(04-21-2020 12:12 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(04-21-2020 09:35 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I'm pretty pumped that we have a coach who's been there, done that. He comes across to me like Matt Brady plus human empathy. With the Christmas/Wooden/Lewis trio returning, I'm excited to see what he can do with it.

You hit the nail on the head Hyper. Byington is Brady but will be better at overseeing the program as a whole. Matt was a good floor general and a decent recruiter. Beyond that, he wasn’t much. He was good one on one with alumni but struggled with his employer relationship. His public speaking was sometimes painful to watch at Duke Club functions. Deciding to live near Charlottesville was a mistake too. His judgment lacked at times and this is an example.

Out of the shoot, Byington is making an effort to connect with the community and build relationships in JMUs recruiting area.

Let’s be honest, Banks was terrible in the second half of the season. Most of his points came once the game was out of hand. He can’t dribble and won’t shoot late in close games. He gets beat defensively.

Wilson can score down low and rebound but he got beat on defense consistently. He was better this year than last offensively but still is a poor defender. He is very one dimensional. Paired with better players, he could be a nice complimentary player on offense. He will always be a defensive liability.

We lost two average players. They are good enough to play in the CAA but they were not difference makers. As 98 said, Banks regressed this year. Wilson was a bit better. If Byington replaces them with average players but is a better coach, the result will be better.

Byington has a good nucleus returning. He landed a 3 star recruit. I believe Christmas was Lou’s only 3 star so year one Byington has as many 3 star recruits as Lou had in 4.

I think Byington has enough talent to compete in the CAA. Next year he will have three more scholarships available if no one leaves. Byington has been a successful head coach. That alone makes him a better choice than Lou.