Can someone confirm that the open practice/reception is tomorrow, November 1, 4pm?

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(10-31-2017 06:03 PM)3xTribe Wrote:  Can someone confirm that the open practice/reception is tomorrow, November 1, 4pm?

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Starts at 4:30 tomorrow

Thanks! Was there a pre-registration this year? I don't recall getting an email about it.

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(10-31-2017 10:08 PM)3xTribe Wrote:  Thanks! Was there a pre-registration this year? I don't recall getting an email about it.

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I finally had to call them last week after I never got an email. I called the ticket office and they transferred me to someone by the name of Ashley, I think. She signed me up.

(10-31-2017 10:16 PM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  

(10-31-2017 10:08 PM)3xTribe Wrote:  Thanks! Was there a pre-registration this year? I don't recall getting an email about it.

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I finally had to call them last week after I never got an email. I called the ticket office and they transferred me to someone by the name of Ashley, I think. She signed me up.

I had the same problem.

I really hope the new leadership over there gets their feet under them soon, there’s a couple of things that really make me miss Spencer and Ryan so far.

(10-31-2017 10:08 PM)3xTribe Wrote:  Thanks! Was there a pre-registration this year? I don't recall getting an email about it.

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Maybe it's considered classified information? Can't let other schools know that W&M has a scrimmage.

Speaking of "classified info", any word out of our Closed Scrimmage, the other day?

Not following up with the season ticket holders about the scrimmage today is a major miss by the Athletic Department. I was able to attend last year and thought it was very worthwhile. I got to see the newcomers, hear from Coach Shaver and sign up for the the GameChanger Challenge (sp?).

The scrimmage was mentioned in the mailer for the season tickets but from 460 miles away I just can't drop in based on one sentence in a document with no follow-up.

If this were a marketing department, or a political campaign, they would know that the best chance of increasing support is from those who are already supporting you. That's why mailing lists are the gold standard in both fields.



That said, any allowable feedback on the scrimmage and comments by Shaver would be greatly appreciated by those of us who are distance-challenged.

Saw the entire practice...it was very spirited and competitive, with some outstanding shooting, some tough defense, some poor defense, and some exceptional passes. Crowd, which filled up one entire side of the lower part of the upper stands and leaked into the end stands, was enthusiastic and gave team big hand at practice's conclusion.

Some observations:

*Hard to tell just who will be starting team: Milon, Cohn, Knight, Pierce appear set...Rowley, Tott and Burchfield may rotate fifth starting slot with Tott playing several slots. Harrison subs for Knight and Loewe backup for David Cohn.

*Williams doesn't play defense yet and gets a little wild with the ball at times, but he, in my opinion, is a potential starter either later this season and for future. He can shoot and showed it all night. gets off shot quickly, gets way off the floor. When he's on he can score a bunch of points quickly.
Tough to predict now..but he could be a star in the future and has Tony's eye.

*Loewe solid point guard and made some very good passes and plays good defense using body to good advantage. Didn't shoot much to develop an opinion. However at end of practice he stayed at one end of court with Jonathon Holmes and made 10 of 12 three-point jump shots going around the circle!

*Tott played forward, point guard and #2 guard, and several times posted under basket. He surprised me by shooting much more than the past and hit good percentage. Very good on defense
as he has been in the past. Will be a much more valuable player to this team with his versatility
and experience.

*If Knight can cut down fouling and, especially, getting early fouls in games that send him to the bench he will have a giant season. Lost twenty-two pounds he told me at dinner and weighs a sleek, muscled 238. Seemed in great shape without the out-of-breath problems of last season. If Nate stays healthy and avoids silly fouling he may be the greatest center we've ever had...certainly since Tony's arrival. His speed and power are impressive, as his his surprisingly good ball handling around the post and on the perimeter. Even took four or five three point shots (and made two!).

*Harrison should be an adequate sub for Knight several minutes a game. He is a load and fills the court. Plays hard and rough and tumble under the boards. Adequate handing the ball around the perimeter but you don't want him dribbling around too much. Students will love him!

*Cohn at top of his game: speed, speed, speed, wonderful ballhanding, and shooting well more. Driving the basket and made some crowd=pleasing circus layups. He looks ready to play 35 minutes+ a game. Indefatigable.

*Pierce looks like Tarpey with the long arms, strong body and ability to rebound and play defense.
Doesn't appear to have a great shot, but he does everything else on the court. He may not score double figures every game but he is an MVP kind of player. He is going to get better the more games he plays.

*Burchfield much more active on the court and could start games. Not just standing around for his three point shot---which remains as deadly as ever (he must have made 65% last might)---but driving with the ball and popping up a jump shot. Showed some passing ability. Still has a tough time on defense as gets outmuscled at times with his thin frame.

Rowley has such a good time on the court! Shot very well during scrimmage last night with a bunch of long threes and dribbled the ball well, bringing it up court several times. Brings a spark to the guys
and, despite a defensive problems brought on by his lean (6-8, 200) frame, will play many minutes.
Paul told me afterwards he's having no problem juggling W&M Law and basketball...even came out at 6:30 AM that day for extra shooting practice!

This season could surprise and team could win 15-16 games in this rebuilding year as they should improve as season moves along. They have to develop cohesion and adapt to still forming substitution patterns. But talent is there and team is 100% united. Will be interesting to watch develop: there will be tough stretches for sure but it will be fun watching them.

Number one proviso.....we cannot well survive a key injury that puts a key guy out for a long stretch.
Without Knight it would be a long season. I'm knocking wood as I say this.

Thanks for giving a summary. I've always loved this event, but had to miss this year because my son was sick.

This team, if nothing else, should be fun to watch!

Good insight. Thanks

Thanks for the update. What about Milon?

Top of the league, with CofC, Towson, Elon and Hofstra (some nights), will be as strong as it's been in a while. Towson, playing without their starting senior guard, beat a very good Bucknell team (#6 in preseason mid majors), 93-87, in their exhibition over the weekend.

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It was great fun to chat with the guys. Paul Rowley is the world's most enthusiastic human being. Apparently, law school hasn't killed his spirit yet. Cole Harrison is a very charming, engaging guy, and is really happy to be here. Walk-on Tommy Papas is going to be the team's biggest cheerleader. He is so hyped about just being part of a D1 team, and seems to get along great with the regulars.

Mistakingly omitted my Milon comments...thanks to Tribeheart for pointing this out.

Milon is a great addition to the team. Has a deadly lefthanded shot (almost like a one=handed push shot) and, with playing time, appears a cinch to average double figures. But he's more than a shooter:
showed he was good with the ball both dribbling and passing. And he is solidly built--no thin, lean guy for certain. Aggressive on defense. Not blazing fast or quick, but a special kind of all-round player, the kind who is aware on the court. Look forward to three years of him playing. Spoke a while with him
at the dinner; he loves W&M and has no regrets about moving from Boston College.

This year's team will have a balanced attack that will surprise a lot of teams.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Jihar Williams. What an engaging young man with a smile that will light up a room. The kids that we recruit always make me so proud. Tony did mention during his talk that Jihar has not met a shot that he was not willing to take, which made us all laugh. He does indeed have a beautiful stroke from the outside. He also suggested that games with final scores like 100-95 might not be all that surprising since he suggested that some of the guys might struggle guarding a "tree in the Kaplan Arena parking lot" at this point.

I asked Tony about the four recruits. He said that he is ecstatic about the group and that every one of the kids were players that the staff had been recruiting for a very long time. He did say that they were still working hard on the big guy front.

I think Williams will get a lot of minutes. He is very solidly built for D1 hoops and should progress nicely. I actually like Burchfield off the bench more than as a starter.

(11-02-2017 11:04 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  I had the pleasure of chatting with Jihar Williams. What an engaging young man with a smile that will light up a room. The kids that we recruit always make me so proud. Tony did mention during his talk that Jihar has not met a shot that he was not willing to take, which made us all laugh. He does indeed have a beautiful stroke from the outside. He also suggested that games with final scores like 100-95 might not be all that surprising since he suggested that some of the guys might struggle guarding a "tree in the Kaplan Arena parking lot" at this point.

I asked Tony about the four recruits. He said that he is ecstatic about the group and that every one of the kids were players that the staff had been recruiting for a very long time. He did say that they were still working hard on the big guy front.

Did he have any comments on who he thought might or might not be leaning in our direction?

(11-02-2017 05:06 PM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(11-02-2017 11:04 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  I had the pleasure of chatting with Jihar Williams. What an engaging young man with a smile that will light up a room. The kids that we recruit always make me so proud. Tony did mention during his talk that Jihar has not met a shot that he was not willing to take, which made us all laugh. He does indeed have a beautiful stroke from the outside. He also suggested that games with final scores like 100-95 might not be all that surprising since he suggested that some of the guys might struggle guarding a "tree in the Kaplan Arena parking lot" at this point.

I asked Tony about the four recruits. He said that he is ecstatic about the group and that every one of the kids were players that the staff had been recruiting for a very long time. He did say that they were still working hard on the big guy front.

Did he have any comments on who he thought might or might not be leaning in our direction?

Coaches aren't able to discuss specifics on recruits- even after they are committed. Once they sign the coaches can discuss them.

(11-02-2017 06:02 PM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(11-02-2017 05:06 PM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(11-02-2017 11:04 AM)WMTRIBE75 Wrote:  I had the pleasure of chatting with Jihar Williams. What an engaging young man with a smile that will light up a room. The kids that we recruit always make me so proud. Tony did mention during his talk that Jihar has not met a shot that he was not willing to take, which made us all laugh. He does indeed have a beautiful stroke from the outside. He also suggested that games with final scores like 100-95 might not be all that surprising since he suggested that some of the guys might struggle guarding a "tree in the Kaplan Arena parking lot" at this point.

I asked Tony about the four recruits. He said that he is ecstatic about the group and that every one of the kids were players that the staff had been recruiting for a very long time. He did say that they were still working hard on the big guy front.

Did he have any comments on who he thought might or might not be leaning in our direction?

Coaches aren't able to discuss specifics on recruits- even after they are committed. Once they sign the coaches can discuss them.

I was about to respond to your question Leadbolt when I saw Mr. J's comment, which provides a perfect lead in to what my answer was going to be. Even when I asked about our 4 recruits, I jokingly referred to them as the "guys that you cannot talk about yet". I named no players so that he could respond to my generic question. I then said, "Now we need to get some big guys"!. I did not ask about any of the players named on the boards here because I knew that he really could not comment. He did make one comment about our recruiting efforts concerning the big guys that shed some light on how difficult the process has been. Lots of competition.