Snagging a big time scorer notwithstanding, I suppose we’ll find out if the young guys waiting in the wings are as talented as we hope they are.
Yes, barring a significant very late recruiting surprise, it's hard to see a path to a top-half MVC finish unless at least one of the young guys (referring to Ebube, Hornecker, Ferguson and the two incoming freshmen) majorly exceeds expectations. It's possible, but hard to count on.
I don't know, expectations for Davis are pretty high. I already have him penciled in for ALL MVC freshmen team myself. Of the NAMED players, Ebube could be a monster *IF* he works his butt off this summer. He, quite frankly, has the physical body you don't often see if the Valley. I'm not making any predictions with him mind you, but I AM saying that he COULD be an absolute monster if things fall into place with his learning and working out.
Davis and Ebube are probably at the top of my list of Salukis I'm most looking forward to checking out come November.
Agree that this offseason is enormous for Scottie after missing so much time last year - time for him to take a big step and put his considerable size and strength to good use for 20+ minutes a night.
And it could be an interesting battle for a starting role at the 3 between Davis and Ferguson, depending on how they construct the lineup. I wouldn't at all mind seeing Davis handed a big role off the bat, a la Domask, if he's up for it.
The possibility of Ferguson and Davis playing together at the 2 and 3 excites me. There’s some real potential for a very big, athletic lineup.
--Insert something witty here--
The possibility of Ferguson and Davis playing together at the 2 and 3 excites me. There’s some real potential for a very big, athletic lineup.
Man I hope you're right bc that is one athletic and tall lineup, something we haven't seen in quite some time !!!! Very exciting to dream about. History isn't on Ferguson's side though...........a DII player who couldn't crack the lineup last year, even in several blow out games. If he makes the jump though, then I think there is some real potential to be a sleeper team this year.
This is just how I keep thinking of it in my brain
(Not depth chart, just positional)
5: Hornecker, Ebube
4: Rupert, D'Amico
3: Hensley, Davis
2: Ferguson, Brown
1: Johnson, Miller
This is just how I keep thinking of it in my brain
(Not depth chart, just positional)
5: Hornecker, Ebube
4: Rupert, D'Amico
3: Hensley, Davis
2: Ferguson, Brown
1: Johnson, Miller
That's a big lineup. Not necessarily opposed, but as I've said, I'll believe it when I see it that Bryan goes that big. I would expect a fair amount of Miller at the 2, Ferguson at the 3, Hensley at the 4, etc., but we'll see how much Mullins changes his approach with this roster.
Sharp's not on there and we'll see if he redshirts or cracks the rotation at point guard ... a lot may depend on how they view Miller (more 1 or 2). And they will still add at least one, if not two more guys.
This is just how I keep thinking of it in my brain
(Not depth chart, just positional)
5: Hornecker, Ebube
4: Rupert, D'Amico
3: Hensley, Davis
2: Ferguson, Brown
1: Johnson, Miller
I know there’s hype for Ferguson and I like his potential but I’d guess Brown starts in this scenario. This team is desperately missing a scorer at that 2 position and that’s the hole that really needs to be fixed with one of the last two spots.
I like all 3 additions this offseason individually but it’s really hard for me to get excited about this upcoming season looking at that lineup. The best case scenario for me right now is the team is bad this year but the young guys show a bunch of potential for the future. But even then, why should we be bought into a future when they won nothing with 2 of the better players in program history?
This is just how I keep thinking of it in my brain
(Not depth chart, just positional)
5: Hornecker, Ebube
4: Rupert, D'Amico
3: Hensley, Davis
2: Ferguson, Brown
1: Johnson, Miller
I know there’s hype for Ferguson and I like his potential but I’d guess Brown starts in this scenario. This team is desperately missing a scorer at that 2 position and that’s the hole that really needs to be fixed with one of the last two spots.
I like all 3 additions this offseason individually but it’s really hard for me to get excited about this upcoming season looking at that lineup. The best case scenario for me right now is the team is bad this year but the young guys show a bunch of potential for the future. But even then, why should we be bought into a future when they won nothing with 2 of the better players in program history?
I'm sorry but Lance Jones is not "one of the better players in program history" in my book. Don't want to derail this thread, but I can think of soooo many guys that would be well ahead on that list.
I get your point, though.
Lance finished 11th all-time in scoring and finished 3rd all-time in points scored in MVC games. He was also 5th all-time in steals.
He struggled last year no doubt but I think he's an easy Saluki Hall of Famer at some point.
Lance finished 11th all-time in scoring and finished 3rd all-time in points scored in MVC games. He was also 5th all-time in steals.
He struggled last year no doubt but I think he's an easy Saluki Hall of Famer at some point.
I would never call someone who never made first-team all-MVC an all-time Saluki great considering many of the great players who have come through the program over the years. He scored a lot but not efficiently, which factors into no postseason play on the resume.
Lance was a good ballplayer but my bar for HoF would be higher. I'm sure most on the board disagree. OK, done hijacking for real. 😆
Definitely forgot about Sharp and he's a pure PG - I can also see him redshirting. I wonder if Miller and X will flip flop time at the 2 at some points as well.
Could not agree more. Take a look at the NUMBERS... if you extrapolate pretty much any other guards shot levels to that of the player that left, they would have scored MORE. Volume was key, especially this past year when he was actually pretty bad.
Definitely forgot about Sharp and he's a pure PG - I can also see him redshirting. I wonder if Miller and X will flip flop time at the 2 at some points as well.
My HOPE is that Sharp, unlike previous recruits, makes it impossible for the staff to redshirt him. He's a TRUE PG who can immediately help on D. That may allow, not saying they should do this, XJ to play the 2. The guards we have now have height and call all play D. The decision becomes more clouded, but exciting, if they can land a TRUE and top scoring 2 guard. I'm confident they will because that recruit will be sold on a LOT of PT.
Ironically, SIU is looking for someone like Marquise Kennedy to fill their last spot(s). I know Kennedy hasn't been a big time scorer but he would have fit in really well with the current roster and he's the veteran player Mullins talked about in the Reis interview. Tevin Smith is a bit younger but he would have fit in well too at the 2 guard.
Ironically, SIU is looking for someone like Marquise Kennedy to fill their last spot(s). I know Kennedy hasn't been a big time scorer but he would have fit in really well with the current roster and he's the veteran player Mullins talked about in the Reis interview. Tevin Smith is a bit younger but he would have fit in well too at the 2 guard.
Yes. If they don't pull a rabbit (or quality scoring guard) out of the hat soon, losing Kennedy to freakin' UIC will be costly, at least in my book.
