Rutgers bound Lathan Sommerville showing off the handles š³
- Thread starter Tango Two
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That is a quick low cross over for a man that size. Impressive how he sets it up too with a little inside out dribble
Strong move by Sommerville. He left his defender in Raritan.
Damn. This program may explode if we hang on to our verbals regardless of where D.H. ends up.
I really think winning at Purdue back in January legitimized RU in the minds of many kids. Lots of teams pull off upsets at home. But to go on the road and beat #1 and lead most of the game is a different thing entirely. Of course, Ace committing not too long after didn't hurt either.
I really think winning at Purdue back in January legitimized RU in the minds of many kids. Lots of teams pull off upsets at home. But to go on the road and beat #1 and lead most of the game is a different thing entirely. Of course, Ace committing not too long after didn't hurt either.
The 2024 team will have starters at every position that can create and make shots off the dribble similar to NBA teams.Elite talent matters but there could be some initial problems blending the talent within a team concept.There is no question the noise level at the RAC will be at a very high level watching so many star players on the court at the same time.
he used to be a point guard and grew alot of inches last 1-2years I heard...
amazing handles for his size still
amazing handles for his size still
Absolutely salivating at the thought of this lineup in 2024-25:
Guards: Harper, Simpson, Davis
Wings/forwards: Ace, Griffiths, Mag, Chol, Dortch
Bigs: Woolf, Ogbole, Sommerville
Guards: Harper, Simpson, Davis
Wings/forwards: Ace, Griffiths, Mag, Chol, Dortch
Bigs: Woolf, Ogbole, Sommerville
I get the overall point, that rosters can and will change from year to year, and any of what you said could theoretically happen.
But Dortch is a 4-year player who wouldn't be expected to play over Mag, but rather would really be a Mag protege and defensive "4" in waiting. Sommerville and Ogbole are both pure centers, so, again, no impact on Mag. I can understand Griffiths and Ace potentially impacting Mag's decision, but Mag will still be a 25+ minute player for us in 2024-25 if he decides to stay, on a team that would have legitimate NCAA "deep run" potential.
As for Simpson, I don't know why Davis being "good" would impact him either. Simpson is already "good" and is expected to get better, and he's got one year more experience than Davis. With Dylan, that would be a 3-guard rotation of guys who would all likely play 25-30 minutes.
Again, not saying you're wrong to be concerned about such player movement. Just saying that your rationales for Mag and Simpson transferring aren't necessarily on point.
I see what your saying there but I donāt think it went down that way. I bet Pike didnāt really want Geo to be his primary PG as a rising sophomore either. There was no portal then though and there was the sit out rule and RU was less attractive. The difference is Geo shot the ball better as a frosh so Pike wouldāve kept him at the 2. In Simpsonās case, itās tough to count on that. Heās not tall, and didnāt shoot the ball well at all. I think Pike figures heāll play a ton but worries about having him as the main option at either slot. I worry about the defense if heās not in the game.
I agree in that Iām not counting on Mag being here for 2024. Itās unlikely. Probably my favorite player so Iād love to have him back and he could be the elder leader that is needed, plus be a big difference maker as the ādo-everything wellā guy.
Simpson I donāt expect to start in 24 so he may or may not leave but if he does leave it will be during a window when we can get a replacement. Iām happy to have Derek as a very improved player (shooter) that could be an amazing 6th/7th guy on the team.
We and every team needs more than 2 guards who play significant minutes. Not everyone is going to look to transfer if they are the 6th man getting 20 min
Itās a tough call. I think itās probably easier to retain a kid in that situation (where weāre bringing in two one and done kids who will likely be first round draft picks), than it would be if we brought in a transfer like Noah next season to play over him as a junior.
Thereās something to be said for playing a part on a team with a real chance to win it all. Heād still have another year of eligibility after that to transfer if he wants to be āthe guyā somewhere else for a season.
It's called competition and part of any players DNA.....it doesn't matter if it's here or anywhere else. If Simpson and Davis are both good, RU is a better team.....if Simpson steps forward and improves and Davis has a typical freshman season of ups and downs, then both players will have to contend and continue to compete the following offseason, with a Dylan Harper or someone else being brought in at guard to replace both Fernandes and Williams.
Same thing with Woolfolk, Chol and Mag etc. The players who fit the roles and help towards winning, will play......those who don't step up and earn minutes towards winning, eventually fall back or out of the program. This applies to any and all players, unless it's a rare circumstance.
Part of recruiting talent is also recruiting the temperament and intelligence of the player, to understand that competition is part if winning. It becomes impossible to worry about what a player might do because competition levels are high.
The hope is when you recruit players like Woolfolk, Simpson or Mag, that they embrace the work ethic and goal of improving to earn minutes & that they understand that's the case here or anywhere else relevant in terms of Power 5/6 basketball.
Why would a Simpson
want to avoid practice and compete against a Dylan Harper, Mulcahy, Fernandes or JMike Davis ?? That's how you get better....Woolfolk can say he went to practice against Ace Bailey, Bryce Dortch and Lathan Sommerville or practice against lesser talent elsewhere.
Remember, RU benefitted by landing Jacob Young, Aundre Hyatt in recent years because Texas and LSU in those years had rosters of talent 1 through 11 or 12, that allowed those players a chance to improve. They get to RU and raise the floor of competition for Geo, RHJ, Mag Mathis etc...
Some players can become more effective when they play more minutes but some aren't necessarily better in a 32 to 33 minute a game role.....maybe 22 to 24 high intensity minutes, improves the team's goals better.
Can a player buy-in to that role and understand why that impacts winning, vs 32 minutes and finding out that may not improve their play or the team's performance with extended minutes?
Coaches have a very demanding and rewarding job and are compensated at a high level to make tough decisions. As long as the staff is fair and upfront about things, that's all a competitor can ask for.
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In terms of Sommerville, his game is probably one that RU hasn't seen in a very long time.....he can play the back to the basket, Myles Johnson type of offense, just with more versatility.
What Sommerville shows on tape is an ability to run more types of plays through the player as a low post, mid range and potentially 20 feet away, since he can dribble,shoot,pass, score. RU might have more dominant big players in terms of 1 or 2 areas (Defense and rebounding), but Sommerville shows the complete game on offense.
As he improves his defense and rebounding, he'll be very effective at the college level. The only thing he lacks is experience....sky is the limit IMO.
What Sommerville shows on tape is an ability to run more types of plays through the player as a low post, mid range and potentially 20 feet away, since he can dribble,shoot,pass, score. RU might have more dominant big players in terms of 1 or 2 areas (Defense and rebounding), but Sommerville shows the complete game on offense.
As he improves his defense and rebounding, he'll be very effective at the college level. The only thing he lacks is experience....sky is the limit IMO.
Lathan is not done moving up the recruits rankings. Sounds like he is closer to a top 50ish kid by the time it's all said and done
Actually itās a good thing when we worry about someone transferring because we have so many good players.
Respectfully, hope youāre wrong. Iām pretty bullish on Simpson.
Big kids take longer to develop, he is just coming into his own, looks to be a major stud for us.
I thought this kid looked like a miss at first. Thatās why I sell software and donāt coach. He is a stud.
