Figured I would start a thread for the scrimmage tomorrow. I will post pics/videos for those unable to make it. Really looking forward to get a first look at all of the new guys. While still long way to go before the season starts, it will be interesting to see how Cluess matches up the 2 sides. As far as returning players I really am interested to see how Ristanovic and Perez play. I still think Perez has a very good chance to start opening night.
Thanks Sharkey! I won’t be able to attend as I am going to one of my daughters soccer games tomorrow. I’ll be down in the Philadelphia area. I can’t wait to hear the reports!
Thanks Sharkey! I won’t be able to attend as I am going to one of my daughters soccer games tomorrow. I’ll be down in the Philadelphia area. I can’t wait to hear the reports!
Sharkey, yes please provide some insight and photos. Like iona86, I’m in Ames,Iowa watching my granddaughters soccer team play Oklahoma and Oklahoma State this weekend.
I look forward to and already appreciate your insights on the scrimmage, Sharkey. Regarding Perez, the rotation seems uncertain without knowing about IW's waiver. I hope that doesn't hurt preparation for the season. Seems like there could be nine or more players as possible starters.
The NCAA really is a joke. It is ridiculous that a system would be set up where a player and a team still don’t know if they’re eligible to play just a few weeks before the season starts.
sharkey, thanks. I'll be there, and will keep score (points only) as I doubt that an official boxscore will be published. And I'm ready for the teasing that will come my way when people see me scoring an intra squad scrimmage.
P.S. sharkey, I have no idea who will start opening night, but I don't think Ben will. Unless he drops another 50 today. My guess though if IW is eligible would be: IW Gist Crawford Agee Thiam
And if we don't have IW then we might go with Gist at PG, or Coleshaw at PG. And if it's Gist I could see Ben starting. Bottom line, too early to really know.
sharkey, thanks. I'll be there, and will keep score (points only) as I doubt that an official boxscore will be published. And I'm ready for the teasing that will come my way when people see me scoring an intra squad scrimmage.
P.S. sharkey, I have no idea who will start opening night, but I don't think Ben will. Unless he drops another 50 today. My guess though if IW is eligible would be: IW Gist Crawford Agee Thiam
And if we don't have IW then we might go with Gist at PG, or Coleshaw at PG. And if it's Gist I could see Ben starting. Bottom line, too early to really know.
I would love that starting lineup, but I believe either Thiam or IW will have to prove they can become effective three point shooters (35%). Cluess likes to spread the floor with shooters, and just going on past stats, that lineup might fall a little short in that area. I am just a big fan of Perez. He had to deal with some nagging injuries last season but still had a very solid season shooting 39% from three a positive A/TO ratio as well as 28 steals in 28 games. Perez does a lot of the "glue guy" stuff on the court and is one of Iona's better defensive players. It appears that Perez and Ross have become a little forgotten, at least by the fan base. Both of them can start on a majority of MAAC teams, which I guess shows the potential of this team. Of course it's only potential, which has gotten many coaches fired. Well today we get our first glimpse of the team and really looking forward to it.
If I notice anyone keeping score I will stop by and introduce myself, would be nice to meet you.
Not sure if I can post pics until I get home. Iona did a great job with the renovation. Everybody is healthy and playing except for Ristanovic. Believe he's sick. Not here
Nice turnout. Perez..MCNeil and Van Eyck and now Crawford with threes. IW is smooth..get that waiver!!
Van Eyck didn't have great 3ppint shooting stats last year but he looked confident and very smooth on his three. If that's truly part of his game..look out
Gym is beautiful,lots of scoreboards, a bit small in person, looks bigger on the videos I have seen. Biggest negative was sound was too loud, at least at first. Overall very nice upgrade and also hallway outside the gym is impressive with TV's and memorabilia.
Game was more controlled then normal, a little more defense, less 3 point shooting.
Team has a lot of talent, no question will be a top Maac team, more than that is hard to say. The team will be led by 3 Maac all stars: Crawford, Agee and Gist. Not much to say about each of them, they all looked themselves and Gist may have played the best out of the 3, and I think he was the leading scorer, but this year no stats on the scoreboards.
Washington-Very strong penetrator and plays under control although beginning of the game seemed to call his own number too much. His 3 pointer is a set shot, won't be the best 3 point shooter but I think he will be able to score a lot in the Maac and he does not turn the ball over much. Will be our starting point guard playing 32 minutes a game if he gets the waiver, heard we may hear soon.
Perez-We should not forget about him. Looked good, he will either be last starter or first player off the bench.
Ristanovic-Missing in action, though they introduced him, hopefully he was just "sick". Surprisingly he was only one not playing.
Nikolic-Didn't play much, maybe he was nursing an injury
Thiam- A well built lean athlete who plays defense, can jump, runs the floor and can shoot the 3, wasn't dominating but has talent and will get his chance to play a lot of minutes.
McNeil-At the beginning was very impressive, did not play as well in 2nd half, very good athlete, nice stroke from 3 and my favorite thing about him is he likes to go for rebounds and has the jumping ability to do it. Will either be 5th starter or one of the first off the bench. I can see him being one of the best Gaels next season.
Weiss-Didn't play much, can't say much.
Ortale-More impressive than Weiss, Football player body, plays with confidence. I can see him occasionally getting minutes.
Cashaw-expected him to run point but he didn't. Got most of his points on follows or tap ins or other garbage points. Seems to play defense and the type of player who doesn't make mistakes. He will have trouble earning too many minutes though with all these guards but I can see Cluess liking him. I didn't see his 3 ball, but his % stats from last year are impressive.
Ross-First half didn't impress me but in second half made some nice plays, 3 pointer wasn't falling that much but can see him contributing off the bench.
Van Eyk-Talented athlete who can run, jump and shoot. Will be a contributor, could even start. Has a lot of potential.
Starting 5-Very tough but I will say: Washington, Gist, Perez, Crawford, Agee. Off the bench Thiam first, Mcneil second, Ristanovic and or Van Eyk third. Ross next.
Summary-Lots of guys who can run, jump, shoot and put the ball in the basket. Once Cluess figures out his rotation and gets this team to play together this is going to be another good Cluess team. How good is what we will have to wait to see. I would guess 16-4 and 4-3, 20-7. High end 17-3, 5-2, 22-5.
Last Edit: Oct 19, 2019 13:13:20 GMT -5 by Joebird
Gym is beautiful,lots of scoreboards, a bit small in person, looks bigger on the videos I have seen. Biggest negative was sound was too loud, at least at first. Overall very nice upgrade and also hallway outside the gym is impressive with TV's and memorabilia.
Game was more controlled then normal, a little more defense, less 3 point shooting.
Team has a lot of talent, no question will be a top Maac team, more than that is hard to say. The team will be led by 3 Maac all stars: Crawford, Agee and Gist. Not much to say about each of them, they all looked themselves and Gist may have played the best out of the 3, and I think he was the leading scorer, but this year no stats on the scoreboards.
Washington-Very strong penetrator and plays under control although beginning of the game seemed to call his own number too much. His 3 pointer is a set shot, won't be the best 3 point shooter but I think he will be able to score a lot in the Maac and he does not turn the ball over much. Will be our starting point guard playing 32 minutes a game if he gets the waiver, heard we may hear soon.
Perez-We should not forget about him. Looked good, he will either be last starter or first player off the bench.
Ristanovic-Missing in action, though they introduced him, hopefully he was just "sick". Surprisingly he was only one not playing.
Nikolic-Didn't play much, maybe he was nursing an injury
Thiam- A well built lean athlete who plays defense, can jump, runs the floor and can shoot the 3, wasn't dominating but has talent and will get his chance to play a lot of minutes.
McNeil-At the beginning was very impressive, did not play as well in 2nd half, very good athlete, nice stroke from 3 and my favorite thing about him is he likes to go for rebounds and has the jumping ability to do it. Will either be 5th starter or one of the first off the bench. I can see him being one of the best Gaels next season.
Weiss-Didn't play much, can't say much.
Ortale-More impressive than Weiss, Football player body, plays with confidence. I can see him occasionally getting minutes.
Cashaw-expected him to run point but he didn't. Got most of his points on follows or tap ins or other garbage points. Seems to play defense and the type of player who doesn't make mistakes. He will have trouble earning too many minutes though with all these guards but I can see Cluess liking him. I didn't see his 3 ball, but his % stats from last year are impressive.
Ross-First half didn't impress me but in second half made some nice plays, 3 pointer wasn't falling that much but can see him contributing off the bench.
Van Eyk-Talented athlete who can run, jump and shoot. Will be a contributor, could even start. Has a lot of potential.
Starting 5-Very tough but I will say: Washington, Gist, Perez, Crawford, Agee. Off the bench Thiam first, Mcneil second, Ristanovic and or Van Eyk third. Ross next.
Summary-Lots of guys who can run, jump, shoot and put the ball in the basket. Once Cluess figures out his rotation and gets this team to play together this is going to be another good Cluess team. How good is what we will have to wait to see. I would guess 16-4 and 4-3, 20-7. High end 17-3, 5-2, 22-5.
Great summary!
Agree with almost everything. Was very impressed with Van Eyck and I think Jelly will be a superstar in the MAAC.
