Thanks for the input on the recruits/redshirts Paultzman - very helpful. After watching last night's game (as with the Nova & Seton Hall games), it is pretty clear that our top 4 or 5 guys can compete with the best of the Big East, but we do not have the depth to beat them as we wear down in the last minutes. Xavier has a deep bench and that showed during the last 5-6 minutes. Once again (as with the DePaul game) a strong big man killed us. Lack of a big man is the one glaring personnel deficiency that can't be blamed on Lovett injury or late Wilson transfer - no excuse for staff not doing what Xavier, DePaul and others did.
Regarding next year, we hopefully return 4 core guys plus Trimble who will be a key contributor as well. Discounting Diakite (due to uncertainty as to health), we bring in 5 other guys who should all be improvements over our current 7th and 8th men and only lose Ahmed who has not progressed from last year. I posted earlier this year that Simon may be our most valuable, if not our best player, and he will continue to improve in his decision making and leadership as the season progresses. I would expect that next year, he and Ponds will be the kind of dynamite duo we looked for Ponds & Lovett to be this year. Clark & Owens are both solid BE starts. All of this is cause for optimism that we should at least compete for a tournament bid.
I do worry a bit about the fact that (Nova game aside) Shamorie continues to struggle to find his offensive rhythm. Staff needs to focus on doing whatever it can to help him get good shots in the flow of the game; too much of the time he either is resorting to threes at the beginning of the shot clock or drives down the lane tying to score over two or three defenders. If the immediate eligibility rule for transfers were to take effect before next year, needless to say the PC & Hall staffs among others will be in his ear. If he is unhappy at the way this season ends, who knows?
