jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 21, 2024 4:34:17 GMT -5
This quote should be on a shirt! No idea who this guy is but love hearing this Caleb Williams’ father -incoming freshman
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 20, 2024 20:48:26 GMT -5
If we don’t hear something tomorrow on Cliff, I suppose it’s best to assume he’s going to take his Bama visit, and likely not end up here There could be other things at play. Remember Mack’s Harvard banquet affecting the timing of his decision. So long as he commits it can happen any time this week!
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 20, 2024 11:52:48 GMT -5
In the pre-NIL era, I imagine that some but not all athletes pursued a degree meaningfully. Some athletes don’t prioritize it. Others may simply be unable to complete the rigorous coursework of a serious major and fulfill their athletic obligations. In this new era, I expect this only gets harder. I fear even fewer will end up with degrees.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 19, 2024 13:13:05 GMT -5
Re Boogie Fland I guess Cooley either was too far down road with Mack and for whatever reason is protective of EPPS. Having seen them all play Boogie Fland would be my clear choice. Not sure what his attitude toward Gtwn is as I don't think Cooley went after him earlier either. I know his coach pretty well so will ask him his take. Sometimes you just have to 'love the one you're with.' It is not too bad when that player is thought by some to be the #1 PG in the portal.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 19, 2024 10:41:02 GMT -5
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 19, 2024 10:38:05 GMT -5
Great post, MCI. Lots of great possibilities. It is just hard to project when these new players will be ready to contribute. There is a decent chance McKenna could be ready this fall for big contributions this fall.
With Mack/Epps/Peavy/Omoryuri - there is a chance that we see each of these players at times filling in last spot....maybe depending on the match-up and what is needed.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 19, 2024 8:00:06 GMT -5
Adding Cliff would change the game for the Hoyas next year!!!! Think about a Mack/Cliff PNR. I am not really sure about his offensive production, it has never been really impressive. His real value is as a rebounder/post defender/rim protector. Everyone on the team becomes a better defender when they know they have a legit shot blocker/rim protector behind them. This would be a huge get for Cooley and the staff He is not very offensively polished, but he can dunk lobs. And Mack will be albe to find him. We needed better defense and EvanMiya rates him as the #1DBPR in the portal. He is 2X All Big -10 Defensive team. Slide Fielder/McKenna to the 4 and you have another shooter that you need.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 19, 2024 6:59:20 GMT -5
Adding Cliff would change the game for the Hoyas next year!!!!
Think about a Mack/Cliff PNR.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 19:37:55 GMT -5
I am guessing this is the plan. They are visiting together.Where did you get this info from? I can't find it anywhere. I have seen it in a couple of places with reasonable reliability. I don't have the time to go find them again.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 17:59:59 GMT -5
Xavier is going to be a problem
I called Fidler to Creighton while ago. Not my first rodeo.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 17:58:20 GMT -5
Current roster doesn’t have a lot in terms of catch and shoot 3 pointers. Curtis had a bad season, but if he can be rehabilitated, then it could be worth the try.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 17:54:34 GMT -5
Sorber has lost a good bit of weight over the last 18 months. People may be subtracting the weight lost from the wrong starting point to get to 215. He is currently pretty lean and his frame upstairs is leaner. Much of the weight he lost was in his legs and butt.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 11:55:51 GMT -5
RB - From what I have watched, Sorber brings a ton of rim protection. He almost hunts blocked shots to a fault. It has to translate at a new level of play, but I am not concerned with Sorber's rim protection.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 10:59:25 GMT -5
I understand the concerns about Mack and Ivy League, though I think he succeeded enough at that level that he will be fine once he gets adjusted, and as he grows and becomes stronger/more skilled. I am still a bit surprised at all the interest over in the Transfer thread about Seydou Traore, given that his performance at Manhattan was okay but not great, and he played in the MAAC. I realize the argument for Traore is more of a defense-oriented one, which I am okay with. I just think that adjusting from MAAC to the Big East is a way bigger jump than Ivy to the Big East. Granted, I have never seen Seydou Traore play. His athleticism and skills on the defensive end may be great (and his size is good). I have no opposition to going after him--I am just not seeing how he would be nearly the impact of someone like Mack, for example. Doesn't Traori just look like a player on a Ed Cooley team?
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 9:34:09 GMT -5
I think part of the question is....even if he is not a stretch floor, do you find ways to get Sorber on the floor as much as you can?
For example, say we are fortunate and land Cliff O. Do you wait until you substitute Cliff off the floor to put him in or do you experiment with 2 bigs?
From the players we have targeted and the lack of a pure 4, I suspect we intend to play Fielder and Sorber there at times...when we don't play small ball.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 9:19:28 GMT -5
Sorber is not a 4! He’s a 5 and a good defensive one at that. No one has mentioned Peavy. He will be a better rebounder and defender than Ish from day 1…and outside of Cook, likely our 2nd best rebounder. Would love one more big but we will already be significantly better than LY For every knowledgeable poster (which I think you are) who claims Sorber is a 5, I can find another knowledgeable person who says he isn't a 5. This tells me that it depends on the matchup and role. Increasingly many of the basketball thought leaders talk about ball handlers, wings, and bigs. Fortunately, Sorber is unequivocally a big. Do we expect to see two bigs on the floor together? I do.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 9:13:21 GMT -5
Are we discounting the fact that Mack had big games against power competition? He had 27 against Indiana and I think 20 against BC Yes. Yes we are. The first couple of games of his freshman year. And he was amazing.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 18, 2024 9:10:45 GMT -5
What % chance do we have of landing Omoruyi? What other options are there for a big man if he decides to go elsewhere? If he is making a visit, then we have a chance. Apparently, he is visiting Alabama too. Reports are that they are NIL challenged a bit. They have a lot more talented players to keep happy. If we get him on campus with Traori before Alabama we have more than a puncher's chance.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 17, 2024 21:54:05 GMT -5
I would take Troare in a heartbeat and have a good problem Leverage that supposed NY Lightning connection to get Omoruyi too while they're at it. I am guessing this is the plan. They are visiting together.
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jwp91
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Post by jwp91 on Apr 17, 2024 19:36:09 GMT -5
Where there is smoke there is fire and there is plenty of smoke around us bringing in a defensive 5 next year so expect someone. As for the 4 out of the players currently on the roster Fielder has to almost certainly start there for his shooting unless McKenna takes it from him. This projected starting 5 of Mack, Epps, Peavy, unknown 4 and defensive 5 has no shooting. It's very hard to win in basketball these days with no shooting. If the 5 was more of an offensive threat then maybe you can get by but none of the guys being mentioned are. Sober also tried to develop a 3 but it hasn't happened yet. Ideally you get a great defensive stretch 4 that can shoot but most of those guys are in the NBA and not in the transfer portal. The current backcourt matchup leaves you needing different guys than we probably currently have but the coaches knew that and have made their decisions. I assume the additions from here are likely Hammond and a 5 and we hold open a scholarship. When you hire a guy like KJ you have to do things like bring in a player that probably isn't good enough for this level but keeps all the power brokers happy. I doubt Hammond sees the court next year much if he's on the team anyways. Maybe there is a 5th year tall guard that can shoot, run an offense and defend that just wants to come back home and is fine getting 10-15 minutes a game but I cant think of one. Two comments Mack/Epps/Peavy/?/Defensive center increases the likelihood of minutes from Fielder in my opinion out of necessity for shooting. From the highlights, Mack might be the type of PG that can get moderately skilled offensive players some easy buckets.
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