Who will be our Most Valuable Newcomer?

Who will be our Most Valuable New Comer?

  • Bryce Hopkins

    Votes: 40 34.2%
  • Ian Jackson

    Votes: 33 28.2%
  • Oziyah Sellers

    Votes: 8 6.8%
  • Joson Sanon

    Votes: 23 19.7%
  • Dillon Mitchell

    Votes: 8 6.8%
  • The Field

    Votes: 5 4.3%

  • Total voters
    117
A serious embarrassment of riches. Finally on an even playing field with the bluebloods. Since we are forced to pick one, I’ll go with Captain Jack.
It is a lot of fun being on the side of the fence with an “embarrassment of riches” as opposed to our more common place of embarrassment of embarrassments.

Oh, and while I am a huge Captain Jack fan (great Billy Joel song), I am going with Hopkins because it will be a joy watching him and Zuby torment opposing front courts off the glass, especially offensive rebounds (not that it will matter since none of the team’s shooters will ever miss).
 
Sanon, unlike Jackson won’t be learning to be a primary ball handler. Yes, learning a new system, but has experience off the ball where he’ll as usual primarily play.

An aside, seems on paper to have a ton of talent offensively, but rubber hits the road w Rick on D. Perhaps a better question is who will be our primary guys to make stops.
There will certainly be bumps along the way. One or more players adjusting the PG spot, I’m sure there will be 20 different starting lineups again, gelling especially on the defensive end will all take a little time to get used to.

I glad we are playing a rock solid non conference schedule this year. Everyone one of our transfers not named Hopkins is stepping up in class and no matter how good you are and these guys have talent in spades, Big East basketball is a whole different ball game.

You know I hate to agree with Pitino, but I think a better team with a worse record is the most likely outcome for the regular season. Hopefully we win a few in the NCAAs!
 
Ed
There will certainly be bumps along the way. One or more players adjusting the PG spot, I’m sure there will be 20 different starting lineups again, gelling especially on the defensive end will all take a little time to get used to.

I glad we are playing a rock solid non conference schedule this year. Everyone one of our transfers not named Hopkins is stepping up in class and no matter how good you are and these guys have talent in spades, Big East basketball is a whole different ball game.

You know I hate to agree with Pitino, but I think a better team with a worse record is the most likely outcome for the regular season. Hopefully we win a few in the NCAAs!
agree with your post , save and except that every transfer other than Hopkins is stepping up in class.
Hopkins - BE.
Sanon - Arizona State, very high level.
Sellers - stanford i believe, see Sanon above.
Jackson- UNC, total blue blood.
Mitchell - Cincinnati, a good conference.
Darling - Big jump in conference talent.

And please don’t sleep on Reuben, I believe he will have a big season and surprise many.
 
Ed

agree with your post , save and except that every transfer other than Hopkins is stepping up in class.
Hopkins - BE.
Sanon - Arizona State, very high level.
Sellers - stanford i believe, see Sanon above.
Jackson- UNC, total blue blood.
Mitchell - Cincinnati, a good conference.
Darling - Big jump in conference talent.

And please don’t sleep on Reuben, I believe he will have a big season and surprise many.
I would say except for Darling everyone else is basically playing at the same level of competition that they have already played at.
 
Ed

agree with your post , save and except that every transfer other than Hopkins is stepping up in class.
Hopkins - BE.
Sanon - Arizona State, very high level.
Sellers - stanford i believe, see Sanon above.
Jackson- UNC, total blue blood.
Mitchell - Cincinnati, a good conference.
Darling - Big jump in conference talent.

And please don’t sleep on Reuben, I believe he will have a big season and surprise many.
I have a huge big east bias. But even with that, I can agree with UC and ASU playing at comparable levels conference wise. I thought ASU and UC were bottom dwellers in the Big 12 and I worry about stats translating. As for Stanford and UNC, you just get so many nights off in the ACC between BC, UM, NCState (although maybe not any more), Cal, Cuse, and Pitt. Lotta teams you can beat with your B- game. UConn shows up with their B- game to Newark and loses 5 in a row. I just don't think you can sleep walk against anyone in the Big East. There's just something about playing everyone twice that just makes it much harder.

I probably expressed my thoughts wrong. The new guys certainly look like that have loads of talent and I am sure they could succeed anywhere. I just think that the Big East Conference has a style of play, scheduling (home and home), and a depth of quality teams that make it unlike any other conference. I believe anyone who hasn't gone through it or hasn't played an above average SEC or Big 10 schedule is to have to adjust at least a little bit.

As for Reuben, I'm willing to bet he makes the one of the starting line ups this year :D. Seriously though, a big man in the big east, when are they ever great in year 1? I would love him to have a similar career to Austin Croshere or Sandro Mamukelashvili. I don't think that is likely because both Austin and Mamu had stellar careers, but it is not out realm of possibility. I certainly am not ready to give up on him even if he had a rough shooting seasons.
 
Marillac likes to give strong opinions but can’t here. Strong lean to Hopkins if fully healthy by a nose over Sanon and Jackson. He can just do too many things with his skill set and length.

Sanon likely has the widest range of outcomes in the conference and will get most of the RJ 1 on 1 opportunities — and will be better in that area IMO.
 
Marillac likes to give strong opinions but can’t here. Strong lean to Hopkins if fully healthy by a nose over Sanon and Jackson. He can just do too many things with his skill set and length.

Sanon likely has the widest range of outcomes in the conference and will get most of the RJ 1 on 1 opportunities — and will be better in that area IMO.
Don't sleep on Odih. If Pitino loves him, I love him.
 
My biggest question mark (if I have one) going into the season is up front, so I think Mitchell will be the most important guy with the potential to have the biggest impact.
 
I have a huge big east bias. But even with that, I can agree with UC and ASU playing at comparable levels conference wise. I thought ASU and UC were bottom dwellers in the Big 12 and I worry about stats translating. As for Stanford and UNC, you just get so many nights off in the ACC between BC, UM, NCState (although maybe not any more), Cal, Cuse, and Pitt. Lotta teams you can beat with your B- game. UConn shows up with their B- game to Newark and loses 5 in a row. I just don't think you can sleep walk against anyone in the Big East. There's just something about playing everyone twice that just makes it much harder.

I probably expressed my thoughts wrong. The new guys certainly look like that have loads of talent and I am sure they could succeed anywhere. I just think that the Big East Conference has a style of play, scheduling (home and home), and a depth of quality teams that make it unlike any other conference. I believe anyone who hasn't gone through it or hasn't played an above average SEC or Big 10 schedule is to have to adjust at least a little bit.

As for Reuben, I'm willing to bet he makes the one of the starting line ups this year :D. Seriously though, a big man in the big east, when are they ever great in year 1? I would love him to have a similar career to Austin Croshere or Sandro Mamukelashvili. I don't think that is likely because both Austin and Mamu had stellar careers, but it is not out realm of possibility. I certainly am not ready to give up on him even if he had a rough shooting seasons.
Last year, Big East had plenty of nights off with Seton Hall, DePaul, and Butler, and then others where a B- game can win you the game like Villanova, Georgetown and Providence.

With these three guys, I don't think any of it will be about talent. I think its about fitting in. With Pitino, I'd bet on it working.

Oziyah: his game log suggests he can play against anyone. Played well, and efficiently, against Duke/Louisville/Clemson, and pretty steady against the rest of the ACC. Had a bad game here or there, but that's fine. He'll also have a lesser role here which should help.

Sanon: his shooting the last five games were terrific, but they also went 0-5. I watched a bit of Arizona State because I thought we'd maybe go after Sanon or JQ. They were one of the most toxic teams in the country -- one of the guys got kicked off the team a couple days after I watched them -- so I think he'll be able to play at this level offensively. But the demands of an actual winning program will be completely night and day for him.

Ian: Some of his best games were against Kansas, Florida, Michigan State, Alabama, UCLA and Louisville. None of his stuff is about matching up with the talent. But, I also watched a lot of UNC games because I thought we'd have a chance at him, his thing is -- can he play consistent defense, play with a high motor for 30 minutes of the game, and what can he do with the ball in his hands for a majority of the game? He wasn't asked to do any of it, so its pure speculation and projection. But he's got big time talent.
 
Last year, Big East had plenty of nights off with Seton Hall, DePaul, and Butler, and then others where a B- game can win you the game like Villanova, Georgetown and Providence.

With these three guys, I don't think any of it will be about talent. I think its about fitting in. With Pitino, I'd bet on it working.

Oziyah: his game log suggests he can play against anyone. Played well, and efficiently, against Duke/Louisville/Clemson, and pretty steady against the rest of the ACC. Had a bad game here or there, but that's fine. He'll also have a lesser role here which should help.

Sanon: his shooting the last five games were terrific, but they also went 0-5. I watched a bit of Arizona State because I thought we'd maybe go after Sanon or JQ. They were one of the most toxic teams in the country -- one of the guys got kicked off the team a couple days after I watched them -- so I think he'll be able to play at this level offensively. But the demands of an actual winning program will be completely night and day for him.

Ian: Some of his best games were against Kansas, Florida, Michigan State, Alabama, UCLA and Louisville. None of his stuff is about matching up with the talent. But, I also watched a lot of UNC games because I thought we'd have a chance at him, his thing is -- can he play consistent defense, play with a high motor for 30 minutes of the game, and what can he do with the ball in his hands for a majority of the game? He wasn't asked to do any of it, so its pure speculation and projection. But he's got big time talent.
Bobby Hurley really has had a chaotic program at ASU with meh results, despite bringing in highly ranked kids. It is all about chemistry and leadership. Bobby really has not fared well in that regard.
 
I can see the boys are itching for basketball and since this is a purely speculative topic, I'm going with the kid from Austria, via Croatia and who may be the next coming of (pick your favorite Fred Lyson comparison).
 
Don't sleep on Odih. If Pitino loves him, I love him.
I’m very bullish on him and think his physicality gives him a leg up on Pitino's past freshman here, but there are a lot of older players blocking his path. I'm sure Pitino will use his rugged style of play and practice to prove some points to others that might result in a few starts for Odih. There also might be some games we need more strength on the perimeter.

2026-27 he could really shine for us.
 
According to CBS Sorts and Sports Illustrated, the Johnnies starting lineup will be Ian at PG, Joson at SG, Oziyah at G/F, Bryce at SF and Zubi at F/C. It looks like UConn's starters will be Demery at PG, Ball at SG, Karaban at SF, Reed, JR at C and either Mullins or Stewart at PF.

Except for maybe PG, would anyone trade St. John's lineup for UConn's lineup? I would also give bench strength to St. John's. Any thoughts?
 
I’m very bullish on him and think his physicality gives him a leg up on Pitino's past freshman here, but there are a lot of older players blocking his path. I'm sure Pitino will use his rugged style of play and practice to prove some points to others that might result in a few starts for Odih. There also might be some games we need more strength on the perimeter.

2026-27 he could really shine for us.
Ayo replacement with a ton more upside
 
I wouldn't sleep on Uconn's lineup at all. There is a world in which both Ball and Karaban are easily starters on St. John's, despite Karaban's shooting struggles last year. No clue on the freshman except they are highly-regarded. I would of course take Zuby over Reed, but I think Reed will still be one of the better bigs in the league and he gave us fits last year more than anyone on that roster.
 
I wouldn't sleep on Uconn's lineup at all. There is a world in which both Ball and Karaban are easily starters on St. John's, despite Karaban's shooting struggles last year. No clue on the freshman except they are highly-regarded. I would of course take Zuby over Reed, but I think Reed will still be one of the better bigs in the league and he gave us fits last year more than anyone on that roster.
I'd take Zuby over Reed, but Reed absolutely dominated him @UConn. Reed has one inch and 20lbs over him. I wouldn't underestimate him having a breakout year and think all three (or four?) games between those two will be wars.

Solo Ball is a very interesting comp to Sanon (w/ Solo being the guy who's proven to shoot at a high level, but also Solo's defense is horrendous), and Demary is a proven ball handler/orchestrate the offense unlike Ian. I do think Karaban is a starter here over Sellers.

UConn will be a very tough game.
 
I have concerns about Hopkins being injury prone . Clearly , if he is 100 percent he has the ability to be the standout , among the newcomers .

He’s also had a long layoff from BE level competition . We will see …

I’m sure Cooley felt similar to Pitino by not getting Hopkins to G’Town .
Rick must have felt that way , not getting Clayton 2 years ago .

And , even more so this past year when Clayton won the NCAA…
 
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