Nagy believes the following:
He will play eight guys. He doesn't believe we have a true PG to run an offense like he's used to. He did say there are several athletes who can bring the ball up. Says he will have to coach differently than he's accustomed to due to the lack of a true PG. He said this team will not be a good shooting team but a team that will have to get out in transition and score at the rim.
He said Kennard is an animal, Dibba is super athletic, and he was really happy Hensley came back and that he's been impressive. He praised those three and the versatility they will bring to the team.
It’ll be interesting to see how the whole playing without a PG thing works out. Having Mayo at the 1 would be great in some ways but you do worry about turnovers and initiating offense when opposing defenses are set in the half court.
Still think Elliott and/or Sharp runs some point here and there (I realize Elliott is more of a combo).
@siudawgs Elliott is the obvious choice but he isn't a TRUE PG. I believe X was a great true PG when we had Domask and Jones. He had to score a lot last year, BUT he still facilitated.
Just a reminder it is still summer and I am sure things will change due to unforseen circumstances whether it be grades injuries etc but it is not how start but how you finish and I am willing to bet someone who hasn't been mentioned steps up big time it is just the nature of athletics
Just a way too early wild guess, but my prognostication is that the 8 player rotation will come from 8 of the following 9 players. Davis, Dibba, Hensley, Massey, Sykes, Elliott, Mayo, Steffe and Moreno.
Obviously, this is a very fluid situation and there are quite a few weeks in fall practice for things to change, so please just take this as just a wild guess.
It's really weird to have virtually no clue how a team is going to perform going into the season. With the transfer portal, I guess that's the new normal. Hell, jucos have more roster continuity. Even Illinois, who isn't even dealing with a coaching change, only have two players back. And they're expected to be really good this year.
It's easy to be optimist about the Salukis, with our length and athleticism. But we don't know the floor or ceiling of most of these guys, or how they will gel as a team, or how they will handle rough stretches, or if attitude problems might arise over playing time issues.
As usual, count me in as clueless on the starters, rotation, etc.
What I do know, as stated above, with foul trouble, illness (Covid/flu), falling off scooters, homesickness, girlfriend problems, grades, discipline, blah, blah, blah, numbers 9,10,11,12 had better be ready to go. Especially with Nagy's up-tempo style and pressure defense.
Also, hoping Penny gets more floor time (thinking halftime here)! 🤣
Go Dawgs!
March on triumphantly!
Good to hear Tyler Bey made big progress at the end of the summer. Coach Nagy expressed how talented he feels Bey is and that he's a legit 6'9". He could be one heck of a matchup problem for opponents!
Also, sounds like Moo, Hensley and Mayo are the team leaders. Nagy said Sykes has good all around talent. Wish he had been asked about Dibba who is probably the most talented player on the roster. If the coaches can find the right combo's we could be in for a fun ride. I don't think there is any doubt Nagy is demanding of his players. He was only happy with them the last week or so!
Good to hear Tyler Bey made big progress at the end of the summer. Coach Nagy expressed how talented he feels Bey is and that he's a legit 6'9". He could be one heck of a matchup problem for opponents!Also, sounds like Moo, Hensley and Mayo are the team leaders. Nagy said Sykes has good all around talent. Wish he had been asked about Dibba who is probably the most talented player on the roster. If the coaches can find the right combo's we could be in for a fun ride. I don't think there is any doubt Nagy is demanding of his players. He was only happy with them the last week or so!
Another interesting interview, and yeah, guess we can’t rule Bey out of the rotation sweepstakes. Still think it’ll be tough for him with the wing and forward options on the roster, but we’ll see. Maybe he takes time from Steffe as a 3-point weapon.
Elliott hasn’t come up in either of these recent interviews … I’m curious how he’s looked and will fit into the puzzle.
Steffe is gonna have to improve his shooting while being guarded to see much time. He is lights out when not guarded. So far when guarded, not so much.
Steffe is gonna have to improve his shooting while being guarded to see much time. He is lights out when not guarded. So far when guarded, not so much.
Interesting, though I still think there’s some value in a knockdown shooter who can spread out the defense and create some driving space for guys like Dibba, Davis, Sykes and Mayo.
Steffe is a redshirt freshman so not surprising he has things to work on.
I haven’t heard any mention of Sharpe at all this summer.
I haven’t heard any mention of Sharpe at all this summer.
I'm really rooting for him to contribute if for no other reason than he stuck around during the difficult period between coaches and did not enter the portal, which showed a lot of loyalty. But this summer's silence about his prospects and Nagy's comment about how there's not a true point guard don't seem like optimistic signs.
I haven’t heard any mention of Sharpe at all this summer.
I'm really rooting for him to contribute if for no other reason than he stuck around during the difficult period between coaches and did not enter the portal, which showed a lot of loyalty. But this summer's silence about his prospects and Nagy's comment about how there's not a true point guard don't seem like optimistic signs.
And if Nagy follows through on only playing 8 guys, that also wouldn’t be helpful for a guy like Sharp. I also am pulling for him, though.
