One observation this off season to last in terms of transfers- JMU has come up in the world. Grad transfers from winning programs who started or got big minutes choosing the Dukes for their final year is a good sign. Last year it was lightly used players from good programs or rotation guys/starters from bad programs that joined. Dukes should be favored to repeat as CAA champs.

(04-10-2021 06:05 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  

(04-10-2021 05:55 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I expect Byington would jump at a legit 6'10"...that is a good player. I can't name any really good 6'10" player at JMU, ever, besides Bowles.

We all know that CAA teams have to go the route of of 6'6" and wide in the front court. A Charles Barkley wanna-be, let's see two of those, please.

Wilson was one that got away.

Didn’t suit the style on both ends that JMU plays under Coach By- too slow footed and below the rim- too one dimensional.

agreed

What is an example of a successful (top 100) program that utilizes Bys 4 guard philosophy . I am just curious how well this has worked for teams that end up making the tournament.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Villanova comes to mind

(04-10-2021 08:32 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Villanova comes to mind

Baylor...Texas...other Big XII programs all play systems with 3-4 guards and one athletic big at a time. Of course, they have multiple bigs to sub out, and all the guards have good handles, can pass and shoot.

And Baylor (3-4 tall guards at a time)

For those who don’t follow Mettlen, link to his article on Molson & MBB
https://www.dnronline.com/sports/seton-h...52222.html

I think Molson is an excellent addition. He’s confident. Looks like he will add toughness. His rebounding numbers look good. At Canisius, Averaged over a steal a game while earning first team all MAAC as a sophomore and freshman of the year a year earlier. Solid numbers at Seton Hall. Former high school QB.

What a dream 5-star get this would be. I'm sure By is in contact, but I wonder what the odds are for him choosing the Dukes. Has family ties to UGA, so I would think they are chasing him hard.... https://247sports.com/Player/Walker-Kessler-46047954/

ECU big in the portal. The Pirates have 5 players in the portal. Looks like their hoops program is going the way of their football program.... https://247sports.com/Player/Edra-Luster-46083636/

In the portal from Fordham, 6' 9" 3-star power forward Joel Soriano.... https://247sports.com/Player/Joel-Soriano-46043135/

We have a solid base of 1 and 2 guards. We need bigs!

(04-11-2021 10:12 AM)Purple Wrote:  What a dream 5-star get this would be. I'm sure By is in contact, but I wonder what the odds are for him choosing the Dukes. Has family ties to UGA, so I would think they are chasing him hard.... https://247sports.com/Player/Walker-Kessler-46047954/

He has a ton of eyes on him including UNC trying to convince him to stay. Would be a dream get.

(04-10-2021 09:47 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(04-10-2021 08:32 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Villanova comes to mind

Baylor...Texas...other Big XII programs all play systems with 3-4 guards and one athletic big at a time. Of course, they have multiple bigs to sub out, and all the guards have good handles, can pass and shoot.

(04-11-2021 12:27 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  And Baylor (3-4 tall guards at a time)

But the Baylor coach still thinks bigs are important enough to have 6 players 6'8" or taller on their roster. We currently have 1.

As far as rebounding goes, I loved watching Houston collect so many offensive rebounds (which they clearly needed with their subpar shooting). Here's an article on their drill: http://thedailycougar.com/2021/01/25/hou...%20roster.

We may have shorter guys on our roster, but they all have long wingspans for their height, allowing them to get into the passing lanes and disrupt opposing offenses. I agree we still need another big to replace Jacobs and spell Amadi. I don't think we're getting a 7 footer like Gabe Chami though. Probably another 6-8 or 6-9 guy

Overall, the 2 additions yesterday were "about" on par with what we lost - which included the POY.

Coming into the offseason, my biggest concern was adding a front court presence. We need someone with size - height or/or weight. Amadi is a solid front court player, but he needs someone else to compliment him that provides size & defense.

In the Covid and/or transfer portal era class balance is not likely as big a concern.

It will be interesting to see how Molson performs in the CAA - he was an all MAAC talent, which is probably on par with the CAA. I wonder if someone like Molson is a bit of a cautionary tale to all-conference performers moving to bigger programs.

May be important to note the roster eligibility even though I know it’s fluid on both school and players part in terms of how long they stay:

Open spot
Open spot
Morse - rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Hodge- rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Falden- senior using his extra Covid season
Molson- rising senior with 2 years of eligibility (Covid season included)
Wooden- rising junior with two more after next with the free COVID season right?
Strickland - rising sophomore with 3 more after next with the free Covid season right?
Amadi- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Edwards- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Savage- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
McConnell- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
Stinson- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility

(04-11-2021 11:31 AM)Anders Wrote:  

(04-11-2021 10:12 AM)Purple Wrote:  What a dream 5-star get this would be. I'm sure By is in contact, but I wonder what the odds are for him choosing the Dukes. Has family ties to UGA, so I would think they are chasing him hard.... https://247sports.com/Player/Walker-Kessler-46047954/

He has a ton of eyes on him including UNC trying to convince him to stay. Would be a dream get.

(04-11-2021 04:20 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  May be important to note the roster eligibility even though I know it’s fluid on both school and players part in terms of how long they stay:

Open spot
Open spot
Morse - rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Hodge- rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Falden- senior using his extra Covid season
Molson- rising senior with 2 years of eligibility (Covid season included)
Wooden- rising junior with two more after next with the free COVID season right?
Strickland - rising sophomore with 3 more after next with the free Covid season right?
Amadi- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Edwards- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Savage- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
McConnell- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
Stinson- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility

Falden has potentially 2 years correct?

(04-12-2021 09:36 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(04-11-2021 04:20 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  May be important to note the roster eligibility even though I know it’s fluid on both school and players part in terms of how long they stay:

Open spot
Open spot
Morse - rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Hodge- rising senior would have one more year with the free COVID season right?
Falden- senior using his extra Covid season
Molson- rising senior with 2 years of eligibility (Covid season included)
Wooden- rising junior with two more after next with the free COVID season right?
Strickland - rising sophomore with 3 more after next with the free Covid season right?
Amadi- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Edwards- rising sophomore with 3 more after next season with the free Covid season right?
Savage- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
McConnell- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility
Stinson- incoming freshman with 4 years of on court eligibility

Falden has potentially 2 years correct?

I think just one for Falden. He played as a senior this year.