Yes, it's still only June and we still could add another freshman big man (still alive) and/or a graduate transfer (although the graduate addition is virtually dead)... but assuming we add nobody has anybody really looked at our diminished roster?
Guard overload: Williams, Loewe, Cohn, Tot, Milon, Birchfield, Glover
Center/Forwards Vacuum: Knight, Rowley, Pierce (Pierce listed as guard/forward on official web page roster)
I can see a starting lineup of Knight, Cohn, Rowley, Milon and Pierce...a lineup of good potential. Birchfield, Tot and Loewe probably the first three off the bench with Williams contributions unknown.
That, dear Tribe basketball followers, is about it right now. This team
has players with high-level ability, but has razor-thin and unacceptable depth.
Some Comments:
*Loewe will play...he is a skilled player beyond his freshman status
according to two of the coaches I've spoken with (he's already in Williamsburg) and could jump ahead of Tot as point guard). He also
comes to W&M with lots of scoring ability in addition to be being the
successor to Cohn as a field general.
*Move Tot as sub for Knight? He's 6-6, 210 pounds, thick-bodied and rugged. Who else if you laugh at this? I guess you could sub Paul Rowley for about three or four minutes in a pinch, but in this follower's
opinion Paul would thrive as a 3-4 forward with his range, unpredictability, long arms and three point shot. Unless Rowley gains
40-50 pounds of muscle he just can't play at center position and we'd.
*Forward position will need almost 40-minute players. Birchfield will
have to step up his complete game as first sub and not just be the three-point specialist.
*What about Williams out of Baltimore? From what I hear a great shot,
but needs to develop his total floor game and defense.
*Milon and Pierce have to step up as the double-diget scoring replacements for Omar and Daniel.
*Knight will have the spotlight on him....how great can he be?
(06-29-2017 06:15 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote: [ -> ]Guard overload: Williams, Loewe, Cohn, Tot, Milon, Birchfield, Glover
Center/Forwards Vacuum: Knight, Rowley, Pierce (Pierce listed as guard/forward on official web page roster)
You didn't mention Omar Mustafa. :o)
(06-29-2017 06:15 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote: [ -> ]we still could add another freshman big man (still alive) and/or a graduate transfer (although the graduate addition is virtually dead)
Is there a freshman big man still available that they have interest in? Are Schuyler Rimmer and/or Cole Harrison no longer options as grad transfers?
George Mason site had Tribe pencilled in for a game there TBD.
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I started this thread on this coming season's team just to see what we all thought, not because I have the right or wrong answers. What do others believe?
Yes, it appears that graduate big man transfer is dead. Still a thin line to a possible freshman big man
coming in.
This is right now a nine-man rotation, but unbalanced with only one center and dependent upon guys who haven't played a minute yet. Also. when you come down to it, a team with just one returning starter and one starter who started just six games (Knight).
Comments from all fellow Tribe fans welcomed!
If finally O Tot gets a legitimate shot, Tribe fans will realize just how badly this kid's talent has been squandered. It's a shame. I've seen many games won with a five like him. He can be a four. He can run the show. I don't get it.
The biggest concern is no one to challenge Knight in practice and push his development. Would have hoped Rimmer would have committed to grad school and at least come on board as a grad asst. Open scholarship money could have been moved to pay for his position and at least Knight would have had solid practice competition.
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Rowley will be the back up center. He's perfect for the high post pick and roll game because their center will have to guard him out top and leave the lane open. On defense, that's another story. Maybe Tony finally changes to a pressure defense game with all of the guards. This season could be an absolute disaster if a couple key players get hurt. BT3's starting five will be very competitive.
I think Luke will see a lot of minutes and be our backup PG ... both out of skillset and also the need to play Tot in the frontcourt ... Avoiding injuries and foul trouble will be key, but I look forward to seeing Pierce taking some big steps forward with this increased opportunity. ... These guys need to be in tip top physical shape too.
We haven't been a good rebounding team of late and our lack of size isn't going to help that so we need a renewed commitment to hit the glass 4 or 5 strong each time and then get out and run.
We have good talent, just very little depth. This could be a very fun team to root for as they gel together. They have a lot of individual talent and we will hopefully see them play together.
I think we will be forced to move Tot down low, especially with guard as our only positions of depth. And I think Ollie will do better than anyone can imagine.
Just use Tot for what he's good at (defense and ball distribution). Don't expect him to score much. My guess is that Pierce and Knight both come back in a lot better shape both physically and from a stamina perspective.
(06-29-2017 11:52 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote: [ -> ]I think we will be forced to move Tot down low, especially with guard as our only positions of depth. And I think Ollie will do better than anyone can imagine.
I would agree with you. Much of what we ask of our post players is what Ollie is good at doing, i.e. playing defense, distributing the ball, etc. Given his sturdy physique and mindset to do the necessary but unglamorous things, I think he could thrive inside in Tony's system.
(06-29-2017 01:08 PM)LeadBolt Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2017 11:52 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote: [ -> ]I think we will be forced to move Tot down low, especially with guard as our only positions of depth. And I think Ollie will do better than anyone can imagine.
I would agree with you. Much of what we ask of our post players is what Ollie is good at doing, i.e. playing defense, distributing the ball, etc. Given his sturdy physique and mindset to do the necessary but unglamorous things, I think he could thrive inside in Tony's system.
As well as, he is the defense communication leader on this team. Can see us getting back to the 1-3-1 with Tot underneath the basket directing and Pierce inheriting Tarpey's disrupter role at the point.
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Shame that Greg and Jack decided to transfer to lesser programs in search of playing time, but that's what happens when you get recruited over.
So, the Tribe still has the pick of the litter. I refuse to not have high expectations for next season.
Hell, I always go into the season thinking this will be the year.
All that matters is that weekend in March. Stay healthy, play together and keep improving.
The decision to be optimistic is just like the decision to be happy, it is a conscious choice.
I choose to believe, NCAA Tournament bound in 2018. Go Tribe!
I have touted OT since he was a freshman. I'm going out on s limb and predict that his play will be pivotal to our success. He's the best passer on the team and can find the open man. He will relieve pressure on Knight. He has savvy and he will sparkle.
I'll echo the Tot props. He reminds me a lot of Laimis with a slight shift towards guard skills. Sees the floor at both ends, does a lot of little things well that lead to team success. Anywhere on the floor we can find him minutes is a good thing.
From what I've heard Justin Pierce has grown an inch and put on about 15 pounds of muscle. 6-7 215 is what I've heard. I have full belief in him and Milon handling the go to scoring for the next 3 years.
Keep in mind Pierce is STILL ONLY 18!!!! Was so young for a freshman last year, really think we will see a ton of growth from him
This team still has a lot of talent to work with, but almost zero depth. Need to avoid injury and foul trouble the whole season.
(06-29-2017 11:52 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote: [ -> ]I think we will be forced to move Tot down low, especially with guard as our only positions of depth. And I think Ollie will do better than anyone can imagine.
I dunno... SoCal seems to have a pretty vivid imagination when it comes to OT