Fair points. I’m trusting RP on this. This is not me blindly deferring to RP. RP was in NYC for Jackson’s entire HS career. I’m sure RP and his staff of put eyes on Jackson, live and on tape, as much or more than any other staff. RP has shown he is a great evaluator of talent for what he wants to do. I trust RP’s evaluation and that he has a plan.
2025-2026 Season
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Fair points. I’m trusting RP on this. This is not me blindly deferring to RP. RP was in NYC for Jackson’s entire HS career. I’m sure RP and his staff of put eyes on Jackson, live and on tape, as much or more than any other staff. RP has shown he is a great evaluator of talent for what he wants to do. I trust RP’s evaluation and that he has a plan.
Understood, I maybe went a step further since he shot a very credible to good % for the season, I assumed (always dangerous), since I have never read he was injured, that his low scoring games were a product of not getting minutes or not getting shots.All I was curious about were what average number of shots in the low point games and the high point games
All complete speculation on my part, as I have stated I do not know his game.
Another POTENTIAL red flag to me in his conversion to PG is that he averaged 0.9 assists a game, which indicated to me he possibly does not have a natural passing mentality.
Again, though, all speculation. My nature is to pull back on expectations until I see players and teams play together and that’s all my posts are meant to communicate. I mean to draw no conclusions.
I’m excited for the season. I’m getting the full season package for the first time.
Ian himself, who sounds very levelheaded and mature, has said it’ll be a transition. It’ll be wise to take him at his word.
Darling, I’m not nearly as bullish on. But we’ll see. I’d trust this staff over me. lol
Thx for the info.
I literally didn’t watch any of his games this year other than maybe 5 minutes at a time a couple games. Curious what the summer looks like for him. They start running hard this week
Boo Harvey
Well-known member
It’s been a while, but I have no recollection of Horne being a good ball handler. I thought he was primarily a catch and shoot guy who played great D and had good hops
I watched a lot of UNC last year because I was curious about Ian going to the draft or coming to us. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau dribbled the air out of the ball. He really just didn't get opportunities to do what we're asking of him to do, which makes this a very interesting decision by Pitino.
-- you can see all three of his assists within the first two minutes of this highlight clip (the most he had all year). Kicked it out to open man on double team, great pass in mismatch down low, and on fast break.
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i don't think Ian's assist numbers will truly tell the story if he's succeeding at PG here... i mean... if you give ME Joson/Sellers/BHop/Zuby to pass to... i could average 6apg....
The instinctual stuff you see with good PGs.... when to push tempo, break a press etc... hopefully he is getting that down this summer and will work out the kinks quicker than we hope...
I want the Players Era crown and the #1 ranking that will come with it...
The instinctual stuff you see with good PGs.... when to push tempo, break a press etc... hopefully he is getting that down this summer and will work out the kinks quicker than we hope...
I want the Players Era crown and the #1 ranking that will come with it...
Agree. DJ was good with the ball though.
I dont think jackson will have as much difficulty transitioning to point guard as some. You cant look at last year as that was not his position or what was asked of him with the other 2 guards there. I also dont think he is going to strictly be a pass first point guard. I will be more than happy when he is averaging 6 assists per game to go along with the scoring. We are going to be a very high octane scoring team with so many opportunities on offense for this team to have 5-7 guys average 10 plus per game.
Not his best attribute to be certain. But he did handle and distribute the ball once over half court.
Never the guy, but one of the guys.
I just want to point out 6 assists is a hell of a number before we get a third reference downplaying its difficulty 
It would have been 2nd in the Big East the last two years.I just want to point out 6 assists is a hell of a number before we get a third reference downplaying its difficulty
I'd be pumped for 4 assists per game. Ivey averaged 3 at Purdue.
I know 6 is considered a high amount and I initially put 4-6 but didn't want to low ball him lol. There will be so many "easy" kick out opportunities with the guys who really can shoot the 3 this year.I just want to point out 6 assists is a hell of a number before we get a third reference downplaying its difficulty
We averaged 15.7 assists last year, fourth in the Big East. Kadary had 5.3, Smith 3.9, Luis 2, Zuby 1.7.
I'm not sure we can get to that number, but we should try to get close to it. I actually think Hopkins can be a big piece in attracting defenses and making the right reads.
Could we get something like: Jackson 3, Darling 3, Hopkins 3, Zuby 2, Mitchell 2?
I'm not sure we can get to that number, but we should try to get close to it. I actually think Hopkins can be a big piece in attracting defenses and making the right reads.
Could we get something like: Jackson 3, Darling 3, Hopkins 3, Zuby 2, Mitchell 2?
DJ was a point-forward. He was also an exceptional rebounder. The guy could just play.
I don’t think we have that type of ball-handling wing on this team. We can count on + ball-handling from the 4 spot with Hopkins and Mitchell. Sanon can get his own shot from the 3 — if he can do more he’s a first round pick. The best lineup may end up being Darling-Jackson-Sanon-Hopkins-Zuby. That’s really the only lineup you can argue will be able to keep up with great backcourts.
Shamorie, I remember being a score first PG that looked to distribute as a secondary option. His career was 19 points and 4 assists per game on average, which isn't indicative of a true point guard but was good enough at the time.
With the guys around Ian, I feel like he can probably test those numbers. Just watching the highlights, which I know are deceiving, it seems Ian can get around his defender and get into the paint. As long as he recognizes the open man and the defense moving around him then I'm hopeful he can make those numbers work. I worry more about what his handle looks like in tough situations when the team needs to beat a press or against a close / tough on ball defender.
With the guys around Ian, I feel like he can probably test those numbers. Just watching the highlights, which I know are deceiving, it seems Ian can get around his defender and get into the paint. As long as he recognizes the open man and the defense moving around him then I'm hopeful he can make those numbers work. I worry more about what his handle looks like in tough situations when the team needs to beat a press or against a close / tough on ball defender.
Only 1 BE player averaged 6 or more assists per game last year. Just saying.
Edit: didn't see this had already been addressed.
Hearing from good source that unlike past seasons when Rick would get anxious about various concerns heading into a season, this year he’s anxious because he can’t foresee any concerns.
I predicted Sellers would wind up being a fan favorite when we signed him.