Slick Rick had to deal with COVID. Tobin had to deal with replacing a roster and doing so during a changing recruiting landscape due to NIL.
Once again, I am not comparing players as they all assume different roles on different teams... and I am not gauging their overall potential but when you look at first year productivity:
Then look at Brice, Terrell and Sanders and they are well ahead of where Crafoord, James and Rowe were at the same point. The only position that really leans solidly in Pitino's favor is the fact we could not replace Nelly.
So far in this recruiting cycle we have Jacob Hogarth (6'9" PF/C ★★★), Justin Menard (6'3" PG ★★★) and the player who might actually be the best player overall, JoJo Wallace (6'4" CG)
If anyone thinks we have a barren cupboard, they are nuts. This staff has done an amazing job. If we can land an athletic 6'7" Isaiah Williams type that can play and guard multiple positions, and shoot the 3, we are going to be in fantastic shape.
It's true, not every person who has put on an Iona uniform is a likeable, good individual. We can point to guys during literally every coaching tenure going back decades and find plenty of good guys and plenty of not-so-good guys. Here in year 1 of the Tobin era, I'll say that these are all pretty good guys.
When we compare last year to this year in terms of talent, let's remember that Pitino often lamented not having a bench here, to the point where guys like Sunday and Ayo couldn't even get run. Last year, only 8 guys played more than 13 min per game, and of those 8, 6 averaged more than 26--yes, 26--minutes per game. So, really, I would say at least 4-5 guys on this year's roster would have been part of last year's rotation IN THEORY--BUT--this is Pitino, and he didn't play guys like Ayo and Sunday who CLEARLY have talent. What we learned from Ricky P is that he wasn't a fan of rolling frosh out there for extended period of time, which means even JQ and Aranguren wouldn't see the run they're seeing now. As for the older guys, same deal, Pitino likes complete players and all those Grad guys plus Gordon have varying flaws.
I get the feeling that Tobin is not a big fan of giving the Freshmen too much time either, but he's doing what he needs to do to get the team better.
It's true, not every person who has put on an Iona uniform is a likeable, good individual. We can point to guys during literally every coaching tenure going back decades and find plenty of good guys and plenty of not-so-good guys. Here in year 1 of the Tobin era, I'll say that these are all pretty good guys.
When we compare last year to this year in terms of talent, let's remember that Pitino often lamented not having a bench here, to the point where guys like Sunday and Ayo couldn't even get run. Last year, only 8 guys played more than 13 min per game, and of those 8, 6 averaged more than 26--yes, 26--minutes per game. So, really, I would say at least 4-5 guys on this year's roster would have been part of last year's rotation IN THEORY--BUT--this is Pitino, and he didn't play guys like Ayo and Sunday who CLEARLY have talent. What we learned from Ricky P is that he wasn't a fan of rolling frosh out there for extended period of time, which means even JQ and Aranguren wouldn't see the run they're seeing now. As for the older guys, same deal, Pitino likes complete players and all those Grad guys plus Gordon have varying flaws.
I get the feeling that Tobin is not a big fan of giving the Freshmen too much time either, but he's doing what he needs to do to get the team better.
It's true, not every person who has put on an Iona uniform is a likeable, good individual. We can point to guys during literally every coaching tenure going back decades and find plenty of good guys and plenty of not-so-good guys. Here in year 1 of the Tobin era, I'll say that these are all pretty good guys.
When we compare last year to this year in terms of talent, let's remember that Pitino often lamented not having a bench here, to the point where guys like Sunday and Ayo couldn't even get run. Last year, only 8 guys played more than 13 min per game, and of those 8, 6 averaged more than 26--yes, 26--minutes per game. So, really, I would say at least 4-5 guys on this year's roster would have been part of last year's rotation IN THEORY--BUT--this is Pitino, and he didn't play guys like Ayo and Sunday who CLEARLY have talent. What we learned from Ricky P is that he wasn't a fan of rolling frosh out there for extended period of time, which means even JQ and Aranguren wouldn't see the run they're seeing now. As for the older guys, same deal, Pitino likes complete players and all those Grad guys plus Gordon have varying flaws.
I get the feeling that Tobin is not a big fan of giving the Freshmen too much time either, but he's doing what he needs to do to get the team better.
Perhaps. His intention was always to play 10 guys, but he's also said we'll go as far as the older guys will take us.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Slick Rick had to deal with COVID. Tobin had to deal with replacing a roster and doing so during a changing recruiting landscape due to NIL.
Once again, I am not comparing players as they all assume different roles on different teams... and I am not gauging their overall potential but when you look at first year productivity:
Then look at Brice, Terrell and Sanders and they are well ahead of where Crafoord, James and Rowe were at the same point. The only position that really leans solidly in Pitino's favor is the fact we could not replace Nelly.
So far in this recruiting cycle we have Jacob Hogarth (6'9" PF/C ★★★), Justin Menard (6'3" PG ★★★) and the player who might actually be the best player overall, JoJo Wallace (6'4" CG)
If anyone thinks we have a barren cupboard, they are nuts. This staff has done an amazing job. If we can land an athletic 6'7" Isaiah Williams type that can play and guard multiple positions, and shoot the 3, we are going to be in fantastic shape.
Terell Williams is a 5th year senior, but agree with the rest of this sentiment. We will need size in the transfer portal after this season.
Slick Rick had to deal with COVID. Tobin had to deal with replacing a roster and doing so during a changing recruiting landscape due to NIL.
Once again, I am not comparing players as they all assume different roles on different teams... and I am not gauging their overall potential but when you look at first year productivity:
Then look at Brice, Terrell and Sanders and they are well ahead of where Crafoord, James and Rowe were at the same point. The only position that really leans solidly in Pitino's favor is the fact we could not replace Nelly.
So far in this recruiting cycle we have Jacob Hogarth (6'9" PF/C ★★★), Justin Menard (6'3" PG ★★★) and the player who might actually be the best player overall, JoJo Wallace (6'4" CG)
If anyone thinks we have a barren cupboard, they are nuts. This staff has done an amazing job. If we can land an athletic 6'7" Isaiah Williams type that can play and guard multiple positions, and shoot the 3, we are going to be in fantastic shape.
Terell Williams is a 5th year senior, but agree with the rest of this sentiment. We will need size in the transfer portal after this season.
Agree, but "size" in this system will be more a stretch F/C type than a bruising back to basket type.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Slick Rick had to deal with COVID. Tobin had to deal with replacing a roster and doing so during a changing recruiting landscape due to NIL.
Once again, I am not comparing players as they all assume different roles on different teams... and I am not gauging their overall potential but when you look at first year productivity:
Then look at Brice, Terrell and Sanders and they are well ahead of where Crafoord, James and Rowe were at the same point. The only position that really leans solidly in Pitino's favor is the fact we could not replace Nelly.
So far in this recruiting cycle we have Jacob Hogarth (6'9" PF/C ★★★), Justin Menard (6'3" PG ★★★) and the player who might actually be the best player overall, JoJo Wallace (6'4" CG)
If anyone thinks we have a barren cupboard, they are nuts. This staff has done an amazing job. If we can land an athletic 6'7" Isaiah Williams type that can play and guard multiple positions, and shoot the 3, we are going to be in fantastic shape.
Terell Williams is a 5th year senior, but agree with the rest of this sentiment. We will need size in the transfer portal after this season.
The reference is to Isaiah Williams, a terrific player from several years ago. Not Terrell Williams.
It's true, not every person who has put on an Iona uniform is a likeable, good individual. We can point to guys during literally every coaching tenure going back decades and find plenty of good guys and plenty of not-so-good guys. Here in year 1 of the Tobin era, I'll say that these are all pretty good guys.
When we compare last year to this year in terms of talent, let's remember that Pitino often lamented not having a bench here, to the point where guys like Sunday and Ayo couldn't even get run. Last year, only 8 guys played more than 13 min per game, and of those 8, 6 averaged more than 26--yes, 26--minutes per game. So, really, I would say at least 4-5 guys on this year's roster would have been part of last year's rotation IN THEORY--BUT--this is Pitino, and he didn't play guys like Ayo and Sunday who CLEARLY have talent. What we learned from Ricky P is that he wasn't a fan of rolling frosh out there for extended period of time, which means even JQ and Aranguren wouldn't see the run they're seeing now. As for the older guys, same deal, Pitino likes complete players and all those Grad guys plus Gordon have varying flaws.
SLG, I understand where you are coming from, and I do remember the Kentucky team, Rupp's Runts. Just think that there is a reason why the big schools go after the big guys. Iona, imo, became big time when we landed a big guy, JR.
SLG, I understand where you are coming from, and I do remember the Kentucky team, Rupp's Runts. Just think that there is a reason why the big schools go after the big guys. Iona, imo, became big time when we landed a big guy, JR.
A VG UCLA team which was followed by GREAT UCLA teams that featured Big Guys, Alcindor and Walton. I don't need a back to the basket guy, but PLEASE let me have one big defensive guy like Kevin Vescey (Sp?). PLEASE.
