Guys on Matt’s Radar
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
Recruiting a momentum game in so many ways. We seemed in pretty good shape around this time last year with well balanced class structure being put in place and in play with a number of primary targets.
Don't recall the exact sequencing, but you had the Zach Brown release and Sid Wilson transfer which were unique situations in different ways. And not long after the Sid Wilson transfer Luther M. committed to Ohio State. Remember thinking at the time that seemed like a shift in momentum. Not going to get every kid clearly, but losing one that staff invested that much time in, were long associated with, seemed like a great fit, and seemed like we were strong with hurt and felt like one of bigger recruiting losses for this staff at the time. And that loss hasn't aged well - incoming class would have different look with a player of that caliber incoming, not to mention succession planning for Ponds going pro, and not to mention upside potential of a player like that joining Ponds and Simon in backcourt for a year.
Follow all of that with an underachieving year on the court, including a high profile losing streak, Lovett and now Owens moving on, and sprinkle in some other uncertainties that could certainly be used against SJU in negative recruiting context and this has been more than a momentum shift - probably feels like whoever is recruiting right now is doing so against 100mph winds.
Don't recall the exact sequencing, but you had the Zach Brown release and Sid Wilson transfer which were unique situations in different ways. And not long after the Sid Wilson transfer Luther M. committed to Ohio State. Remember thinking at the time that seemed like a shift in momentum. Not going to get every kid clearly, but losing one that staff invested that much time in, were long associated with, seemed like a great fit, and seemed like we were strong with hurt and felt like one of bigger recruiting losses for this staff at the time. And that loss hasn't aged well - incoming class would have different look with a player of that caliber incoming, not to mention succession planning for Ponds going pro, and not to mention upside potential of a player like that joining Ponds and Simon in backcourt for a year.
Follow all of that with an underachieving year on the court, including a high profile losing streak, Lovett and now Owens moving on, and sprinkle in some other uncertainties that could certainly be used against SJU in negative recruiting context and this has been more than a momentum shift - probably feels like whoever is recruiting right now is doing so against 100mph winds.
Last edited:
I don't think the system that has been designed is built for having a bunch of "bangers." The goal seems to be to keep the lane clear and drive from the perimeter. Therefore I never saw the need for a grad transfer on top of Owens. Keita is a big and an addition, and Roberts is a big as well. If we say Roberts equals Yakwe/Amar, nothing more than a body, Keita is an additional big from last year. Pre Owens departure. Now with Owens gone for sure one more big man would be nice, but I'm not so sure it's a death knell if we don't get one.
Before Lovett left the starting five was as follows:
Lovett
Simon
Ponds
Bash
Clark
Owens came off the bench and played plenty of minutes and that group looked very good to me. Lets say we went with the following five for next year:
Dixon
Ponds
Simon
Clark
Keita
That looks plenty big enough to me. I don't see the immediate need as size, period. If we can get a grad transfer that is a solid three or four that would be just as helpful. We lost Bash, not just Owens, and he rebounded and scored. That prodcution needs to be replaced and I envision an existing replacement for Owens production (Keita) but not Bash.
At the risk of starting a Lavin/Mullin firestorm, which is not my intent, how is our current roster smaller than our last NCAA team?
D'Lo
Greene
Branch
Pointer
Obepka
The only size off the bench that year were a virtual walk on in DeLerosa, Christian Jones, and a freshman Amar. I seem to be close to a minority of one, but I am more worried about replacing Ahmed than Owens. I don't see anyone coming in that has his skillset.
Before Lovett left the starting five was as follows:
Lovett
Simon
Ponds
Bash
Clark
Owens came off the bench and played plenty of minutes and that group looked very good to me. Lets say we went with the following five for next year:
Dixon
Ponds
Simon
Clark
Keita
That looks plenty big enough to me. I don't see the immediate need as size, period. If we can get a grad transfer that is a solid three or four that would be just as helpful. We lost Bash, not just Owens, and he rebounded and scored. That prodcution needs to be replaced and I envision an existing replacement for Owens production (Keita) but not Bash.
At the risk of starting a Lavin/Mullin firestorm, which is not my intent, how is our current roster smaller than our last NCAA team?
D'Lo
Greene
Branch
Pointer
Obepka
The only size off the bench that year were a virtual walk on in DeLerosa, Christian Jones, and a freshman Amar. I seem to be close to a minority of one, but I am more worried about replacing Ahmed than Owens. I don't see anyone coming in that has his skillset.
IMO IDRAFT is right on with his post on what Mullin intends to put on the floor. Four shooters and a strong big. The question of the current roster is could Roberts back up Keita? You would still need another big for possible injury, foul problems and for certain match ups when two bigs are required to be on the floor at once.
I don't see the point in signing players who are going to take minutes away from Roberts and Williams and as far as stocking up players for a year from now with the new transfer rules allowing immediate eligibility you no longer need to plan ahead. In fact the more opportunity for playing time a year from now on your roster will probably just attract better transfers.
I don't see the point in signing players who are going to take minutes away from Roberts and Williams and as far as stocking up players for a year from now with the new transfer rules allowing immediate eligibility you no longer need to plan ahead. In fact the more opportunity for playing time a year from now on your roster will probably just attract better transfers.
IDRAFT wrote: I don't think the system that has been designed is built for having a bunch of "bangers." The goal seems to be to keep the lane clear and drive from the perimeter. Therefore I never saw the need for a grad transfer on top of Owens. Keita is a big and an addition, and Roberts is a big as well. If we say Roberts equals Yakwe/Amar, nothing more than a body, Keita is an additional big from last year. Pre Owens departure. Now with Owens gone for sure one more big man would be nice, but I'm not so sure it's a death knell if we don't get one.
IDRAFT, always enjoy your posts. While I agree that it seems like coach's preference was four guards/wings and one big man, there are clearly times/matchups where you need the second big man. With Owens gone, only big men are Keita & Roberts. Roberts, aside from being thin and more suited to being an athletic wing, is by all accounts raw even for a freshman. Amar & Yakwe played on average between them almost twenty minutes a game and doubt Roberts is ready to give us those kind of minutes as a frosh. Also, we need to be a bit cautious on Ketia's contributions next year. He averaged 10 minutes 1 point and 2 rbs for SC as a freshman. While Owens' frehsman numbers for Tennessee were very similar, don't think we can be completely confident Keita will make the same huge jump forward as a soph that Owens did.
I hear you with replacing Ahmed, but suspect between an improved Simon, Dixon & Williams the scoring and defensive slack will be absorbed. Rebounding is another thing and all the more reason we need a second big to go with Keita in my view.
IDRAFT, always enjoy your posts. While I agree that it seems like coach's preference was four guards/wings and one big man, there are clearly times/matchups where you need the second big man. With Owens gone, only big men are Keita & Roberts. Roberts, aside from being thin and more suited to being an athletic wing, is by all accounts raw even for a freshman. Amar & Yakwe played on average between them almost twenty minutes a game and doubt Roberts is ready to give us those kind of minutes as a frosh. Also, we need to be a bit cautious on Ketia's contributions next year. He averaged 10 minutes 1 point and 2 rbs for SC as a freshman. While Owens' frehsman numbers for Tennessee were very similar, don't think we can be completely confident Keita will make the same huge jump forward as a soph that Owens did.
I hear you with replacing Ahmed, but suspect between an improved Simon, Dixon & Williams the scoring and defensive slack will be absorbed. Rebounding is another thing and all the more reason we need a second big to go with Keita in my view.
Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.
Last edited:
boo haarvey
Active member
[quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.
[quote="Boo Harvey" post=280465][quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.
boo haarvey
Active member
[quote="Paultzman" post=280469][quote="Boo Harvey" post=280465][quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.[/quote]
Fair asseent. What happened to rumors of staff shakeup? No legs?
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.[/quote]
Fair asseent. What happened to rumors of staff shakeup? No legs?
[quote="Boo Harvey" post=280475][quote="Paultzman" post=280469][quote="Boo Harvey" post=280465][quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.[/quote]
Fair asseent. What happened to rumors of staff shakeup? No legs?[/quote]
Different opinions on that, so who knows.
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
I agree with being very competitive this season, but just skeptical about the recruiting approach & targets currently. Critical to land Femi or comparable player in my opinion.[/quote]
Fair asseent. What happened to rumors of staff shakeup? No legs?[/quote]
Different opinions on that, so who knows.
[quote="Paultzman" post=280460][quote="Knight" post=280459]I'm hoping Matt can pull a rabbit out of his hat. :woohoo:[/quote]
Has no hat
[/quote]
Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.
Has no hat
[/quote]Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.
Last edited:
[quote="REB" post=280481][quote="Paultzman" post=280460][quote="Knight" post=280459]I'm hoping Matt can pull a rabbit out of his hat. :woohoo:[/quote]
Has no hat[/quote]
Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes
Has no hat
[/quote]Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes
[quote="Paultzman" post=280483][quote="REB" post=280481][quote="Paultzman" post=280460][quote="Knight" post=280459]I'm hoping Matt can pull a rabbit out of his hat. :woohoo:[/quote]
Has no hat[/quote]
Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes[/quote]
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.
Has no hat
[/quote]Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes[/quote]
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.
[quote="Chicago Days" post=280484][quote="Paultzman" post=280483][quote="REB" post=280481][quote="Paultzman" post=280460][quote="Knight" post=280459]I'm hoping Matt can pull a rabbit out of his hat. :woohoo:[/quote]
Has no hat[/quote]
Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes[/quote]
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.[/quote]
He asked if we will bring in a serviceable big
Has no hat
[/quote]Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Geez we dont have any idea what Keita can do - he looked good in practice yes but who was he playing against, Amar, Tariq? Could be very different story vs real BE bigs. And Roberts by all accounts is a freak athlete but very raw basketball player. Sound familiar (Yakwe) and certainly can’t be counted on in th BE when Keita gets early fouls or god forbid injured. And Marcellus is an undersized banger who no way can be the one big playing with four shooters. So what happens then Clark is our backup center and Trimble or Williams comes in as a fourth guard? 15 wins here we come. We need a big or next year will be yet another lost year. Love Chris, but he needs to wake the f up otherwise it’s gonna be start over and another 5 year rebuild. As someone on this site cautioned, never hire someone you can’t fire! Say it ain’t so Paultz.[/quote]
“Cautious” yes[/quote]
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.[/quote]
He asked if we will bring in a serviceable big
[quote="Paultzman" post=280487][quote="Chicago Days" post=280484][quote="Paultzman" post=280483][quote="REB" post=280481][quote="Paultzman" post=280460][quote="Knight" post=280459]I'm hoping Matt can pull a rabbit out of his hat. :woohoo:[/quote]
Has no hat[/quote]
Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.[/quote]
He asked if we will bring in a serviceable big[/quote]
Thanks Paultz. The syntax of the question combined with your response confused me. But now armed with more 'korfee', i get it.
Has no hat
[/quote]Paultzman at this point do you expect them not to succeed in bringing in a serviceable big?
Hi Paultz: A ""Cautious" "yes"" we get no bananas--aka a Grad Big--or cautiously thinking we'll get one?
The 2018-19 season hangs on getting that big guy imo.[/quote]
He asked if we will bring in a serviceable big[/quote]
Thanks Paultz. The syntax of the question combined with your response confused me. But now armed with more 'korfee', i get it.
tom in salem
Well-known member
[quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
That plus the avatar change.
That plus the avatar change.
[quote="Boo Harvey" post=280465][quote="redmanwest" post=280462]Most disconcerting thing to me is that Paultz's tone and outlook has turned so much more sober than in the past, with very little ray of hope expressed, and actually outright pessimism. That, to me, is a very bad sign.[/quote]
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
Agree Boo so it sounds like the vast majority of us fans need to latch on to the attitude of the few irrational fans who remain optimistic in order to keep our sanity.
Alas, Paultz is a human being. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any rational fan of the program who is not pessimistic right now. That said, assuming Ponds returns and we land a decent big, I do believe we can be competitive next year.[/quote]
Agree Boo so it sounds like the vast majority of us fans need to latch on to the attitude of the few irrational fans who remain optimistic in order to keep our sanity.
Last edited: