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Post by Rock on Feb 17, 2017 21:31:07 GMT -5
Hi guys!
Been a fall and winter of Friar hoops that would make the poster formally known as BipolarFriar reach for a railing - or something like that. I hope this post lifts the Amber Alert on me (the one found elsewhere on this fine board). I'm quite unqualified to comment extensively on this years squad but that won't stop me, not one bit.
1. Swider and Dukes seem like Ledo and Dunn in their importance to Cooley as local recruits. Ed nailed the latter two with much less water under his bridge but can he approximate that success this time around? It looks unlikely and that's a bit paradoxical to me.
2. We seem poised to play ourselves nicely into NCAA also-rans, set to enjoy Lunari's last four out status as a badge of honor during a rebuilding year BUT is this the prequel season to a return to the NCAA's in 2018? Somehow it doesn't seem that way. Talent rules and the feeling I get is that Bullock, Cartwright, Holt and Lindsey are where they're going to be, not much air left to pump into those tires. Next years frosh don't seem the answer to an immediate cure of our limitations. Running in place?
3. Is it me or are the head coaches in today's college game an insufferable bunch of floppers? From Roy Williams to Coach K and Jim B they need to go...go, go go. Please!
4. I really wonder what a a candid Ed Cooley would say about where the programs is today vs where he thought it would be at this stage? I honestly think the answer could range from way ahead to somewhat behind - and I might agree with him in either case.
5. The losses to BC and De Paul killed me this season, left me with my own version of basketball PTSD. I still can't get right after those defeats.
6. My most pleasant surprise this season on our roster: Lindsey. My most disappointing player: Zeek, followed closely by the the expectations of Jackson.
7. When Bullock is your "leader" you have capped wage growth and limited expansion to Obama-level WowP. He is the opposite of "sum of the parts".
8. Oh where oh where are the Eric Murdoch and Michael Brown type 2-guards at PC? Length is overrated when it compromises strength, toughness and shooting. #JustSaying
9. Poster I miss: BillyD34.
10. An NIT home game would be like going to see a lip-synced tribute band. Please spare us. PLEASE.
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friar82
Administrator
BCC Member
Posts: 8,160
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Post by friar82 on Feb 17, 2017 21:41:08 GMT -5
Hi guys! Been a fall and winter of Friar hoops that would make the poster formally known as BipolarFriar reach for a railing - or something like that. I hope this post lifts the Amber Alert on me (the one found elsewhere on this fine board). I'm quite unqualified to comment extensively on this years squad but that won't stop me, not one bit. 1. Swider and Dukes seem like Ledo and Dunn in their importance to Cooley as local recruits. Ed nailed the latter two with much less water under his bridge but can he approximate that success this time around? It looks unlikely and that's a bit paradoxical to me. 2. We seem poised to play ourselves nicely into NCAA also-rans, set to enjoy Lunari's last four out status as a badge of honor during a rebuilding year BUT is this the prequel season to a return to the NCAA's in 2018? Somehow it doesn't seem that way. Talent rules and the feeling I get is that Bullock, Cartwright, Holt and Lindsey are where they're going to be, not much air left to pump into those tires. Next years frosh don't seem the answer to an immediate cure of our limitations. Running in place? 3. Is it me or are the head coaches in today's college game an insufferable bunch of floppers? From Roy Williams to Coach K and Jim B they need to go...go, go go. Please! 4. I really wonder what a a candid Ed Cooley would say about where the programs is today vs where he thought it would be at this stage? I honestly think the answer could range from way ahead to somewhat behind - and I might agree with him in either case. 5. The losses to BC and De Paul killed me this season, left me with my own version of basketball PTSD. I still can't get right after these defeats. 6. My most pleasant surprise this season on our roster: Lindsey. My most disappointing player: Zeek, followed closely by the the expectations of Jackson. The "Amber Alert" has just been lifted!
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Post by yankeefriar on Feb 17, 2017 22:50:54 GMT -5
I am concern about the future. I too think we are getting the max out of the Junior class. The sophomore class is awful. The Freshmen have potential, but will not be enough I fear to get us where we need to be.
As it is now, what's the starting 5 in 2018-19
White Diallo Jackson/Edwards Watson Dickens
Don't think that will be enough. We need some home runs, or at least a couple of triples. We have a roster full of doubles hitters right now.
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pcdad
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,708
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Post by pcdad on Feb 18, 2017 1:03:31 GMT -5
MIA BillyD34.... Spot on Rock
Nearly absent friara.
Rising to the occasion - Rock. Keen Rockservations.
Would'nt an NIT run serve as a character builder for next season?
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Post by friar71 on Feb 18, 2017 10:20:49 GMT -5
Swider and Dukes seem like Ledo and Dunn in their importance to Cooley as local recruits. Ed nailed the latter two with much less water under his bridge but can he approximate that success this time around? It looks unlikely and that's a bit paradoxical to me.
I know basketball recruiting is different, but having gone through the process of my kids picking schools, nothing surprises me. I went to PC in the day of Marvin and Ernie and most of my classmates in RI like Marvin and Ernie stayed home. Now kids go everywhere. Obviously the basketball recruit is going for free, the coach is a major factor and it seems like 90% coming in to college say( and probably think) they want to play in the NBA. But for most kids, some athletes and many non-athletes, their choices are also made by very subjective criteria. Which does explain to some extent( academics aside) why the transfer rate among college students is over 30%.
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Post by thumper on Feb 18, 2017 10:40:05 GMT -5
"10. An NIT home game would be like going to see a lip-synced tribute band. Please spare us. PLEASE."
You correctly lay out all our flaws, yet you aren't willing to accept the likely consequence? An invite to the NIT can go a long way in schooling our young Friars. Of course I'd like to go to the Dance but a lot of dominoes have to fall. I'm hoping for any post-season action.
PIZZA, SODA, GRINDERS!!!
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Post by thewalk on Feb 18, 2017 11:37:06 GMT -5
bout time...
1) Think I'd put Duke in the ledo/dunn bucket and the must get recruit. One of the other two (reaves) would be a bonus. Take 3 strikes and get ready for the "plan B" being just as good posts. 2) You'd have to think mid-majors show up in some form next year but we should be able to finish in the top 5 and get a bid. I still expect Nova to be #1 but they should be easier to pick off. 4) He took the job when the BE was #1 and I'm guessing he figured recruiting would be easier. Especially after Dunn/ledo/Austin were on board. The BE has been able to attract some nice 4 year players but not the McDs AAs. 5) Bullock's pass against DePaul.... 10) Roadie at Rhody...round 2
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Post by connfriar on Feb 18, 2017 11:38:48 GMT -5
Losing either/all of Swider, Duke and Reeves would/will sting...for sure...especially if one of these players finds his way to Storrs...that would be a recruiting disaster...
However, two of our coaches are entrenched in the greater Virginny/Capitol region recruiting scene and could steal a stud recruit...this would lessen the sting of losing the locals...
Jackson is starting to catch my eye...he's making the "intangible" plays, while his size and outside shooting ability could be more than just a tease...I wonder if he had to shake the rust off of his game AND regain his confidence as a scorer...time will tell but I get the feeling that he could break out (if given the ball and consistent playing time).
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Post by thewalk on Feb 18, 2017 11:58:14 GMT -5
Jackson has been good for the last two games. Something tells me the SHU game tape got him straight...BUT he's been nothing close to advertised. He's not coming off an injury so this rust thing is a bunch of crap.
As for minutes - How does he get them if everyone returns?
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Post by Rock on Feb 18, 2017 12:35:04 GMT -5
Thumper, I guess I disagree on the value of of a couple of NIT games helping make the 2018 Friars better. I just don't put that much weight in playing a second division high major or an upper-division small/mid major at home as building tool.
Walk/Conn: I don't buy the "rust" argument for Jackson either BUT I do think there could be a confidence thing in play; meaning he could have really lacked it in December/January and started to gain some now - and that is a real thing athletically. Can be a game-changer.
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Post by thumper on Feb 18, 2017 12:48:35 GMT -5
Thumper, I guess I disagree on the value of of a couple of NIT games helping make the 2018 Friars better. I just don't put that much weight in playing a second division high major or an upper-division small/mid major at home as building tool. Walk/Conn: I don't buy the "rust" argument for Jackson either BUT I do think there could be a confidence thing in play; meaning he could have really lacked it in December/January and started to gain some now - and that is a real thing athletically. Can be a game-changer. Teams, just like us from good conferences, could very well be our opponents. Teams like Cuse, VT, Ok St., TCU, Iowa St., Mich.. Boise St., SD St., Utah, Colorado, Ole Miss, Bama, San. Fran. All or most of these teams come from the better conferences and have similar records to us. All good competition. And it might get us over the 20-win mark which is something! I think Ed would want to go. PIZZA, SODA, GRINDERS!!!
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Post by connfriar on Feb 18, 2017 13:43:06 GMT -5
www.providencejournal.com/sports/20170124/ed-cooley-says-consistency-will-be-key-to-fast-finish-for-friarsJackson's teammates have pushed the Gainesville, Fla., native on a daily basis ever since he enrolled at PC in 2015. Not playing last season left plenty of rust on Jackson's game but he's looking forward to showing more of his ability. "I think Isaiah is finding his role and his rhythm now after coming in here with a new team and sitting out a year," said teammate Jalen Lindsey. "We need him moving on. I know Isaiah. He can make shots and with his body his defense can help, too." Cooley echoed Lindsey's thoughts when asked about Jackson's potential impact. "We need Isaiah to be a factor," Cooley said. "He's got great size, good IQ. We're trying to get Isaiah to understand he needs to play with energy and excitement from the minute he wakes up. When he plays at that level we're a different basketball team."
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Post by pcfriarsfan94 on Feb 18, 2017 14:23:31 GMT -5
The NIT would be good for this team if they can make a run in it. Especially for the 3 freshman...Cooley got the team to show up for the last NIT, and they put up a good fight at Baylor vs a team that should have been in the dance. It was a positive end to the season for that team. I don't see why we can't make a deep run in it this year if we end up there...I still have NCAA hopes, especially since I think we can win at Creighton.
Regarding next year, we definitely haven't peaked. People forget that Cartwright is growing into a new role and is young for a junior, plus guys like Jackson and Holt didn't play last year and are 1st year BE players. This was a very new and inexperienced group to start the year, and they are starting to figure it out. They had a real chance to be atleast 8-6 in conference play right now....also, our 3 freshman have a ton of upside, so they will be improve. We'll see what we get from the 2 frosh bigs, but we will be bigger.
I'm not really worried about 2018-2019 yet. Lets pump the breaks a bit. We will have a much better idea in a few months or so. As long as Cooley is here, I like our chances at continued success.
I think we will end up with a fine 2018 class, and expect Cooley to take another sit out transfer this off season.
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Post by wtm97 on Feb 19, 2017 7:27:26 GMT -5
The best thing about out Juniors is that they become Seniors... and players with lots of experience.
The progression of year to year development is oft lost in this day of "me" and transferring out.
Look at Cartwright, Lindsey and (even) Jackson as players who will continue to improve. Zelda has been a bust in that category yet many times Sophomores struggle, ( see Lindsey) and then emerge as upperclassmen,
Add a solid 2 guard or even a combo to the mix and we will be better next year with help also coming from recruited Freshmen.
Who goes, who stays, remains the driving force determining our direction.
The NCAA's remain a possibility for this group; the NIT has been an on the table expectation for many this year and to say it has no value is short- sighted IMO.
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Post by pistol44 on Feb 20, 2017 12:27:59 GMT -5
Rock,
Always love the rockservations. Don't you think Lindsey and Holt have some upside for next year? Holt needs to watch his fouls and throttle back, doing this will give him more minutes. I hate that he comes off the bench because of his inability to keep his hands off people. I guess his ankle still bothers him too. With Lindsey, he has really become a force offensively, and his defense is solid. Could be a real leader next year with Cartwright. With regards to Coach, don't you think with our NCAA success, the rebirth of the league and new facilities that his vision is right on schedule?
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