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With all these transfers LB has landed, who are we going to actually have out on the floor next year? Will we have another year of struggles before we hopefully take off? Or are we upgrading our team starting this fall?

We'll be better cause we were coached down last year, and the athletes didnt fit the system. Need some returning kids to take huge steps, see Manuel/Cunningham/Jones, and Nick Russell should help.

That said, we're gearing up for the Big East far more than we're worrying about this year. Honestly, this entire season is about determining which of the returning kids can play, and which will be run.

Sounds like it will look like NBA summer league

in 2012 we will be adding nick russell and two 7 footers - at least one of which can move hopefully - (hoop would love your view of those two if you happen to know) - so we should be improved - big jump comes the next year with the transfers and the addition of some 2013 top drawer recruits. It will still be an insanely young team - but hopefully can at least hold their own while we try to roll in some talent.

We will have to start getting use to a bunch of flame outs - at least two a year - since we are dealing with a different breed of cat here.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this new coaching staff can get out of guys who didn't show us much last year, but were highly thought of coming out of H.S.

Can't be much worse than last year produced, can it?

gostangs wrote:in 2012 we will be adding nick russell and two 7 footers - at least one of which can move hopefully - (hoop would love your view of those two if you happen to know) - so we should be improved - big jump comes the next year with the transfers and the addition of some 2013 top drawer recruits. It will still be an insanely young team - but hopefully can at least hold their own while we try to roll in some talent.

We will have to start getting use to a bunch of flame outs - at least two a year - since we are dealing with a different breed of cat here.

I wouldn't expect too much out of Dickerson, he's a 7ft post-grad, that was available in July. Its not like he flew under the radar, he played at Lincoln in NYC and IMG Academy. Blaise is skilled and runs very well. He needs to learn how to play hard all the time, cause he's soft. Great shooter and very good passer, but he's not much over either shoulder yet. all face up

I'm thinking dickerson might be pretty good help in CUSA - not so much once it steps up in the BE

biggest concern I have about the 2012 roster is the potential for this to be as "soft" a team as we've put on the floor in years. Who does the tough work in the low post? Cunningham played pretty soft last year. Manuel and Jones struck me as slashers and I don't recall Shawn Williams doing much dirty work in the paint.

I hope Brown instills a toughness and defensive focus that we just didn't see last year. The incoming Frosh are going to have to step up and give this team quality minutes if we hope to see any significant improvement over last year...and it would help if Russell comes in and immediately assumes a leadership role.

gostangs wrote:I'm thinking dickerson might be pretty good help in CUSA - not so much once it steps up in the BE

At the very least Dickerson is good for five more fouls a game

uhh....there was a lot to critique about last yrs team, but i thought their defense was actually the strong spot. we needed more scorers on the floor usually. we could slow down the really good teams, just couldn't answer anything.

gostangs wrote:uhh....there was a lot to critique about last yrs team, but i thought their defense was actually the strong spot. we needed more scorers on the floor usually. we could slow down the really good teams, just couldn't answer anything.

I agree. No offensive rebounding was even attempted on most possessions. The big frosh are going to get a lot of minutes. They will toughen up or give up. I want them beating on guys - even if they foul out. Passivity is for the birds.

They are working [deleted] defense this summer by LB and now that SMU has a basketball strength trainer...the kids will be bulked up and won't be so soft. Hopefully we can bulk up like Marquette does with their ballers ( wish) ...Dickerson is raw but starting playing ball late so has a lot to learn...what better teacher than LB?
Blaise is being worked on down low this summer...he will be improved by the time official practice starts. He played like a big 3 in HS, but he will come around.