6th Man of St. John's Basketball
St. John's Red Storm => In The Jungle... => Topic started by: Marco Baldi on September 13, 2014, 12:07:59 PM
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Dom Pointer, Christian Jones or does Lavin go with 3 guard lineup with Phil Greene or Branch?
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Seeing how much PT Phil got in the past, I say 3 guard line up. One must also consider Branch.
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I'd personally like to see us go 3 guard starting Branch, D'lo and Rysheed. That gives you two very capable passers on the court, as well as two great scorers.
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I'd personally like to see us go 3 guard starting Branch, D'lo and Rysheed. That gives you two very capable passers on the court, as well as two great scorers.
I agree. Pointer is best served bringing the energy off the bench
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I'd personally like to see us go 3 guard starting Branch, D'lo and Rysheed. That gives you two very capable passers on the court, as well as two great scorers.
I agree. Pointer is best served bringing the energy off the bench
I believe in starting our five best and that means DLo, Sheed. Dom, Thomas (I hope) and Obekpa. Nobody else has shown enough to crack that. We have so many guards Pointer has to be a three. If Jones produces Dom can be a crunch time sub but a good start is a key this year. His defense is so important and Thomas' rebounding is the other key for the year. Obekpa has to block shots and stop penetration to have a sniff at the pros. If ADR contributes and takes up space we can have a decent rotation. Lavin has his work cut out but he does have some pieces to work with in an up tempo format. We're not staffed to play much half court but we'll see.
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I'd personally like to see us go 3 guard starting Branch, D'lo and Rysheed. That gives you two very capable passers on the court, as well as two great scorers.
I agree. Pointer is best served bringing the energy off the bench
I believe in starting our five best and that means DLo, Sheed. Dom, Thomas (I hope) and Obekpa. Nobody else has shown enough to crack that. We have so many guards Pointer has to be a three. If Jones produces Dom can be a crunch time sub but a good start is a key this year. His defense is so important and Thomas' rebounding is the other key for the year. Obekpa has to block shots and stop penetration to have a sniff at the pros. If ADR contributes and takes up space we can have a decent rotation. Lavin has his work cut out but he does have some pieces to work with in an up tempo format. We're not staffed to play much half court but we'll see.
Not that I'm arguing , but you think Pointer has been better than Phil?
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Agree with starting Dom at the 3. He should be the defense stopper that Phil cannot be. Jones can come in for some size and Phil for offense when needed.
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I think dom will start at the 3. Ive said in the past that im not a big fan of his game and that coming off the bench is good for him, but maybe starting will help him understand his role more and not try to force the issue.
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Dee,Sheed,Dom > Jamal,Sheed,Dee
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Greene.
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The thing is Pointer should be the starter, but he's been an embarrassment and his game hasn't improved much if at all. Best case scenario is that he finally focuses, grows up and puts it all together for one last season. If Jones is starting, that's not a good sign.
Likely, it will be Greene, bec he's the best 3 point shooter on the team. We all know his weaknesses, but these guys couldn't score, and he can help in that area.
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I'd start Jordan-Branch-Harrison-Pointer-Obekpa to set the pace of the game early and go for a knockout punch. Start off in a matchup zone press with Obekpa 10 feet or less from the basket. Fall back into a 2-3.
Bring in Greene and Thomas off the bench to either keep the pace if it's working, or go half court and man-to-man.
I think Lavin will start Jordan-Harrison-Pointer-Thomas-Obekpa. I wouldn't be shocked if Jones got the not at the four.
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Unless Lavin decides to change his offensive scheme - and why should he, because if it's broke why fix it - then Greene starts. Lavin wants 4 guys who can attack the basket. With Pointer at the three, Thomas 4 and Obekpa 5, you have two guys who can attack the basket (Jordan, DH) and two guys whose offensive games are a danger to themselves and others (Obekpa, Pointer). Even with the improvement Obekpa showed last year, he'd need to make a quantum leap and although from a pure entertainment POV I'd be ecstatic if Lavin cleared out a side for Pointer 10 or 12 times a game, it's not a recipe for success. Balamou is maybe the most interesting option at the 3, but Lavin loves him some Phil Greene. I suspect three guards.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
Branch was starting last year. Lavin gave him that chance. He blew it. Hopefully he turns it this year, and produces, but this decision isn't on Lavin.
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branch may started some games, but not most of them. i think branch should start but not finish every game or even play more then greene every game. Think harrison and jordan have to play 36 plus. Think Dom needs to play alot. everyone else depends on game.
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branch may started some games, but not most of them. i think branch should start but not finish every game or even play more then greene every game. Think harrison and jordan have to play 36 plus. Think Dom needs to play alot. everyone else depends on game.
I'd be really happy if they didn't adjust anything depending on who we're playing. Lavin adjusted the rotation so much last year, that it ruined the season. Pick a damn line up, and stick with it.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
You say you want dom to play plenty but then say you dont understand the love for felix. If felix is athletic and cant shoot (both of which I think he has an edge over dom) then why should one play plenty and one not play at all?
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I'd start Jordan-Branch-Harrison-Pointer-Obekpa to set the pace of the game early and go for a knockout punch. Start off in a matchup zone press with Obekpa 10 feet or less from the basket. Fall back into a 2-3.
Bring in Greene and Thomas off the bench to either keep the pace if it's working, or go half court and man-to-man.
I think Lavin will start Jordan-Harrison-Pointer-Thomas-Obekpa. I wouldn't be shocked if Jones got the not at the four.
I agree with your Lavin prediction. From there I think it's game on between Thomas and Jones for PT. Then I'd look for Branch t o replace Dom in the three guard set and Greene to spell Sheed and/or Dlo. That's a nice rotation. by any standard.
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Dlo, Sheed's the pg and Phil's the 2
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
You say you want dom to play plenty but then say you dont understand the love for felix. If felix is athletic and cant shoot (both of which I think he has an edge over dom) then why should one play plenty and one not play at all?
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Dom is bigger and stronger. Think he can guard bigger players. he can be a mismatch. felix is guard who cant dribble or shoot also plays same position of our best players.
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Greene starts at the 3. Need shooting. I think Dom gets a lot of time as a 4.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
You say you want dom to play plenty but then say you dont understand the love for felix. If felix is athletic and cant shoot (both of which I think he has an edge over dom) then why should one play plenty and one not play at all?
Mase,
Dom is bigger, and more experienced.
I respect your opinion, but I just don't see what you love about Felix. He can't dribble or shoot. Dom has at least proven to be unselfish and a capable passer.
Also, I'm not convinced dom can't rebound. If we stop playing him at the top of the zone, or guarding opposing pgs, I think he rebounds just fine for his position.
Ideally though, we never see that match up - zone again. Besides that, I agree with what Marillac had to say above.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
You say you want dom to play plenty but then say you dont understand the love for felix. If felix is athletic and cant shoot (both of which I think he has an edge over dom) then why should one play plenty and one not play at all?
Mase,
Dom is bigger, and more experienced.
I respect your opinion, but I just don't see what you love about Felix. He can't dribble or shoot. Dom has at least proven to be unselfish and a capable passer.
Also, I'm not convinced dom can't rebound. If we stop playing him at the top of the zone, or guarding opposing pgs, I think he rebounds just fine for his position.
Ideally though, we never see that match up - zone again. Besides that, I agree with what Marillac had to say above.
I respect yours too Desco, thanks. More experience yes, bigger though? not by much. Im not convinced felix cant be an acceptable shooter either. He just hasnt gotten the opportunities to prove otherwise. He is a 90% ft shooter in his short time playing. He is sooo much more under control than Dom is. Your biggest concern for this year always seems to come back to our ability to score/shoot the ball right? Well dom, more so than any other guy on the roster, hinders our ability to do that.
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I think Branch should start. Would like to start with both harrison and jordan on wings. Think Dom should and will play plenty. Just dont want to see him and obekpa playing at same time. Dont understand the love for felix. I understand he is athletic but he cant shoot and no offensive game. The key to the season in my opinion is getting something out of Jones and Thomas.
You say you want dom to play plenty but then say you dont understand the love for felix. If felix is athletic and cant shoot (both of which I think he has an edge over dom) then why should one play plenty and one not play at all?
Mase,
Dom is bigger, and more experienced.
I respect your opinion, but I just don't see what you love about Felix. He can't dribble or shoot. Dom has at least proven to be unselfish and a capable passer.
Also, I'm not convinced dom can't rebound. If we stop playing him at the top of the zone, or guarding opposing pgs, I think he rebounds just fine for his position.
Ideally though, we never see that match up - zone again. Besides that, I agree with what Marillac had to say above.
I respect yours too Desco, thanks. More experience yes, bigger though? not by much. Im not convinced felix cant be an acceptable shooter either. He just hasnt gotten the opportunities to prove otherwise. He is a 90% ft shooter in his short time playing. He is sooo much more under control than Dom is. Your biggest concern for this year always seems to come back to our ability to score/shoot the ball right? Well dom, more so than any other guy on the roster, hinders our ability to do that.
That is very true, dom is a limited player offensively. I'm all for giving Felix some extended looks in our exhibition games. Theres no reason guys like D'Angelo and jordan need to play 30mpg against our DII opponents. So let's see what he can do.
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
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Would be nice if Jones can shoot enough to anchor the 3, then we can have a normal size / talent match at all 5 positions. But there is no evidence that he has that abiiity.
So Greene, being the best shooter on an offensively challenged team, gets the nod in our 3 guard offense with Thomas ( has to be a big time rebounder ) and Obekpa up front.
If that's not our starting lineup it would be great if it develops into our most effective lineup for our post season run.
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Would be nice if Jones can shoot enough to anchor the 3, then we can have a normal size / talent match at all 5 positions. But there is no evidence that he has that abiiity.
So Greene, being the best shooter on an offensively challenged team, gets the nod in our 3 guard offense with Thomas ( has to be a big time rebounder ) and Obekpa up front.
If that's not our starting lineup it would be great if it develops into our most effective lineup for our post season run.
It's a little disappointing that we haven't heard boo about Christopher Jones since he redshirted. Did he get any better? Did he look any better? Lindy's listed him as a player to watch. Why? They didn't say.
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Wild guess.Amar Alibegovic 6-8 Outside shot can board, Can he play D on 3s?
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Wild guess.Amar Alibegovic 6-8 Outside shot can board, Can he play D on 3s?
As far as we know, the only thing that Amir Alibegovic has going for him right now is that Lavin literally went overseas to get him.
And maybe that his dad played as well, and that leads one to believe that he's well coached. Something we could use more of.
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Would be nice if Jones can shoot enough to anchor the 3, then we can have a normal size / talent match at all 5 positions. But there is no evidence that he has that abiiity.
So Greene, being the best shooter on an offensively challenged team, gets the nod in our 3 guard offense with Thomas ( has to be a big time rebounder ) and Obekpa up front.
If that's not our starting lineup it would be great if it develops into our most effective lineup for our post season run.
It's a little disappointing that we haven't heard boo about Christopher Jones since he redshirted. Did he get any better? Did he look any better? Lindy's listed him as a player to watch. Why? They didn't say.
We've heard so little about him that one of our biggest fans doesnt even know his name..
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
Agreed, we can go big and play zone and see what happens, but skill wise Jones is not a wing player.
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Would be nice if Jones can shoot enough to anchor the 3, then we can have a normal size / talent match at all 5 positions. But there is no evidence that he has that abiiity.
So Greene, being the best shooter on an offensively challenged team, gets the nod in our 3 guard offense with Thomas ( has to be a big time rebounder ) and Obekpa up front.
If that's not our starting lineup it would be great if it develops into our most effective lineup for our post season run.
It's a little disappointing that we haven't heard boo about Christopher Jones since he redshirted. Did he get any better? Did he look any better? Lindy's listed him as a player to watch. Why? They didn't say.
We've heard so little about him that one of our biggest fans doesnt even know his name..
SEE!
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
Defensively he is a four. Offensively he thinks of himself as a two and has shown some skills of a three, but he's best suited at the four. He's got some decent skills, we just need him to be physical and much, much quicker to the ball.
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
Defensively he is a four. Offensively he thinks of himself as a two and has shown some skills of a three, but he's best suited at the four. He's got some decent skills, we just need him to be physical and much, much quicker to the ball.
I dont know where you come up with the idea he thinks of himself as a two on offense? He never floated outside the arc, never tried to bring the ball up, posted up as often as anyone on the team. He might not be as tough as marillac would hope he is but that doesnt make him a guard.
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
Defensively he is a four. Offensively he thinks of himself as a two and has shown some skills of a three, but he's best suited at the four. He's got some decent skills, we just need him to be physical and much, much quicker to the ball.
I dont know where you come up with the idea he thinks of himself as a two on offense? He never floated outside the arc, never tried to bring the ball up, posted up as often as anyone on the team. He might not be as tough as marillac would hope he is but that doesnt make him a guard.
I didn't see him post up once. He may have, but I don't remember it.
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
Defensively he is a four. Offensively he thinks of himself as a two and has shown some skills of a three, but he's best suited at the four. He's got some decent skills, we just need him to be physical and much, much quicker to the ball.
I dont know where you come up with the idea he thinks of himself as a two on offense? He never floated outside the arc, never tried to bring the ball up, posted up as often as anyone on the team. He might not be as tough as marillac would hope he is but that doesnt make him a guard.
I didn't see him post up once. He may have, but I don't remember it.
Absolutely missed Christopher post up ;)
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PG- Jordan
SG- Greene
SF- Harrison
PF- Jones
C- Obekpa
1st off the bench- Pointer, Thomas
Rotation- Branch, Balamou
Next in line- Alibegovic
End of Bench- Delarosa, Delarosa, N'Diaye, Lipscomb
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
Defensively he is a four. Offensively he thinks of himself as a two and has shown some skills of a three, but he's best suited at the four. He's got some decent skills, we just need him to be physical and much, much quicker to the ball.
I dont know where you come up with the idea he thinks of himself as a two on offense? He never floated outside the arc, never tried to bring the ball up, posted up as often as anyone on the team. He might not be as tough as marillac would hope he is but that doesnt make him a guard.
I didn't see him post up once. He may have, but I don't remember it.
Absolutely missed Christopher post up ;)
If Jones isn't a PF (and he obviously is) then we will be dangerously thin in the front court.
Obekpa, thomas, and....
I don't think ADR is ready for a meaningful role this season, but we'll need him if Obekpa is in foul trouble or gets injured.
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My reasoning behind things....
-Pointer comes off the bench to provide energy
-I don't think Lav puts Obekpa and Thomas together to start but I like this combo long term. One blocks, other rebounds.
-Jones can come out and be aggressive early and if he's hot he stays and if he's cold then Thomas comes in with Pointer as the spark unit.
-Branch will come in for Greene and play Jordan and Harrison off the ball and attack.
-Alibegovic (can we nickname him yet?) will get minutes because Lav will definitely have a man crush on him.
-Lav never plays true big men much and I think Delarosa's both get buried on bench unless SJU is in extreme foul trouble.
-Balamou will be brought in for quick sand zone.
I hope this team just lets loose and plays at a crazy fast pace. I think if they can wreak havoc pressing this can be the best recipe for getting buckets. It's now or never.
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PG- Jordan
SG- Greene
SF- Harrison
PF- Jones
C- Obekpa
1st off the bench- Pointer, Thomas
Rotation- Branch, Balamou
Next in line- Alibegovic
End of Bench- Delarosa, Delarosa, N'Diaye, Lipscomb
Aren't you forgetting our much ballyhooed walk-ons Henderson and Stewart?
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Ali B would be a possible nickname for Amar
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PG- Jordan
SG- Greene
SF- Harrison
PF- Jones
C- Obekpa
1st off the bench- Pointer, Thomas
Rotation- Branch, Balamou
Next in line- Alibegovic
End of Bench- Delarosa, Delarosa, N'Diaye, Lipscomb
Yikes. If Thomas isn't expected to start, that's a lot of responsibility for Obekpa.
What about Stewart and Henderson? Shouldn't they be ahead of N'Diaye and Lipscomb on the depth chart at the very least?
Henderson was at one point, a well known 3 star recruit with legit high major offers.
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Greene will start no matter what. In fairness to Lavin SJU has a long established tradition of coaches falling in love with mediocre players. See Louie with Kelly / Moses and Norm with Geno
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Though don't count out some random walk on or redshirt candidate starting against Syracuse or Duke.
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Ali B would be a possible nickname for Amar
I like "Da Ali B".
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What is everyone expecting out of Jones? Think he can play the 3 or better suited for the four?
The four. That's all he has ever played. IMO, his ball handling skills preclude the three & I think he would struggle guarding quick perimeter players.
In the little that saw of him, he played like a big guard. Not the biggest, but he showed a nice shooting touch from 10 feet, and the ability to finish in transition. He threw down some powerful dunks if I remember correctly. On defense, he was playing inside, and it seemed as if he'd never played in the paint before. That's why I'm hoping he's improved enough to play the 3. But again, crickets.
I recall that he had very large biceps.
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PG- Jordan
SG- Greene
SF- Harrison
PF- Jones
C- Obekpa
1st off the bench- Pointer, Thomas
Rotation- Branch, Balamou
Next in line- Alibegovic
End of Bench- Delarosa, Delarosa, N'Diaye, Lipscomb
Ouch