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Post by dex on Nov 6, 2017 8:49:53 GMT -5
Yeah 2nd thoughts as to whether we get our 5th straight bid to the Dance?
After the Holt news I suggested that it's not a foregone conclusion that we make the Dance without him. I was shouted down by some of you birds who insisted that Holt was unfortunate but not a deal-breaker. Why? Because we had so much depth and were gonna press and run teams into the ground.
What a crock! I hear the same BS every year and it never materializes...Why you ask? Glad you did...Because the other teams have good coaches too.
So what are the odds now that we can make the Dance? I won't even factor in injuries to Lindsey & Edwards and shall assume they are ready. Even so, based on what I see to date, the odds are probably 50/50
Three Reasons:
Still need to improve shooting
Still need to improve FTs
Still waiting for Kalif Young to become that Household Name in FriarTown because of his rebounding that our great Coach suggested a year ago.
Come on you Homer's that wear blinders at the games...tell me why it's still a cinch! I suspect the silence will be deafening.
This season is coming at us like a freight train and the question is: Are we ready?
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Post by TheInfoMan on Nov 6, 2017 10:12:50 GMT -5
While curled up in a fetal position tucked away in the corner of cold, damp room, I also admit to having the jitters about this upcoming season that had been full of promise. BTW, I also think Dex stole my blankie!
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Post by johnnypc on Nov 6, 2017 10:47:46 GMT -5
I have ultimate faith in Coach Cooley to find a way.
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Post by pistol44 on Nov 6, 2017 10:47:47 GMT -5
Methinks Lindsay is in Ed's doghouse, the knee issue is a ruse. I would bet he will be back by the second or third game. Assuming Holt is gone for the season, the frontcourt is thin already and we have to lean on the frosh early. Certainly losing Holt will cost us a few victories, but I believe Ed has enough time to massage the rotations to make up for the loss. Based upon what I've seen I think we have a decent group of shooters and will get better as the year progresses.
I would peg our NCAA chances as better than 50/50...
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Post by connfriar on Nov 6, 2017 10:54:10 GMT -5
The loss of Holt is huge but this is still a quick, deep, and experienced team that will score aplenty...no second thoughts here.
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Post by wtm97 on Nov 6, 2017 11:40:00 GMT -5
Hey info, the only blanket Dex is gonna toss you is a wet one.
OK sure - loss of Holt is huge, no doubt. And yes, foul shooting stinks, out side shooting is iffy and our interior, less Holt is shaky.
But remember we just started.
I think we make NCAA 70-30.
WHY?
Glad you asked...
Here is why.
Cartwright will step up and lead.
MAL is the real deal.
White will surprise.
Edwards will help.
Bullock will wake up.
Lindsey will be back and ready.
Diallo is superb.
Watson will hold his own.
Young will get rebounds.
Jackson will glue.
Question?
Dickens.
So we will be a team that gets better, not worse.
70-30.
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Post by yankeefriar on Nov 6, 2017 12:53:08 GMT -5
If we make the NCAA's I don't think it will be because our front court surprises. Young, Watson and Dickens will struggle, but will gain valuable experience.
I think we make the dance, but it won't be easy. The reason we make it, will be because on some nights Cartwright will be the best player on the floor and on other nights it will be Diallo.
The rest of the guys will be solid pieces and contributors, enough to overcome some less than adequate nights out of our 5 spot.
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friar82
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BCC Member
Posts: 8,153
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Post by friar82 on Nov 6, 2017 13:29:13 GMT -5
Aside from the UConn exhibition, I haven't seen this group play at all. I have zero sense of progression (individuals and as a unit) since that one, isolated scrimmage. What I do know, is that I'm concerned about the team's FT% as reflected in write-ups and Box Scores.
I am bullish on Ed's ability to get the absolute most out of the "players on the bus", as well as how his teams have historically progressed as each season unfolds.
Will it all be enough for a Bid? Who knows.
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Post by thewalk on Nov 6, 2017 14:14:18 GMT -5
I was shouted down by some of you birds who insisted that Holt was unfortunate but not a deal-breaker. Why? Because we had so much depth and were gonna press and run teams into the ground....don't recall seeing the part about pressing and running...that's not really Ed's style. The point made at the time of the Holt announcement was that replacing Holt with Edwards, MAL, Dickens, Watson should be enough to get this team back. Holt was a great addition last year but let's not fall into another our best players are on the sidelines again. Jackson is similar in size to Holt and was reported to be a frontcourt player during the year he was sitting. SO just Holt, we should dance. OR we had fools gold and earned those late season Ws only b/c our opponents were hurt.
Add no Holt, no Lindsey, a idon'tgiveafreak Bullock b/c I'm not getting looks and haven't developed my handle or decision making - AND this team will be on the outside. BUT that's why Ed gets paid to coach. There should be enough personnel to get us back. Depth in college hoops is overrated. Play the best 7.5...
...and I'm obviously not sold on the Lindsey thing either...my understanding is he's still not practicing but will be back for minny...
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Post by friarj on Nov 6, 2017 14:58:55 GMT -5
Yeah 2nd thoughts as to whether we get our 5th straight bid to the Dance? After the Holt news I suggested that it's not a foregone conclusion that we make the Dance without him. I was shouted down by some of you birds who insisted that Holt was unfortunate but not a deal-breaker. Why? Because we had so much depth and were gonna press and run teams into the ground. What a crock! I hear the same BS every year and it never materializes...Why you ask? Glad you did...Because the other teams have good coaches too. So what are the odds now that we can make the Dance? I won't even factor in injuries to Lindsey & Edwards and shall assume they are ready. Even so, based on what I see to date, the odds are probably 50/50 Three Reasons: Still need to improve shooting Still need to improve FTs Still waiting for Kalif Young to become that Household Name in FriarTown because of his rebounding that our great Coach suggested a year ago. Come on you Homer's that wear blinders at the games...tell me why it's still a cinch! I suspect the silence will be deafening. This season is coming at us like a freight train and the question is: Are we ready? No |
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Backcourt JOE
Blue Chipper
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Post by Backcourt JOE on Nov 6, 2017 15:11:19 GMT -5
DEX is curling up in his free PC blanket down there in Narragansett on his new couch
Come BE play he will join us all
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Post by jacka252 on Nov 6, 2017 15:54:12 GMT -5
No second thoughts here, as have three centers for first time in eons. Yeah you can correctly argue they are Young (pun intended) but they are three (15 fouls) and all with big upside. It's rebounding, rebounding, and rebounding that wins games. Not mentioning all the other great pieces on this team that you all have already mentioned. Also think White going to surprise, kid looks like a shooter.
Cooley (the PG whisperer, love that handle) always has his teams elevating as the season progresses. Barring a serious chemistry issue this should be exciting season.
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Post by dex on Nov 6, 2017 16:45:14 GMT -5
A lot falls on Rodney’s shoulders. Personally that concerns me a LOT
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Post by dex on Nov 6, 2017 17:05:54 GMT -5
Hoppy is bully on our Friars pcbb1917.com/2017/11/06/providence-friars-look-to-take-next-step-in-2017-18-season-preview/excerpt Providence will be good. They will make the NCAA Tournament. How far they go will largely depend on how quickly everyone finds and embraces their role. The non-conference schedule has some landmines and Big East play is always a meat grinder. The Friars open league play on the road for the third straight season due to a conflict at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center with Disney on Ice, so they are at a disadvantage there. Last season the Friars fell at Xavier and at Butler and were largely non-competitive in both games. Cooley said at Big East Media Day that his team “wasn’t remotely close to ready to start the season last year.” Cooley’s teams have generally been better as the season goes on, evidenced most recently by their 6-game winning streak to close out the regular season last year. Look for that to be the case again as the younger players get folded into the lineup and the freshmen get comfortable with the speed of college basketball.
Look for Providence to take that next step and get to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament this year. Then, as Cooley said at Big East Media Day “we just want to get there first then get lucky.”
Preseason predictions: 21-10 (10-3 OOC, 11-7 Big East); NCAA Tournament 7 seed |
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Post by dex on Nov 6, 2017 17:15:32 GMT -5
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