Class of 72
Active member
First some brief comments on the last 5 or so games of this season. Beating Georgetown twice and in the first round of the Big East tourney was special. However, as great as it was to beat the hated Hoyas last night, today's demolition by Nova showed just how far away we are from the upper tier of the Big East.
Over the last 5 games key players, starting with Marcus Lovett, performed poorly. Marcus averaged only 9 points over the last few games of the season but more importantly was ineffective in leading the offense and played what can only be described as "Mussini defense". After the first 5 minutes today he was rendered irrelevant by Nova's defense and height advantage at the guard position. Three other players who get major minutes all averaged bench player points. Ellison 6 pts per game, Yakwe and Owens barely 3 points per game. That level of offensive incompetence translated into more losses than wins this season.
What is needed to improve, other than experience, is better players. We all hope the Simon and Clark will make an impact. However, unless a 5th year big is secured our inside weaknesses will continue into next year.
Yakwe is not going to grow 4 inches and I doubt his offense will ever be a threat. Owens needs to get on a radical weight gain program. Ellison may never be starting material but should be an adequate 6th man in another year. Ponds and Ahmed are the most complete players on the team and I see only improvements with them.
Marcus Lovett has played the last five games with what appears to be one foot out of the door. The rest of the team has very little upside.
The coaching improved with Mullin taking a more active role but he has not been able to inspire a work ethic on defense where, except for Owens and Mussini, the players seemingly decide when and how much effort they will put into defense in any given game.
Now for the final grades. Please copy and insert your grades.
Coaching: B Improved but inconsistent. No defensive culture established. Poor offensive sets.
Lovett: B Very good player for his height but lacks defense and leadership on offense.
Ponds: A Except for dogging it on defense he exceeded expectations. Rendered Mussini a role player.
Ahmed B Hard nosed player who will improve over the off season.
Yakwe D Was not a factor most games and had we had Clark this year would have been a bench player.
Ellison C Had a handful of good games. Was ineffective most games. Will improve.
Owens B Plays hard but has no muscle for Big East play.
Mussini B Played some good games as a role player but his defensive deficiencies hurt team.
Williams B Played well in many games but physical liabilities held him back.
Freudenberg D Nowhere near ready for college basketball. Slow and lacks confidence. Question mark.
Alibegovic C Never a factor in any game. Plays hard but bench player at best.
Recruiting B Two good transfers coming but struck out with prime targets.
Season C Played some very ugly games and inexplicably lost to LIU and Delaware State. Should have been a 16 to 18 win season but major distractions included Slice departure and Sima transfer. Program still lacks stability but we will have a better picture next year with recruiting and coaching.
Over the last 5 games key players, starting with Marcus Lovett, performed poorly. Marcus averaged only 9 points over the last few games of the season but more importantly was ineffective in leading the offense and played what can only be described as "Mussini defense". After the first 5 minutes today he was rendered irrelevant by Nova's defense and height advantage at the guard position. Three other players who get major minutes all averaged bench player points. Ellison 6 pts per game, Yakwe and Owens barely 3 points per game. That level of offensive incompetence translated into more losses than wins this season.
What is needed to improve, other than experience, is better players. We all hope the Simon and Clark will make an impact. However, unless a 5th year big is secured our inside weaknesses will continue into next year.
Yakwe is not going to grow 4 inches and I doubt his offense will ever be a threat. Owens needs to get on a radical weight gain program. Ellison may never be starting material but should be an adequate 6th man in another year. Ponds and Ahmed are the most complete players on the team and I see only improvements with them.
Marcus Lovett has played the last five games with what appears to be one foot out of the door. The rest of the team has very little upside.
The coaching improved with Mullin taking a more active role but he has not been able to inspire a work ethic on defense where, except for Owens and Mussini, the players seemingly decide when and how much effort they will put into defense in any given game.
Now for the final grades. Please copy and insert your grades.
Coaching: B Improved but inconsistent. No defensive culture established. Poor offensive sets.
Lovett: B Very good player for his height but lacks defense and leadership on offense.
Ponds: A Except for dogging it on defense he exceeded expectations. Rendered Mussini a role player.
Ahmed B Hard nosed player who will improve over the off season.
Yakwe D Was not a factor most games and had we had Clark this year would have been a bench player.
Ellison C Had a handful of good games. Was ineffective most games. Will improve.
Owens B Plays hard but has no muscle for Big East play.
Mussini B Played some good games as a role player but his defensive deficiencies hurt team.
Williams B Played well in many games but physical liabilities held him back.
Freudenberg D Nowhere near ready for college basketball. Slow and lacks confidence. Question mark.
Alibegovic C Never a factor in any game. Plays hard but bench player at best.
Recruiting B Two good transfers coming but struck out with prime targets.
Season C Played some very ugly games and inexplicably lost to LIU and Delaware State. Should have been a 16 to 18 win season but major distractions included Slice departure and Sima transfer. Program still lacks stability but we will have a better picture next year with recruiting and coaching.
