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Post by ic59 on Nov 5, 2020 6:59:58 GMT -5
Since there are so many threads about the team, I thought maybe a "stand alone" thread about the team as they get ready for the season. I'll start with a few things that got my attention, yesterday.
* A tweet from Casey Stanley as he welcomed Marvin McCullough to yesterday's practice. Casey said that Marvin probably saw more turnovers today than he saw in his four years of playing BB at Iona. That told me that we might have PG (ball handling) problems.
* Rick Pitino in his Q & A was asked about the team, mentioned that Asante was a great PG, but then quickly said a great scoring PG. Again, a possible indication of BH problems.
* But is it possible that our PG's are turning the ball over in practice, because they are going up against Rick Pitino's newly installed defense?
* Then, also, in RP's Q & A he complemented the three senior captains that TC left him. Then said four but corrected it back to three. Did I hear that correctly?
Hopefully, others have things to add.
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Post by GuyF on Nov 5, 2020 10:32:27 GMT -5
I know you're bored, so I'll give you a pass for over-dissecting every word Pitino says LOL.
Gist is a combo guard, not a true point. He's not going to average more than 3-4 assists per game--at best, he'll get to 5. I think the offense will likely be a bit inefficient early on, which means some turnovers. But if they are shooting OK, it'll be fine.
Let's not make the assumption that the defense will be what we expect a Pitino defense to be. Ross and Gist weren't recruited for their defensive prowess, and the vast majority of the rest of the roster has no D-1 experience. My guess is that we will foul a lot this year in trying to be an aggressive defensive team that wants to suffocate you and turn you over. This is a work in progress, everything won't be pretty overnight and maybe not this season at all.
You misheard what Pitino said re tricaptains and 3-4 players. He said 3 seniors, then 4, then 3, referring to Cashaw's injury. I don't have details for how long Cashaw is out for. But Cashaw was not a team captain, the other 3 seniors are.
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Post by sharkey on Nov 5, 2020 10:44:58 GMT -5
Here is my biggest take from his interview. He appears to be very high on Shema. He also spoke very highly of him during his interview with Parise. Remember when coach Stanley was on Guy's podcast a month ago he mentioned the upside of Shema
Pitino is not the type of coach that throws hype/praise on his players. I get the impression that not only has Shema gained 25 pounds since getting to Iona but he's showing improvement on the court as well.
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Post by GuyF on Nov 5, 2020 10:48:13 GMT -5
This is a fair assumption. Like many young players, especially young bigs, his performance will probably be uneven this season. He'll look like an NBA player one night and a stiff the next. It's going to happen.
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Post by gregcrow on Nov 5, 2020 11:31:00 GMT -5
Here is my biggest take from his interview. He appears to be very high on Shema. He also spoke very highly of him during his interview with Parise. Remember when coach Stanley was on Guy's podcast a month ago he mentioned the upside of Shema Pitino is not the type of coach that throws hype/praise on his players. I get the impression that not only has Shema gained 25 pounds since getting to Iona but he's showing improvement on the court as well. I didn't even know he took Shema.
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Post by ic59 on Nov 5, 2020 11:54:33 GMT -5
Guy, am I bored? Definitely, but posting about Iona hoops is always great. Like you, I think of Asante as a combo guard, but RP referred to him as a great scoring PG, which I interpret as a combo guard. So, do you think we have a true PG on the team?
As far as Shema is concerned, he is the one guy I am most excited to see, even in practice. Hence, my request. But I thought a couple of weeks ago RP called Junior Joseph, his best recruit. Is that correct?
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Post by GuyF on Nov 5, 2020 12:02:57 GMT -5
Not sure if we have a true PG on the roster--closest thing is probably Cashaw! But I don't think you "need" a true PG to be successful, especially in a defense-first system.
Yes, Pitino said that re NJJ. Probably was some gamesmanship as I'd be surprised if NJJ becomes the best of the recruits over time.
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Post by ic59 on Nov 9, 2020 7:33:10 GMT -5
The season is now two weeks and two days away. And while going into the season 'blind' as a fan, I feel that ball handling is our biggest question mark. I don't doubt that Gist and Ross can score the ball, but am not sure if they are efficient at running the offense. Guy (see above) says that we don't need a true PG and while I agree with him, I'm still hoping for a 'true' PG. So, I'm asking 86 and sharkey, and anyone else who has an opinion, the following question.
With the guys we now have on the roster, and those scheduled to arrive, next September, is there a true PG in the group of guards?
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Post by sharkey on Nov 9, 2020 8:32:02 GMT -5
In my opinion, based on what I believe your definition of a true PG is, I would say no. Well maybe Cashew but let's be honest, especially now after having surgery, his PT will be limited.
Pitino and Stanley have said in interviews that Pitino prefers point guards that can shoot and score so I don't think you will see " true PG'S" being recruited.
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Post by gregcrow on Nov 9, 2020 8:54:29 GMT -5
This is one item I have stopped worrying about. And I am a fan of true Point Guards. But, realistically, few teams have true PG's anymore. You are better off having someone who can shoot and several guys handling the ball, with one becoming your primary.
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Post by ic59 on Nov 9, 2020 9:10:45 GMT -5
sharkey and greg, thanks. Am I wrong about thinking of Scott Machado, and our four time MAAC championship winning PG as true PG's?
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Post by GuyF on Nov 9, 2020 10:49:53 GMT -5
sharkey and greg, thanks. Am I wrong about thinking of Scott Machado, and our four time MAAC championship winning PG as true PG's? I think experienced guards are more important than true PGs.
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Post by ic59 on Nov 14, 2020 10:28:36 GMT -5
Some recruiting news from our Lady Gaels team as they have announced the signing of two guards. One is from Barcelona, and it is fair to say that we have a Spanish connection, and I wonder if Marina Lizerazu's success has anything to do with it. The other signee is from Minnesota. Congratulations to coach Chambers and her staff.
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Post by GuyF on Nov 14, 2020 10:29:42 GMT -5
Some recruiting news from our Lady Gaels team as they have announced the signing of two guards. One is from Barcelona, and it is fair to say that we have a Spanish connection, and I wonder if Marina Lizerazu's success has anything to do with it. The other signee is from Minnesota. Congratulations to coach Chambers and her staff. You will like the next ep of my podcast.
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Post by ic59 on Nov 14, 2020 12:15:13 GMT -5
Guy, do you have a date and time for it?
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