Great NY Post Article on Josh Roberts

They list Roberts as a three star recruit but he wasn’t even that I dont believe. Gotta give some credit to Matt as Roberts really was only potential at the time, not even making the IMG “A” team. The kid deserves the accolades and the sky is truly the limit for him.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=364865]They list Roberts as a three star recruit but he wasn’t even that I dont believe. Gotta give some credit to Matt as Roberts really was only potential at the time, not even making the IMG “A” team. The kid deserves the accolades and the sky is truly the limit for him.[/quote]
True, as I recall he was in low 300s. He was on the IMG grad squad. Give Matt a little credit on this one, recall him noting Josh was raw, relatively new to hoops and had potential with his athleticism.
 
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This is such a rarity when you compare to the Lavin and Mullin years. Getting a kid who wasn't very sought after being a 3 star raw big man and going from looking like he just started basketball in his freshman year to looking like a beast in his sophomore year. We would always hope and cross our fingers that we had a diamond in the rough under Lavin and Mullin but it never panned out. We would hear them talking guys up before the season but their play never backed it up. Now it does with Roberts and Champ. I'm hoping those guys are 4 year players for us who get better and better. We are dying for that stability. Bring in 1 more real big man to add to Steere and Roberts, get a few good shooters, and I think we can exceed expectations the next several years.
 
I seem to remember that it was a member of Josh Roberts family (his Aunt?) that was very animated in supporting him last season for more playing time. Well, she was right. Someone should sign her up as an SJU scout and talent evaluator. :)
 
Roberts and his team will probably wind up with an incredible net increase in team rebounds year over year. Last season's team averaged low 30's. These guys are averaging in the mid 40's.

The guy has great hands and makes the right decision. He has only one TO in seven very active games.
 
Great observation in Zach's article underlined by Anderson's quote about staying "within the confines of what he can do right now."

Very nice to see Roberts understand what he does well and not trying to extend his range, handle the ball, go to post moves he doesn't have yet, etc. I'm certainly not complaining about Roberts at all but it seems like the next step for his game is to add just a couple of go-to moves for when he gets the ball in the post that isn't off an offensive rebound or a lob pass. Doesn't need to become Hakeem Olajuwon. Just having a decent baby hook and drop step for example could make him an even bigger threat.

I think Earlington is also doing a good job playing to his strengths. He's not jacking up 3's unless he's wide open and even though he still sometimes puts his head down and becomes a bull in a china shop, you can see him slowly becoming more aware of his teammates and the defense. Dishing it off to a wide-open Champagnie for an easy lay up was surprising and showed growth. Even a couple of games ago he may have ran full steam into the defender for what would have been a 50/50 charge/block call.

Seems like we have a coaching staff that makes sure guys know their roles. Good sign.
 
Nice article. My only concern is that historically a kid gets a nice feature like this then they put up a stinker the next game or go into a multi-game funk.
 
I like his understanding of his offensive range; I have not seen him throw up shots that were beyond his area of range (shooting 56% from the floor and NO threes taken) which is something he can work on over these next 3 years. He also works very well with with Julian and think his game will be complimentary with Steere based on his work in the open scrimmage. Steere extends his distance from the basket as he liked to shoot from 10 to 20 feet from the basket while Josh is working on the inside. Also like josh having only 1 t/o in nearly 200 minutes.
 
If he continues to put on muscle over the next 2 seasons and I think he will he will become an absolute beast.
 
Agree,and he has a great motor, quick reflexes and can get off his feet many times in a row for rebounds, follow other players shots to the basket ,plays good D and yes great timing and shot blocking ability . If I overlooked some qualities fill them in
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=364904]Nice article. My only concern is that historically a kid gets a nice feature like this then they put up a stinker the next game or go into a multi-game funk.[/quote]


Kinda like being on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Let's hope Josh breaks the "jinx"
 
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[quote="usguard" post=365008]Agree,and he has a great motor, quick reflexes and can get off his feet many times in a row for rebounds, follow other players shots to the basket ,plays good D and yes great timing and shot blocking ability . If I overlooked some qualities fill them in[/quote]

Just like to add, he seem fluid in everything you mention. Very instinctive in his basketball acumen, something that cannot be taught.
 
I don't disagree with the sentiment that maybe he should have played more last year however the player we have this year and the one he was last year are totally different, like night and day.

In the limited time he received last year, he showed a good motor and the potential to block shots, but had bad hands (couldn't catch a cold), bad footwork , got pushed around and was a walking foul. Many here felt he wasn't a Big East player and should/would transfer (several on this Board are not known for their patience). This year, the hands look great, his timing excellent, his footwork much better, he isn't getting pushed around and he looks like he belongs.

He sees a shot go up and he runs to the rim to get positioning for the rebound. He is making a claim that on defense and the boards, the paint is his. As someone said in a previous posts, he is playing with a Junk Yard mentality. He knows his role and embraces it. I am looking forward to his continued development.
 
Only 1 TO in 200 minutes is incredible. He has really soft hands, and I can't remember the last time we had a big with soft hands, so when it does get thrown in to him, he is in control. His progression from last season to this season has been amazing. Great to see for a really good kid.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=364904]Nice article. My only concern is that historically a kid gets a nice feature like this then they put up a stinker the next game or go into a multi-game funk.[/quote]

He shouldn't if he keeps doing what he been doing.
 
love the lids improvement, tenacity and willingness to do the dirty work on offense and defense!!!!! To become a next level player he needs to get a better jump shot, a back to basket move and foul shooting must improve. Given his ability to offensive rebound close to the basket he will be taking more and more foul shots as the year and his career moves forward. he does not won't to be a 40 -50% shooter. If he gets this to 70% he will not be leaving significant points off the board. BTW THE WHOLE TEAM NEEDS TO IMPROVE FT SHOOTING!!!! JC IS SOLID.
 
Will be interesting to see him go up against West Virginia freshman Oscar Tshiebwe in a couple weeks. Tshiebwe is a Top 50 recruit/McDonald's All American who is close to Roberts in size and plays a similar role for the Mountaineers. Should be a fun matchup of two athletic, tough forwards and a chance to see how Josh does against a high major guy with serious talent.
 
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