Zagoria & Seth Davis Talk 2013 Big East

[Moose]

 To be fair Davis doesnt have a crystal ball and does not know how the recruiting class will pan out. As of now we are glaringly weak up front. Of course things will change if we get CO and Sanchez.

 

So how is he qualified to comment if he doesn't follow recruiting and knowing what is coming in?

 

He isn't but it's a BE discussion so the question had to be asked but its unrealistic to expect a national journalist to know specifics about prospective recruits yet to sign. He answered with the info he had, Zags could have given him more info to make an informed decision since he should know what's going on at STJ.

 

So when they show up on campus a freshman how does he base his comments?

 

Not sure what you're saying. If it's saying he's not a great analyst, well I can get on board with that.

 

What I was trying to say was if he can't comment on recruits now. And won't factor that into his 'analysis' (used loosely) of next season, then when the freshman come on campus, he must be blowing smoke because if he hasn't followed them much he probably has no clue what he's talking about.

So next fall when I hear Davis talk about some freshman I'm gonna turn off the channel because whatever he's saying has to be BS.

 

[austour]

 But what I'm saying is he doesn't know who all the frosh will be. FWIW if I don't know that Sanchez, Obekpa and Chandler are in play I say that's a team that has no more size/post presence than last year so they'll be exciting to watch and a little better but it would be hard to say they'll be vastly improved.

Adding Branch and Balamou to him is just more guard depth but with Greene and Dlo that is just a small upgrade to him, maybe, though I'd argue that the team is bringing in a highly ranked PG prospect to a team that didn't have a natural PG last year and therefore his impact should be far greater.

Adding Sampson just replaces Harkless so that's a wash.

That's probably where he's coming from.

 

[Moose]

 But what I'm saying is he doesn't know who all the frosh will be. FWIW if I don't know that Sanchez, Obekpa and Chandler are in play I say that's a team that has no more size/post presence than last year so they'll be exciting to watch and a little better but it would be hard to say they'll be vastly improved.

Adding Branch and Balamou to him is just more guard depth but with Greene and Dlo that is just a small upgrade to him, maybe, though I'd argue that the team is bringing in a highly ranked PG prospect to a team that didn't have a natural PG last year and therefore his impact should be far greater.

Adding Sampson just replaces Harkless so that's a wash.

That's probably where he's coming from.

 

I think your giving him too much credit. He is very close with people at STJ who can easily feed him the info he needs. I need to listen to it again and see what his take on other teams is and if he uses the same criteria with them.

 

[Marillac]

 My problem with Davis' comments that it takes more than a year to rebuild, we're losing our best player (Harrison will be back), and he doesn't expect to much from us next season (paraphrasing), is that it ignores so many blatant improvements:

We will have literally twice the depth, 2-3 times as many big men, and at least twice the experience.

No true point? Fixed
No true center? 2-3 guys in the works
No second shooter? Bourgault/Morris
No experience? A senior, five sophs, and possibly two juniors
Not enough scholarship players to run even a four on four? Never again
3-4 guys constantly playing out of position? Nope

Sampson will be every bit as good as Moe was for us this year. He has more experience, it's more of his natural position, and he's had an extra year to work on his body than Moe did entering his freshman year.

Garrett is going to be a beast. Branch is a stud. We have athletes all over the court. Everyone will be a better shooter than last year.

 

[bamafan]

Let's ban Seth from the board! :fight:  

 

[ras]

 My problem with Davis' comments that it takes more than a year to rebuild, we're losing our best player (Harrison will be back), and he doesn't expect to much from us next season (paraphrasing), is that it ignores so many blatant improvements:

We will have literally twice the depth, 2-3 times as many big men, and at least twice the experience.

No true point? Fixed
No true center? 2-3 guys in the works
No second shooter? Bourgault/Morris
No experience? A senior, five sophs, and possibly two juniors
Not enough scholarship players to run even a four on four? Never again
3-4 guys constantly playing out of position? Nope

Sampson will be every bit as good as Moe was for us this year. He has more experience, it's more of his natural position, and he's had an extra year to work on his body than Moe did entering his freshman year.

Garrett is going to be a beast. Branch is a stud. We have athletes all over the court. Everyone will be a better shooter than last year.

 Mo is tough to replace. But like you, I have faith in Sampson. A big difference between FR and SO and depth. Lets hope Lavin can close the deal w 2 quality bigs.

 

[Season of Glass]

 My problem with Davis' comments that it takes more than a year to rebuild, we're losing our best player (Harrison will be back), and he doesn't expect to much from us next season (paraphrasing), is that it ignores so many blatant improvements:

We will have literally twice the depth, 2-3 times as many big men, and at least twice the experience.

No true point? Fixed
No true center? 2-3 guys in the works
No second shooter? Bourgault/Morris
No experience? A senior, five sophs, and possibly two juniors
Not enough scholarship players to run even a four on four? Never again
3-4 guys constantly playing out of position? Nope

Sampson will be every bit as good as Moe was for us this year. He has more experience, it's more of his natural position, and he's had an extra year to work on his body than Moe did entering his freshman year.

Garrett is going to be a beast. Branch is a stud. We have athletes all over the court. Everyone will be a better shooter than last year.

 

If this year taught us anything it is that there are no sure things.

Our coach missed the whole season after prostate cancer surgery; three recruits weren't cleared to play by the NCAA; and Nurideen Lindsey, who I thought would be very good, missed two foul shots then totally lost his way and quit the team.

I don't think very highly of Seth Davis and was expecting him to piss me off when I saw the teaser on Zags blog that he was going to talk about Steve Lavin's coaching status. My initial reaction was, WTF? But I though his assessment of the team was very fair.

We still have a lot of question marks. Not whether Lav will be on the bench but with the make up of the team.

Recruiting is not complete, and either way, we're still going to be very young. I love Branch and the fact that he played two years of high school football in Texas (that is serious stuff down there) but I've never really seen him play.

Jakaar is a great piece, Ballamou has potential but is somewhat of a project. We still need to sign another big man, and a shooter.

I hope like hell that we wind up with Hall, either by some miracle this year, or if not, next year. I like Morris. Not high on Burgault or Hooper. Would rather sign Fludd, if by some miracle he is also eligible.

I know he has no position but the guy is a winner and works his ass off. Reminds me of a Roger McGready, 6-5, Boston College, out of Xaverian.

And I love the fact that we can now recruit nationally but there is something to be said about having New York kids on the St John's roster.

 

[usguard]

 But what I'm saying is he doesn't know who all the frosh will be. FWIW if I don't know that Sanchez, Obekpa and Chandler are in play I say that's a team that has no more size/post presence than last year so they'll be exciting to watch and a little better but it would be hard to say they'll be vastly improved.

Adding Branch and Balamou to him is just more guard depth but with Greene and Dlo that is just a small upgrade to him, maybe, though I'd argue that the team is bringing in a highly ranked PG prospect to a team that didn't have a natural PG last year and therefore his impact should be far greater.

Adding Sampson just replaces Harkless so that's a wash.

That's probably where he's coming from.

 

Is it a wash? Some say Sampson is better

 

[MCNPA]

 But what I'm saying is he doesn't know who all the frosh will be. FWIW if I don't know that Sanchez, Obekpa and Chandler are in play I say that's a team that has no more size/post presence than last year so they'll be exciting to watch and a little better but it would be hard to say they'll be vastly improved.

Adding Branch and Balamou to him is just more guard depth but with Greene and Dlo that is just a small upgrade to him, maybe, though I'd argue that the team is bringing in a highly ranked PG prospect to a team that didn't have a natural PG last year and therefore his impact should be far greater.

Adding Sampson just replaces Harkless so that's a wash.

That's probably where he's coming from.

 


.
Is it a wash? Some say Sampson is better

 

Different players. Sampson is excellent though, and should be able to replace a lot of what Moe offered. Sampson is the same height as Moe, but more athletic and has a better motor right off the bat. Moe is a better shooter, but he didn't stay long enough at SJU to improve his 20-something percent 3-point shooting, so it's fair to say his outside shot won't be irreplaceable. Well be hard to replicate Moe's impact, but with our much improved depth, the good thing is that we won't have to. I think Amir will really take a big step forward this year and hope for more from Pointer too. We will add a high quality PG, some other SG/wings, more shooting and hopefully a couple of bigs. We'll be s bunch better overall IMO

 

[MJDinkins]

 Is it a wash? Some say Sampson is better

 

Different players. Sampson is excellent though, and should be able to replace a lot of what Moe offered. Sampson is the same height as Moe, but more athletic and has a better motor right off the bat. Moe is a better shooter, but he didn't stay long enough at SJU to improve his 20-something percent 3-point shooting, so it's fair to say his outside shot won't be irreplaceable. Well be hard to replicate Moe's impact, but with our much improved depth, the good thing is that we won't have to. I think Amir will really take a big step forward this year and hope for more from Pointer too. We will add a high quality PG, some other SG/wings, more shooting and hopefully a couple of bigs. We'll be a bunch better overall IMO

 

If the supposed pieces all come together, then you're right on the money, IMO.

 

[doodyny33]

In my opinion, the big question going into next season will be whether Pointer, Garrett, and Greene step up. Based on how he performed this season, we all know the type of player Harrison is. If he continues to improve, he is going to be one of the best players in the conference next year. And we all know that Lavin has added a few nice pieces (Sampson, Branch, and Balamou) and is in the process of trying to land a few more. But just like this season, we have to be fully aware that these players coming in are freshmen and are probably not prepared for the rigors of the college basketball season. So the question becomes whether the players who have been through it (e.g. Pointer, Garrett, Greene, and God's Gift) will get better on the court.

I'm not suggesting any one of these players can replace Harkless -- to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think any of them has the potential shooting ability that Moe brought to the team. But Pointer and Garrett are explosive athletes and there were moments when we all saw them get to the rim with ease. Now, they have to learn to finish near the rim and work on the 10-15 foot jump shot in order to expand their games. If you see those guys get better, then I think we are really talking for next season. Top half of the conference and near the top 25 rankings. But if they regress without the presence of Harkless, then we could be in major trouble.

 

[usguard]

 But what I'm saying is he doesn't know who all the frosh will be. FWIW if I don't know that Sanchez, Obekpa and Chandler are in play I say that's a team that has no more size/post presence than last year so they'll be exciting to watch and a little better but it would be hard to say they'll be vastly improved.

Adding Branch and Balamou to him is just more guard depth but with Greene and Dlo that is just a small upgrade to him, maybe, though I'd argue that the team is bringing in a highly ranked PG prospect to a team that didn't have a natural PG last year and therefore his impact should be far greater.

Adding Sampson just replaces Harkless so that's a wash.

That's probably where he's coming from.

 


.
Is it a wash? Some say Sampson is better

 

Different players. Sampson is excellent though, and should be able to replace a lot of what Moe offered. Sampson is the same height as Moe, but more athletic and has a better motor right off the bat. Moe is a better shooter, but he didn't stay long enough at SJU to improve his 20-something percent 3-point shooting, so it's fair to say his outside shot won't be irreplaceable. Well be hard to replicate Moe's impact, but with our much improved depth, the good thing is that we won't have to. I think Amir will really take a big step forward this year and hope for more from Pointer too. We will add a high quality PG, some other SG/wings, more shooting and hopefully a couple of bigs. We'll be s bunch better overall IMO

 


Agree.provided .he brings in the bigs otherwise middle of he pack at best

 

[austour]

In my opinion, the big question going into next season will be whether Pointer, Garrett, and Greene step up. Based on how he performed this season, we all know the type of player Harrison is. If he continues to improve, he is going to be one of the best players in the conference next year. And we all know that Lavin has added a few nice pieces (Sampson, Branch, and Balamou) and is in the process of trying to land a few more. But just like this season, we have to be fully aware that these players coming in are freshmen and are probably not prepared for the rigors of the college basketball season. So the question becomes whether the players who have been through it (e.g. Pointer, Garrett, Greene, and God's Gift) will get better on the court.

I'm not suggesting any one of these players can replace Harkless -- to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think any of them has the potential shooting ability that Moe brought to the team. But Pointer and Garrett are explosive athletes and there were moments when we all saw them get to the rim with ease. Now, they have to learn to finish near the rim and work on the 10-15 foot jump shot in order to expand their games. If you see those guys get better, then I think we are really talking for next season. Top half of the conference and near the top 25 rankings. But if they regress without the presence of Harkless, then we could be in major trouble.

 

I hope that one or more of them not only has the potential shooting ability that Moe brought to the team but the actual shooting ability. Moe shot 20% from 3. Yes he shot around 50% inside the arc but a large number of those shots were from within 8 feet since he was forced to play inside. His range was limited and his FT shooting got worse as the season went on.

Again, I'm not saying the team's not going to miss Moe but I get he feeling that Jakarr will be able to come very close to replicating his inside game and we don't want anyone to replicate his outside game.

 

[Season of Glass]

In my opinion, the big question going into next season will be whether Pointer, Garrett, and Greene step up. Based on how he performed this season, we all know the type of player Harrison is. If he continues to improve, he is going to be one of the best players in the conference next year. And we all know that Lavin has added a few nice pieces (Sampson, Branch, and Balamou) and is in the process of trying to land a few more. But just like this season, we have to be fully aware that these players coming in are freshmen and are probably not prepared for the rigors of the college basketball season. So the question becomes whether the players who have been through it (e.g. Pointer, Garrett, Greene, and God's Gift) will get better on the court.

I'm not suggesting any one of these players can replace Harkless -- to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think any of them has the potential shooting ability that Moe brought to the team. But Pointer and Garrett are explosive athletes and there were moments when we all saw them get to the rim with ease. Now, they have to learn to finish near the rim and work on the 10-15 foot jump shot in order to expand their games. If you see those guys get better, then I think we are really talking for next season. Top half of the conference and near the top 25 rankings. But if they regress without the presence of Harkless, then we could be in major trouble.

 

I hope that one or more of them not only has the potential shooting ability that Moe brought to the team but the actual shooting ability. Moe shot 20% from 3. Yes he shot around 50% inside the arc but a large number of those shots were from within 8 feet since he was forced to play inside. His range was limited and his FT shooting got worse as the season went on.

Again, I'm not saying the team's not going to miss Moe but I get he feeling that Jakarr will be able to come very close to replicating his inside game and we don't want anyone to replicate his outside game.

 

We have to be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. See coach K's record in year two and three at Duke.