SJU Portal Targets

lawmanfan said:
Updated Updated Reset:

Portal Targets Acquired (4):

Bryce Hopkins (Providence)
Ian Jackson (North Carolina
Joson Sanon (Arizona State)
Oziyah Sellers (Stanford)

Players Departed (7):

Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott, Deivon Smith (graduated)

RJ Luis, Brady Dunlap, Jaiden Glover, Khaman Maker (portal)

Portal Closes:

April 22 (last day to enter, signings may go on for 3-4 weeks after that I'd assume)

Things We Need (2):

Point Guard: Possibilities:
- Acaden Lewis (freshman) (maybe)
- DJ Wagner (Arkansas) (seems unlikely)
- Others (lots of poster speculation, but no other known target names at the moment)

Forward: Possibilities:
- No current information, but would be good to have a bouncy rebounding/defense forward

Perspective:

This is a TREMENDOUS group of additions. Indeed one might call it a #megahaul. It would be nice to land a veteran PG who has been productive at a high level.

Seems to me that option B is to find a veteran from a mid-major for security and/or try to sign Lewis. If you do both then your PG is Lewis and the vet and Jackson, Sanon, Sellers and Wilcher split time at the 2/3. If you only land one then your PG is whichever one you get plus Wilcher and potentially Jackson at times.

Fully aware that people's comfort level with that depends on their view of Wilcher, but as some have noted, if Pitino thinks Wilcher can play the position then that is entitled to some deference (although not blind deference). Personally I think Pitino would be right about that but reasonable minds can differ.

But it seems we have reached the end of the founded speculation trail for the time being and we are now fully into unfounded speculation for the remaining spots until some names emerge out of something besides thin air. Regardless, we are in an excellent, excellent place to keep up last year's momentum.
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At this point, add Lewis, accept there will be a learning curve, but big potential dividends by year 2 & perhaps latter part of season. Have him & veteran mid level guy, as you noted, serve as point guard cadre. Perhaps Sim will come back with a better head for the position as well and distribute minutes accordingly. At least you have a pool of three to run with, imperfect but potentially functional. In emergencies only would I fool around with the talented wings rotating them to PG slot.
 
paultzman said:
At this point, add Lewis, accept there will be a learning curve, but big potential dividends by year 2 & perhaps latter part of season. Have him & veteran mid level guy, as you noted, serve as guard cadre. Perhaps Sim will come back with a better head for the position as well and distribute minutes accordingly. At least you have a pool of three to run with, imperfect but potentially functional. In emergencies only would I fool around with the talented wings rotating them to PG slot.
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So funny how time changes perspective. Two years ago we would be praying for a kid like Lewis — a Kentucky decommit who is visiting Nova — to commit only to be jolted at the alter. Now he’s plan c among an uber talented roster and some posters are still not happy. Obviously the game has changed with the advent of the portal such that freshmen have lost value, but still . . .
 
Show me the NIL said:
Ok, everyone is all hot looking at a highlight video of Jackson as a FRESHMAN but most are saying that Lewis can’t play as a freshman. Kind of strange thinking in my book. I think he can be very valuable by February if given the opportunity.
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I think we would be equally impressed by a similar video of Lewis as a freshman. That would mean he was one of the rare freshmen PGs ranked outside the top 20 to contribute substantially to a tournament team.

I don’t think he’s that type of player year one.
 
paultzman said:
The troll aside last night, there is some chatter about Sim status, but we’ll see.

Portal bound I sense
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Would this only be the case if Jackson commits? I see no issue why they both cannot be big contributors here next year (if Ian even commits here). Learning from a Hall of Fame coach will help them reach their potential. Kadary did not put in the work to reach his but it was not due to lack of effort from Rick.
 
paultzman said:
At this point, add Lewis, accept there will be a learning curve, but big potential dividends by year 2 & perhaps latter part of season. Have him & veteran mid level guy, as you noted, serve as point guard cadre. Perhaps Sim will come back with a better head for the position as well and distribute minutes accordingly. At least you have a pool of three to run with, imperfect but potentially functional. In emergencies only would I fool around with the talented wings rotating them to PG slot.
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Agree here. Go with the young talent and develop him and get a vet to share the duties along with Sim etc.
 
FriendofJohnnie said:
Would this only be the case if Jackson commits? I see no issue why they both cannot be big contributors here next year (if Ian even commits here). Learning from a Hall of Fame coach will help them reach their potential. Kadary did not put in the work to reach his but it was not due to lack of effort from Rick.
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That's quite a statement on Kadary. I tend to disagree. But back on topic...
 
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