ESPN Inside Article about SJU from Media Day

Jones is the most physically impressive dude on the team. Pointer and Garret aren't as athletic as he is and those two are freaks themselves. Besides looking like a gladiator who can jump through the roof, I'm not sure how Jones is as a player.

Use some logic if GG isn't going to play this year, why would he play next year. All of his minutes will be cut as they were last year when Garret arrived. Regardless he's much better at the end of the bench than Dele Coker ever was.

Agree about Jones' athleticism.  Its absolutely sick.  Kid can free throw line dunk without thinking about it and isn't a big kid.  Love bringing along a player like that.  I absolutely loved watching the scrimmage where he had zero hesitation taking an open jumper and nailing it.  Staff will work with him, but another athlete that won't be pushed out of the post by other PF's and won't be out jumped for boards.

Nobody is red shirting.  That would be crazy.  Lavin going to be using Gift's ship I'm more than sure.

Still the case with wainright off the board? Jordan jermaine Martin all seem far from certainties.

Quote from: MCNPA on October 18, 2012, 07:10:14 PM

Nobody is red shirting.  That would be crazy.  Lavin going to be using Gift's ship I'm more than sure.

Still the case with wainright off the board? Jordan jermaine Martin all seem far from certainties.

IMO, no chance with Martin, 50/50 with Jordan and ironically a better chance with Lawrence.

Quote from: MCNPA on October 18, 2012, 07:10:14 PM

Nobody is red shirting.  That would be crazy.  Lavin going to be using Gift's ship I'm more than sure.

Still the case with wainright off the board? Jordan jermaine Martin all seem far from certainties.

I think it's important to have a responsible upperclassmen out there. Gift struggled to adjust to the BE last year. There's no doubt about that. But this is a young team, and it has one senior. Next season, Obekpa and Sampson will be seasoned, and ready to go. Sanchez will be a senior. We won't be desperate for leadership, but it appears that now we might be.

Hopefully Gift seizes the opportunity that he knew would be his last March, by learning where he needed to improve, and addressing those areas with practice. With a strong staff in place that was talented enough to correct Burrell and Evans, I don't see why Gift can't improve in the same fashion.

Let's hope he does, and our biggest problem is that we bury a freshman on the bench.

Quote from: Gray Chudney on October 19, 2012, 07:41:18 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on October 18, 2012, 07:10:14 PM

Nobody is red shirting.  That would be crazy.  Lavin going to be using Gift's ship I'm more than sure.

Still the case with wainright off the board? Jordan jermaine Martin all seem far from certainties.

IMO, no chance with Martin, 50/50 with Jordan and ironically a better chance with Lawrence.

I think we have a shot with Martin but not as good as with Jordan. Lawrence must be the priority at this point.

The writer has a ton of quotes from Lavin.  I think the view on Gift and Felix is based directly on his interview with the coach.  If our big newcomers stay healthy, I would not be surprised to see both things happen.  Lavin knew Gift was going to come off the bench with just Sampson and Obekpa coming.  Now with Jones and Sanchez impressing him, Gifts minutes are limited.  Lavin probably thinks the red shirt could work well for the team and for Gift.  Gift coming off the bench in the same way that Evans played off the bench in his final season is what Lavin has in mind.  Gift can focus on his education this year.  He seems to be the rare player who has school ahead of hoops.

The thing I take from this article is that with all the glowing comments about Jones, CO, Balamou, Sampson and the team being ahead of schedule this writer tempers our expectations for an NCAA berth for this season.  But he clearly states that the future is really bright.

I'm hoping to see the soph class exceed all the expert’s expectations.  I think the Sophs will lead this team into the top half of the BE standings.  They are not normal second year players in that they played a ton of minutes as freshmen with no back-ups.  These guys were a bit incredible last season.  If Uconn had these same players and scenario they would be picked top seven in the BE.

The writer has a ton of quotes from Lavin.  I think the view on Gift and Felix is based directly on his interview with the coach.  If our big newcomers stay healthy, I would not be surprised to see both things happen.  Lavin knew Gift was going to come off the bench with just Sampson and Obekpa coming.  Now with Jones and Sanchez impressing him, Gifts minutes are limited.  Lavin probably thinks the red shirt could work well for the team and for Gift.  Gift coming off the bench in the same way that Evans played off the bench in his final season is what Lavin has in mind.  Gift can focus on his education this year.  He seems to be the rare player who has school ahead of hoops.

The thing I take from this article is that with all the glowing comments about Jones, CO, Balamou, Sampson and the team being ahead of schedule this writer tempers our expectations for an NCAA berth for this season.  But he clearly states that the future is really bright.

I'm hoping to see the soph class exceed all the expert’s expectations.  I think the Sophs will lead this team into the top half of the BE standings.  They are not normal second year players in that they played a ton of minutes as freshmen with no back-ups.  These guys were a bit incredible last season.  If Uconn had these same players and scenario they would be picked top seven in the BE.

There is no way in hell Gift redshirts, we have limited ships net 2 years and Lavin is recruiting like crazy. On the other hand, Felix is the 12th man this year and he would benefit from a red shirt as he is probably the most raw of all our newcomers and is likely stuck behind every 2/3 we have. He will have a hard time getting off the bench. 

Quote from: Tiznow on October 20, 2012, 10:59:40 AM

The writer has a ton of quotes from Lavin.  I think the view on Gift and Felix is based directly on his interview with the coach.  If our big newcomers stay healthy, I would not be surprised to see both things happen.  Lavin knew Gift was going to come off the bench with just Sampson and Obekpa coming.  Now with Jones and Sanchez impressing him, Gifts minutes are limited.  Lavin probably thinks the red shirt could work well for the team and for Gift.  Gift coming off the bench in the same way that Evans played off the bench in his final season is what Lavin has in mind.  Gift can focus on his education this year.  He seems to be the rare player who has school ahead of hoops.

The thing I take from this article is that with all the glowing comments about Jones, CO, Balamou, Sampson and the team being ahead of schedule this writer tempers our expectations for an NCAA berth for this season.  But he clearly states that the future is really bright.

I'm hoping to see the soph class exceed all the expert’s expectations.  I think the Sophs will lead this team into the top half of the BE standings.  They are not normal second year players in that they played a ton of minutes as freshmen with no back-ups.  These guys were a bit incredible last season.  If Uconn had these same players and scenario they would be picked top seven in the BE.

There is no way in hell Gift redshirts, we have limited ships net 2 years and Lavin is recruiting like crazy. On the other hand, Felix is the 12th man this year and he would benefit from a red shirt as he is probably the most raw of all our newcomers and is likely stuck behind every 2/3 we have. He will have a hard time getting off the bench.

I agree, I dont see the point in redshirting Gift. We nee a couple of players w bulk, and Jones hasnt won me over yet. I see Gift coming off the bench as the season progresses and providing valuable minutes.

Jones hasn't won me over yet either. Mainly because I never seen him play basketball.

Jones hasn't won me over yet either. Mainly because I never seen him play basketball.

Reasonable assessment, rather than describing him as the next Karl Malone. Jeez!

No one has seen him play yet.
The guy is writing what he is hearing from the people he interviewed for his article. 

"He can bang with the big guys," Lavin said. "He fits the mold of a classic four man from Pitt. He's a unique talent and has great hands."

No one has seen him play yet.
The guy is writing what he is hearing from the people he interviewed for his article. 

"He can bang with the big guys," Lavin said. "He fits the mold of a classic four man from Pitt. He's a unique talent and has great hands."

I know. I'm just messing around. Hope springs eternal in October. We are all anxious to find out what we have.

Quote from: Tiznow on October 20, 2012, 07:36:58 PM

No one has seen him play yet.
The guy is writing what he is hearing from the people he interviewed for his article. 

"He can bang with the big guys," Lavin said. "He fits the mold of a classic four man from Pitt. He's a unique talent and has great hands."

I know. I'm just messing around. Hope springs eternal in October. We are all anxious to find out what we have.

Nate Blue was heaping some praise for Christian and it's not like Nate hasn't seen talent before.

Quote from: Poison on October 20, 2012, 08:12:11 PM

Quote from: Tiznow on October 20, 2012, 07:36:58 PM

No one has seen him play yet.
The guy is writing what he is hearing from the people he interviewed for his article. 

"He can bang with the big guys," Lavin said. "He fits the mold of a classic four man from Pitt. He's a unique talent and has great hands."

I know. I'm just messing around. Hope springs eternal in October. We are all anxious to find out what we have.

Nate Blue was heaping some praise for Christian and it's not like Nate hasn't seen talent before.

I still don't know who the hell that is.

Quote from: 96 Schermerhorn Street on October 18, 2012, 04:09:25 PM

Young yes by class, but how about by age.

That's a good point. It's possible that guys like Sanchez start playing like seasoned veterans from day one. It comes down to just how much competition and pressure the newcomers have experienced. I think we'll see a mixed bag.

This preview does quite a bit to dispell much of what all of expected from the newcomers.

Jones best case scenario gives us solid minutes off the bench. He defends, he boards and plays tough every second.
This write up says he's Elton Brand. If that happens to be true I won't complain.

And DuJuan Blair wrapped in one. He can probably play the 3/4 at the same time.

Better athleticism than Pointer and Garrett?  There is more to athleticism than a vertical.  If we get 15 minutes of physical play out of this kid, I will be thrilled.  Relax people.  He will not even be considered for PT at the three this year.  He averaged six boards a game in high school. 

If Jones is Tyrone Grant, I'll be thrilled. This one and done talk is straight up insane.

Better athleticism than Pointer and Garrett?  There is more to athleticism than a vertical.  If we get 15 minutes of physical play out of this kid, I will be thrilled.  Relax people.  He will not even be considered for PT at the three this year.  He averaged six boards a game in high school. 

He is bigger, stronger, faster, and can jump higher. It is plain to see that he is more athletic than they are.

That being said I don't know if he is any better/worse than them at the game of basketball.

Quote from: Marillac on October 21, 2012, 10:33:55 AM

Better athleticism than Pointer and Garrett?  There is more to athleticism than a vertical.  If we get 15 minutes of physical play out of this kid, I will be thrilled.  Relax people.  He will not even be considered for PT at the three this year.  He averaged six boards a game in high school. 

He is bigger, stronger, faster, and can jump higher. It is plain to see that he is more athletic than they are.

That being said I don't know if he is any better/worse than them at the game of basketball.

I call that alligator athleticism...awesome in straight lines.  Pointer would own Jones in a race and it wouldn't be close.  Jones' agillity isn't on the same planet as Pointer or Garret.  I think people are getting carried away with Jones.  I don't see much of a difference between him and Sean Evans, and I don't think that is a badi thing.  We need a banger really bad and it looks like he could fit that bill. Jones was a huge addition for this team.  In time Jones could be a big player for us when his skill develops.  I'm not only posting this to you, Dave. I just find the general tone of the Jones posts to be unrealistic and unfair.   

Also, FWIW, any thought of redshirting GG is laughable.  I think he'll be a nice bench piece for us, but the kids Lavin is looking at are on a different level.  I think Jones as a soph will be better than a fifth-year senior GG.  That scholarship will be used for a top 50 player. 

Quote from: Dave on October 21, 2012, 11:34:36 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 21, 2012, 10:33:55 AM

Better athleticism than Pointer and Garrett?  There is more to athleticism than a vertical.  If we get 15 minutes of physical play out of this kid, I will be thrilled.  Relax people.  He will not even be considered for PT at the three this year.  He averaged six boards a game in high school. 

He is bigger, stronger, faster, and can jump higher. It is plain to see that he is more athletic than they are.

That being said I don't know if he is any better/worse than them at the game of basketball.

I call that alligator athleticism...awesome in straight lines.  Pointer would own Jones in a race and it wouldn't be close.  Jones' agillity isn't on the same planet as Pointer or Garret.  I think people are getting carried away with Jones.  I don't see much of a difference between him and Sean Evans, and I don't think that is a badi thing.  We need a banger really bad and it looks like he could fit that bill. Jones was a huge addition for this team.  In time Jones could be a big player for us when his skill develops.  I'm not only posting this to you, Dave. I just find the general tone of the Jones posts to be unrealistic and unfair.   

Also, FWIW, any thought of redshirting GG is laughable.  I think he'll be a nice bench piece for us, but the kids Lavin is looking at are on a different level.  I think Jones as a soph will be better than a fifth-year senior GG.  That scholarship will be used for a top 50 player.

Marillac, you've lost it with this Alligator athleticism.  Jones is absolutely in no way like Sean Evans who didn't have near the athleticism of Jones and was extremely raw.  How do you know how agile Jones is compared to Pointer?  I mean really?  I don't pretend to know each kid's vertical, but while excellent leapers, neither Amir nor Pointer are FT line dunkers like Jones.  A big PF with that kind of vertical can be very helpful.  I know very little about his skill set except he seems to have a nice jumper that he's not afraid to use.