Season so far?

[westchesterjoe]

Did not see the Fordham game but, appears it was not a gem performance.

I'm wondering what the consensus of the Board is at this point in the season..

I'm beginning to think Harrison,Greene, Pointer, Garrett might have been overrated, despite being in the top 100.


Sampson, CO, appear to be the better players this year but are freshman and still adjusting.

It also looks like Lavin may be a super recruiter for good, not great talent and mediocre as a fundamental bench coach. The team so far, I think has been disappointing in losses to USF,BAYLOR, MURRAY STATE.

Even the wins, have not been impressive over HC, NJIT,FORDHAM, ETC.

The season in the BE will only get tougher.

While it's early, I think expectations were much higher than results so far.

 

[Section3]

Did not see the Fordham game but, appears it was not a gem performance.

I'm wondering what the consensus of the Board is at this point in the season..

I'm beginning to think Harrison,Greene, Pointer, Garrett might have been overrated, despite being in the top 100.


Sampson, CO, appear to be the better players this year but are freshman and still adjusting.

It also looks like Lavin may be a super recruiter for good, not great talent and mediocre as a fundamental bench coach. The team so far, I think has been disappointing in losses to USF,BAYLOR, MURRAY STATE.

Even the wins, have not been impressive over HC, NJIT,FORDHAM, ETC.

The season in the BE will only get tougher.

While it's early, I think expectations were much higher than results so far.

Lavin recruited plenty of great players at UCLA...not an issue with his recruiting

 

[Marillac]

Did not see the Fordham game but, appears it was not a gem performance.

I'm wondering what the consensus of the Board is at this point in the season..

I'm beginning to think Harrison,Greene, Pointer, Garrett might have been overrated, despite being in the top 100.


Sampson, CO, appear to be the better players this year but are freshman and still adjusting.

It also looks like Lavin may be a super recruiter for good, not great talent and mediocre as a fundamental bench coach. The team so far, I think has been disappointing in losses to USF,BAYLOR, MURRAY STATE.

Even the wins, have not been impressive over HC, NJIT,FORDHAM, ETC.

The season in the BE will only get tougher.

While it's early, I think expectations were much higher than results so far.

I don't think that recruiting class was overrated at all. Harrison is one of the most skilled underclassmen I've ever seen. Also, Garrett and Greene would play major minutes anywhere. Pointer will be a very solid four-year guy for STJ that is improving every week. That is a great core and they are only sophs.

Let's wait and see how things are when we get Branch (and hopefully Sanchez). This team desperately needs a point guard now. Nobody has gotten into the lane the last few games at all. I think that will open up the offense. We have some terrific one on one players. Greene, as a third option, can get his shot off against anyone if he gets space. Sampson gets his shot off at will. I don't think his shot will keep falling like it has, but I am very impressed how he always ges his legs under him and squares himself to the basket.

Sanchez would give this team the two things it really needs: skill and rebounding. We really need that kid.

 

[redstorm89]

Still too early to tell about the season. This team is like many of Lavin's teams that UCLA fans keep complaining about. Some days they will amaze you but some games they will lose will just make you scratch your head.

 

[crgreen]

Did not see the Fordham game but, appears it was not a gem performance.

I'm wondering what the consensus of the Board is at this point in the season..

I'm beginning to think Harrison,Greene, Pointer, Garrett might have been overrated, despite being in the top 100.


Sampson, CO, appear to be the better players this year but are freshman and still adjusting.

It also looks like Lavin may be a super recruiter for good, not great talent and mediocre as a fundamental bench coach. The team so far, I think has been disappointing in losses to USF,BAYLOR, MURRAY STATE.

Even the wins, have not been impressive over HC, NJIT,FORDHAM, ETC.

The season in the BE will only get tougher.

While it's early, I think expectations were much higher than results so far.

Lemme get this straight. You think last year's #3 top scoring freshman in Division 1 (#1 of frosh on major conference teams) who's the #12 scorer in ALL of Division 1 THIS year was overrated as a top 100 talent out of high school? I don't mean to be rude, but are you insane?

 

[Della9250]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

 

[MCNPA]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

 

[tom in salem]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

Sampson is a PF, heck he pulled down 17 boards in one game already.
Obekpa needs to start and Gift needs to suit up.
We'll probably still get beat on the boards but it would be a start.
What bothers me the most about this team is the lack of a transition game.
Where has it gone?

 

[marco]

i wouldnt say sampson is a power forward at this stage. when he plays against rakeem christmas and Dajuan coleman it will be obvious. heck the guy from fordham pulled down 16 rebounds against us last night

 

[MCNPA]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

Sampson is a PF, heck he pulled down 17 boards in one game already.
Obekpa needs to start and Gift needs to suit up.
We'll probably still get beat on the boards but it would be a start.
What bothers me the most about this team is the lack of a transition game.
Where has it gone?

Sampson is still more of a wing. I have no criticism of Sampson at all. New plays with great energy all the time. He's too thin and gets pushed off the blocks a bit sometimes, but he is more of a wing rather than a strong low post-type guy. Obekpa challenges shots and is a very good rebounder when in position. Like I said though, we need a PF that "stays home" when Obekpa challenges shots.

I want Obekpa to keep challenging shots. I have no problem with Obekpa coming off the bench. It prevents early fouls and keeps him energetic all game. Opposing teams start the game and get into a flow. They get baited into getting comfortable getting ball down low and then enters our monster shot blocker and changes the game. I like the formula we have right now for Obekpa. I also have to say that he might be the guy with the highest bball IQ on the team. He is calm and calculated out there and getting better every minute.

I personally would like to activate Gift and get him playing. He can have almost a full season ahead and maybe help us get to the post season. In a perfect world we'd get Sanchez cleared, but I don't know if that will ever happen.

 

[RM86]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

We could use more guys like Canty that aren't fraud to do some dirty work. Too much perimeter play and not enough dirty work so far.

 

[MCNPA]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

We could use more guys like Canty that aren't fraud to do some dirty work. Too much perimeter play and not enough dirty work so far.

Agree. Need a low-post guy. Gift could really help there. Sanchez would have helped. We have none right now. Obekpa is getting there, but he's a little different. It is why I really hope Lavin puts the press on a a big guy like Govan.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I'm expecting an ncaa ruling by next year at the latest on Sanchez.

Hopefully Branch can have an impact and get our offense gets flowing.

 

[mjmaherjr]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

It is why I really hope Lavin puts the press on a a big guy like Govan.

Is Govan next year ? WIth all the talk of Jordan,Lawrence I assumed Govan was younger

 

[MCNPA]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

It is why I really hope Lavin puts the press on a a big guy like Govan.

Is Govan next year ? WIth all the talk of Jordan,Lawrence I assumed Govan was younger

He is younger. I don't mean for next year, just for the future.

 

[Optimistic25]

The season so far has been up and down. Good performances like the South Carolina game and poor ones too. Sampson and Obekpa are everything I hoped they'd be. To me its obvious the team needs a point guard who can break down a defense, and there was not one on the court last night vs Fordham, so hopefully branch is that guy. Actually I think they preformed as good as could be expected without a point guard. That position is just so important and we don't really even have one on the court right now who can distribute the ball.

Harrison reminds me of a John Starks type of guy. Very good scorer when on, but also streaky at the same time and always filled with fire and emotion.

I see them having some tough nights in big east play but I also think there will be some signature wins too. Greene is slightly overrated as a scorer IMO. He doesn't penetrate and he's not a consistent outside threat. I would like to see Marco B take more minutes from him because he's the better perimeter threat from what i've seen, but I realize that won't happen until branch arrives.

 

[RM86]

I'm expecting an ncaa ruling by next year at the latest on Sanchez.

Hopefully Branch can have an impact and get our offense gets flowing.

We think we have it bad, How about Texas and Kobongo? The kid was able to travel now not, plus they had 2 big leads this week and their pg turned into a turnover machine. The NCAA bites!

 

[usguard]

The slow starts are definitely an issue. It's not a sporadic thing -- it's just about every game. The rebounding problems are troubling also.

But to their credit, they have been very good in second halves, at both ends of the court.

As for the slow starts, at times the kids look like they are thinking too much out there and it causes them to play half speed. They need to come out at full speed.

Our rebounding problems are exacerbated by the fact that we have no power forward on the team right now. We red shirted our senior PF. Who was a 9ppg 6rpg guy so we could make way for our shiny new JC PF who has not been declared eligible. It's not helping the situation. Amir is the best at that role, but isn't really big enough to do it all.

Sampson is a PF, heck he pulled down 17 boards in one game already.
Obekpa needs to start and Gift needs to suit up.
We'll probably still get beat on the boards but it would be a start.
What bothers me the most about this team is the lack of a transition game.
Where has it gone?

My take ours guards get beat off the dribble too much I feel when Branch comes in he will penetrate and dish which will open things up and we will see a different offensive team add Sanchez and we make the dance

 

[westchesterjoe]

Interesting comments across the Board.. i was talking about the top 100 class overall, not focusing on one player,i.e harrison. Some here thought I was singly him out. not true..

I do think with this class that you have to be disappointed with the losses this year.. Murray State and USF seemingly are less talented but, outplayed us and won. Baylor might have better talent but, that game was blown too. Sampson and CO have played well. Felix hasn't gotten enough minutes nor has Marc..

And, fundamentally, our defense and offense aren't indicative of a good team.. Many other posters have questioned results so far too..

A question that hasn't been posed to Lavin directly is, why are you redshirting GG? Has he replied to that or, are we all just speculating? Waiting on Sanchez may be like waiting for Godot.

 

[dee]

I have watched Sampson take foul shots in several games and my feeling is he rushes his shots. He takes the ball bounces it and twirls it in his hand and just shoots without taking a real moment to get set. He needs to improve from the foul line, he will find himself there quite a bit during BE competition