So I spent most of last week at MSG watching the Big East Tournament (which I have done every year for many years now). Among other observations, one thing I saw was the value of experience in this league. In the championship game, 7 of the 10 starters were either juniors or seniors. I think there was one freshman starter in that game. Looking quickly at some of the other top teams in the league this year, I noticed that Syracuse and Marquette each start 3 upperclassmen, and ND and Georgetown start 2. I think out of those six teams there aren't 4 freshmen starting, total.
Certainly some of those teams have a freshman or two who contributes either as a starter playing limited minutes or coming off the bench, but those players are given roles to play on teams where the load is being carried by upperclassmen.
There are always a few exceptions nationally - Kentucky, North Carolina, and UConn come to mind. Those are usually teams with truly elite talent, and they often have a core of returning players or an established system that players come in to that lays the foundation for success.
The lesson for us is that I would not be down about this year. For a team playing without a coach, with a short roster, and starting 5 freshmen for most of the year (plus one other first-year player), I think they did a very, very good job.
Personally I think Moe needs another year to develop his body, his shot, and his dribble. But if he goes pro I fully expect that every one of the returning players will be better next year than they were this year. Add a couple of bigs and a talented 6'8" wing (Jakarr Sampson, I'm talking to you) to go with the returnees and Branch and the team will be just fine next year, simply by virtue of having had a year of experience. And as juniors and seniors, they will be even better.
There's no substitute for talent, but it is also possible to underrate the value of experience and teamwork with a group that has played together for a while. Watch the NCAA tournament and I bet you will find a few senior-laden teams that go farther than you might expect based more on experience than talent. That's not to sell our talent short - I think that at least 3 of our players have the potential to be 4-year starters who will go into the pantheon of SJU fan favorites when all is said and done, and who will be sorely missed when they're gone. We just need some experience, and only time and games provides that.
Certainly some of those teams have a freshman or two who contributes either as a starter playing limited minutes or coming off the bench, but those players are given roles to play on teams where the load is being carried by upperclassmen.
There are always a few exceptions nationally - Kentucky, North Carolina, and UConn come to mind. Those are usually teams with truly elite talent, and they often have a core of returning players or an established system that players come in to that lays the foundation for success.
The lesson for us is that I would not be down about this year. For a team playing without a coach, with a short roster, and starting 5 freshmen for most of the year (plus one other first-year player), I think they did a very, very good job.
Personally I think Moe needs another year to develop his body, his shot, and his dribble. But if he goes pro I fully expect that every one of the returning players will be better next year than they were this year. Add a couple of bigs and a talented 6'8" wing (Jakarr Sampson, I'm talking to you) to go with the returnees and Branch and the team will be just fine next year, simply by virtue of having had a year of experience. And as juniors and seniors, they will be even better.
There's no substitute for talent, but it is also possible to underrate the value of experience and teamwork with a group that has played together for a while. Watch the NCAA tournament and I bet you will find a few senior-laden teams that go farther than you might expect based more on experience than talent. That's not to sell our talent short - I think that at least 3 of our players have the potential to be 4-year starters who will go into the pantheon of SJU fan favorites when all is said and done, and who will be sorely missed when they're gone. We just need some experience, and only time and games provides that.
