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J Mike isn't starting.There needs to be a 3 point shooter from the transfer portal similar to Spencer.Sommerville
Ace
Harper
JWill
JMike
(Cliff probably not returning. Mag doubtful imo, plus injury prone. Good 6th man if he does )
exactly...he may turn out to be a wunderkind but its very hard to expect a freshmen on an already young team to play major minutes right away at the 5.We don't know if Somerville will have a freshman year like Iowa's Owen Freeman or Rutgers' Gaven Griffiths. But fair to say he won't earn a starting position right out of the gate.
And you wonder why I defend Simpson and why I question those who raise JMike over Simpson. SMH.J Mike isn't starting.There needs to be a 3 point shooter from the transfer portal similar to Spencer.
This is basically how I see it, though I’m more willing to bring back Simpson as a bench guard (if he wants such a role).Really intrigued at the possibilities for next year's lineup. Too many unknowns in who will be back but I will assume for now Mag and Jwill are back and Cliff is not. The difficult question will be do we need both of Davis and Simpson? Davis has the potential to be an elite on ball defender that can be very useful on this team, so I am sticking with him.
Jwill
Harper
Bailey
Mag
Portal center
Griffiths
Davis
Somerville
Ogbole
Portal guard to replace Simpson (3 and D?)
Those are the 10 I think we can build and trim a rotation out of depending on who is healthy and playing well. The rest I see as end of bench guys playing limited minutes
Dortch
Grant
Palm (seems to be well-liked completely fine having him as the 13th man)
It's a nice roster, but it still is dependent on Bailey and Harper being as advertised, getting a good portal center and guard, and seeing development from Griffiths and Davis. Looking at that bench scares me a bit. Do we also need another component 4 as a contingency for Mag?? This will be a very interesting offseason
Yea that will be a tough call for both Pike and Simpson. I like Derek and want him to be good but with Williams and Harper likely handling the ball the majority of the time, IDK what kind of role he would have. On the other hand, most are in agreement we need a quality center that will demand NIL, whether it's Cliff or in the portal. Hard to see us having NIL for that, keeping Mag, keeping Williams, plus a guard better than Derek. I am very curious if guys will want to stay or come for less NIL if they like their role and want to get NBA scout eyes on them. As intriguing an offseason as we've had in a long time.This is basically how I see it, though I’m more willing to bring back Simpson as a bench guard (if he wants such a role).
If Lathan does not start , he will likely be like Kbee said , like James Bailey replacing Bruce Scherer by the 6th game of the year. I can see Pike starting Egbole because of his size and defensive shot blocking but I expect Lathan to get the majority of the minutes. Plus we do not know if he will be another Owen Freeman at Iowa. Fran hardly ever starts freshman but Freeman has been better than they thought. Let’s also not forget Lathan is the highest rated 5 or center we have ever brought in during our entire basketball history. If is unlikely a one and done like ACE and Dylan but he will in all likelihood be very good. He has a handle , has a drop step , can step out and hit a three and can play defense and shot block. If Wolf leaves , go get a portal center , otherwise I would live with Egbole , Lathan and Wolf at the 5.exactly...he may turn out to be a wunderkind but its very hard to expect a freshmen on an already young team to play major minutes right away at the 5.
This is not correct. Somerville is currently ranked #101 nationally. Cliff was #42 in his class. Greg Echenique was #50 in his class. Hamady N'diaye was #68 in his class.Lathan is the highest rated 5 or center we have ever brought in during our entire basketball history.
If that is true , I stand corrected. Let me phrase it differently , Lathan will be the most advanced skilled player we have ever brought in at the center position. You cite Cliff and Hamady who were shot blockers and dunkers only with no handle , no driving ability and no three point range. Echenique was skilled on the block but not with his handle , nor driving ability or no three point ability.This is not correct. Somerville is currently ranked #101 nationally. Cliff was #42 in his class. Greg Echenique was #50 in his class. Hamady N'diaye was #68 in his class.
ThisIf that is true , I stand corrected. Let me phrase it differently , Lathan will be the most advanced skilled player we have ever brought in at the center position. You cite Cliff and Hamady who were shot blockers and dunkers only with no handle , no driving ability and no three point range. Echenique was skilled on the block but not with his handle , nor driving ability or no three point ability.
Now they were all terrific defensive centers but do not have Lathan’s offensive skill set
Highest rated center with at least 10 letters in his name in RU historyThis is not correct. Somerville is currently ranked #101 nationally. Cliff was #42 in his class. Greg Echenique was #50 in his class. Hamady N'diaye was #68 in his class.
If you don't think Ace and Dylan are starting you're insane. Whether or not you think they deserve it for their work on the defensive end is another matter....but they're starting.Before anyone gets too crazy about freshman.
Cite the top 3 season freshman performers under Pike
I think only Geo Baker had a good freshman year.
Maybe i am missing something
HUGE adjustment playing in a defensive program as a frosh
not doubting thatIf you don't think Ace and Dylan are starting you're insane. Whether or not you think they deserve it for their work on the defensive end is another matter....but they're starting.
We are on the same page, Hawk. I say we don’t NEED Mag, but could come off the bench as a D stopper. In watching Latham video, he has a shot and moves that Cliff doesn’t. (Cliff I feel won’t return anyway might go to Europe) I say let’s go with the Fab 3, Gavin, then either Simpson, JWill, JMike, the 3 headed point.We are missing a lot of important factors.
How effective can any offense be where two players (Mag and Cliff) are not perimeter players, are not shooters or threats to shoot from 3 and are not good passers/playmakers??
What offense is going to work when neither player can create offense for themselves OR create a drive to shoot, pass or find an open shooter??
As much as this topic continues to come up in regards to running an offense AND improving/complimenting the others, Cliff and Mag don't help Ace and Dylan by catching passes and playmaking to find Dylan or Ace if they are open.
We have 2 games at home in B1G games where we scored 46 points with Cliff and Mag as starters. Why isolate 2 home games?? Because if RU is going to make the NCAAs, it cannot have 2, 4 or 6+ games where 2 of the starters that fans want to start, have literally no chance to get to 20 PTS in a game.
Why would I mention or ask Cliff or Mag to score 20 PTS in a B1G game?? Because SOMEONE else has to put the ball in the basket. And there is ZERO chance that someone else in the starting lineup has a chance to ever reach 20 PTS in a game, if they cannot shoot from the perimeter or make 3s.
Lathan Sommerville is a freshman next year, but he has a better chance of potentially reaching 20 PTS in a game, with his skill sets, shooting, playmaking and passing, before Cliff or certainly Mag ever will.
This thread is absolutely fantastic and disappointing that fans will whine for years upon years about recruiting and then add on "we don't score" and literally have the same people claim we need to lock into 25 to 28 minutes a game with 2 players who don't shoot well, don't create assists or passes to others who could shoot and are totally reliant on post ups, which clog the lanes for Ace and Dylan.
It's also somewhat of a 1% chance that just plugging in Jay Young, who I like a lot, is somehow going to magically make Cliff a good passer out of the post, going to improve his instincts and skill sets in 4 to 6 months. Can Cliff improve on some aspects?? Sure....but he's ONE player who works hard and is important on the defensive end
On the other hand, we are suddenly asking Ace and Dylan to score 20 PPG each, in order to win games. Is there a scenario where RU wins next year, where Ace goes 3-13 from the field and 1 of 7 from 3 PT range and only scores 12 points 4 to 5 times next year and Mag, Cliff make up the differences ??
Penn State....46 PTS....
29 minutes, 8 PTS and 6 rebounds from Cliff.....
15 minutes, 0 PTS, 1 rebound from Mag
Maryland.....46 PTS......
17 minutes, 5 PTS, 4 boards from Cliff
18 minutes, 2 PTS. 1 rebound from Mag.
Keep in mind, Maryland and PSU are unlikely to even make the NIT OR may not even be over .500.....
What is the gameplan for those games against teams that are actually better than PSU or Maryland next year, to score points??
I am not against bringing back Cliff, but I would absolutely start Sommerville at the 4 and let him shoot some perimeter shots, make some plays and passes and hit some 3s. Then when Cliff goes out, I would slide Lathan to the 5 for 7 to 10 minutes a game....he warrants 24 to 26 minutes a game next year.
You guys are crazy if you think it is certain that Somerville has a big impact as a freshman.
He is an undersized center playing in B1G. It is possible he makes a big impact, but I certainly wouldn't bet money on it.
Who is saying that?In terms of Mag, he is being asked to start or I keep seeing he has to be here for RU to win.....there's literally no evidence that is true on offense or defense.
I will watch more but his defensive "effort" in high school leaves a lot to be desired. I want to watch some HS tape on a guy like Owen Freeman to see how it compares.You guys are crazy if you think it is certain that Somerville has a big impact as a freshman.
He is an undersized center playing in B1G. It is possible he makes a big impact, but I certainly wouldn't bet money on it.
It's literally everywhere on this board, Twitter etc.Who is saying that?
i saw the exact same thingI will watch more but his defensive "effort" in high school leaves a lot to be desired. I want to watch some HS tape on a guy like Owen Freeman to see how it compares.
Based on next year's roster as it currently stands, Mag projecting to start is some wild take to you? He starts now when 'healthy'. If you think Lathan is starting at the 4 from Day 1 then ok.... pretty sure you're on your own there?It's literally everywhere on this board, Twitter etc.