i believe we will be a bit better i expect a tourney bid but do i think this team is a elite team no. i still think we will be pretty bad in shooting department but slightly better then last year. hey i,m looking Foward to this season think we have a real shot at having a very good season.
is this team really that much more improved
- Thread starter mjdickens
- Start date
I think we've improved in three of our 4 most glaring weaknesses. Shooting will improve with Max, as well as natural progression from the other guys, especially Dom and Jakarr. Rebounding will improve with the addition of Gift and Orlando. I also think that CO will rebound better, as will Christian Jones. PG is improved tremendously with a healthy Branch and the addition of Rysheed. The only big question mark, imo, is the 3 pt defense. That Euro team lit us up. Hopefully, NCAA competition doesn't do the same.
This would be the best possible news for the team. If Branch somehow rises to a legit all-conference guard, this team becomes exponentially better. There will be a lot of question marks with this team. They will also need to gel and some guys will have to accept different and/or lesser roles. That stuff is never easy. Even with Max and Harrison, shooting will still probably be an area we aren't great in. There is really no low post threat. We are definitely not a sure thing, but I think we can be really good if things work out.
I'm splitting hairs but I think we have low post scorers in Sanchez and gift. They may not be back to the basket post up scorers but they can catch a feed at the block and go up strong, something Obekpa and Sampson werent great at last year. Those two will help our guards rack up more assists, especially Dlo who had a nack for finding moe and gift once he got in the lane his freshmen year.
The clips I saw of the games from the TOUR we are much improved we seem to be penetrating and dishing more our rebounding looks better our shooting better Defending the 3 not so hot but you are playing professionals who's game is the deep shot If we play as a team and coach can get us together we have the talent to make an impact we'll see
beast of the east
Active member
I'm not sure if you are saying that this is the best team since 86. If you are saying it's the deepest, I might agree. But Artest's last SJU team was a very good team, and without a stud like Artest, I don't think you could predict the same success.
You may disagree, and , you have a good case. These guys have not done a thing yet but you might agree that, while that team produced one all league pro, this team has as many as four players who have great potential to play pro ball for a living. Also, it's a very good bet that Jordan will be as good as Eric in Eric's only year and Orlando is a more experienced, bigger Tyrone. We're really loaded this year. If Hooper can shoot in traffic and with our brand new muscle and inside game we can be a top team. At the very least, I can hope so; but, all the stars are now aligned for a super team. Barring injuries we will be back in business this season.
westchesterjoe
Active member
I agree the Artest team was more talented, Ron, Lavor, Erick all played meaningful time in the NBA..Barkley was the best SJU guard since Mark Jackson and, no one has come close since,or now.
This team would have to get to the Elite 8 to equal the Artest team.. That's a stretch right now.
beast of the east
Active member
Much more than talent alone, that Artest team played the best team ball of any SJU team perhaps since and including the final four team. The chemistry and ball movement was tremendous. much better than the sum of their parts/.
beast of the east
Active member
Undoubtedly. Without thinking too hard, i'd say he would be one of our top 5 players in our history. Put him on the Final Four team at forward with Berry and Wennington up front, and we could have overcome G.Town - never thought of that before, but it's an interesting twist on our ever present references to a team from 28 seasons ago.