05, as someone who is approaching the "19th hole" on the course of life, I might be grasping at straws, but I must say that this year's team is one of our most exciting, EVER. Of course a lot depends on:
1. The waivers. 2. No player mistakes a coach for a punching bag. 3. If one or both of the waivers are denied, I'll be "first on line" for the Maroon/Gold scrimmage.
P.S. Being truthful, I guess Jeff's first year, and the anticipation of it, was my most exciting time as a fan. Keep in mind, we had JV hyping the team, and that was great fun.
Great stuff 59. Personally speaking, I remember being very excited for the 11-12 season when Momo got his waiver. Other than that season I can't remember ever being as excited about an Iona team as this one. AJ's senior season was one with great excitement as well (I think we even got some Top 25 votes in the preseason), but I think this one trumps that season.
05, as someone who is approaching the "19th hole" on the course of life, I might be grasping at straws, but I must say that this year's team is one of our most exciting, EVER. Of course a lot depends on:
1. The waivers. 2. No player mistakes a coach for a punching bag. 3. If one or both of the waivers are denied, I'll be "first on line" for the Maroon/Gold scrimmage.
P.S. Being truthful, I guess Jeff's first year, and the anticipation of it, was my most exciting time as a fan. Keep in mind, we had JV hyping the team, and that was great fun.
Assuming everyone arrives on Campus, this team has a ton of firepower and depth - a talent like Ortale who is a walk-on? The team has length, but lacks some muscle - hope Nick is up to it. With the waivers, you will have problems getting minutes for some very talented people.
Agreed, Ortale is a very good walk-on. There was some talk he might have a deal of being a walk-on his 1st year, then going on scholarship. Time will tell.
Not much talk of Parker Weiss, but he is also a very good recruit as a walk-on. He put up solid numbers his senior season..averaged 20ppg while shooting 40% (110-275) from three. He was also named to a 1st All State team that included 5 star recruits.
Post by St. Louis Gael on Jun 29, 2019 9:38:32 GMT -5
I see three All MAAC caliber players on our roster - Crawford, Gist, and Agee. And that is before getting into any of the newbies - Washington and Ross to mention just two. There is only two freshmen on the squad, and each has yet to earn a scholarship. Coach has a challenge in molding these guys into an Iona team - ball movement and share the ball. I am going back to my yardstick of 20 assists per game. Hell if Cluess is successful with this group, they may average 30.
I see three All MAAC caliber players on our roster - Crawford, Gist, and Agee. And that is before getting into any of the newbies - Washington and Ross to mention just two. There is only two freshmen on the squad, and each has yet to earn a scholarship. Coach has a challenge in molding these guys into an Iona team - ball movement and share the ball. I am going back to my yardstick of 20 assists per game. Hell if Cluess is successful with this group, they may average 30.
I see three All MAAC caliber players on our roster - Crawford, Gist, and Agee. And that is before getting into any of the newbies - Washington and Ross to mention just two. There is only two freshmen on the squad, and each has yet to earn a scholarship. Coach has a challenge in molding these guys into an Iona team - ball movement and share the ball. I am going back to my yardstick of 20 assists per game. Hell if Cluess is successful with this group, they may average 30.
McNeil = 4
Agree!
I left him off, and I could say the same for Van Eyck, because we have not seen them at D1. I have no book on Thiam.
Though a very valuable contributor last season, I am having a hard time seeing Perez replicate his minutes this season. Risto is going to get squeezed by Van Eyck. (I said the same about the Cardinals this season) - A lot of talent!
I left him off, and I could say the same for Van Eyck, because we have not seen them at D1. I have no book on Thiam.
Though a very valuable contributor last season, I am having a hard time seeing Perez replicate his minutes this season. Risto is going to get squeezed by Van Eyck. (I said the same about the Cardinals this season) - A lot of talent!
Will be interesting to see how the PT works itself out. Last season's MPG averages were probably inflated a bit since Cluess was pretty much only playing 6 guys towards the end of the season. As far as Perez is concerned I agree he might not get 29mpg, but it will be due to the fact that Cluess will have a longer rotation. Perez is arguably the best perimeter shooter on the team. He shot 39% from three. He was also one of the best defensive players on the team, and did a lot of the "glue guy" type things that don't show up in the box score.
As far as the waivers, I want both Washington and Thiam to both be eligible. I believe you put the best talent on the court whenever you can, and that's with both IW and Thiam being eligible. Iona has been on a great run, and the next step is to finally get that NCAA win. Again, IF Iona is able to win the MAAC again, the chances of a NCAA victory are much greater with both IW and Thiam. I will worry about the '20-'21 season when the time comes.
I left him off, and I could say the same for Van Eyck, because we have not seen them at D1. I have no book on Thiam.
Though a very valuable contributor last season, I am having a hard time seeing Perez replicate his minutes this season. Risto is going to get squeezed by Van Eyck. (I said the same about the Cardinals this season) - A lot of talent!
Will be interesting to see how the PT works itself out. Last season's MPG averages were probably inflated a bit since Cluess was pretty much only playing 6 guys towards the end of the season. As far as Perez is concerned I agree he might not get 29mpg, but it will be due to the fact that Cluess will have a longer rotation. Perez is arguably the best perimeter shooter on the team. He shot 39% from three. He was also one of the best defensive players on the team, and did a lot of the "glue guy" type things that don't show up in the box score.
As far as the waivers, I want both Washington and Thiam to both be eligible. I believe you put the best talent on the court whenever you can, and that's with both IW and Thiam being eligible. Iona has been on a great run, and the next step is to finally get that NCAA win. Again, IF Iona is able to win the MAAC again, the chances of a NCAA victory are much greater with both IW and Thiam. I will worry about the '20-'21 season when the time comes.
By having waivers granted, it could help spring board recruiting efforts for next season.
Put out the best team possible, win a bunch of games, hopefully get more National press and attract some strong players who would otherwise be A-10 or Big East caliber players who decide that they would like to play in TC’s system.