2025-2026 Season

lawmanfan said:
I mean Rick has his work cut out for him, that's what I think.

Fortunately he is who he is (you can take that any way you choose) and thus I think it will work sooner or later. But it might be later than people expect.
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I think Darling will play more than most people expect, especially if he shows any Big East-level ability whatsoever.

Zuby really doesn't need the ball too much. He can pick up the garbage, so to speak.

I am confidant Rick will figure something out between Hopkins, Jackson, and the shooters.

However, I'm not expecting 18-2 in the Big East, again.
 
SJU61982 said:
I think Darling will play more than most people expect, especially if he shows any Big East-level ability whatsoever.

Zuby really doesn't need the ball too much. He can pick up the garbage, so to speak.

I am confidant Rick will figure something out between Hopkins, Jackson, and the shooters.

However, I'm not expecting 18-2 in the Big East, again.
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very fair analysis
 
hersheypa said:
Agree. As the dust settles, I’m more convinced than ever that the season turns on Hopkins health. If he’s back, he brings tremendous skill and presence on the court while being a very imposing figure. I think he and Zuby will run this team.

If healthy. And if healthy this team should be top ten all year.
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I look at Hopkins as whipped cream on the sundae...cannot put any expectations on someone who has not played competitive ball in two years, coming off a major knee injury. Success next season is contingent on...
1. PG play...whether its Darling or Jackson...probably both.
2. Jelling team defense...Defense won us a lot of games last year.
3. Outside shooting...Hopefully this year we have the shooters we've craved.
 
hersheypa said:
When I say “season turns” on Hopkins health I mean legit national championship contender vs solid top 25 team. Times have changed.
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Top 5 mysteries going into 25-26:

How does 2-year layoff Hopkins compare to pre-injury Hopkins? Same game, advanced game, hampered by rust/injury?

Can Ian Jackson play point?

Who is Darling and what do we get out of him?

Where will the shots go among Jackson, Sanon, Hopkins, Sellers?

After Zuby and Mitchell, who else will step up their defensive game?

Bonus mystery:

How many different starting lineups will Pitino use (I am going with 6 here, four legit and two where he starts Ayo or somebody for motivational reasons).
 
lawmanfan said:
Top 5 mysteries going into 25-26:

How does 2-year layoff Hopkins compare to pre-injury Hopkins? Same game, advanced game, hampered by rust/injury?

Can Ian Jackson play point?

Who is Darling and what do we get out of him?

Where will the shots go among Jackson, Sanon, Hopkins, Sellers?

After Zuby and Mitchell, who else will step up their defensive game?

Bonus mystery:

How many different starting lineups will Pitino use (I am going with 6 here, four legit and two where he starts Ayo or somebody for motivational reasons).
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I think the biggest mystery will be how the group meshes out of the gate. Always read about how Pitino teams play better in January after they've had time to learn the system. Schedule is very difficult (early) this year, so will the team be up for that challenge so early on while they are still conditioning and learning?

I think Jackson may struggle being a true point, but not sure it matters as long as he can make plays and is open to sharing the ball. He seems to have a good motor and can get to the basket so as long as his handle holds up he will be fine. Regarding Darling; I think that is 50 / 50. We either get a Mahany or a Kolek. His attitude seems more Kolek so hopefully the play matches the attitude.

Hopkins I think will be fine. Same with defense; the guys coming in are long and athletic. Assuming they have desire to learn then I feel like Rick can coach them into defense. Would think Rick may also use more zone this year knowing that he has a much better offensive team. I think Rick reverted to only man to man last year because the defense was so crucial to winning and creating offense. Won't need that reliance as much this year so can mix more.

Sharing the ball may be a concern, but if Sellers plays the role of spot up shooter and Sanon lets that be a larger part of his game then they should get good looks off Ian / Bryce drive and kicks or Zuby / Bryce passes out of the post.
 
lawmanfan said:
Top 5 mysteries going into 25-26:

How does 2-year layoff Hopkins compare to pre-injury Hopkins? Same game, advanced game, hampered by rust/injury?

Can Ian Jackson play point?

Who is Darling and what do we get out of him?

Where will the shots go among Jackson, Sanon, Hopkins, Sellers?

After Zuby and Mitchell, who else will step up their defensive game?

Bonus mystery:

How many different starting lineups will Pitino use (I am going with 6 here, four legit and two where he starts Ayo or somebody for motivational reasons).
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Hopkins struggles a bit early, but has a solid season w decent, not huge minutes, but not destined for All BE status.

Jackson will not be an effective PG, but will “pinch hit” there depending on circumstances.

Darling will prove capable of managing games, orchestrating with decent stats, but not a double digit scoring average.

Sellers, Sanon and Jackson will benefit from inside out play receiving passes from Zuby and recipients of a lot of transition shots if our D rebounding improves. Hopkins will generate points from mid range and interior play. W credible shooters surrounding him to avoid double teams, Zuby will feast in the paint.

Besides Zuby and Mitchell being positives defensively, Ayo and Odih will contribute situationally providing physical play and rebounding.

I concur w Pitino lineup management noted.

Maher will derail 100 threads by end of ooc schedule. 😇
,
 
Chriscin33 said:
Based on these comments, which I agree with, still wonder why we didn’t get a more sure thing at PG with all this talent.
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There really was a shortage of high-end guys at the position this year. And of the guys who are high-end, we really had no chance. Dent for example would have been awesome, but he was locked in on UCLA. Other guys were getting way more money than we were slotting them for.

It happens. Unfortunately, it happened in a year where we have a lot of talent and need a guy to feed all of them. I like Ian a lot, but I hope we aren't down two with 45 seconds left and facing a nasty press in the second round next season. RP did supposedly love Darling's workout though.
 
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