Guys on Matt’s Radar

[quote="Paul Massell" post=281637]As IDRAFT mentioned, good replacement for Bashir who gave us much needed rebounding and athleticism on defense against the 2-3 and sometimes 4. Not sure if he can equal that but this kid is a legit scorer. Reading his recent games in Feb/March and he lit it up with big numbers.[/quote]

One additional thing that stood out to me, besides the scoring and great 3 pt shooting (on about 5 shots per game) was that he appears to be the only top 20 scorer in the NJCAA on a top 10 team so he wasn't just scoring for scoring sake since his team had a high level of success.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=281645]Marillac argued on JJ that Simon would make a good 4. First I thought he was nuts. But the more I thought about it, taking into consideration his skill set, seeing how good Dom did as a 4, and our lack of bigs. I think he could spend some time at the 4 if we get this JC recruit.[/quote]4 guard offense can work if done right. Nova has had success with this in the past (05-06); Loyola and Rhode Island did this year also. Those are just 2 examples off the top, but plenty of teams have done it. Simon can play the "4" in those lineups with his rebounding ability. Key is to knock down shots especially from outside. If we can land Figueroa that would make that lineup even more deadly because he is a big guard who can shoot which is something we currently lack. If Figueroa comes hopefully we dont take Burke (we only need one of them imo) and sign a big (Calloo will do) then our roster would be set with all the bases covered. Fingers crossed.
 
[quote="mattc" post=281635]Agree with several posters that LJ would be a surprisingly good get this late in the process.

On paper, a starting lineup of Ponds-Dixon-Simon-Clark-Keita is good, but the 'second five' of Trimble, Williams, Diakite, Roberts and Earlington doesn't get me that excited.

Having LJ as that reliable 6th man or starter depending on the lineup Mullin wants to use would be really, clutch IMO.[/quote]

Just think of how exciting it will be to have a second 5!
 
[quote="Dan V" post=281650][quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=281645]Marillac argued on JJ that Simon would make a good 4. First I thought he was nuts. But the more I thought about it, taking into consideration his skill set, seeing how good Dom did as a 4, and our lack of bigs. I think he could spend some time at the 4 if we get this JC recruit.[/quote]4 guard offense can work if done right. Nova has had success with this in the past (05-06); Loyola and Rhode Island did this year also. Those are just 2 examples off the top, but plenty of teams have done it. Simon can play the "4" in those lineups with his rebounding ability. Key is to knock down shots especially from outside. If we can land Figueroa that would make that lineup even more deadly because he is a big guard who can shoot which is something we currently lack. If Figueroa comes hopefully we dont take Burke (we only need one of them imo) and sign a big (Calloo will do) then our roster would be set with all the bases covered. Fingers crossed.[/quote]

Great points Dan. Should the fates bring us LJF this late in the process, I agree that we should revert to a guard / wing heavy + 1 'big' offense. If so, one more big would provide some depth for Keita, with Roberts/Earlington in reserve for spot duty. And Calloo would suffice as a backup and also has an outside game. I say, that at this point, we should shoot the lights out.
It's not traditional to rely on this type of offense, but--as you've said--it has succeeded at high levels in college hoops.
And I'd be very grateful to be able to sign LJ Figueroa.
It looks like our best shot to be relevant in 2018-19.
 
When DLO was a sr. We made the dance w 1 big and no depth. I really like the JUCO player . Quality trumps size. Although I wanted a grad big. I think it will work well if we can reel him in. He would come in as a solid BE player and important part of our depth. Everybody asks what if Keita gets injured? The way we are now we really can’t afford an injury to any of our starting 5.
 
[quote="R S O" post=281658]I liked Bashir, but I'd bet LJF should be a lot more coachable. If he has a similar skill level to Bashir that should eventually be a big upgrade.[/quote]

I haven't seen or heard about his defense. Hopefully better than Bashir’s. Offensively he looks solid.
 
[quote="Tom in Salem" post=281641]If we lose Keita to injury..........................[/quote]

The fake injuries hit us a lot worse than the real ones this season.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=281662][quote="Tom in Salem" post=281641]If we lose Keita to injury..........................[/quote]

The fake injuries hit us a lot worse than the real ones this season.[/quote]
LJSA, looks like that new workout regimen is doing wonders for you. :)
 
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[quote="L J S A" post=281662][quote="Tom in Salem" post=281641]If we lose Keita to injury..........................[/quote]

The fake injuries hit us a lot worse than the real ones this season.[/quote] so you are saying we have Trumped up injury report ?
 
[quote="L J S A" post=281662][quote="Tom in Salem" post=281641]If we lose Keita to injury..........................[/quote]

The fake injuries hit us a lot worse than the real ones this season.[/quote] The great Bruno.. was a bit disappointed with the Andre the Giant special on HBO. Was more about how Vince built his empire rather than how Andre was the giant.
 
[quote="usguard" post=281677]Does anyone know if Diakite has been working out with the team?[/quote]

He has posted videos on social media of him shooting and dunking so I would say he is good to go.
 
[quote="SJU14" post=281682][quote="usguard" post=281677]Does anyone know if Diakite has been working out with the team?[/quote]

He has posted videos on social media of him shooting and dunking so I would say he is good to go.[/quote]

Staff not counting on him this season it appears and still concerned going forward, tough injury. Hopefully he surprises in time.
 
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Stay tuned next few days or so I believe.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=281684][quote="SJU14" post=281682][quote="usguard" post=281677]Does anyone know if Diakite has been working out with the team?[/quote]

He has posted videos on social media of him shooting and dunking so I would say he is good to go.[/quote]

Staff not counting on him this season it appears and still concerned going forward re his recovery and ability to play at BE level. Hopefully he surprises in time.[/quote]

I watched him in a casual scrimmage and he looked very athletic and his shot and stroke were much more fluid than Yakwe. If got gets 5 minutes it will be 5 more minutes than Mullin gave Yakwe. If he gets zero minutes then Matt does what he does best.
 
Still a bit confused is staff hearing from his doctors that much more rehab needed or are they saying he can compete at BE level
In others words, is this yr just him taking it easy or after all his rehab are they considering him go to go with no problems
 
[quote="usguard" post=281695]Still a bit confused is staff hearing from his doctors that much more rehab needed or are they saying he can compete at BE level
In others words, is this yr just him taking it easy or after all his rehab are they considering him go to go with no problems[/quote]

Staff is hearing he is cleared to play. He is saying he still needs time because he feels some pain. Mullin scheduled a personal workout with him but he cancelled. Then his father tweeted he would be out for the season. Then the doctors uncleared him. Then he said he was going to work on his game privately to get ready for the NBA draft. Then he was seen driving a UBER car . . . . . . .

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[quote="Paultzman" post=281684][quote="SJU14" post=281682][quote="usguard" post=281677]Does anyone know if Diakite has been working out with the team?[/quote]

He has posted videos on social media of him shooting and dunking so I would say he is good to go.[/quote]

Staff not counting on him this season it appears and still concerned going forward re his recovery and ability to play at BE level. Hopefully he surprises in time.[/quote]

Was the injury that severe?
 
[quote="Andrew" post=281700][quote="Paultzman" post=281684][quote="SJU14" post=281682][quote="usguard" post=281677]Does anyone know if Diakite has been working out with the team?[/quote]

He has posted videos on social media of him shooting and dunking so I would say he is good to go.[/quote]

Staff not counting on him this season it appears and still concerned going forward re his recovery and ability to play at BE level. Hopefully he surprises in time.[/quote]

Was the injury that severe?[/quote]
Apparently
 
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