Why Redshirt God's Gift
- Thread starter boo haarvey
- Start date
You know here we are again in the identical frame of mind as we were last season when everyone was questioning the staff and the lack of recruits. So our cancer ridden coach brought in Jakaar = star, Felix = above expectations, CO = best shot blocker ever at SJU, CJ = jury still out, Marco = same as CJ, Branch = should be damn good, but all of the geniuses here are still questioning the Coach's motives. I for one have learned not to question Coach Lavin in the little time he has been here.
PLEASE HAVE FAITH.
PLEASE HAVE FAITH.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
Special is not happening this year. With or without Gift, the NCAA is a bit of a stretch. With Sanchez eligible, and Branch meeting expectations, then making the dance is possible. If Sanchez gets eligible soon, giving him time to get in game shape by the start of Big East play, then maybe the NCAA becomes a reality. As things stand, too many holes to fill and other issues with the current roster.
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
I hope you are right. Maybe saying the dance is a stretch is too strongly worded. I still think that a team that had to fight hard at home to beat Detroit, Holy Cross, NJIT and Florida Gulf Coast can't be considered a lock for the NCAA. I had higher hopes before seeing the team fall behind to two so-so teams. I am also confident that Sanchez and Branch (not either or) will put us over the top. I will be the happiest nut in the world if the team gels for the conference schedule. My main disagreement is that this year can be special. When Coach himself says that he needed a few weeks more with this team before the season started, then it is clear that there are weaknesses that need to be worked on.
I think we have the pieces - but how well we do remains uncertain. I keep on telling my buddies that this team has lots and lots of pieces.
The questions to me that remain to be answered include:
Can our two big men (Obekpa and either Sanchez or Gift) stay out of foul trouble?
Can D'Lo play within the flow of the game or does he try and force it to get over 20 points a game?
Can we hit our free throws?
Can Sampson learn to drive to the rim and draw fouls and keep on getting rebounds?
Can we get solid minutes from any one that has a consistent three-point shot (other than Harrison)?
Can Branch drive & kick - to create for others?
Does our half court offense operate at all against more athletic teams?
Can Pointer stop taking crazy shots on offense?
Can Phil Greene be the great Phil Greene version that we've seen vs. the bad version?
If all the questions above go our way - We'll be in the Final Four. If we get maybe half of those questions to go our way, we'll make the tournament. If less than half of those questions go our way then we'll be on the outside looking in on Selection Sunday.
One thing I like is that team is deep - we should be able to get a jolt of energy or great plays from different players on different nights. I think our defense should be pretty consistent (if we play more man to man, and use less zone).
Overall though I think we'll be inconsistent - we'll probably 'upset' a highly ranked team or two, but we'll also lose one or two to teams that our talent says we should easily beat.... Presuming we don't get Sanchez, I think a lot of how we do this season depends on Phil Greene. We know we'll get great defense from Sampson, Dom and Obekpa. We know we'll get great offense from Harrison and some solid offense from Samson. Can we get a third scoring option from Greene? If we do, I think that pushes into the territory of where we want to be.
I really don't know how we end up. I watch some of our play and I cringe. I watch some of our other play during games and we are awesome. Hard to say.. hopefully with time we'll be more consistent.
Maybe the logic is that Lavin feels that he is comfortable with the frontline rotation he has now with or without Sanchez. He also may think that Sanchez, if he ever qualifies is gone next year and there is a good possibility that Sampson could turn pro also. Add to that that Lawrence is not a sure thing and you have the scenario for Gift sitting this year and coming back next season.
Eugene Edgerson of Arizona was a non-medical redshirt and fully eligible redshirt between his junior and senior seasons. He took the season off and was a student teacher. He was a key reserve during his career. Other than that, I can't think of anyone right now.
boo haarvey
Active member
I don't understand this mentality. Lavin is not infallible. He certainly has more information than we do and may well be making the right call, but that doesn't mean we can't question it. Isn't that one of the purposes of this board -- to share our thoughts and opinions and at times, to express our disagreement? I'll gladly eat crow if I'm wrong (I hope Sanchez is declared eligible tomorrow), but I would rather have Gift on the floor.
View Gift from the Bobre45 school of hoopology. With no terrors about fouling out Gift is capable (as was Evans) of approaching just about any opposing big and dictating where they can an cannot be on the court. Its the old Paul Silas school of rebounding with your butt. We have so much athleticism that the option of immovable object/irresistable force (picks and clearouts) to make way for our athletes has some appeal and may be needed if Sanchez is victimized by NCAA.
JackofVirginia
Active member
Right now we are being outrebounded and without Sanchez or G.G. it will probably continue. If Obepka or Sampson get in foul trouble G.G. would be a fine replacement. Think about it, what if both had to be on the bench because of fouls. What's your lineup then?
Releford from Kansas. Bill Self is the master of the redshirt...doesn't matter what year. I wasn't for this originally, but Lavin knows what he is doing. Sanchez will be gone and we have two bigs on the NBA radar as well. It would be a shame to have all the talent and experience next year and lose because of frontcourt depth.
GG is not a difference maker this year. He might be a qualitiy backup next year with the extra seasonsing.
Moose
Well-known member
He's not infallible. But I know you would disagree but I don't think he's done anything so far to really have us question or villify his thoughts. Who knows if Sanchez doesnt get cleared maybe Gift plays. If Sanchez is eligible its a moot point and like Marillac pointed out Gift isn't the difference maker this year but next year could be valuable asset based on the fact there isn't much out there for '13. Next year was always 'THE' year in Lavin's mind. Can we get there?
boo haarvey
Active member
I don't think that Lavin has done anything to make me or anyone else instinctively question his decisions. Like any thinking person, I look at the situation and come to my own conclusions. Is Lavin a better basketball mind than me? Absolutely. Does that mean that every decision he makes is correct? No way. Part of being a fan is the right to question and criticize some of the decisions that are made.
I think you have to play for the here and now. From everything I've heard, Harisson (our best player and only true scoring threat) is likely gone after this year and we may lose Sampson as well (although I can't imagine that happening given what I've seen from him thus far). Winning begets winning and will undoubtedly help recruiting. Let's put our best foot forward this year. If we win this year, next year will take care of itself.
