Will the NIT Be Good Enough in 2019?

[quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

No guarantee Heron comes back, even if he does sit the season out.
 
[quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

While possible, I think you are underestimating Ponds here. I believe he can play with anyone and we will see his assist numbers go way up with Heron on the court which is probably more important then if he averages 17 or 21.
 
I’m hoping Heron is eligible. The sooner we start winning, the faster the turnaround will be. Next year is very important. A successful season will also help recruiting. Not only does Heron provide skill, but he provides needed depth. His height , strength and maturity will also be helpful. We will be a lot better w Heron next year, then without him. Regarding chemistry, Duke has McDonald’s AAs on the bench and their. chemistry is fine.
 
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[quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

I normally agree with you but have a different point of view on this issue. I bet CM used a Warriors reference to sell Heron on the premise that he and Shamorie can make each other better, just like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant have done. Many doubted that those two guys could play together but the results speak for themselves.

Having another "star" player on the floor would help both Ponds and Heron because the defense can't key on both of them. If they are unselfish and willing to share the ball, there won't be as much pressure on either one one of them, whereas there is tremendous pressure when one guy has to be "the man". Also having guys like Simon and Clark in support roles will help both Ponds and Heron as well.
 
I think Ponds' efficiency will go up playing with Heron including that 3pt% Zaun mentioned.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=291440]Answer depends on how many of our players come down with hand and mouth disease.[/quote]

lol

No excuses. Heron or no Heron.
It's NCAA or Bust.
 
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[quote="Paul Massell" post=291413]If Heron is immediately eligible could be magical season. He is after all the best tackler since Joe Montana.[/quote]

Joe Montana was a quarterback you idiot
 
[quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

You may be right but if Ponds thinks dominating the ball is his way to the NBA, IMO he learned nothing from his off-season pro exploration.
 
[quote="Logen" post=291467][quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

You may be right but if Ponds thinks dominating the ball is his way to the NBA, IMO he learned nothing from his off-season pro exploration.[/quote]
Yup, improving his defense & distributing the ball reflect key ingredients of the feedback from NBA folks.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=291469][quote="Logen" post=291467][quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

You may be right but if Ponds thinks dominating the ball is his way to the NBA, IMO he learned nothing from his off-season pro exploration.[/quote]
Yup, improving his defense & distributing the ball reflect key ingredients of the feedback from NBA folks.[/quote]

Shooting better than 25% from beyond the college 3 pt line would probably help as well
 
[quote="Logen" post=291467][quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

You may be right but if Ponds thinks dominating the ball is his way to the NBA, IMO he learned nothing from his off-season pro exploration.[/quote]

A couple of years back I saw an interview of John Thompson Jr. (the dad), incidentally by his second son, who comes off as a really intelligent interviewer, a cut above most. Actually, after years of hating JT (because of GT), he also is a really bright, well spoken guy. He said the biggest problem coaches have today is getting good players to play within a system and not to the stat sheet. The thing that is most bothersome are the handlers who are in their ear about scoring more points and getting more shots.

If Ponds just looks at the stats for the 4 Villanova draftees in 2018, they all distinguished themselves without scoring tons of points (except maybe Brunson). Of course, winning a championship doesn't hurt, or scoring 30 pints in the finals.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=291469][quote="Logen" post=291467][quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

You may be right but if Ponds thinks dominating the ball is his way to the NBA, IMO he learned nothing from his off-season pro exploration.[/quote]
Yup, improving his defense & distributing the ball reflect key ingredients of the feedback from NBA folks.[/quote]

Yes. Divincenzo was drafted in the 1st round averaging just 13 points per game. Ponds doesn't need to match his scoring average from last year. It's those other skills that will move him up the draft board.
 
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[quote="MarkRedman" post=291451][quote="redmannorth" post=291437]I believe we are an NCAA team without Heron. I agree with Class of 72 that there are a lot of pieces to integrate, but the 3 key pieces of Ponds , Simon and Clark are there. As long as Dixon and Keita play within their roles next season we will be fine.
Not to be a Debbie downer but my fear is that if Heron becomes eligible you have 2 players who will each be looking to move on after the season to the NBA and the same 2 players each need to dominate the ball. Everyone seems to be ignoring something called team chemistry which is key on a winning team. Will they want to share the ball, will they get enough touches. Anyone who has coached or watched a lot of bball knows this is a huge problem on many a team.
I know this will be a very unpopular position but I believe this team will be better served if Heron does not play next season and comes in the following year where he can be the man and provide us with a huge talent to replace Ponds.[/quote]

I normally agree with you but have a different point of view on this issue. I bet CM used a Warriors reference to sell Heron on the premise that he and Shamorie can make each other better, just like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant have done. Many doubted that those two guys could play together but the results speak for themselves.

Having another "star" player on the floor would help both Ponds and Heron because the defense can't key on both of them. If they are unselfish and willing to share the ball, there won't be as much pressure on either one one of them, whereas there is tremendous pressure when one guy has to be "the man". Also having guys like Simon and Clark in support roles will help both Ponds and Heron as well.[/quote]

I would not ‘forget’ Figueroa. I think he’ll be a very positive surprise, with defensive intensity, team play, and shooting accuracy.
And I bet Simon’s game ratchets higher. That’s 4 guys in tandem, with great support. Should be very tough to stop.
Let’s go Johnnies.
 
Chicago Days wrote:

I would not ‘forget’ Figueroa. I think he’ll be a very positive surprise, with defensive intensity, team play, and shooting accuracy.
And I bet Simon’s game ratchets higher. That’s 4 guys in tandem, with great support. Should be very tough to stop.
Let’s go Johnnies.

I also expect Clark to have a very good senior year. He showed a concerted effort to rebound more the last half of BE season and to drive to hoop or take foul line jumper if given any space. He is a great FT shooter so it will help if we can get him to line more often.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=291496]Chicago Days wrote:

I would not ‘forget’ Figueroa. I think he’ll be a very positive surprise, with defensive intensity, team play, and shooting accuracy.
And I bet Simon’s game ratchets higher. That’s 4 guys in tandem, with great support. Should be very tough to stop.
Let’s go Johnnies.

I also expect Clark to have a very good senior year. He showed a concerted effort to rebound more the last half of BE season and to drive to hoop or take foul line jumper if given any space. He is a great FT shooter so it will help if we can get him to line more often.[/quote]

I agree about Clark as well, NCJohnnie. Add Dixon and Keita who both aim to prove they belong in high major competition and you have the basis of my high expectations for the 2018-19 season.
Let the games begin.
 
Unfortunately some guys just need the ball in their hands and are less effective w/o it. Not that they have to shoot it all the time just seem to get lost and drift through games when playing off the ball.
Hatten was clearly one of those guys. Even with Heron I think Ponds has the ball majority of the time.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=291572]Unfortunately some guys just need the ball in their hands and are less effective w/o it. Not that they have to shoot it all the time just seem to get lost and drift through games when playing off the ball.
Hatten was clearly one of those guys. Even with Heron I think Ponds has the ball majority of the time.[/quote]

...but with viable options, maybe he’ll pass more, his assists / game will drift higher and his TOs lower...
 
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