You must be some kind of saint to even venture onto their board. Their message board software and layout is even more outdated and terrible than IL was before this recent upgrade.
That Torvik thing projects AJ and De La Rosa as two of our best and most-relied-upon players. A different spin from the conventional wisdom around here for sure.
It is quite difficult to look at this team and see the future of this coming season. Guard play has a 5* and two four stars with experience, I proven JC guard, and two guys with some size...one a proven threat from the arc and an even bigger frosh who, though unknown, has a pretty good pedigree and recent high success in high school. Add in Jones and Kipper who reportedly both have the talent to succeed, and you can fill 4 positions with a pretty high level of talent...albeit lacking in experience. The real question will be the play of the 4 new bigs and how the team defends. If anyone can tell us what they will bring to the court they are simply lying. At least they have some size and athleticism, and the one now playing with the team evidently can pass and shoot.....and who knows if he can defend? Hoping to see growth in all four over the season. It seemed to me that the staff understands the KISS method for young bigs based on how they brought Ebo along so successfully. My guess, for those who love the game and watching kids with talent and potential learn and perform better game to game, it will be a riveting season to watch. For those wanting a B1G title and FF.....don't bother.
He's projecting AJ to have basically the same role as last year, but to get maybe 5 more minutes a game. That seems very plausible to me. I do think that he's radically overestimating De La Rosa's contribution, though. There's no way he plays 25 minutes a game over the season just due to his injury recovery alone.Yeah, it's just hard to figure where a projection like that would be coming from in these numbers-only type systems.
But, no use getting too worked up over preseason projections one way or another. All will be revealed on the court in due time.
That Torvik thing projects AJ and De La Rosa as two of our best and most-relied-upon players. A different spin from the conventional wisdom around here for sure. It could happen.
We can beat to death the things that we're not going to see from this team, but that shouldn't obscure the value of the pieces we have at the top end. Guys who can score efficiently while using 25-plus percent of a team's possessions don't grow on trees.
He's projecting AJ to have basically the same role as last year, but to get maybe 5 more minutes a game. That seems very plausible to me. I do think that he's radically overestimating De La Rosa's contribution, though. There's no way he plays 25 minutes a game over the season just due to his injury recovery alone.
Thing is, neither of those guys are really driving his initial ranking. It really boils down to how much the numbers like Frazier and Nichols, and what Ayo is projected to bring to the table. Specifically, the numbers like Kipper *a lot*. His line looks similar to Malcolm Hill's at the same stage of his career, with the real difference being Kipper's lack of minutes betraying a lack of engagement on D. If he works through that and gets his 30 minutes a game, he'll be in the conversation for all-conference recognition this year.
We've not had a 1-2 combo like Frazier and Nichols since Rice/Hill in 2015. That team wound up around 60 in Pomeroy's rating despite a couple of absolute howlers to end the season. They would have been hovering around 50 had they just showed up for those games, and that's where Torvik has them right now. Granted that this team doesn't have an Egwu hanging around, but it's also not going to hand 50 minutes a game to Lewis, Cosby, and Tate.
We can beat to death the things that we're not going to see from this team, but that shouldn't obscure the value of the pieces we have at the top end. Guys who can score efficiently while using 25-plus percent of a team's possessions don't grow on trees.
My guess on the whole thing is that the computers will have us ranked around the last of the at-large teams at the end of the season, but we just won't have enough wins to get in due to the nasty schedule and tough conference. I suppose we could always get lucky for once, though...
If we get a full season of the good versions of Frazier and Kipper and can duct-tape-and-popsicle-stick together the big man situation, there may be some reason for optimism.
I'm more confident in Trent than Kipper on that score.
Kipper has produced at that level already, to the extent that he gave enough effort to stay on the court. When I took a look at his numbers from last year I was genuinely surprised at how good they were. It's an open question as to whether or not he's going to show up every day and warrant 30 minutes on a consistent basis. It's not an open question as to whether he can produce at that level when he does, though.But the fact still remains we have exactly 1 guy on the roster that's a proven high-end B1G player...Trent Frazier. We want Kipper to get to that Rice/Hill level but he hasn't done it yet. We want Damonte to make that big sophomore leap, but will he actually do it? We want Ayo to come in and make an impact right away, but you never know how freshmen will adapt. These are the same things we've been wanting/hoping to happen for the past 8+ years. It has to come together at some point right?
With so many unknowns, shouldn't there be just as much optimism as pessimism? There is no doubt that historically, teams with experience have done better in the BIG than those who have not had it. But imo, there are so many variables in the players, teams, coaches, competition, schedule, on and on.... that history is not a good predictor of this team, this year. An infusion of talent, another year of experience and practice in the system for the players that returned. I know we were 4-14 in conference, but we played competitively with almost all of them for most of the game. I just don't think there is really that much difference between the 4th team in conference projections than the 12th team. Some of the better teams last year, lost a lot of players also. That's why they play the games. If Gonzaga scores at will in the lane, it won't be a good sign, but even then, coaches are paid to fix those type of problems.If we get a full season of the good versions of Frazier and Kipper and can duct-tape-and-popsicle-stick together the big man situation, there may be some reason for optimism.
I'm more confident in Trent than Kipper on that score.
With so many unknowns, shouldn't there be just as much optimism as pessimism? There is no doubt that historically, teams with experience have done better in the BIG than those who have not had it. But imo, there are so many variables in the players, teams, coaches, competition, schedule, on and on.... that history is not a good predictor of this team, this year.
Hope he just tears it up!Ebo to Northeastern.
What makes you think Feliz was brought in as a backup? The coaches love his point guard skills. He has a great shot at being the starting point guard this year.He was listed as a PG coming out of HS ( At least on VC). Did not see him utilized that way last year i.e. Bringing up the ball or starting the offense. Does he have the handles and passing skills to function as one? Was curious because we brought Feliz in as a backup. Hopefully the time he has spent with AJ in the early mornings will make him a three pt threat. Haven't seen wing span nos on him but he certainly seemed to play bigger than he is listed even playing on a recovering knee. Would love to see him guarding the opposing PG.
What makes you think Feliz was brought in as a backup? The coaches love his point guard skills. He has a great shot at being the starting point guard this year.
Damonte can handle the ball but he is behind at least three others as far as running the point is concerned.
Hope he just tears it up!
What makes you think Feliz was brought in as a backup?
Ayo and Trent
Feliz likely starts at the point with Frazier and Ayo on the wings.
Feliz likely starts at the point with Frazier and Ayo on the wings.