Nycbuckets.com has some early MAAC predictions for the upcoming season. The first link is for an article predicting MAAC standings for '14-'15. The second link has their all-MAAC teams.
Quick Fix - Monmouth and Fairfield are both banking on an influx of talent to help them catapult their way up the standings from a bottom four finish last season. The Hawks went the transfer route, adding Providence graduate transfer Brice Kofane and Oklahoma transfer Je’Lon Hornbeak, while the Stags added two junior college players to their core. Hornbeak will have to sit out a year, but all the other transfers will come in and both teams are banking on them with a combination of young talent to take that next step forward.
Way Too Early Player of the Year: A.J. English, Iona, Jr. -
Way Too Early First Team All-MAAC Brett Bisping, Siena, Jr. Marvin Dominique, St. Peter’s, Sr. Ousmane Drame, Quinnipiac, Sr. A.J. English, Iona, Jr. David Laury, Iona, Sr.
Way Too Early Second Team All-MAAC Isaiah Williams, Iona, Jr. Deon Jones, Monmouth, Sr. Chavaughn Lewis, Marist, Sr. Zaid Hearst, Quinnipiac, Sr. Desi Washington, St. Peter’s, Sr.
Way Too Early Breakout All-MAAC Team Marcus Gilbert, Fairfield, Jr. Zedric Sadler, Rider, Jr. Shane Richards, Manhattan, Jr Zach Lewis, Canisius, Soph. Wesley Myers, Niagara, Soph.
Would be great to hear from someone with insight to the summer workouts, especially the guards.
While I have not seen summer workouts, some of the 2nd and 3rd hand info is:
- Segura is cerebral and wonderful with the ball. Can get the ball to the right people at the right time. Good Size and Strong - Tyler Nelson plays very much under control and makes shots. Has Long arms. Needs to get Stronger - Degnan is talented and is going to be very good. Big Body that can run the floor. - Kirkland plays like a man. Very athletic and also can run the floor - Demarcus Threatt brings speed, aggression, and talent. He is much bigger than you expect. Built a lot like Needham in his arms and shoulders - Marcus working very hard on all aspects of his game to get better - Amadou's rehabbing is going fine - Malcolm has been working out and playing a lot of Hoops. He and Marcus and Barrow were going down to NYC league - No reports on Rose, Chappell, Smith, or Coleman
Hopefully, Segura is really good since Templon in this nycbuckets.com article doesn't consider KJ to be one of the 5 best sophomore point guards in the MAAC.
What the kid making the rankings thinks doesn't matter. We know KJ struggled early and improved a lot as the year went on. He played the whole season without a top flight running mate but managed to cut down his turnovers score some and rebound. He's strong and tough but not super quick or what some might call a natural point. But he can play and I expect his foul shooting and other aspects of his game will be improved.
That said, Segura was brought in as a true PG and reports that he looks very good are encouraging. Competition at that spot will help both players. We will probably see both on the floor together as well.
Post by reindeerfan on Aug 1, 2014 15:51:02 GMT -5
I think KJ and Fairfield desperately needed a second player to assist with the ballhandling who could take some of the pressure off of KJ's shoulders. Having someone who can periodically spell him or run the floor with him will undoubtedly make Fairfield a better team and will address perhaps the biggest issue I saw early last season which as turnovers.
All 5 of the guards on that list are better than KJ. I agree these rankings don't mean anything but you would have a hard time saying Rose was better than any of the listed players.
Sydney had a terrible recruiting year before last season and was caught with his pants down and the W-L reflected that. Hopefully the new bunch will right the ship.
2 of the players on the list did not even play much PG last year. Khalid Hart and Jimmy Taylor played off guard to Curry and Sadler. But when rating all 8 of the real PG's on the list, they all were pretty similar players. And I agree with RF, that Rose had nobody at the 2G that could help him, nor even could provide consistent shooting and playmaking. And when Rose finally did have a 2G with some consistency (Stevie Johnston), he and the team played better. Rose will be challenged By Segura, but I also think they will also see some time together, as KJ can play some 2G and take it to the hoop. Plus we really need to improve our Team Ballhandling and Passing and Rose is our best returning player in both of those areas.
Demarcus Threatt could play some PG, just like Needham did 2 years ago. They bring the same style of play, but Threatt cannot be counted on to be as good or as productive as Needham. The real question is if Threatt is 25% of Needham, 50%, 75%, or 90%. But the sense I get is that he is going to fill that same role as an offensive creator and go-to Guy.
Post by reindeerfan on Aug 2, 2014 16:33:05 GMT -5
I just keep hoping one of these guys turns out like Needham, in the sense that they are able to immediately contribute and greatly surpass expectations. So far the Sydney area has been characterized by a couple of groups that did not meet expectations, even one break-out guy would make me feel better about the next 4 years.
