|
Post by jld54 on Dec 3, 2010 8:24:54 GMT -5
The write-up of the Hoyas by the Utah State beat writer two messages above is the best description of each player I have seen anywhere in the media. Perhaps the WPost should hire this guy!
...as noted above by some of the intrepid sleuths on the board, the USU beat writer is our own daytonahoya31...
|
|
|
Vee
Dec 2, 2010 7:49:10 GMT -5
Post by jld54 on Dec 2, 2010 7:49:10 GMT -5
In looking at the season box score to date, some very interesting info. While it is still a small sample, Vee is the #6 scorer averaging only 8 min a game. He is shooting 66% both from the field and from 3. He has more 5/2 turnover to assist ration, as well. If this continues we will have a strong boost from the bench and keep the game going when the starters need a few minutes off. He is simply a very valuable player and hopefully will blossom next next when the seniors leave.
|
|
|
Vee
Dec 1, 2010 7:50:54 GMT -5
Post by jld54 on Dec 1, 2010 7:50:54 GMT -5
Vee is a very good talent but simply is going to have hard time getting major minutes this year in tough games when he is playing with an upperclass backcourt trio which may be the best in the nation, if not one of the best. Hopefully, he will see more time in second tier games going forward and will keep the big 3 fresh down the stretch.
He is showing so far this year that he is still a key contributor notwithstanding minor minutes. While he may not played only 3 minutes as per the official box score, it was still a handful of minutes yet he scored 8 points, played, and all of his baskets were clutch, especially the 3 in the second half after we lost the lead.
He was very into the game on the bench and it appears that his time will come next year, with major time opening up when Chris and Austin graduate.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Dec 1, 2010 7:15:11 GMT -5
In a high-paced game like this there are lots of high points and low points. But the bottom line is that this team gutted out a win which could never have pulled off the past 2-3 years. I believe the flaws can be worked on, but the learning experience, and a win, are invaluable.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Dec 1, 2010 0:17:55 GMT -5
This is hard game on which to base along term judgment about the defense. MU is an incredibly quick, athletic team that plays hard, if not always smart. The best that can be said is that there is plenty to work on but the positives are that it is still November and we have the depth where fatigue should not be an issue for the defense this year, as is seems to have been the past 2 years with poor depth. We have quality depth with Vee and Markel beyond the big 3, and we will have to figure a way to get the latter a few minutes off without the team falling apart. Again, there is the time and talent to deal with this.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Nov 30, 2010 23:41:51 GMT -5
Lubick played a great all-around game. He fought constantly underneath and generally passed well on the perimeter. You can tell he has a good basketball IQ and has caught on to a complex system very well, and it it still November. While Benimon has a slight experience advantage Nate knows his hoops and is bigger and tougher. Sims also continues to impress. He has good court sense and is becoming a terrific passer. He is like an x-factor with his length and is a tough match up for certain teams. Just a great night for both young players.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 12, 2010 7:43:55 GMT -5
The NT times has a Thamel article on the SU beat down which carris the same theme. His article is all about the Onuaku injury and how GU is so inconsistent. This is the mantra of the uninformed and/or anti-GU media crew.
The ESPN announcers pointed out yesterday during the game that GU had a killer BE regular season schedule, played SU and VU twice, and WVU, Louisville, MU and Pitt on the road. This combined with so-so depth, a young team and some illness accounts for our season. But with an SOS of 1 and a top 10 RPI nearly all season, I will take where we are right now.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Dec 20, 2009 9:27:12 GMT -5
In my view this game exposed our team weakness -- lack of depth. This team has a six-man rotation, with the sixth man a freshman. If even 2 starters are having an off game we do not have the depth to overcome this. We did fine against Butler and Washington because at least 4 of the top six had good games. But this team has no one who can come off the bench for an offensive or defensive spark, or just to changes things up.
The lack of depth also precludes an aggressive defense to change momentum, e.g., a press or half-court trapping defense, because of foul/fatigue issues. This may be where losing transfers the past few seasons hurts us -- not that the actual players like Macklin or Rivers hurts us -- they both are so-so players, but not having players in those roles is a problem.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Apr 29, 2009 17:11:26 GMT -5
I think it is doubtful that he will qualify. With an 18% acceptance rate this year at GU, is this truly the type of player we need to recruit?
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 10, 2009 15:50:10 GMT -5
Watching JT 3 try to coach this crew reminds me of coaching my son's 5-6th grade rec team. It was aggravating to have no control over what was going on, and it is similar to what I see with the team.....
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 10, 2009 15:30:11 GMT -5
This is aggravating to watch...
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 10, 2009 14:59:59 GMT -5
what is up with Wright? Fouls?
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 10, 2009 14:10:35 GMT -5
Where is DuJuan?
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Mar 5, 2009 11:14:57 GMT -5
Lets not delude ourselves. Greg is the best freshman in the BE this year. He has the potential to be an excellent college player if he stays another year or two. He needs improvement in strength but has the frame to develop if he hits the weights and gains a few lbs. He needs work on mental toughness, his right hand, and a mid-range jumper. Overall he has had a B/B+ year, all considered.
I think that it would be very bad for us if he leaves after one year. He and Chris will be the core of this team going forward, if all works out, as they are the most talented players, and with mental maturity will be tough to deal with, particularly when the top BE teams of this year lose their seniors and/or early entries non-seniors (Thabeet, Blair, Harangody?).
The player we could afford to lose is Summers, if he decides to leave.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Feb 14, 2009 13:33:44 GMT -5
In nearly 40 years of following GU basketball, this is by far the most apathetic team ever. Hoya teams which lacked top talent at least battled.
Forget about coaching -- it is not the coach when: Summers and Freeman drive the baseline against the zone with 10 sec gone on the shot clock with defenders set and step on the baseline; when players fumble clean passes away; commmit soft fouls for "and 1" situations instead of kncking a punk like J. Flynn down and making him earn it at the line; not taking allowing the shot clock to run down without shooting; misssing 2 technical FTs; or when a guard (Clark) takes shots from down low and the baseline and no one rotates back and thus alows break outs by SU with only one man back.
This SU team trly sucks and to be absued by them on national TV is a disgrace. Sorry.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Jan 20, 2009 7:49:45 GMT -5
I agree 100% that we do not need to schedule Duke any more and should not, given the hosings with Sweetney and Greg over the past few years. The T definitely affected the outcome -- maybe not cost us the game but certainly turned what looked like a potentially close game into an essentially no win situation for GU.
We are on the map nationally and have a top SOS without Duke. There is no reason why a top program should have to play them in a place where something weird always seems to happen with officiating to help Duke.
I would not object to a neutral site such as the Meadowlands, where we would have good crowd support from NE alums, etc., and a short trip for the students. Otherwise I would look to schedule other national teams such as UCLA, Memphis, Ohio State, Florida, and not bother with this Coach K/national media/refs nonsense at Cameron.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Jan 19, 2009 11:02:27 GMT -5
For older Hoyas, this reminds me of Jonathan Smith's senior year in 75-76. He was a really good guard from DC in JT2's first class, and had a misearable senior year -- possibly due to nagging injuries. Yet he came out of his slump at the end of the year and led GU to the NCAAs for the seond year in a row, back when there were only 32 or so teams and it was much harder to make the tourney. Maybe Jesse is having the same type of experrience and can break out of his funk soon.
In fairness to Jesse, his role on this team differs from the last 2 years. Jesse was the primary ball handler with Wallace playing more of a 2G/shooter role. Jesse has given the ball to Chris as primary ball handler and Jesse is not a pure shooter like JW. Also, if he handles the ball he does not have a dead eye shooter like JW in Chris or Jason to pass to as a backcourt mate. Unfortunately this seems to be affecting not just the offense but his defense and overall play. We still have time to work this out, as we have an easier stretch now that the six game gauntlet is over. Hopefully JT3 and the guards can work this out by March.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on Jan 17, 2009 20:40:06 GMT -5
I seriously question whether it is worthwhile for our program to continue this series if it means having to play in that hell hole known as Cameron. The entire scene there is ludicrous with the refs intimidated by K and the atmosphere, the announcers sucking u to Duke, etc., etc. I would rather play at a neutral site without a home and home, or drop Duke and lay other big name non-conference programs, such as Texas, Wake, Memphis, Gonzaga, UCLA, etc.
I will not complain about the usual homer calls on plays, e.g., block/charges which the home tam will almost always get, but the T on Greg is a whole different story. We cut their lead down to 4, they were ice cold, and then a bizarre bench T, and on our top player, changed the game completely. I do not think these are "good" losses to learn by.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on May 15, 2008 7:21:23 GMT -5
IF we somehow get Riley to come in by this Fall, it would essentially be a trade for Macklin. Based on the word of knowledgable posters here, I think Riley would contribute the same or more than Macklin would have next year, and is two years younger to boot. If nothing else Riley could provide the interior defense, rebounding and even a shot blocking threat that we did not see from Macklin in his two years here. This would also allevaite concerns re: depth and Braswell not coming.
I find the timing of his visit last weekend as a positive regarding the scenario of a 2008 commit. If it is the right thing for Riley as a student and player, this should help the team immensely. Keep your fingers crosssed.
|
|
|
Post by jld54 on May 9, 2008 19:30:15 GMT -5
Time to lock this thread? Enough sniping already....
|
|