THIS Season (formerly Next Season)
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
If we play team ball which Coach will play we are going to have great guards and more than enough big players who do more than just rebound. We have very good shooting from multiple positions ,high motors good D spells plant of wins Wh won 20 with basically 2 shooters 20 wins is not improbable
Darien Williams is a big boy.
This. He is not a center and the majority of his minutes came at the 5 last year. Did he do his best with the minutes he had? No, but I still believe he has talent and in the right situation can be a productive player for us. Him staying here should say something.
redfanO10101ll
Member
I'm hopeful too. Although I'm not super confident, I'm not ready to completely write Jones off yet either.
I like the potential for Amar on offense but he worries me on defense a bit. He always plays hard but the staff is really going to have to work with him on staying out of foul trouble. I remember alot of games last year where he'd come in for a 4 or 5 minutes and pick up 3 fouls.
I am not expecting anything from him, but if anyone can make a complete turnaround on the roster it's probably him. He is the exact type of player that floundered with Lavin--a coach who did not appreciate and stress rebounding. I could see Mullin stopping practice when Jones starts to float with "hey Kobe, get back in the paint."
I saw some flashes of talent from Jones in his Freshman year. Then he redshirted and I thought his game would grow. It turns out that he just did not fit Lavin's system at all and on top of that he had to play Center. I agree that the fact that he stayed says something and I also think that the fact that the staff didn't force him to transfer says something. I think with the help of this staff he can a very serviceable player.
Water will find the lowest point if you let it. Same goes for basketball players. Centers want to be forwards, forwards want to be guards, and shooting guards want to be point guards (this is why it is so amazing to add a kid that accepts his role like Yakwe).
My biggest complaint with Lavin was how he just let his guys do whatever they wanted. Look what it did to Dom his junior season until necessity forced Lavin to play him where he should have been for four years. Tom Izzo wouldn't have taken a second of Jones' play before reaming him and toughening him up. He's a kid that needs to be directed and focused to a role. I think the new staff will be better for him...they certainly can't be worse.
And FWIW, I think 20 wins is very optimistic. We barely won 20 when D'angelo Dom etc were Juniors.. and that team included Obekpa, Sampson Sanchez, and a freshman Jordan.
I'm not putting a a total number on wins this season, because its a rebuilding year either way. The progress and development of the young guys and the recruiting news should be the barometers for how we judge this season.
I'm not putting a a total number on wins this season, because its a rebuilding year either way. The progress and development of the young guys and the recruiting news should be the barometers for how we judge this season.
And FWIW, I think 20 wins is very optimistic. We barely won 20 when D'angelo Dom etc were Juniors.. and that team included Obekpa, Sampson Sanchez, and a freshman Jordan.
I'm not putting a a total number on wins this season, because its a rebuilding year either way. The progress and development of the young guys and the recruiting news should be the barometers for how we judge this season.[/quote
Thanks Desco
For those of us willing to be reasonable and appreciate this gradual process to greatness (we will get there), "it's all good" "a win-win"...
1.We have a terrific head coach and staff;
2.we have the two best recruiters in the universe or at least on earth;
3.we almost magically assembled a top recruiting class despite being "late in the game";
4.we still have a desirable dual BBall court system;
5.the Apple as in Big/Jumbo ( :sillyremains appealing;
6.SJU aura is back and SJU is being legitimately mentioned in the same breath as the Big Boys for top recruits;
7. Finally any post with six semicolons must be taken seriously
I think the 12-18 W range is just fine!
all the best
I thought Balamou looked better his frosh season. I'm thinking he will develop with the new staff and he is already and MVP recruiter for bringing in Yakwe.
With our wide range of shooters this will open up things for these athletic guys and we'll see more action where they can finish...
With our wide range of shooters this will open up things for these athletic guys and we'll see more action where they can finish...
Not that you're eagerly awaiting for the season to start or something my dear Knight!!!