Next NCAA Tournament?

[drairf]

Dec 21, 2017 16:04:51 GMT -5 dex said:

walk wrote: "As bad as he's been, it still sits with the seniors imo..."

Walk you have no idea how right you are

Dex has the goods.

[pembroke04]

Nate Watson looks like he has a high ceiling; at a minimum, he should be a quality rotational player. Kalif Young should be able to develop into a capable big man off the end of the bench. Dajour Dickens certainly has the size and potential to become a part of a rotation, but that fact that we haven't seen him is proof that he's not ready. I personally hate the thought of red-shirts under Cooley, but while I understand the logic behind wanting to do that here, circumstances warrant an opportunity for DD as soon as possible (assuming DD is ok with not saving his eligibility). 

Emmitt Holt would be nice next year and while I am thinking he will be back, he will have options. It'll be much harder next season without Holt. Also, I do think that Holt could play some PF with Watson at C. 

Isaiah Jackson is going to have to find his groove. Knowing how hard it can be for Freshman to adjust and contribute, I think we have a better chance relying on Isaiah than we do Kris Monroe or Jimmy Nichols. It sounds like Monroe has a better chance of contributing from the start, but I think we're still better off without having to rely on freshman. 

Alpha Diallo is going to have to get better, starting with the ankle, but ultimately, somebody is going to have to replace Bullock's production and Diallo should be a leading candidate to do so. 

I like the promise of the backcourt next year. Malik White should be healthy and hopefully his game continues to improve. I bet MAL steps up his game after battling through this freshman season of his. Drew Edwards should continue to be the same Drew Edwards and we need players to be content to contribute off the bench.

In summary, I think PC should be set at Center and Diallo will probably be playing 40 minutes a game next season. If Isaiah Jackson cannot produce, then PC will be forced to rely on freshman, but instead of Monroe/Nicholos, I would bet on David Duke and AJ Reeves picking up the slack (while they also help to maintain stability in the backcourt).

Relying on freshman is not a good thing, but we may be doing that and hoping that Duke/Reeves are good enough to handle major minutes because I think PC is going to need them to contribute to make the NCAA tourney next season. Of course, a healthy Emmitt Holt gives the freshman some time to work themselves in. 

[yankeefriar]

If Holt comes back and is the same player as he was last year, we will be set at center, if not we won't. I have hopes for Watson, especially if he can play alongside Holt.

I think Nichols is going to be a pleasant surprise.

[thewalk]

My issue with Watson is I'm not sure rebounding is a teachable at this age. do you think rick barnes spent 30 seconds telling Michael smith he needs to box out? There was also a reference during one of the broadcasts that Cooley's knock on Watson was thinking too much and trying to do things perfectly. I haven't really noticed it on offense but if you need to think about where/how to get a rebound, it's too late.

[yankeefriar]

Dec 22, 2017 14:51:20 GMT -5 thewalk said:

My issue with Watson is I'm not sure rebounding is a teachable at this age. do you think rick barnes spent 30 seconds telling Michael smith he needs to box out? There was also a reference during one of the broadcasts that Cooley's knock on Watson was thinking too much and trying to do things perfectly. I haven't really noticed it on offense but if you need to think about where/how to get a rebound, it's too late.

Good Point Walk. Should be able to teach defensive positioning though, right? That needs just as much work as the rebounding, as smaller guys consistently get position on the blocks against him.

[thewalk]

I'd asked a DC area guy who walked on at Nova and knows Watson's hs league extremely well about Watson's motor after he committed to PC...said the motor wasn't great but he'd become a very good player for us. Interestingly ran into that same guy last night...said Jay Wright had an issue 3/4 years in. They were supposed to be good and the internal crap started...won like 13 games.

[dex]

Yeah walk I remember not too long ago Nova was in the ncaa's here at The Dunk and one kid had a shiner and another with a cut lip or something. Turns out one kid was banging the other's girlfriend. They survived the 1st game here and lost the 2nd. My memory is hazy but it could have been robert morris and st mary's but some egghead here will bail me out.

Re Nate ...He seems to be a better offensive rebounder than a defensive rebounder if you know what I mean. He's a black-hole once he gets it but that would only bother me if Maliek and Alpha were playing. Two things I have noticed is that he's not very mobile on Defense and YES even Thumper could get back on Defense faster. The latter, especially for a newbie, is unflattering.

[thewalk]

I brought that year up as well....this was a different year. Said they were awful.

[pcdad]

Pembroke, thank for your well reasoned post.