What if Ponds leaves?

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Dan V

Dan V

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Its a very real possibility, so im curious what does everyone think about next season without SP. What would be the expectations? I for one think it lowers our ceiling but doesn't mean we can't compete for a bid. It would also open up a scholarship, what position do we use it on? Is a big man still the priority or do we now need another PG? Interested to hear what you guys think a lineup of Dixon, Simon, Figs, Clark, Keita can do.
 
[quote="Dan V" post=283912]Its a very real possibility, so im curious what does everyone think about next season without SP. What would be the expectations? I for one think it lowers our ceiling but doesn't mean we can't compete for a bid. It would also open up a scholarship, what position do we use it on? Is a big man still the priority or do we now need another PG? Interested to hear what you guys think a lineup of Dixon, Simon, Figs, Clark, Keita can do.[/quote]

Even with Ponds leaving we will have 4 guards. A big will still be a priority with Jordan Brown changing his mind at the last minute and coming to Jamaica. I also think that regardless of the roster we will finish in the top 10 of the Big East.
 
[quote="Dan V" post=283912]Its a very real possibility, so im curious what does everyone think about next season without SP. What would be the expectations? I for one think it lowers our ceiling but doesn't mean we can't compete for a bid. It would also open up a scholarship, what position do we use it on? Is a big man still the priority or do we now need another PG? Interested to hear what you guys think a lineup of Dixon, Simon, Figs, Clark, Keita can do.[/quote]
I still think we can contend for a bid. A lot would depend on Dixon. I have never seen him play but he does have D1 experience even if at a smaller conference. It would be much more pressure on Williams to perform and that might be tough. Simon would really have to step up as well. I do think with/without Ponds Simon will be a key player. I thought he really came on at the end of last season.
 
I really think Roberts, Williams, Diakite and Ellington will make the BE all rookie team; with Dixon making 2nd team all Big East.

That said, I would feel better if we could find a few Lavin caliber walk-ons.
 
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First thing first, I’m confident Shamorie Ponds is coming back ( especially since he didn’t get an invite). However, we played well without him ( beating Butler, almost beating Seton Hall at the Hall) so I would believe we can win without him.
 
[quote="Dan V" post=283912]Its a very real possibility, so im curious what does everyone think about next season without SP. What would be the expectations?.[/quote]

 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283921]No Ponds 8th or 9th place[/quote]
Paultz, any idea/thoughts what Big East will look like? Anyone?
Seems like many here think BE will be a little down this year. Hence, why with Ponds/Simon/Clark we would be dangerous. Of course, w/o Shamorie we would have to get lots of help from unknowns.
 
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[quote="sjc88" post=283922][quote="Paultzman" post=283921]No Ponds 8th or 9th place[/quote]
Paultz, any idea/thoughts what Big East will look like? Anyone?
Seems like many here think BE will be a little down this year. Hence, why with Ponds/Simon/Clark we would be dangerous. Of course, w/o Shamorie we would have to get lots of help from unknowns.[/quote]
A lot of good BE players have moved on so I would think this is year for SJ to make a move if Ponds returns.

With Figueroa joining the core guys, SJ will have a lot of firepower. If they continue improvement defensively and gang rebound effectively, maybe finishing fifth or so is attainable. Don’t want to be overly optimistic.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283923][quote="sjc88" post=283922][quote="Paultzman" post=283921]No Ponds 8th or 9th place[/quote]
Paultz, any idea/thoughts what Big East will look like? Anyone?
Seems like many here think BE will be a little down this year. Hence, why with Ponds/Simon/Clark we would be dangerous. Of course, w/o Shamorie we would have to get lots of help from unknowns.[/quote]
A lot of good BE players have moved on so I would think this is year for SJ to make a move if Ponds returns.

With Figueroa joining the core guys, SJ will have a lot of firepower. If they continue improvement defensively and gang rebound effectively, maybe finishing fifth or so is attainable. Don’t want to be overly optimistic.[/quote]
Thanks. I would think either way we can score. I am more worried about D and rebounding (what else?). Seems like some of the other BE teams will be relying on some freshman so I am cautiously optimistic if Ponds returns. Solid threesome of Clark/Simon/Ponds (with the new unknowns) would give us a punchers chance to improve into the upper half and possible bid or at least in the running.
 
[quote="austour" post=283924]No Ponds and the ceiling is the NIT.[/quote]

......and, if the NIT is the ceiling it wouldn't be so bad considering Mullin will finally have a winning record to qualify for post season. Unfortunately the prospect of going to the NIT will drive major recruits away and the fan base would turn on its favorite son which is why so many of us never wanted Mullin as a coaching experiment.
 
Top 3 with Ponds

5-7 without

Too good of a coaching staff to expect anything less

Anyone else take a xanax and drink a beer? Makes you feel pretty damn good
 
[quote="rawdognyc" post=283930]Top 3 with Ponds

5-7 without

Too good of a coaching staff to expect anything less

Anyone else take a xanax and drink a beer? Makes you feel pretty damn good[/quote] On international flights I take one as soon as we board the plane and have a glass of wine when they serve the food then I sleep the entire flight. I sleep better on those flights than I do at home. :)
 
If he leaves, it will be scary, and this board will be so hot next season, it may crash servers on a daily basis!
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=283935][quote="rawdognyc" post=283930]Top 3 with Ponds

5-7 without

Too good of a coaching staff to expect anything less

Anyone else take a xanax and drink a beer? Makes you feel pretty damn good[/quote] On international flights I take one as soon as we board the plane and have a glass of wine when they serve the food then I sleep the entire flight. I sleep better on those flights than I do at home. :)[/quote]

Dude. It's so nice for a flight. I do the same thing. Nothing like sleeping thru an entire flight
 
[quote="41ndone" post=283943]Without Ponds we're dead last in the BE. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.[/quote]

Where do you see us with Ponds? 9th place?
 
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[quote="sjc88" post=283927][quote="Paultzman" post=283923][quote="sjc88" post=283922][quote="Paultzman" post=283921]No Ponds 8th or 9th place[/quote]
Paultz, any idea/thoughts what Big East will look like? Anyone?
Seems like many here think BE will be a little down this year. Hence, why with Ponds/Simon/Clark we would be dangerous. Of course, w/o Shamorie we would have to get lots of help from unknowns.[/quote]
A lot of good BE players have moved on so I would think this is year for SJ to make a move if Ponds returns.

With Figueroa joining the core guys, SJ will have a lot of firepower. If they continue improvement defensively and gang rebound effectively, maybe finishing fifth or so is attainable. Don’t want to be overly optimistic.[/quote]
Thanks. I would think either way we can score. I am more worried about D and rebounding (what else?). Seems like some of the other BE teams will be relying on some freshman so I am cautiously optimistic if Ponds returns. Solid threesome of Clark/Simon/Ponds (with the new unknowns) would give us a punchers chance to improve into the upper half and possible bid or at least in the running.[/quote]

Total guess but with Ponds--and this roster as is, I see us surprising on the upside, finishing 4th/5th in the BEC. I think this because i view a Ponds/ Figueroa duo, a toxic tandem for adversaries that'll light up the conference.
Sans Ponds, 7th - 9th, because the BEC is less experienced and a 5 of Simon, Clark, Dixon, Figueroa, Keita would still be a very solid Starting 5--but the 'depth' unknown, untested, and rail thin,
 
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