yeah I'd love to get Bryce but I'm not going to even entertain the thought until I hear something. I'd be shocked if we didn't call, though.
Might start them both in the beginning, but I predict that Nelson will eventually start and play starter minutes. I see Goose most effective as a "reserve with an important role" anyway.Am I the only one that thinks if we land Funk or similar, Goose and the transfer BOTH start? Burton is currently our starting 4, because we only have one other (Grace) who is proven at the 4/5 slots. Really we need 2 transfer bigs before Burton can spend most of his time at the 3. Unless that happens, Goose and a transfer guard are both starting. And yes I realize Dji, Crabtree, and others may also make claims at the spot at some point.
I think we are mostly in the same place...look I just love talking basketball with you guys 😃 the last few days have been - me: looks around, students are working...let me see what the guys are saying on the MBs 😂 I'm multi tasking.Yeah, I don't think we are really saying different things. Mooney's history is that he just defers to the older guys when he has them as options, or he starts the highly touted freshmen when he has no older guys. But this offseason is the first one that he really seems ready to embrace the transfer route and likely bring in at least one or two guys with immediate eligibility and long track records at the D-1 level, so I think it's a little more of an unknown as to how things will look.
I'm not a talent-evaluator, so the staff will have to determine whether the guys it has on the team now are better than the ones it's trying to bring in. It's possible that a lineup of Nelson/Dji/Goose/Burton/Grace/Crabtree/Noyes gets us 70 ppg and we're good to go. Or maybe we need a transfer center and transfer 2 guard to get us there. That's what the staff needs to decide.
And to your point, sure, no one goes to a school expecting to sit for four years, but that's always why some guys from every team usually transfer. Hopefully the best players play because they are the best options and not just because they've been in the program the longest. This is an area where I hope Mooney is evolving. We just need to put the very best team on the court we can every year, and if that means playing 5 freshmen over 5 seniors, then do it.
I do see Nelson as a day 1 starter, for a few reasons. He's a 2x state champion at 2 different schools and 2 different levels; he fits the mold of Kevin Anderson/Kendall Anthony/Jacob Gilyard, and all three of those guys played from day 1; and we have a need there. Will he play 40 mpg right away? I doubt it. More likely, he gets 20-25, Dji gets the rest of those and also splits some time at the 2, which gets him to 20-25 mpg too.
Another possibility is that Mooney knows Goose is gone, which creates more of a need at the 2/3 spot.
If everyone comes back, I could see something like this:
1 - Nelson 25 mpg/Dji 15 mpg
2 - Transfer 20 mpg/Goose 15 mpg/Dji 5 mpg
3 - Crabtree 15 mpg/Goose 15 mpg/Randolph 5 mpg/Noyes 5 mpg
4 - Burton 35 mpg/Someone 5 mpg
5 - Transfer 20 mpg/Grace 20 mpg
I don't know enough about Dread to know if he will see much action this year or not.
Sman I see Marcus as a two as wellI don't think Mooney recruiting transfer SGs shows we have a deficiency at the 2 or that Goose is leaving.
we currently have 3 openings. so we have depth problems all over. he'll get the best 3 players he can, with at least one being big. if the best he can get are backups ... that's not ideal. but it's an unfortunate possibility.
I also don't think Mooney has a predisposition to playing small PGs. I just think the best PGs he's been able to land have been small. and since they're the best, they play. I think the idea was Nelson and Wilson be the long term PGs. Wilson really only got a shot to prove himself at the 2. but since Wilson regressed and now left, that opens the door for Dji to move back to the point ... which as Dad has pointed out is really his most natural position and probably where he's best with the ball in his hands. I think it'll be a great competition between the two, and we're probably in a no lose situation. plus Dji can also play the 2 next to Nelson.
Eight, I think your lineup looks pretty good. I'm starting to think Randolph's more of a 2 than a 3. he's quicker than I expected and has a better handle. I think we land Quinn, and Grace's roll is similar to this past year where he backs up at 5 and plays some 4. I think Burton plays 3 and 4 if we land 2 bigger guys.
Yep, this board is a bit more hard to put away myself working exclusively from home the last two years.I think we are mostly in the same place...look I just love talking basketball with you guys 😃 the last few days have been - me: looks around, students are working...let me see what the guys are saying on the MBs 😂 I'm multi tasking.
Very happy to have him back!Goose is back!
Goose and Grace are probably the easiest two wishes on your list. Let’s see how the rest goes.With Goose coming back, if Mooney can keep Tyler & Grace along with grabbing Quinn and one of the scoring wings we're talking to in the portal, I'd have to give him a pretty high offseason grade given how much production we're losing from this year.
Burton can certainly help out there. He has enough arc for Goose & himself.Goose is loose. Great to have him back. Now let's get in that gym and work on that arc
I don't know. My gut is that Goose has more than earned a starting role. Mooney has a long history of keeping starters as starters. This year there were 2 exceptions. After Nick's 2 injuries, it was evident he would become an early off the bench, as his starts were not great, and I like NS a lot. Also, Wilson was given ample time to show his value added, and he just didn't produce enough. Bottom line - I think Goose starts regardless of who is on the team next year.Might start them both in the beginning, but I predict that Nelson will eventually start and play starter minutes. I see Goose most effective as a "reserve with an important role" anyway.
My gut tells me that Crabtree will start at shooting guard unless they land a portal that beats him out.
ha, good point. Goose can borrow a foot or two off Burton's arc.Burton can certainly help out there. He has enough arc for Goose & himself.
Goose fit this year's team well in that we had multiple scoring options on offense but needed defense. Who knows what next year's team will look like but I think we will need more scoring out of the 2 guard position than what Goose gave us this year. So, I disagree that Goose starts regardless.I don't know. My gut is that Goose has more than earned a starting role. Mooney has a long history of keeping starters as starters. This year there were 2 exceptions. After Nick's 2 injuries, it was evident he would become an early off the bench, as his starts were not great, and I like NS a lot. Also, Wilson was given ample time to show his value added, and he just didn't produce enough. Bottom line - I think Goose starts regardless of who is on the team next year.
One of the few times I'll go on record & say I have faith in Mooney. It's here, and my analytics say as long as Goose is healthy then he's in the starting lineup game 1 next season.Goose fit this year's team well in that we had multiple scoring options on offense but needed defense. Who knows what next year's team will look like but I think we will need more scoring out of the 2 guard position than what Goose gave us this year. So, I disagree that Goose starts regardless.
Everyone was so sure that Sherod was our starter at 2 guard this year, which he was, but quickly became apparent that was a bad idea because Sherod couldn't defend. Same will apply with Goose but on the offensive end of things, if we get a guy either via transfer or Dji/Dread/Randolph who shows offensive aptitude superior to Goose.
And if we land one of these guards who averaged 15+ ppg last year, I don't see how that player doesn't get major minutes.
No doubtOne of the few times I'll go on record & say I have faith in Mooney. It's here, and my analytics say as long as Goose is healthy then he's in the starting lineup game 1 next season.
They will probably wait until tomorrow if there is anything else. Spiders tend to give each guy his own day in the spotlight.Great Goose news but have to think that isn't the big news we are expecting ... we'll see
Goose is one of two returning starters from an NCAA team that lost 6 players. He is easily our best defender and will be on year 5. Most people think the team will be worse this year, but somehow Goose is no longer good enough to start on a weaker team? Something has to give here.Goose fit this year's team well in that we had multiple scoring options on offense but needed defense. Who knows what next year's team will look like but I think we will need more scoring out of the 2 guard position than what Goose gave us this year. So, I disagree that Goose starts regardless.
Everyone was so sure that Sherod was our starter at 2 guard this year, which he was, but quickly became apparent that was a bad idea because Sherod couldn't defend. Same will apply with Goose but on the offensive end of things, if we get a guy either via transfer or Dji/Dread/Randolph who shows offensive aptitude superior to Goose.
And if we land one of these guards who averaged 15+ ppg last year, I don't see how that player doesn't get major minutes.
Great post 22 + 4678I think Goose definitely starts next year, and I think he should start. He is athletic, he can drive the ball and finish at the basket, can handle the ball, very good defensively, often takes the opponent's leading scorer completely out of the game, and offensively, he could only do so much as the 5th option. Each year, he has only taken an average of 3-4 shots a game, so I wouldn't worry too much about his scoring average. I would look for him to be more aggressive on offense, and think he can be about a 10 points a game scorer, especially if he can shoot the 3s around 35%. I think it's talent and experience, more than loyalty, that makes this an easy decision to start him.
it's not like he was the 5th option by mandate. he was the 5th option because he was the 5th best scoring option.offensively, he could only do so much as the 5th option. Each year, he has only taken an average of 3-4 shots a game, so I wouldn't worry too much about his scoring average. I would look for him to be more aggressive on offense, and think he can be about a 10 points a game scorer, especially if he can shoot the 3s around 35%. I think it's talent and experience, more than loyalty, that makes this an easy decision to start him.
Spiders starter Andre Gustavson returning for fifth season, has played in 108 UR games
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I think Goose definitely starts next year, and I think he should start. He is athletic, he can drive the ball and finish at the basket, can handle the ball, very good defensively, often takes the opponent's leading scorer completely out of the game, and offensively, he could only do so much as the 5th option. Each year, he has only taken an average of 3-4 shots a game, so I wouldn't worry too much about his scoring average. I would look for him to be more aggressive on offense, and think he can be about a 10 points a game scorer, especially if he can shoot the 3s around 35%. I think it's talent and experience, more than loyalty, that makes this an easy decision to start him.
Bad take. Those stats would be the least surprising thing of all next year.it's not like he was the 5th option by mandate. he was the 5th option because he was the 5th best scoring option.
I hope you're right that he increases to 10 ppg and shoots 35% from 3. that would be awesome but surprising. we know he'll give us solid D and great effort.
Love Pig Beach!Alright this post gets you 2 beers at Pig Beach. I'm taking 1 away from Spider23.
I also don't think Mooney has a predisposition to playing small PGs. I just think the best PGs he's been able to land have been small. and since they're the best, they play.
Love Pig Beach!
not to me. he's never sniffed 35% in four years. he's just as likely to shoot below 32% as above.Bad take. Those stats would be the least surprising thing of all next year.
🔒 it in for Goose. I’m going with Dji( I know surprise) Goose, Tyler, Matt & transfer…BIG lineupI think Goose definitely starts next year, and I think he should start. He is athletic, he can drive the ball and finish at the basket, can handle the ball, very good defensively, often takes the opponent's leading scorer completely out of the game, and offensively, he could only do so much as the 5th option. Each year, he has only taken an average of 3-4 shots a game, so I wouldn't worry too much about his scoring average. I would look for him to be more aggressive on offense, and think he can be about a 10 points a game scorer, especially if he can shoot the 3s around 35%. I think it's talent and experience, more than loyalty, that makes this an easy decision to start him.
Oh boy, that gave me a good laugh for today.Alright this post gets you 2 beers at Pig Beach. I'm taking 1 away from Spider23.
not to me. he's never sniffed 35% in four years. he's just as likely to shoot below 32% as above.