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Post by rgs318 on Jul 6, 2019 13:56:25 GMT -5
With a "red shirt" year under his belt, if he should choose to use it, he could indeed see a lot of time!
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Post by southernsader on Jul 6, 2019 14:36:23 GMT -5
If Pridgen merits being a starter, fine, but to me SF and SG are essentially interchangeable - they are wings - so, Copeland or Wade would be candidates to start with Butler as well.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 6, 2019 14:47:13 GMT -5
If Pridgen merits being a starter, fine, but to me SF and SG are essentially interchangeable - they are wings - so, Copeland or Wade would be candidates to start with Butler as well. The two positions are often interchangeable in most offenses, but not as much on defensive matchups, esp when the opponent plays a big three vs a smaller three
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jul 16, 2019 11:37:21 GMT -5
Assuming both Green and Grandison are gone, here's how the roster looks. Positions flexible in some cases (e.g., no true center), walk-ons in italics, freshmen in bold.
PG. Lowder, Yeutter SG. Butler, Wade, Copeland, Le Sann SF. Pridgen, Hart PF. Niego, Hargis, Lovisolo, Sandy
C. Faw, Verbeek
Let's go over this again in light of the expectation that Green and Grandison will not be on the team. I think we'll have to see some "unconventional" lineups, e.g. a small lineup when neither Faw nor Verbeek is on the floor. Here are some thoughts building on WooGray's start above Drew Lowder-- 32 MPGGuessing he will have to take over the PG position and give us 30+ minutes per game as a freshman. Fouling isn't usually a problem with PG's so it will be a matter of talent (which I think he has) and stamina. CG played 33 MPG as a freshman Lincoln Yeutter-- 8 MPGI remember thinking that he had some talent when I looked at his highlight reel--wasn't there some uncertainty over whether he was on schollie or a walk-on at that time? DeVaughn Reid sat out a lot of games but, perhaps when we had injury issues, stepped up and played 10+ minutes in 11 games over his JR & SR years. HC went 8-3 in those games and they were not all blowouts where DR got garbage time. Austin Butler-- 35 MPG
my favorite player (with PB's graduation) and, in my opinion, a talented one who will increase his productivity this coming season, particularly if he is unleashed to go for rebounds. Ryan Wade-- 30 MPG This freshman looks to be a real talent and I expect he'll be called on to provide scoring from minute 1 of game 1. We must also ask if he he's a good ball handler/play maker. If so, perhaps he can give us some minutes t point guard. Kyle Copeland--15 MPGKyle had a lot of DNP's last year but played 17+ minutes in each of the last 4 games. He's certainly a candidate for the "most improved player" competition for the year as he is almost certain to get more time to show how he can contribute. If we run with the ball more this season I think KC will benefir/be an asset as I think he runs the floor well Clayton Le Sann-- 5 MPGUnless he pulls a Mark Jerz (5 minutes total as a soph, 61 as a junior, 492 as a senior in the sharp-shooter role) I don't see him getting a lot of minutes Connor Niego-- 25 MPGCN is the odds-on favorite for "Most Improved Player" as you'll recall that it's based on "increased contribution" and he'll certainly be called on for many more minutes than in his injured season. We saw how well he played (at least on offense) in the four early season games where he played 10+ minutes: Mich, PC, URI, UMass: 85 minutes and 42 points scored. I'm looking for big things from Connor. Matt Faw-- 25 MPGMatt is an excellent shooter and hopefully our new offense can capitalize on that, but he's going to be called on to play a much different role this season. Coach Nelson says he's a M2M guy and I wonder if that will be problematic for Matt who has had fouling problems, although he did reduce his fouls last season. He's going to have to be our primary big man Blake Verbeek-- 10 MPG
I was happy to hear that some observers from the press conference reported that BV had put on some lbs. He played very little last season: 20 minutes total. There are precedents for HC bigs seeing no action as freshmen but then being called on for minutes: Greg McCarthy played 15-249-318-373 minutes in his four seasons while Matt Husek played 10-196-616-600. I do understand that we have a new coach and he may have different ideas than I do. Marlon Hargis/Joe Pridgen/Ciaran Sandy--15 MPG
I'll guess than MH is the favorite for getting the most of these 15 minutes, but that's just a wild guess because we don't know now how these three rank talent-wise, When it comes time to make our final pre-season predictions I may end up changing this swaggiest of swags--but thought it might be good to restart the discussion in light of the almost certain departure of JG and CG,
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Post by rgs318 on Jul 16, 2019 11:57:51 GMT -5
Once I figured out that MPG was minutes per game and not miles per gallon, this made a lot more sense. Thanks. It certainly sets up a starting point for some positive discussion about this team and the future.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 16, 2019 12:35:29 GMT -5
Good start, Ky I agree that Yeutter could get the back up minutes at the point. I think that Butler and possibly Cope will play more at the 2 guard than the3 which would limit Wade’s minutes. (60 + minutes may be too much for a freshmen backcourt) That would give more minutes at the three for Copeland, Pridgen, and Hargis, who also would see minutes at the 4. Verbeek could get more than 10 minutes at the 5.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Jul 16, 2019 16:13:43 GMT -5
Thanks for this, KY.
My little opinion/hope: I hope that Coach BNel is true to his word, and preaches attack mode. I hope he looks at his roster, and particularly with the 1-2-3s, says "I'm not going to worry about size and matchups, we're going to dictate the action....let the other guys react!"
IF he is the guy we are hoping he can be, and IF we don't have any major injuries, I could see this team being much better later in the season than they are in the beginning. Record may not be sparkling, but I can envision some strides being made.
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Post by possum on Jul 16, 2019 16:41:08 GMT -5
I don't know anything about the defensive ability of the freshmen but a transition to M2M for the returning group will in my opinion be hard to watch. Luckily last year we had Floyd to bail us out when guys penetrated at will through our zone. Scary to think what will happen when these guys are asked to stay in front of their guy in a M2M structure.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 16, 2019 16:46:57 GMT -5
Taught correctly with much help can allow even slow of foot teams to play man to man. See Bobby Knight’s teams at Army and even Indiana when he rarely had athletic superiority to his opponents. Willard’s matchup relied on man to man initial matchups More currently, Tony Bennett plays exclusively man defense with good athletes but not the best by far among his ACC comp. His defense consistently is in the top 5 in the nation. Now I am not expecting Nelson to be a Knight, a Willlard, or a Bennett, just pointing out that you do not need athletic superiority to play man defense. Bucknell always play man whether or not they are more athletic than their opponent.
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Post by trimster on Jul 16, 2019 16:50:25 GMT -5
I don't know anything about the defensive ability of the freshmen but a transition to M2M for the returning group will in my opinion be hard to watch. Luckily last year we had Floyd to bail us out when guys penetrated at will through our zone. Scary to think what will happen when these guys are asked to stay in front of their guy in a M2M structure. Couldn’t agree more. We apparently lost the one guy from last year’s team who appeared to be very good at keeping his man in front of him, Caleb Green. I am particularly concerned about a guy we really need to be on the floor a lot, Matt Faw. Man to man might make it more difficult for him to avoid foul trouble.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Jul 16, 2019 16:55:58 GMT -5
Having watched Pridgen, albeit against pretty weak competition, I think he can play respectable m2m, maybe against both 2s and 3s. I'm hoping the inept zones HC was playing the last couple of years might be bad, collective defensive habits that Nelson could at least try to break by experimenting with more m2m early on. As hoops suggests above, it's not reserved for quick, athletic players.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 16, 2019 17:04:53 GMT -5
Having watched Pridgen, albeit against pretty weak competition, I think he can play respectable m2m, maybe against both 2s and 3s. I'm hoping the inept zones HC was playing the last couple of years might be bad, collective defensive habits that Nelson could at least try to break by experimenting with more m2m early on. As hoops suggests above, it's not reserved for quick, athletic players. It also looks as if both Lowder and Wade have played strong man D against good comp. Hargis and Sandy also have quickness. those make a pretty good base. Butler may not have great foot speed, but his aggressiveness and smarts can make up for many natural weaknesses
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Post by possum on Jul 16, 2019 17:11:42 GMT -5
Let's hope your right it was terrible coaching and not the personnel. It would be nice if Lowder has a little of Anthony Thompson's defensive tenacity in him as a good start to effective M2M defense is being able to pressure the point guard.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 16, 2019 17:17:17 GMT -5
Let's hope your right it was terrible coaching and not the personnel. It would be nice if Lowder has a little of Anthony Thompson's defensive tenacity in him as a good start to effective M2M defense is being able to pressure the point guard. A puff piece, but it does include Lowder’s own words about his defense basketballsocietyonline.com/drew-lowder-michigan-future-point-guard
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Jul 16, 2019 17:59:08 GMT -5
Let's hope your right it was terrible coaching and not the personnel. It would be nice if Lowder has a little of Anthony Thompson's defensive tenacity in him as a good start to effective M2M defense is being able to pressure the point guard. A puff piece, but it does include Lowder’s own words about his defense basketballsocietyonline.com/drew-lowder-michigan-future-point-guardMost swagger for a Holy Cross player since......?
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Post by Ray on Jul 16, 2019 18:00:31 GMT -5
Most swagger for a Holy Cross player since......? Jared Curry?
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Post by trimster on Jul 16, 2019 18:26:02 GMT -5
Let's hope your right it was terrible coaching and not the personnel. It would be nice if Lowder has a little of Anthony Thompson's defensive tenacity in him as a good start to effective M2M defense is being able to pressure the point guard. A puff piece, but it does include Lowder’s own words about his defense basketballsocietyonline.com/drew-lowder-michigan-future-point-guardI will say this, he doesn’t lack confidence. I think he will drop the supreme arm sleeve in college.
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Post by HC92 on Jul 16, 2019 20:14:24 GMT -5
As long as we’re getting better throughout the season and the young guys are developing, not super worried about wins and losses next year. #trusttheprocess
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Post by thecrossisback on Jul 16, 2019 20:26:57 GMT -5
As long as we’re getting better throughout the season and the young guys are developing, not super worried about wins and losses next year. #trusttheprocess Trust the process is not what we need. Just look how it has worked for the Philadelphia 76ers. We need the #you are what your record says you are.
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Post by HC92 on Jul 16, 2019 20:35:22 GMT -5
As long as we’re getting better throughout the season and the young guys are developing, not super worried about wins and losses next year. #trusttheprocess Trust the process is not what we need. Just look how it has worked for the Philadelphia 76ers. We need the #you are what your record says you are. 50+ wins two years in a row in the NBA equates to multiple PL titles and a trip to the Sweet 16. #trusttheprocess
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alcovefan
Climbing Mt. St. James
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Posts: 54
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Post by alcovefan on Jul 17, 2019 15:26:55 GMT -5
As long as we’re getting better throughout the season and the young guys are developing, not super worried about wins and losses next year. #trusttheprocess Couldn't agree more. This is year one of a multi-year process, when a lot of young guys will play more minutes than they otherwise might. By all rights we shouldn't be very good next year, anything else is a bonus.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Aug 18, 2019 11:06:16 GMT -5
PG. Lowder, Reilly, Yeutter SG. Butler, Wade, Copeland, Le Sann SF. Pridgen, Hart PF. Niego, Hargis, Lovisolo, Sandy
C. Faw, Verbeek
Bump. Let's talk about the team.
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Post by hchoops on Aug 18, 2019 11:09:55 GMT -5
I believe that as they did last season, Butler and Copeland will see minutes at the 3 as well as the 2.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Aug 18, 2019 11:10:45 GMT -5
A very good day for HC basketball, and particularly for guys like Pridgen, Hargis, and Sandy who will get a chance to earn significant playing time right away.
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Post by hchoops on Aug 18, 2019 11:13:08 GMT -5
A very good day for HC basketball, and particularly for guys like Pridgen, Hargis, and Sandy who will get a chance to earn significant playing time right away. And hopefully equally important, a scholarship opening.
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