Thoughts on off-season improvement needs

Quote from: Poison on March 14, 2013, 06:36:45 PM

Quote from: JungleFever on March 14, 2013, 03:49:07 PM

I haven't really heard anyone mention this yet...but isn't it fair to say that Lavin's decision to suspend Harrison has NOW completely backfired?

At this point, Harrison has all the leverage. We didn't win a single game since he was suspended. How can Lavin possibly go to him now and say he has to do this and that to get back on the team, when all Harrison has to say is: You need me. You didn't win a game without me. No one on this team can make a shot.

It has completely backfired. No doubt about it. It ruined our season.

I don't think so - our season's fate was finalized before Harrison was suspended.  They weren't playing well. I don't think him being there would have put us in the ncaa tournament. 

We lost to Providence by 3 points. Providence is the kind of crap defensive team that Harrison would eat alive. Maybe Marquette would have given him trouble, but maybe he would have done enough in that game to help us win it.

People forget that just about every win we have was because he lead us to it.

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Good points. Add in fact Amir obviously would not go on Euro trip, which further impedes his progress. Time to realize Amir may not be front and center in plans going forward.

Quote from: we are sju on March 15, 2013, 09:06:32 AM

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Good points. Add in fact Amir obviously would not go on Euro trip, which further impedes his progress. Time to realize Amir may not be front and center in plans going forward.

Joke is getting old but with Amir not going more time for Lipscomb

Quote from: we are sju on March 15, 2013, 09:06:32 AM

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Good points. Add in fact Amir obviously would not go on Euro trip, which further impedes his progress. Time to realize Amir may not be front and center in plans going forward.

He's the kind of player who needs to practice. He's so much more great athlete than baller. Pointer practiced and he improved. Garrett really didn't improve. He's got to work on so much, there probably isn't a setting for him to do it in this summer.

Quote from: paultzman on March 15, 2013, 09:10:11 AM

Quote from: we are sju on March 15, 2013, 09:06:32 AM

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Good points. Add in fact Amir obviously would not go on Euro trip, which further impedes his progress. Time to realize Amir may not be front and center in plans going forward.

He's the kind of player who needs to practice. He's so much more great athlete than baller. Pointer practiced and he improved. Garrett really didn't improve. He's got to work on so much, there probably isn't a setting for him to do it in this summer.

Agreed, plus as a minor league pitcher, Amir likely will not be able to bulk up in the offseason to better serve his role as a rebounder, further reducing his value to the team going forward.

Quote from: Poison on March 15, 2013, 09:13:03 AM

Quote from: paultzman on March 15, 2013, 09:10:11 AM

Quote from: we are sju on March 15, 2013, 09:06:32 AM

Quote-Why will only these 4 improve and not the rest of our returning players?

Sampson and Obepka are very talented so predicting they improve is not exactly an Earth shattering prediction. Pointer has improved the most from his Frosh to Soph season. Branch was highly recruited and has shown signs. Tough year missing first half and then the injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.

As for the other returning players. Garrett has actually regressed and considering his future lies in baseball I would not be shocked if he does not come back. Even if he does he simply can't put in the time. Greene simply has played exactly the same way as Soph as he did as a Frosh. This is partly Lavin's fault as he has given him so much freedom that he does not seem to understand his limitations.
The rest of the guys simply have not played much or will next season.

Good points. Add in fact Amir obviously would not go on Euro trip, which further impedes his progress. Time to realize Amir may not be front and center in plans going forward.

He's the kind of player who needs to practice. He's so much more great athlete than baller. Pointer practiced and he improved. Garrett really didn't improve. He's got to work on so much, there probably isn't a setting for him to do it in this summer.

Agreed, plus as a minor league pitcher, Amir likely will not be able to bulk up in the offseason to better serve his role as a rebounder, further reducing his value to the team going forward.

They should fine some guys who play the 3, and shoot it too.

Quote from: newsman13 on March 14, 2013, 09:08:33 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on March 14, 2013, 12:19:30 AM

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

You absolutely can teach basketball IQ, what are you talking about? I have been taught basketball IQ over my life time simply watching games. Some people are advanced in it and others aren't, but if you want to be a smart basketball player you can be. Just gotta pay attention and think.

i'm sure you know there's a difference between watching games on tv and playing them.

as far as lavin saying this was his toughest year coaching ever...my feeling is if we don't have an upcoming kick-ass season, he goes back to espn...or fox..   

Quote from: survivedc on March 14, 2013, 10:00:59 AM

Quote from: newsman13 on March 14, 2013, 09:08:33 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on March 14, 2013, 12:19:30 AM

How did villanova get so much better when their only real addition has been Arcidiacono? 

he has a much higher basketball IQ than our guys...that's why.  you can't teach height and you can't teach basketball IQ.  it's one reason we're due for mediocrity.

the good news...at least we won't be fed the "youngest team in the country" and "branch's injury" BS in october.

You absolutely can teach basketball IQ, what are you talking about? I have been taught basketball IQ over my life time simply watching games. Some people are advanced in it and others aren't, but if you want to be a smart basketball player you can be. Just gotta pay attention and think.

i'm sure you know there's a difference between watching games on tv and playing them.

as far as lavin saying this was his toughest year coaching ever...my feeling is if we don't have an upcoming kick-ass season, he goes back to espn...or fox..   

In typical STJ tradition it would be him going to Fox where we play our games so he can comment against us ala Fran and Jarvis

Don't know if this counts as an offseason improvement necessarily, but I've gotta imagine this summer we get involved with some post players from the 2014 class. 

Can't see how we don't.   Sanchez and Gift definitely won't be here after next year, and probably Jakarr as well.   
And we all know how quickly bigs come off the board. 

McCullough would have been perfect for us.