Wow! Predicting the Johnnies to win the Big East Tournament. People are beginning to take notice!!
I think he's nuts honestly. I love our potential, and I might agree with being a sleeper to win it next year, but definitely not this year. Can't imagine us making a miracle run. We can consistently beat some bad teams, but not the big boys yet.
You have a negative outlook on this team so it is really no surprise you think that. If they can pull together they have a shot. And they are knocking on the door so let's knock off a few more ranked teams and build up some steam going into the Big East Tourney.
Not negative...guarded and realistic. I've always been more of a straight shooter. You don't think I don't fantasize about this team being a top 15 squad and routinely being relevant again? Of course I do. But at this stage in the game I just don't think we have enough fire power. We need 1 more guy who can shoot as well as Bourgault, yet has the athleticism of Jakarr (I think that was Lawrence but we missed him). We also need a solid inside scorer. We need our Tyson Chandler to keep defenses honest. Too many times we have guys like Jakarr (love Jakarr) settling for 15 footers instead of driving to the hoop using the glass or dunking it. Jakarr can make that shot some games, and go cold others. That's the problem with not having a post player...it makes you rely on streaky 10-15 foot shots instead of almost guaranteeing 2 points by laying it up or dunking (also better chance for and 1's and fouls).
Winning the Big East tourney requires consistency and that's something we haven't really demonstrated yet except for teams like DePaul and Seton Hall. If we can knock off Cuse or L'Ville I will be a believer. Sure nothing is impossible, but if you really think we have a real shot of winning the Big East tourney I would say you are a major optimist.
I think all we need to do is move more. D'lo and Marco running the baseline at the same time would be something I would like to see. This group has slashers that can make it to the rim on from the wings and the baseline. This team needs a kick in their ass, but if they can get to the rim I think Obekpa, Sampson, Amir, and Dom can get some easy second chance points. This teams whole problem is not playing their game, we need to create turnovers, that's where these guys are at their best. If Marco and D'lo are on the floor at the same time I think we will get better open looks for both of them, but I think we are really close and if this team can turn the corner they are gonna take off but we have two players that will fit that roll in Hopper, and Gift. And I think Gift will be better at the 4 anyway.
I have thought this team has the ability to win the Big East Tourney since the start of the season. The question is can they come together and play their best basketball the last five games of the season before the Tourney. Game by game and who knows. We look good when we are playing at our best.
Scott, agree with most of what you said but I dont see Gift being able to play the four alongside obekpa. Imagine the clock we would run with that group.
If one of them were to ever become a capable offensive option, even an aaron spears type of offensive game, than we would be sooo a better team.
Obekpa and Gift split 40 minutes at the center position.
Jakarr should be a 35 mpg man at the PF.
Agreed, Scott mentioned Gift at the 4. Dont think that is very likely.
Scott is not the only one who mentions Gift at the 4 for next year. A guy named Steve Lavin also has mentioned it as a possibility! In his debut year Gift hit his share of 10-15 footers and was an adequate rebounder. He is a physical specimen and just to see him standing next to Karr is impressive. Gift may surprise many people next year since the guy is an incredibly hard worker and a very intelligent kid who soaks up what the coaches teach him. Yes, I am a Gift fan.
So am I and it pains me greatly to have our only senior who is a great physical specimen, super intelligent and hard working sitting on the bench.
If he gave us 10 and 6 a game, which was greatly similar to his stats last season, as well as his stellar defensive play as well as he on court leadership we would have an improved record.
I'm actually glad he was redshirted, because he could be the guy who puts us over the edge next year as an interior threat with a big bulky body. He is like 7 Jakarr Sampson's in terms of muscle mass. He will get the chance to play as a senior with Harrison as a well-seasoned junior as well as Garrett, Greene, Pointer, Branch, etc. and Obekpa and Sampson will no doubt improve as sophs. Essentially it puts all of our eggs into 1 basket making next year the time to really make noise like 2011. Hooper, Bourgault, Sampson, Harrison, Branch, Gift, Greene, Obekpa, Pointer, Garrett, Balamou, Jones...that is a very, very deep team. I still feel like we are 1 good offensive post player/rebounder away from really competing for a consistent top 25 slot but with improvement from each player on that list and good shooting from Bourgault, Hooper, and Sampson, we will scare people.
