(11-05-2017 01:01 PM)Bogey Wrote:  

(11-02-2017 01:41 PM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Bogey --

You know the team better than me, but I would think that Wilson will contribute at the 4 and 5 positions. He's skilled around the basket, is strong and weighs 260 pounds. In what I saw the other day, Smith wears a huge leg brace and I didn't see him play a ton. Scissom, to me, is a perfect guy to come off the bench, as his best skill is the ability to pick and pop from the outside. He's not a good ball handler. I didn't get a chance to see Jacobs play, but it's good to hear how skilled he is. The other guy that's probably good off the bench is Pinkard, who's quite athletic and can score. Both Banks and Lewis are very good players for freshmen. I think Lewis can run the point if necessary, giving the team three guys at that all important position. I agree that offense shouldn't be a problem...it will be defending and rebounding. In what I saw, I didn't see turnovers as a problem, but it was a very small sample size of 20 minutes of game time. Like I posted, this team is skilled and can really shoot the ball.

Picking a won-loss record is really tough, in large part because we don't really know how good the rest of the CAA is at this point (I think it's down relative to last year's no. 11 ranking, but I could be wrong) and JMU has some tough games out of conference. There are some pretty solid mid-major teams in the Bahamas conference, plus games versus ODU, Mason, Richmond and Florida. That Northern Kentucky team won something like 24 games a year ago and I saw them as a top 100 team in one recent listing.

Should be an entertaining and fun season in any event.

JMU had a closed scrimmage at American yesterday and Ramone, Stuckey, joey, Scissum and Phillips started. We won easily but American is horrible.
Scissum is starting because he has some seniority but I will be shocked if he stays a starter. As the season progresses I would not be surprised to see Ramone becoming a backup. Banks and Jacobs did not play because of injuries. Jacobs is still on the mend from the surgery on his hand. He has a shot of getting back for ODU but I would not expect much at that point. Banks had the toenail removed. He should be back for ODU.
When Dwight Wilson arrived here in the summer he weighed 270 pounds. and was in horrible shape. What is a bit crazy is he absolutely did not look in any way fat. I think he is down around 260 and he is starting to get in shape and he looks at lot more bouncy than he did in high school. His biggest problem is that when he arrived at JMU he was hopelessly lost on defense. It would have been hard to hide him once people got some film. In the last couple of weeks he has started to make some small baby steps in the right direction defensively. If he keeps getting better on defense he will probably get some playing time. We need to be patient with him. Unless I am way off base, I think we are going to really like him in another year or two. He apparently played well at American. Joey also played real well at American. With two years experience I know that the original plan was to play stuckey at the point and I know that Joey struggled at that position last year. His first two years at JMU did not prepare him to play the point as a junior. All I can say is that he has really gotten comfortable with Lou's system and is absolutely playing at a much higher level. Last year during practice Stuckey was always the best player on the court. Right now Joey is by far and a way the best and most consistent player for the Dukes. Last year he was very foul prone and determining whether that has improved is more difficult to determine at this point.

How did the guys look as a team? Did JMU dominate due to better athletes and this was more a game of 5 on 5 pickup, or did they run plays/execute well? How well-coached did they look? I'm assuming these kids "like" Rowe plenty and will work hard for him. Really hoping he can groom and gel the talent he's finding.

(11-05-2017 01:54 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Bogey, do you agree with Hart that Joey shouldn't play PG?

If Hart is basing his position on most of last year I would have to say that his assessment would have been correct. Stuckey played point guard for two years at Toledo and seemed to be the logical choice as point guard for this year. Joey struggled early last year at the point and JMU had real problem with the full court press. Based on everything I have seen and heard since late this summer Joey has consistently been the best player on the floor. Last year during practices Stuckey was almost always the best player on the floor. Joey has passed him. Stuckey has moments of brilliance but Joey has just been consistently good every day. He was the best player in the Virgin Islands where he played a lot of point. I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised with Joey at the point this year. Sometimes players just get better.

How did the guys look as a team? Did JMU dominate due to better athletes and this was more a game of 5 on 5 pickup, or did they run plays/execute well? How well-coached did they look? I'm assuming these kids "like" Rowe plenty and will work hard for him. Really hoping he can groom and gel the talent he's finding.
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I was not at the game and American is not that good. What I would say is that I think you are going to like this team offensively and as the year goes by they will get better defensively. This is not going to be playground ball.

(11-06-2017 09:32 AM)Bogey Wrote:  

(11-05-2017 01:54 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Bogey, do you agree with Hart that Joey shouldn't play PG?

If Hart is basing his position on most of last year I would have to say that his assessment would have been correct. Stuckey played point guard for two years at Toledo and seemed to be the logical choice as point guard for this year. Joey struggled early last year at the point and JMU had real problem with the full court press. Based on everything I have seen and heard since late this summer Joey has consistently been the best player on the floor. Last year during practices Stuckey was almost always the best player on the floor. Joey has passed him. Stuckey has moments of brilliance but Joey has just been consistently good every day. He was the best player in the Virgin Islands where he played a lot of point. I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised with Joey at the point this year. Sometimes players just get better.

This is a relief. I really liked McLean as a freshman - he seemed very disruptive at both ends of the floor - but was disappointed with his progression as a distributor and ball handler over the last couple of years.

This is what I've been able to gather so far regarding TV/streaming coverage...

-Nov. 10 home vs Bridgewater will be streamed live via MadiZone...I'm going on the assumption that all home MBB games will be at minimum streamed via MadiZone

-Nov. 17-19 at Islands of Bahamas Showcase...this will be streamed live via FloSports, but will be PPV most likely

-Nov. 25 at Radford...set to be streamed live via Big South Network...thinking this will be free, but will find out later this week when other games are being streamed via that platform once season starts to find out for sure

-Dec. 5 at The Citadel...set to be streamed live via ESPN-3 (I'm envious of the SoCon's deal with ESPN and having all their games on ESPN-3...the CAA sucks and is so inferior when it comes to this...hell, the CAA official page doesn't even have any MBB TV/streaming info up just a few days away from the tipoff to the season other than a few Northeastern announced a week ago)

-Dec. 9 at Richmond...set to be televised via NBC Sports Washington + (formerly Comcast Sports Mid Atlantic and its alternate "Plus" channel)

-Dec. 16 at Florida International...game is still set as TBD for a tip time and no TV/streaming listed either of course...these nitwits just published their schedule at their official sports page a couple of weeks ago...they belong in the CAA apparently

-Dec. 20 at Florida...game will be televised live via SEC Network

I'm hoping and assuming for now that all of our road CAA games will be streamed live via that school's (Stretch) equivalent of MadiZone (caa.tv)

(11-03-2017 05:26 PM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Here's one take on the CAA:

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2017/10/...cb-mcgrath

Here's another:

http://three-man-weave.com/3mw/2017/9/24...ew-2017-18

And another with respect to conference:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27414...-18-season

There is NO WAY this team should or will finish 10th......being totally underestimated and that is fine. Coach Rowe needs to dot the i s and cross the t s and this team can and will compete night in and night out.....the talent is there

(11-07-2017 11:49 AM)nyduke Wrote:  There is NO WAY this team should or will finish 10th......being totally underestimated and that is fine. Coach Rowe needs to dot the i s and cross the t s and this team can and will compete night in and night out.....the talent is there

I agree. I think a little of this is that there are over 300 teams in college basketball. I'm not sure how in depth these previews are and I think the writers tend to take short cuts because they have to in order to "preview" 300 + teams. From a distance I get the narrative- mostly veteran team last year that underperformed, bunch of new guys this year, unproven head coach.

What they don't mention is that while last years team had a bunch of returnees from a 21 win team they lost their do everything PG Ron Curry and that their most talented player last year (Dalembert) was injured and didn't play much. Or that despite the ugly record the team competed in conference. They also probably haven't scouted the incoming recruits or transfers much.

We'll see who is right but from everything that I've seen and read I don't see JMU as a last place team this season. I think there is a better chance that they finish 4th or 5th than 10th.

(11-08-2017 06:52 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(11-07-2017 11:49 AM)nyduke Wrote:  There is NO WAY this team should or will finish 10th......being totally underestimated and that is fine. Coach Rowe needs to dot the i s and cross the t s and this team can and will compete night in and night out.....the talent is there

I agree. I think a little of this is that there are over 300 teams in college basketball. I'm not sure how in depth these previews are and I think the writers tend to take short cuts because they have to in order to "preview" 300 + teams. From a distance I get the narrative- mostly veteran team last year that underperformed, bunch of new guys this year, unproven head coach.

What they don't mention is that while last years team had a bunch of returnees from a 21 win team they lost their do everything PG Ron Curry and that their most talented player last year (Dalembert) was injured and didn't play much. Or that despite the ugly record the team competed in conference. They also probably haven't scouted the incoming recruits or transfers much.

We'll see who is right but from everything that I've seen and read I don't see JMU as a last place team this season. I think there is a better chance that they finish 4th or 5th than 10th.

CAA Media day also tabbed us at last place, so it's not just the outsiders that think we are going to finish last. Hope we prove them all wrong though!

(11-07-2017 10:28 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  And another with respect to conference:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27414...-18-season

would be awesome to see the CAA have a two-bid year. This is just the sort of clout we need to combine with a young team looking to fill a couple more holes and the breaking ground of a shiny new arena... could be the start of a perfect storm for Rowe.

FWIW CBS ranked every DI team on state by state basis:

Virginia

1. Virginia Tech Hokies

With Chris Clarke, Justin Robinson and Ahmed Hill back, Virginia Tech's likely to improve on a 22-win season from a year ago. And you read right: VPI is going to be better than Virginia, which hasn't been the case since Tony Bennett got to Charlottesville. Buzz Williams' best season yet in Blacksburg is set to start. Sleeper Sweet 16 team.

The rest
2. Virginia
3. VCU
4. Richmond
5. George Mason
6. Liberty
7. Old Dominion
8. Norfolk State
9. William & Mary
10. Radford
11. Hampton
12. James Madison
13. Longwood
14. VMI

(11-21-2017 05:06 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  FWIW CBS ranked every DI team on state by state basis:

Virginia

1. Virginia Tech Hokies

With Chris Clarke, Justin Robinson and Ahmed Hill back, Virginia Tech's likely to improve on a 22-win season from a year ago. And you read right: VPI is going to be better than Virginia, which hasn't been the case since Tony Bennett got to Charlottesville. Buzz Williams' best season yet in Blacksburg is set to start. Sleeper Sweet 16 team.

The rest
2. Virginia
3. VCU
4. Richmond
5. George Mason
6. Liberty
7. Old Dominion
8. Norfolk State
9. William & Mary
10. Radford
11. Hampton
12. James Madison
13. Longwood
14. VMI

Oh look, and the list is even broken down by current/future conference.

1. Virginia Tech Hokies
2. Virginia
-------------------------------------------
3. VCU
4. Richmond
5. George Mason
-------------------------------------------
6. Liberty
7. Old Dominion
8. Norfolk State
9. William & Mary
-------------------------------------------
10. Radford
11. Hampton
12. James Madison
13. Longwood
14. VMI

I think our basketball team could win that conference.

Walfish tweeted Cam Smith tore his ACL and is done for the year.

Scissum transferring out.

Rowe with more scholarships to work with.

(11-22-2017 12:25 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I think our basketball team could win that conference.

Bring it!

Well, it shortens the bench by default and gives Rowe's freshman class more minutes. Should pay dividends down the line. The added court time will show a clearer picture if any of the 8 scholarship guys returning next year are not D-I material.

Good news is dukes crushed today?

(12-27-2017 01:41 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  Walfish tweeted Cam Smith tore his ACL and is done for the year.

Scissum transferring out.

Rowe with more scholarships to work with.

Real shame about Smith watching the Florida game on TV he did look very hobbled on the knee.

I think JMU should be in the market for the right 4 year transfer mid term- like they once did with Denzel Bowles. They have the scholarships to bring a kid in for the second semester on scholarship and have him become eligible the second semester of next season. Some teams don't have the room to do that and you may be able to land a player that way.