calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 17, 2024 16:36:29 GMT -5
Actually there more more than three dozen in the portal -- many more. For a program with supposed exemplary NIL, we definitely should've been able to land one. Right, but nobody wants the stiff center who was a project at a low-major or even a mid-major. We already have Sorber/Fielder, both of whom have a lot of potential. Getting someone who is not as good as those two (arguably, Cook would be in that category too given his defensive woes) makes no sense unless it's purely a depth play (which most guys are not okay with). We need a very specific type of center to help us, and they do not grow on trees. To be fair, I am not trying to make excuses for the staff. I wanted them to have a good center locked down already, and hoping they pull someone out of their hat. But the idea that there were three dozen + guys we could have easily recruited/landed makes no sense. As I said, (1) it's not just a matter of getting a center, they need skills/athleticism, (2) some candidates will see Fielder/Sorber and will be worried about playing time and wouldn't come, and (3) some of them simply would never come to Georgetown for whatever reason (wanting to be close to home, not liking Georgetown, wanting to go to a bigger school, not liking DC, there are a lot of reasons). Unless we pull an unexpected big, my guess is that Cook ultimately stays, and we go into next year with Sorber/Fielder/Cook. Agree. The first year of the Cooley tenure was a major disappointment. That said he cannot be blamed for everything. Effort has not seemingly been a problem. Instead I suspect the biggest problem is that Cooley oversold the expectations and then discovered that despite the offer of playing time and NIL monies, there are not that many quality posts who are eager to spend their limited remaining eligibility on a team that is not even close to a tourney bid and on which there will be a highly touted Freshman post and a touted returning sophomore post, both of whom will expect playing time.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 16, 2024 12:20:27 GMT -5
I thought it was reported that both sides are open to Cook possibly returning even before we whiffed on multiple other Cs. I prefer not to have that scenario and we already have seen that these insiders don't really know anything or nothing is working out so that may not even be the case. There are still some good 4s that can easily play both like Brazile, Hawkins, Mitchell or Toppin. I haven't seen much about Brazile or Toppin recruiting but I don't follow it closely. Overall my point is there are still some options but he needs to make something happen soon. Toppin would be perfect, he’s an outstanding player on both ends and blocks a ton of shots. He’s also expected to play somewhere in Texas unfortunately. I could also see him staying in the draft—he’s that level a talent. JT Toppin has done very well this week at the NBA combine. A friend of mine with close connections to the New Mexico program says Toppin is either staying in the draft or going to Texas or Texas Tech to be closer to home.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 15, 2024 14:44:51 GMT -5
Cooley may have seriously miscalculated the challenge of rebuilding a program with 4 BE conference wins in three years. It's been relaxing not being on the recruiting roller coaster for the past several months, but I do feel sorry for the diehards of the program who did not take a break. With other programs able to pay large sums of NIL monies, the fact that the Hoyas can spend with the best does nothing to separate us from the pack when other schools can offer talented kids the opportunity to play in postseason and before crowded arenas, while Georgetown can offer neither at this time. Playing home games on days and times that are not conducive to attracting a crowd is not a good selling point. For next year, it seems that the Hoyas could still use another quality shooter in addition to the oft-mentioned center. But just recruiting a body in the post and possibly stifling the development of Sorber and Fielder makes no sense to me. I think that Cooley has done a fairly good job in the portal of recruiting potential, rather than proven players. Mack may be the exception but I would like to see how he fares in the BE first. Now, if Cooley is the coach we hope that he is, then he has to be able to develop the potential-- certainly more so than last year. Still hopeful but cautiously so. Peavy is a proven player too and a very good add. Would be nice to add another older proven player preferable at center but I don't see that happening. Maybe another experienced PF since there seems to be more of them still out there. Outside Mack and Epps we have good size so getting a true center may not be a death sentence if we can get another long experienced 4 that is good on D. You are right about Peavy. Was not checking in regularly when he came on board. He actually is more proven at the high major level than Mack.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 15, 2024 13:34:36 GMT -5
Cooley may have seriously miscalculated the challenge of rebuilding a program with 4 BE conference wins in three years. It's been relaxing not being on the recruiting roller coaster for the past several months, but I do feel sorry for the diehards of the program who did not take a break. With other programs able to pay large sums of NIL monies, the fact that the Hoyas can spend with the best does nothing to separate us from the pack when other schools can offer talented kids the opportunity to play in postseason and before crowded arenas, while Georgetown can offer neither at this time. Playing home games on days and times that are not conducive to attracting a crowd is not a good selling point.
For next year, it seems that the Hoyas could still use another quality shooter in addition to the oft-mentioned center. But just recruiting a body in the post and possibly stifling the development of Sorber and Fielder makes no sense to me. I think that Cooley has done a fairly good job in the portal of recruiting potential, rather than proven players. Mack may be the exception but I would like to see how he fares in the BE first. Now, if Cooley is the coach we hope that he is, then he has to be able to develop the potential-- certainly more so than last year. Still hopeful but cautiously so.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 10, 2024 10:19:50 GMT -5
Last year was a wash in my opinion. Cooley clearly didn't have enough time to put together a cohesive unit and it showed. This year is the real test. He's had more than enough time to recruit the kind of players he likes and who can at least make us respectable next year. What is respectable? Well like beauty it's in the eye of the beholder. In my mind it is at least 8 BE wins and an NIT invitation. Also maybe an upset of a nationally ranked team (UConn?). Ewing made the NIT in his second year with the McClung, Akinjo and LeBlanc team. Like Cooley his first year he did not have time to put together a full recruiting class of his kids. In many respects Cooley's job is harder given that the Hoyas have now been a consistently bad program for several years and this makes it harder to recruit elite players. However, Cooley's job is also easier in that he can utilize the transfer portal and NIL to recruit his team--two tools that Ewing did not have. As for respectability next year, given Cooley's prior experience as a head coach, I think a season with a winning record--even 16-15--and 7-8 wins in the BE is a major step in the right direction. Not so sure that the NIT will be in reach yet. More importantly though is going to be how the team progresses from November to February. Always felt the true measure of a coach is whether the team improves over the course of the year, something which did not happen this year.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 10, 2024 7:02:04 GMT -5
Lost in all the misery of the past several years is the fact that the Hoyas have had some "class acts" on this team who were never a distraction and served as the model of what student athlete used to mean. Ryan is at the top of that list. Not easy to sit on the bench year after year and stay positive, but I never saw his head down and he was always on his feet cheering for teammates.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 9, 2024 16:18:11 GMT -5
What?! …”he's listed as a guard on the team's official roster, at 6-9”…He is super-athletic. I think he has also been listed as a SF. Kentucky used him as a reserve 4, and 4 is where I expect we will see him. That he wants to play such great defense is great news for us. I thought I read that Kentucky had used him as a reserve post when the three bigs were all out and then seldom thereafter. My understanding is that his wingspan enabled him to play post and the real issue there may be his slight frame against bigger stronger posts.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 8, 2024 12:31:18 GMT -5
I am glad the staff was able to get Burks on board! Good add with a lot of potential. Now we need a center. AND at least one more perimeter shooter--not a scorer like Epps, but someone who can hit 3s at a 38+% rate. I get the need for a post who can defend, but we still need a consistent deep threat.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 8, 2024 11:39:53 GMT -5
Another interesting pick like Styles was last year. Kid was a 3 star (Styles was a 4 star) recruited late to Kentucky and did not get much playing time last year as he was listed as a backup post playing behind 3 seven footers. Given the number of open spots the Hoyas have it seems like a low risk and potentially high reward signing.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on May 7, 2024 9:53:59 GMT -5
Have been following the back and forth but not posting as I recover from a very disappointing year. Had to weigh in on the thought that the Hoyas can succeed next year with a small ball lineup. While Nova and others have done quite well without a big dominant post, in each instance the key to success was quality perimeter shooters. Not certain I see who that will be on this team next year: Mack--perhaps. Can Epps convert from a volume shooter and hit 35% from deep? Not certain that you can rely upon two smallish guards as your best shooters. Peavy has never been a high percentage perimeter shooter. The freshmen? Fielder can hit from deep but can you afford to have him away from the basket with a small team? Have no answers, just questions.
Cooley is really going to be challenged to put together a team capable of playing decent basketball at both ends of the court. He was not my first choice for the position, but after enduring more years than we should with a completely inexperienced coach I am all in on giving Cooley the opportunity to see if he can turn this around, particularly since he has done it before even if it was during a different era of college basketball.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Apr 30, 2024 17:40:19 GMT -5
This is the type of player I'd like to see added to the frontcourt, I'd take all the skilled players who want to sign up. This is one player who would be worth spending NIL dollars on. He is athletic, can hit the 3, has a non-stop motor and is only a sophomore. Saw him play several times this year in the MW against my Aztecs, and the upside is enormous. Only downside is that he cannot hit FTs and is likely gone after next year if he continues to progress. Still would think that Midwest schools have the best shot here because it is close to Texas home.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Mar 25, 2024 14:29:40 GMT -5
No surprise about Mashburn, Jr. leaving New Mexico. He is a 5th year and while he has a very nice mid-range shot, overall his shooting was poor this year. Suffered a wrist injury early on and it seemed to impact him all year. Not a PG and undersized at 6'. Dent would be another story. Saw him play in person against the Aztecs twice (the third time he was sick and barely played) and against Colorado State and Boise State at the MW tournament. The kid needs to work on his outside shot, but his ballhandling is very good and his ability to get to the basket is also top-knotch. He is an assist-oriented kid who does not hunt his shot. A true PG and while only 6' 2" would be a very good pick up for any team needing a true PG. He was 2022 California Mr. Basketball and John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year. For some reason does not appear to have been heavily recruited outside the West. Played for Pitino Jr for 4 years so it is a bit of a surprise that he followed him and decided to leave in the 5th year unless Pitino Jr isn't gonna be the coach there. Dent and Toppin have been rumored to be portalling by Trilly for awhile. Toppin is someone who might get 7 figures in the portal. He is close to being an NBA first round pick now on potential. There are some rumors about Pitino leaving and he had a good season but it is not as if he has been a wild success so far. New Mexico finished 6th in the MWC this year though I think he has them on the right track. I think another explanation is that the Lobos were hurt this year when they played teams with bigger guards (Clemson, Boise State, UNLV) and Pitino was fairly clear according to friends of my wife (a proud alum) who are very close to the program, that he planned to get bigger at the guard position next year. Toppin is very good, but clearly still a year away from even thinking about the NBA. He is out of Texas and I could see him getting the money and playing closer to home at a high major Texas school if that is what he wants. It will be interesting though as New Mexico supposedly has a pretty good NIL fundraising arm, as well as 15,000 rabid fans at almost every game and I would not see either Toppin or Dent leaving for another mid-major or a high major which is not already close to being a tournament contender. All that said if either Dent or Toppin would even look at the Hoyas, I would jump at it. A true quality PG and a 6'9" powr forward who can hit his shots, except at the FT line, would be welcome additions.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Mar 25, 2024 13:21:03 GMT -5
First unexpected name in Jamal Mashburn Jr. Also it expected that Donovan Dent will go in also. There a gonna be a few options available out here. No surprise about Mashburn, Jr. leaving New Mexico. He is a 5th year and while he has a very nice mid-range shot, overall his shooting was poor this year. Suffered a wrist injury early on and it seemed to impact him all year. Not a PG and undersized at 6'. Dent would be another story. Saw him play in person against the Aztecs twice (the third time he was sick and barely played) and against Colorado State and Boise State at the MW tournament. The kid needs to work on his outside shot, but his ballhandling is very good and his ability to get to the basket is also top-knotch. He is an assist-oriented kid who does not hunt his shot. A true PG and while only 6' 2" would be a very good pick up for any team needing a true PG. He was 2022 California Mr. Basketball and John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year. For some reason does not appear to have been heavily recruited outside the West.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 29, 2024 18:37:22 GMT -5
Another crushing defeat for the Hoyas. I, too, was upset at the careless TO from Heath with the game on the line, but to be honest while his TO and foul came at the worst possible time, the game was filled with enough mistakes by the entire team to justify more widespread criticism than just one kid.
I do not see Epps as a reincarnation of Primo, but he does hurt the team when he gets too ball dominant--even when he is hitting his shots.
Maybe I missed something at the outset but why was Fielder not used more in this game? Won't win any remaining games without Styles and Heath contributing more on offense. Not sure they are going to change much on defense. Critical misses at the FT line come back to haunt this team again. In addition to another post and a ballhandler hoping the new arrivals next year can shoot better or at least more consistently than this crew.
Attended the game of my wife's alma mater--New Mexico v. Nevada--last night in Albuquerque and aside from realizing just how strong the Mountain West is this year, it was amazing to see and hear the "hate" still directed at Steve Alford a decade after he bolted for UCLA. Also interested to see Rick Pitino at his son's game even with St. Johns playing a game in a couple of days. He was behind the bench and clearly rooting hard for his kid's team.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 20, 2024 11:08:29 GMT -5
Understand the frustration with Akok but it is a new world and he played within the rules. Don’t blame anyone for this situation. Cooley tried to get some bigs and missed. He has already proved to me he can coach. He can promote the program. The kids are trying now—no more questions in my mind about effort. They just are not a complete team. It’s just frustrating, particularly for those of us who are older alums as it gets more difficult to wait for next year. If anything I blame the Administration for taking so long to switch to a proven coach. If you have anger it should be placed at the traitor who left us high and dry and not our current players and coach. If Akok had left when Murray and Primo left nobody would have a problem with it because that would have given us time to find a serviceable rim protector for his scholarship. Leaving us at the last minute screwed us over because there was no longer time or anyone available to fill that roster hole. It screwed up our roster construction for this year. If you are going to get angry and complain that is where your anger should be directed. Anger? Why would I have anger towards the kids on this team? Frustration at the results of course, but as long as their is effort and there is, who can be angry. The roster is not balanced which is unfortunate and you can blame Akok all you want for the timing of his departure, which was horrible for the team, but that is the world in which we live now and he was within his rights to go play with his friend.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 20, 2024 9:03:29 GMT -5
I admire you all for your perseverance and ability to watch these games. Unfortunately, there have been too many crushing defeats for me over the past three years. I have been reduced to watching the first half of games and then turning it off. Watch the second half later after knowing the final result. It's easier for me to absorb the disappointment. Yes this team is improving on offense (and God knows these kids deserve a couple bounces to go their way), but any satisfaction from that improvement is offset by the horrendous defense played inside the arc. Game after game the opponents get to the rim, often uncontested, while the Hoyas continue to miss half their layups on the other end. No matter how bad the officiating was, if the Hoyas could have stopped even one of the parade of layups last night over the final 4 minutes, the outcome changes. Sadly, I do not see any magic solution with this roster, barring some late season leap in the development of Fielder or finding a way to add 3 inches to Cook. We know that the guards are not going to become more athletic or suddenly develop the lateral quickness that is clearly lacking. Combining the mental mistakes that occur regularly with the limitations of this roster in terms of size and depth is just too much for any coach to overcome. Rowan looks like a shell of the player he was just a few weeks ago. He is indecisive, cannot shoot, cannot play defense and looks shaky with the ball. Cooley cannot keep him out there in close games but kid needs a major confidence boost. If you are that mad about our interior defense you should blame Akok for screwing us over at the last second. Understand the frustration with Akok but it is a new world and he played within the rules. Don’t blame anyone for this situation. Cooley tried to get some bigs and missed. He has already proved to me he can coach. He can promote the program. The kids are trying now—no more questions in my mind about effort. They just are not a complete team. It’s just frustrating, particularly for those of us who are older alums as it gets more difficult to wait for next year. If anything I blame the Administration for taking so long to switch to a proven coach.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 20, 2024 8:05:04 GMT -5
I admire you all for your perseverance and ability to watch these games. Unfortunately, there have been too many crushing defeats for me over the past three years. I have been reduced to watching the first half of games and then turning it off. Watch the second half later after knowing the final result. It's easier for me to absorb the disappointment.
Yes this team is improving on offense (and God knows these kids deserve a couple bounces to go their way), but any satisfaction from that improvement is offset by the horrendous defense played inside the arc. Game after game the opponents get to the rim, often uncontested, while the Hoyas continue to miss half their layups on the other end. No matter how bad the officiating was, if the Hoyas could have stopped even one of the parade of layups last night over the final 4 minutes, the outcome changes. Sadly, I do not see any magic solution with this roster, barring some late season leap in the development of Fielder or finding a way to add 3 inches to Cook. We know that the guards are not going to become more athletic or suddenly develop the lateral quickness that is clearly lacking. Combining the mental mistakes that occur regularly with the limitations of this roster in terms of size and depth is just too much for any coach to overcome.
Rowan looks like a shell of the player he was just a few weeks ago. He is indecisive, cannot shoot, cannot play defense and looks shaky with the ball. Cooley cannot keep him out there in close games but kid needs a major confidence boost.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 17, 2024 17:25:55 GMT -5
I see the lack of mobility and the fact that he is slow to react on defense. I see that he is not the strongest person on the team by any stretch. But considering the current rotation is lacking in size and that at least for now Massoud is not contributing on either end of the court, I also see some value in the team using Ryan a few minutes each half to give Cook and Fielder a break. That said, like 2003 it is concerning that Cooley is not playing the kid any more than Ewing did so I have to assume that my uneducated eye is not seeing some significant flaw that keeps him on the bench.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 16, 2024 13:22:03 GMT -5
Keep reading about the value of bringing in Sorber next year. What is his game? Does he have an outside shot or is he more like Cook/Wahab? Is he a good/decent defender in terms of mobility and lift? What is the quality of his opposition in high school/AAU? Know very little about how his senior season is going other than he was highly recruited and is rated as a 4*. Any information is appreciated.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 15, 2024 7:57:05 GMT -5
The missed layups were maddening, but often highly contested. To me the issue is not whether they should or shouldn't have made more of the layups but rather whether they should have taken them at all. Driving into a crowded lane to throw up a hurried "layup" is certainly not a recipe for success. What ever happened to the pull up shot? Why not drive the lane and pull up against a double or even triple team and take the shot from 5-6 feet out? Why not pull the ball out if there are two or three guys waiting for you or make a pass to the perimeter when the defense is collapsing? Happened a few times but Massoud and Styles could not hit open 3s. Still would rather take a chance on those shots than 1 against 3 in the lane.
While I could not be happier for Cook and hope that was his breakout game, it will be interesting to see if he can do that against taller lineups when facing teams not missing their big. If he can it is another significant step forward for this team and then it will be necessary only to fix the 4 position ( more Fielder or even smaller like Styles) and teach the guards to pass more dribble less. Hoping for a bounce back from Rowan after a couple of poor performances.
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