Post by sandervandorn on Mar 7, 2014 10:28:47 GMT -5
Well, now since this season is officially in the books, and I have been imagining every possible scenario in my head for next season since Desi's Dagger VOLUME 3 , I figured I would throw out some early thoughts, Ideas, and Prediections.
I think there are 4 ex-factors to next season.
1) Sydney/Player Trust/Chemistry.......Alot of us complain on this board about Sydney's rotations, as literally sometimes they seem to unessesarily change leaving us scratching our heads wondering "why is he doing this?". YOu want players that are willing to run through a wall for your coach, and you want a coach that will run through a wall for your players. I do Believe that this chemistry WILL happen, and the Trust will happen. But with so many new things this year, you just didn't see that Fire many times. Also add in the Davis/Grennan situation, and it makes you think a little bit...I believe this is the MOST important factor for next year. Will they all build that trust in each other?? I think both sides are willing to run through a wall for each other, its just a matter of MAKING that happen. Winning programs thrive on trust, not talent, not coaching, but true TRUE TRUST AND CHEMISTRY. I do think the stags will contunue to build that trust.
2) Improvement of players, especially Rose/Johnson/Malcolm Gilbert.
We saw a lot of potential in all three of these guys, but plain and simple these three are not even CLOSE to maximizing their potential, which is expected as they are all underclassman. However, for the Stags to be a force, Gilbert has to stay out of foul trouble and become a consistent 6 point 8-9 rebound type of guy, and a true enforcer. He showed some glimses (Sacred Heart/Marist) of what can become. I think Malcolm's offseason is SO important, and can ltierally be the difference in 4 or 5 wins. Coleman had an up and down year. At the beginning he was playing his best basketball, shooting confidentaly, blockign shots, grabing rebounds. We need Colemean to continue to become a force, and also extend his offensive game a bit. I think he is a guy that should be gibing as 10-11 ppg, and with the loss of BArrow, it is HIS time to shine. If Coleman can become an offensive option and contineu to improve his defense, him and Marcus will be nearly impossible to stop in Conference Play. Finally, KJ. I love this kid, I love his energy and I love his potential. However, he needs to improve greatly on 2 things, his FT shooting and his 3PT shooting. KJ seems liek the kid that is probably already putting up shots in the gym this morning. His sophomore emergence or "slump" is key. Something tells me he isn't going to "slump", now I wont compare him to AJ English becasue they are totally different players, but i Hope for an improvement. I think KJ could be another 11-12 PPG type of player as well as 4 A 4 Rebound type of guy. I'm not expecting this guy to drop 15 a game, but if he could imrpove his shooting anf FT shooting just a bit, he gets to be an 11-12 PPG type player. Obviously, you need Amadou to Improve Offensively, and Marcus to keep it on the upswing, but I think these three guys are SUCH key factors. A year of expereince can do wonders in college basketball.....
3) The Freshman-
From what it seems, these Freshman look to be a class that can at least have a few guys contribute right away. NOW, I dont want to get too caught up on this, judging Freshman is nearly impossible until they get on campus. However, I will say really like what I "read/see" from Segura and NElson. Both these guys have hit game winning shots (somethign I dont think our team hit ONE of this yeaR) and they seem to be FIERCE competitors. I really think half the battle in Mid-Major hoops is just havign the confidence, and the competiveness and I think they have both. Question is, how will these two dive into Rose's PT? Are Rose and Segura the same position? Some interesting chemistry/coaching scenario's can rise here, but I will trust that Sydney will figure this out. I personally think that Segura is going to be a potential ROY candidate. He seems to be lighting quick, and he seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Underrecruited, and wantign to make a statement. I may be bold by saying this, but I think Segura might be a double digit guy immediately, and I would not be suprised if he starts. I think Nelson WILL finally provide some much needed shooting and spirit, and I am undecided on what to think of Degnan and Lakoju. Both play in fairly week high school conferences, but who knows, maybe they will both be immediate contributors! ALOT rides on these freshman, especially the guards...
4) The Competition
NExt year the MAAC is wide open, Canisius will be down, Manhattan loses 4 seniors, Marist loses 2 good seniors and Qunnipiac loses 3 key seniors, and Rider loses 2 critical seniors. Monmouth, St Peters, Siena, Fairfield, Niagara return practically everyone, and Iona returns a few great players but lose Armand. The question is, will the Stags rise? I think we can easily jump, Monmouth, St Peters, and stay ahead of Niagara. I also think we should jump Canisius, Rider, Marist, and MAYBE QU (still have two great players coming back). I think Iona will be back, Siena will be ready to make a run, Manhattan will fall a bit but be right there, as well as QU. The stags have a chance to jump into the upper echelon next year, the questions is will they?
Prediction: I really to believe the Stags will be back next year, but I do believe so much rides on the first 3 factors I mentioned. Im not so much worried about the competition, but interested in our improvement. Theres no doubt we should improve, and the conference being weaker should help us. I think the Stags finish 3rd behind Iona and Siena. But this is one of those years where honestly, we can finish anywhere from 1-8. Anything less than a 5th place finish would be a dissapointment IMO.
Bottom line is youth wont be an exuse next year. We have a ton of players returning, and hopeully returning with fire. We have a recruiting class that "supposedly" fills our need for a quick guard and shooter, as well as a rebounder and (crossing my fingers) a low post scorer. Plain and simple, its put up or shut-up time for Syndey. Anything less than a 5th place finish or a semi-finals appearance is unnaccepttable
Stags 2014-2015 21-15 (13-7 MAAC) Loss in Finals to Iona.......
Well there goes an hour from my morning lol! Interested to hear you thoughts.
I think there are 4 ex-factors to next season.
1) Sydney/Player Trust/Chemistry.......Alot of us complain on this board about Sydney's rotations, as literally sometimes they seem to unessesarily change leaving us scratching our heads wondering "why is he doing this?". YOu want players that are willing to run through a wall for your coach, and you want a coach that will run through a wall for your players. I do Believe that this chemistry WILL happen, and the Trust will happen. But with so many new things this year, you just didn't see that Fire many times. Also add in the Davis/Grennan situation, and it makes you think a little bit...I believe this is the MOST important factor for next year. Will they all build that trust in each other?? I think both sides are willing to run through a wall for each other, its just a matter of MAKING that happen. Winning programs thrive on trust, not talent, not coaching, but true TRUE TRUST AND CHEMISTRY. I do think the stags will contunue to build that trust.
2) Improvement of players, especially Rose/Johnson/Malcolm Gilbert.
We saw a lot of potential in all three of these guys, but plain and simple these three are not even CLOSE to maximizing their potential, which is expected as they are all underclassman. However, for the Stags to be a force, Gilbert has to stay out of foul trouble and become a consistent 6 point 8-9 rebound type of guy, and a true enforcer. He showed some glimses (Sacred Heart/Marist) of what can become. I think Malcolm's offseason is SO important, and can ltierally be the difference in 4 or 5 wins. Coleman had an up and down year. At the beginning he was playing his best basketball, shooting confidentaly, blockign shots, grabing rebounds. We need Colemean to continue to become a force, and also extend his offensive game a bit. I think he is a guy that should be gibing as 10-11 ppg, and with the loss of BArrow, it is HIS time to shine. If Coleman can become an offensive option and contineu to improve his defense, him and Marcus will be nearly impossible to stop in Conference Play. Finally, KJ. I love this kid, I love his energy and I love his potential. However, he needs to improve greatly on 2 things, his FT shooting and his 3PT shooting. KJ seems liek the kid that is probably already putting up shots in the gym this morning. His sophomore emergence or "slump" is key. Something tells me he isn't going to "slump", now I wont compare him to AJ English becasue they are totally different players, but i Hope for an improvement. I think KJ could be another 11-12 PPG type of player as well as 4 A 4 Rebound type of guy. I'm not expecting this guy to drop 15 a game, but if he could imrpove his shooting anf FT shooting just a bit, he gets to be an 11-12 PPG type player. Obviously, you need Amadou to Improve Offensively, and Marcus to keep it on the upswing, but I think these three guys are SUCH key factors. A year of expereince can do wonders in college basketball.....
3) The Freshman-
From what it seems, these Freshman look to be a class that can at least have a few guys contribute right away. NOW, I dont want to get too caught up on this, judging Freshman is nearly impossible until they get on campus. However, I will say really like what I "read/see" from Segura and NElson. Both these guys have hit game winning shots (somethign I dont think our team hit ONE of this yeaR) and they seem to be FIERCE competitors. I really think half the battle in Mid-Major hoops is just havign the confidence, and the competiveness and I think they have both. Question is, how will these two dive into Rose's PT? Are Rose and Segura the same position? Some interesting chemistry/coaching scenario's can rise here, but I will trust that Sydney will figure this out. I personally think that Segura is going to be a potential ROY candidate. He seems to be lighting quick, and he seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Underrecruited, and wantign to make a statement. I may be bold by saying this, but I think Segura might be a double digit guy immediately, and I would not be suprised if he starts. I think Nelson WILL finally provide some much needed shooting and spirit, and I am undecided on what to think of Degnan and Lakoju. Both play in fairly week high school conferences, but who knows, maybe they will both be immediate contributors! ALOT rides on these freshman, especially the guards...
4) The Competition
NExt year the MAAC is wide open, Canisius will be down, Manhattan loses 4 seniors, Marist loses 2 good seniors and Qunnipiac loses 3 key seniors, and Rider loses 2 critical seniors. Monmouth, St Peters, Siena, Fairfield, Niagara return practically everyone, and Iona returns a few great players but lose Armand. The question is, will the Stags rise? I think we can easily jump, Monmouth, St Peters, and stay ahead of Niagara. I also think we should jump Canisius, Rider, Marist, and MAYBE QU (still have two great players coming back). I think Iona will be back, Siena will be ready to make a run, Manhattan will fall a bit but be right there, as well as QU. The stags have a chance to jump into the upper echelon next year, the questions is will they?
Prediction: I really to believe the Stags will be back next year, but I do believe so much rides on the first 3 factors I mentioned. Im not so much worried about the competition, but interested in our improvement. Theres no doubt we should improve, and the conference being weaker should help us. I think the Stags finish 3rd behind Iona and Siena. But this is one of those years where honestly, we can finish anywhere from 1-8. Anything less than a 5th place finish would be a dissapointment IMO.
Bottom line is youth wont be an exuse next year. We have a ton of players returning, and hopeully returning with fire. We have a recruiting class that "supposedly" fills our need for a quick guard and shooter, as well as a rebounder and (crossing my fingers) a low post scorer. Plain and simple, its put up or shut-up time for Syndey. Anything less than a 5th place finish or a semi-finals appearance is unnaccepttable
Stags 2014-2015 21-15 (13-7 MAAC) Loss in Finals to Iona.......
Well there goes an hour from my morning lol! Interested to hear you thoughts.