers did not show me much. PE, Jr. is fun to watch and looks like he will get playing time. Also, I have been surprised with Marc' handle.

[JohnJacquesLayup]

This was the first time I saw the new guys play, and was pleased overall. From other posters' reactions to the first game, and Kenner recaps, I think I was pretty surprised last night. The following is based on only one game thus far, but that's what we're all going off of anyway . . .

Rivers is ready to spell Sapp or Wallace for a few minutes at a time already, and his confidence will only get better. Liked his defense and he had a nice break away slam. Pretty confident for his second game, and I expect him to stay in the rotation this year and next despite the influx of top guards.

Macklin was a better ball handler than I expected. I'd like to see him be one of the first off the bench for Hibbs. I think he'd fit in well with the starters, he's just not good enough yet (after two games) to be a leader.

Ewing Jr. turned it on as the game progressed. I expect to see some more great defense and energy, with some highlight dunks. His long range jumper did surprise me, and I'll take a couple of those a game for sure. Opponents will HATE him, which makes me smile.

Summers had a tough night, but I expect him to settle down. I think JTIII's cautious optimism with him was accurate. Let the guy come along at a reasonable pace and he'll be very good. I think I remember him bricking a couple shots and biting on pump fakes, but he wasn't horrible.

Good to see that with most of these guys playing big first half minutes with Jeff on the bench, and Wallace out with cramps, that we didn't completely blow the lead. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think we had three freshmen in together in the first half.

[aggypryd]

I like Summers' athleticism. I think he got frustrated a few times and tried to make things happen off the dribble, but I love his potential.

Jeremiah has to 'Pretty-Up' that free throw, but I enjoyed his defense.

Mack and Pat are just two people you have to find a way to get them onto the court. Too much energy and potential to just leave on the bench.

PEJr might me the best Hype-Man since Too Big M.C....

[NJHoya95]

I haven't seen a game yet, but I would expect to see some improvement out of all of them as the season goes on. It wasn't until the second half of the year that Sapp really started to play well. Let's hope the same kind of improvement is seen with these new guys.

[Ro]

I was very impressed with Macklin's play. I'm looking forward to seeing him progress and then see what he can really do when the BET starts and then the NCAAs. He has the build, athleticism and skills to develop into a Noah-type player for us. Hopefully it begins to happen toward the end of this season, but he's the real deal.

[FOTP]

It hit me last night in a flash....the difference between this team and last years team is that when Roy/Jeff get in foul trouble we bring in a McDonald's all american off the bench and PE Jr as well.

As much as I loved Amadou I'd say that's a wee bit of an upgrade.

Our talent level is up there now with the best teams and only getting better.

Enjoy the ride...not going to predict we win the whole thing, but I firmly believe we have the talent level to win it all. Nice feeling.

[hoyaboy1]

I think that Summers, Macklin, and Ewing will play pretty consistently. I'm not sure that Rivers will get minutes in big games with Crawford back - his total lack of an outside shot is a major handicap.

[HealyHoya]

johnjacqueslayup said:

This was the first time I saw the new guys play, and was pleased overall. From other posters' reactions to the first game, and Kenner recaps, I think I was pretty surprised last night. The following is based on only one game thus far, but that's what we're all going off of anyway . . .

Rivers is ready to spell Sapp or Wallace for a few minutes at a time already, and his confidence will only get better. Liked his defense and he had a nice break away slam. Pretty confident for his second game, and I expect him to stay in the rotation this year and next despite the influx of top guards.

Maybe it's just me...but Rivers seemed to have that "this game is mving a half-step too fast for me" look last night. I like the steal/dunk but he seemed unsure of his handle. Don't get me wrong, he's got the talent, IQ and grit but...I'd put him last in ranking the freshman right now.

With Wallace on the bench, I think Sapp, not Rivers, runs the point.

[hoyasexy]

Let's just say that I would not feel terribly comfortable with Rivers at the free throw line in crunch time. I think he's been practicing on a court with a 17 foot lane.

[IlladelpHoya]

One thing I noted about Vern and Ewing Jr. is that they are ALWAYS up at the rim on both sides of the court. Roy's a big man and he gets his boards, but let's face it ... many of those boards drop down into his hands. VM and PEJr are springing to the net after every shot. It's a dimension to our game that we haven't had in awhile. Green has the ability to do this too, but he's generally out at the perimeter.

I'm very happy w/ what I saw from the young'ens. Remember, it's game 2 and this is a difficult system to learn. I feel pretty good about these guys being ready to attack the boards and box out Gray and Hasbeet in Feb/March next year.

[ichirohoya]

Macklin and PE2's play last night shot a big hole through the "Georgetown lacks depth" comment by the commentators. As they get more and more comfortable- we'll look less and less helpless if/when Roy and Jeff arent able to be on the floor.

[hchoya]

aggypryd, if you say that UNC was just REGULAR because of the way they played Winthrop don't you think that anyone could say the same thing about us and hoe we played against Hartford? I would think so.... not a sermon just a thought

[HoyaSinceBirth]

yes they could and they have. the point of the UNC game jsut proves that no one is invincible. The kansas loss showed that as well. This is anyone's title for the taking at this point in the season. There's a lot more parity in basketball now folks. Too much skill to go around. I'm calling it right now that neither Florida, UNC, or kansas will win the Title this year.

[OldHoyafan]

This was my first look at the newcomers and you can't help but get excited about Macklin, Ewing and Summers. They are all talented with Summers having that something special, that hopefully will takeover Green's role on this team when he leaves.
Rivers reminds me of Wallace in his freshmen year minus the jump shot. He needs to develope a reliable midrange jumper.

Question for the board. On the front page they have O. Spann listed as a freshman. What's up with that? and Whats the thought on why he is not getting much PT. He seems to have a good handle and junps well.

[aggypryd]

hchoya said:

aggypryd, if you say that UNC was just REGULAR because of the way they played Winthrop don't you think that anyone could say the same thing about us and hoe we played against Hartford? I would think so.... not a sermon just a thought

but I never claimed the Hoyas to be World-Beaters...

I knew they had talent, but most of my posts have been on the "guarded optimism" side of the discussion.

But certain announcers had annointed this Carolina squad the National Champions for this season...and I just don't see it. They looked very REGULAR against a team they should have dominated. Granted, the Heels did lose to Santa Clara two years ago, but we all knew that that squad was going to be a BEAST.

This year's Carolina squad? Just don't know yet...

[hoyanick]

Spann, unfortunately, is the main victim of the current juggernaut that is the Hoyas frontcourt. If he had been recruited with Sead and Causey, he would probably have started his freshman year. Now, he is on the bench with Sead and Izzo.

He seems like a steady player, but his skills are a bit too pedestrian when sitting next to an All-American Macklin, a Patrick Ewing (jr.), and a versatile man-child like Summers.

[sleepyjackson21]

Winthrop is a really solid team. It seems like they go to the NCAA's virtually every year. Granted they play in a very weak conference but they are certainly no fluke. On a neutral floor i'd have to think Winthrop is right there with Vanderbilt. Maybe not a favorite but a slight dog at the very worst.

[lichoya68]

newcomers all are great and ready to play yup go hoyas go hoya babies... one and all ;D ;D ;D