WVU Joe Toussaint

[rubigtimenow]

When he transferred to wvu I told my wvu friend… that guy is basically a bum, can’t hit anything from outside, of course based on seeing him at Iowa v RU.
Well, let’s compare interesting 3 pt shooting percentages from 22-23 season:
- Paul + Simpson = 33 for 114, 28.9%
- Joe T at WVU = 33 for 101, 32.7%
Joe is more than serviceable and is from the Bronx. He’s not close to my top pick, but aside from the amazing players Hawk thinks will appear on our doorstep, I don’t expect us to have a shot at many players better than Joe for the 2023-2024 season.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

He very much should be at the top of the list of players we can realistically hope to land at this point considering NIL, playing time, etc. he was planning to return to WVU after logging only 21 minutes. As a super senior…

He doesn’t have Caleb’s height, I get that. But Joe plays defense and can handle the ball. He would be a massive help on the perimeter D. I don’t care how much of a stud GG is he’s not going to come in as an elite defender. That would be shocking. Everyone likes offense, but Simpson is likely the only above average defender we’re going to have on the perimeter given 2 frosh will be getting big minutes there, Noah wasn’t a good defender at UMass, and Hyatt might have to slide over. This kid would be a huge help for us. I hope we’re trying to get him.

 

[NickRU714]

Another 5'11"/6'0" PG?
Didnt we just get one of those?

Is he playing over Fernandes and Simpson?
He would be 3rd guard off the bench and taking minutes from Davis?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Another 5'11"/6'0" PG?
Didnt we just get one of those?

Is he playing over Fernandes and Simpson?
He would be 3rd guard off the bench and taking minutes from Davis?

Davis? You have no idea what he will do at the next level. Total question mark. Joe better than Simpson was at any point last season. That doesn’t mean Simpson hasn’t improved but as of the end of the season, he was the better overall player. And it wasn’t close.

Your also underrating Joe’s defense. With a healthy Mag, this is a kid that would bring back an important element of our brand. The 18-20 minutes he’d play would make us a much better team.

 

[rubigtimenow]

Tousant is better than Fernandes, Simpson, and Davis right now, and honestly he’s not all that great. However, I can’t ‘see us adding yet another small guard.

I’d take Fernandes above all. Joe T next, no question if we’re just talking about this coming season.

 

[MiloTalon13]

I like Joe T's game - he'd be a great fit if we didn't already have Noah, Simpson and Davis
You're pretty much guaranteeing Simpson and/or Davis transfers - maybe both
If Davis transfers, does that impact Ace?
Nothing is that simple as he's a fit here, let's get him

 

[fatsam98]

Doesn't seem like we're interested

 

[Degaz-RU]

Yeah if we didn’t have Fernandes, Joe Toussaint would be a no-brainer.

But not a fit now. We need a bigger guard who won’t be viewed as taking minutes from Davis. We have to do everything in our power to keep J-Mike happy. He is critical to making sure Ace enrolls next year.

 

[PaKnight]

Yeah if we didn’t have Fernandes, Joe Toussaint would be a no-brainer.

But not a fit now. We need a bigger guard who won’t be viewed as taking minutes from Davis. We have to do everything in our power to keep J-Mike happy. He is critical to making sure Ace enrolls next year.

I think it is less about Davis, but more we simply need a bigger guard.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I’d take Fernandes above all. Joe T next, no question if we’re just talking about this coming season.

I like Fernandes but he’s only played A10 schedules and Toussaint has played in the B1G and Big 12. I like his D and physicality also but I think Fernandes will be good. I’m just worried about him getting worn down in the B1G.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I like Fernandes but he’s only played A10 schedules and Toussaint has played in the B1G and Big 12. I like his D and physicality also but I think Fernandes will be good. I’m just worried about him getting worn down in the B1G.

I’m worried about his defense. Him and 2 frosh in the backcourt would not be a good combo. Simpson was a decent frosh defender, but I wouldn’t classify him as “great” either. I’m worried we’re going to have no answer on the perimeter for teams that can shoot and move the ball.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I like Joe T's game - he'd be a great fit if we didn't already have Noah, Simpson and Davis
You're pretty much guaranteeing Simpson and/or Davis transfers - maybe both
If Davis transfers, does that impact Ace?
Nothing is that simple as he's a fit here, let's get himI

Why would they transfer over the addition of Joe if they weren’t planning to transfer with Cam playing for us? Or Paul? Not seeing that - he’s a one year player who would challenge Mag for best defender on the team. He also plays bigger than his height. The kid is a bull. I wish my boys would play more like him in AAU.

 

[RUChoppin]

Roster is full up on small point/combo guards. We need 1-2 more shooters on the perimeter.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Part of the reason Rutgers has been good on defense is size at the wing, even had size at pg with mulcahy. McConnell is gone and there are zero wing defenders on the roster or shooters for that matter. I'm sure this guy is a good defender but idk about having 4 or 5 small pgs as your guard rotation

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Roster is full up on small point/combo guards. We need 1-2 more shooters on the perimeter.

What about defense? We have Cliff and Mag (pending rehab) as A level defenders. Simpson was decent as a frosh. Everyone else is either a frosh or not strong at that end. It doesn’t help to be able to shoot if you can’t stop anyone.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I’m worried about his defense. Him and 2 frosh in the backcourt would not be a good combo. Simpson was a decent frosh defender, but I wouldn’t classify him as “great” either. I’m worried we’re going to have no answer on the perimeter for teams that can shoot and move the ball.

Agree with you. Not to mention the size difference of our guards trying to defend B1G guards.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Part of the reason Rutgers has been good on defense is size at the wing, even had size at pg with mulcahy. McConnell is gone and there are zero wing defenders on the roster or shooters for that matter. I'm sure this guy is a good defender but idk about having 4 or 5 small pgs as your guard rotation

I’m not sure how we’re going to replace Caleb on either end to be honest. Without Mag, we weren’t a tournament team (we were a team that couldn’t beat Hofstra). So we can’t really say Mag is replacing Caleb and feel good about that.

Whose picking up Caleb’s 5.5 rebounds per game? Whose plugging the gap on perimeter defense? I keep hearing we’re going to make up for it on the other end, but why are we so sure of that. GG will neutralize the loss of Cam. How many more points than Caleb’s 9.1 do we really think Noah’s going to put up for us? He could easily average only 11 or so moving up a level to the BIG. Paul gave us 7+. Is Simpson doubling his scoring output to make up for that?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Agree with you. Not to mention the size difference of our guards trying to defend B1G guards.

Height is certainly a concern but physical strength is a bit less of a factor on the perimeter than it is in the paint. Nobody is shooting 3s over Joe T. Obviously it would be great to get a bigger guard who can defend but at this point, I think getting someone who can defend period should be a top priority.

 

[RUChoppin]

What about defense? We have Cliff and Mag (pending rehab) as A level defenders. Simpson was decent as a frosh. Everyone else is either a frosh or not strong at that end. It doesn’t help to be able to shoot if you can’t stop anyone.

Defense is important, too, but we're also losing a ton of size/length on the perimeter in the 1-3 rotation that will impact defense.

Lost:
6-7 McConnell
6-7 Mulcahy
6-4 Spencer
6-3 Miller

Next year's roster:
6-7 Griffiths (frosh)
6-3 Simpson
6-2 Davis (frosh)
5-11 Fernandes

Average height of our 4 rotation guards right now is 6' 3.25". That's the lowest since 2015-16 at 6'3" (Sanders 6-2, Williams 6-2, Daniels 6-3, Grier 6-4).... when we went 7-25.

We really need a 6-4/6-5 body that can defend and shoot from the perimeter. Those are pretty hard to come by this late in the game, though.

 

[Jerseylegends]

I’m not sure how we’re going to replace Caleb on either end to be honest. Without Mag, we weren’t a tournament team (we were a team that couldn’t beat Hofstra). So we can’t really say Mag is replacing Caleb and feel good about that.

Whose picking up Caleb’s 5.5 rebounds per game? Whose plugging the gap on perimeter defense? I keep hearing we’re going to make up for it on the other end, but why are we so sure of that. GG will neutralize the loss of Cam. How many more points than Caleb’s 9.1 do we really think Noah’s going to put up for us? He could easily average only 11 or so moving up a level to the BIG. Paul gave us 7+. Is Simpson doubling his scoring output to make up for that?

Time will tell but I like this current group better offensively. Just have to add some big wings if they can shoot that would be a plus. But seems like if you can shoot, you're getting 500k nil at least lol

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Defense is important, too, but we're also losing a ton of size/length on the perimeter in the 1-3 rotation that will impact defense.

Lost:
6-7 McConnell
6-7 Mulcahy
6-4 Spencer
6-3 Miller

Next year's roster:
6-7 Griffiths (frosh)
6-3 Simpson
6-2 Davis (frosh)
5-11 Fernandes

Average height of our 4 rotation guards right now is 6' 3.25". That's the lowest since 2015-16 at 6'3" (Sanders 6-2, Williams 6-2, Daniels 6-3, Grier 6-4).... when we went 7-25.

We really need a 6-4/6-5 body that can defend and shoot from the perimeter. Those are pretty hard to come by this late in the game, though.

My point is that we’re probably not going to get all of those thing - sharp shooter, good defender, 6-4/6-5. I think defense is most important. We need someone who is well better than a Kiss type on that end or the other things won’t matter.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Why would they transfer over the addition of Joe if they weren’t planning to transfer with Cam playing for us? Or Paul? Not seeing that - he’s a one year player who would challenge Mag for best defender on the team. He also plays bigger than his height. The kid is a bull. I wish my boys would play more like him in AAU.

Because Joe would be being brought in the others were already here

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Because Joe would be being brought in the others were already here

We need to bring someone in. That’s inevitable. We have 3-4 open roster spots.

 

[MiloTalon13]

We need to bring someone in. That’s inevitable. We have 3-4 open roster spots.

3-4? We have 10, right?
I agree, they need at least 2 more scholarship players, who can at the very least challenge in practice, but I see bringing in an experieced small guard who is not a strong shooter and who expects starters minutes creating more problems than it solves.

Pike's in a pickle, no doubt about it.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

3-4? We have 10, right?
I agree, they need at least 2 more scholarship players, who can at the very least challenge in practice, but I see bringing in an experieced small guard who is not a strong shooter and who expects starters minutes creating more problems than it solves.

Pike's in a pickle, no doubt about it.

I thought we technically had 2 openings before we lost Cam and Paul. That would be 4 right? Toussaint only played 21.8 mpg for WVU and was planning to stick around there. I don’t think there’d be a PT issue.

I guess where I’m coming from is I don’t think we’re getting a kid known for his shooting ability who also happens to be an above average defender. Not at this late stage. I figure we’re getting one or the other and I’d rather have another kid who plays defense because we know a kid who doesn’t defend at all won’t see the floor for Pike and will just ride the bench.

 

[NickRU714]

Would Touissant and Fernandes ever be on the court at the same time though?
Just not sure where minutes are coming from.
He’d be a 10mpg guy basically it seems,,
Sure try to get him but is that going to work for him?

 

[RUChoppin]

I thought we technically had 2 openings before we lost Cam and Paul. That would be 4 right? Toussaint only played 21.8 mpg for WVU and was planning to stick around there. I don’t think there’d be a PT issue.

I guess where I’m coming from is I don’t think we’re getting a kid known for his shooting ability who also happens to be an above average defender. Not at this late stage. I figure we’re getting one or the other and I’d rather have another kid who plays defense because we know a kid who doesn’t defend at all won’t see the floor for Pike and will just ride the bench.

We also picked up Ogbole

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

We also picked up Ogbole

That’s right. So we technically have 3.

 

[Scangg]

I was saying before Joe T even left Iowa that he should transfer here and would be a great fit. I wanted him when he was in the portal last time which was an unpopular take for some reason

That said, I don't like the fit with this year's current roster. We have too many small guards. We need a big guard/wing who can defender other wings. Joe is strong but he simply won't have the size to do that

I'm pretty concerned about our wing defense and if Mag isn't ready it will be very concerning

Griffiths as a freshman will probably be average at best as an on ball wing defender. He is known more for his offense. His length will help. He reads the game well and will be a good help defender, but not sure about the lateral movement perimeter quickness. Didn't look great to me in that area from what I've seen

Hyatt plays better D at the 4 and is strong to body up players in the post but he has mental lapses on the perimeter and has looked bad playing the 3 whenever we have seen it

Chol? Complete unknown, has the length for sure but looked terrible in the few minutes he played defensively last year so you certainly can't count on him being a good defender although I do think he has the tools for it. He's also a 4 in my eyes

Mag could guard the 3 if healthy, but he's perfect for the 4

Defensive options very limited now. If we play a team with a stud wing, who guards him? We are going to miss Caleb on D

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Defense is important, too, but we're also losing a ton of size/length on the perimeter in the 1-3 rotation that will impact defense.

Lost:
6-7 McConnell
6-7 Mulcahy
6-4 Spencer
6-3 Miller

Next year's roster:
6-7 Griffiths (frosh)
6-3 Simpson
6-2 Davis (frosh)
5-11 Fernandes

Average height of our 4 rotation guards right now is 6' 3.25". That's the lowest since 2015-16 at 6'3" (Sanders 6-2, Williams 6-2, Daniels 6-3, Grier 6-4).... when we went 7-25.

We really need a 6-4/6-5 body that can defend and shoot from the perimeter. Those are pretty hard to come by this late in the game, though.

Simpson is definitely not 6’3”, and Griffiths will likely play a lot more 3 than 2. We need a bigger guard, or other teams will take our guys down low and abuse us.

 

[RUChoppin]

Simpson is definitely not 6’3”, and Griffiths will likely play a lot more 3 than 2. We need a bigger guard, or other teams will take our guys down low and abuse us.

Just looking defensively:

Opposing PG: Fernandes will draw as his primary assignment given his speed/size. Davis/Simpson can back him up.

Opposing SG: Simpson will draw as his primary assignment, though will likely be giving up some height against several opponents. Davis/Griffiths will be backup here.

Opposing SF: Griffiths will draw as primary assignment. Problem here is backing him up. There have traditionally been a lot of 6-6/6-7 scoring wings in the B1G, and the only guys to back up here are Simpson/Davis who will be giving up a lot of size.

We need another guy with size to defend opposing 2/3's, but also one who can be a threat from the arc (as we right now only really have Fernandes returning with career % north of .300, and Griffiths who has high expectations).

 

[MiloTalon13]

We need another guy with size to defend opposing 2/3's, but also one who can be a threat from the arc (as we right now only really have Fernandes returning with career % north of .300, and Griffiths who has high expectations).

I agree - but it's like we want/need a near Caleb-level defender who is a decent 3-point shooter who is at least 6'4", preferably taller and will come off the bench. Tough to find.

At some point we have to settle for what we can get and that point was probably 3 weeks ago.

Hopefully, at least one guy who is maybe not a very good shooter but decent at defending 2/3 and a wing of any sort who is 6'5"+ and can compete in practice.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I agree - but it's like we want/need a near Caleb-level defender who is a decent 3-point shooter who is at least 6'4", preferably taller and will come off the bench. Tough to find.

At some point we have to settle for what we can get and that point was probably 3 weeks ago.

Hopefully, at least one guy who is maybe not a very good shooter but decent at defending 2/3 and a wing of any sort who is 6'5"+ and can compete in practice.

Yes that’s where I was coming from. It doesn’t matter as it doesn’t appear there is interest, but despite his height, I think Joe would contribute more on defense than anyone else we’re going to bring in at this point - even if he had to cover someone bigger than him. It would be great to get a shooter, but realistically, the ones available at this stage mostly defend like Peter Kiss or Jaden Jones which means they won’t see the floor. At this point, we’re in the hunt for a kid who probably doesn’t have pretty looking stats but defends hard.

 

[RUChoppin]

I agree - but it's like we want/need a near Caleb-level defender who is a decent 3-point shooter who is at least 6'4", preferably taller and will come off the bench. Tough to find.

At some point we have to settle for what we can get and that point was probably 3 weeks ago.

Hopefully, at least one guy who is maybe not a very good shooter but decent at defending 2/3 and a wing of any sort who is 6'5"+ and can compete in practice.

I don't know about a "Caleb-level defender"... we need a warm body who can play passable defense at the SF spot, who can shoot threes north of .300. This person will play default minutes for about 10-15 min per game, mostly backing up Griffiths.

In an ideal game, he might play 5-8 minutes... in a foul-trouble game, he may be called upon for 20+. Right now we're paper thin defending the wing, which has traditionally seen strong scorers in the B1G.

 

[MiloTalon13]

I don't know about a "Caleb-level defender"... we need a warm body who can play passable defense at the SF spot, who can shoot threes north of .300. This person will play default minutes for about 10-15 min per game, mostly backing up Griffiths.

In an ideal game, he might play 5-8 minutes... in a foul-trouble game, he may be called upon for 20+. Right now we're paper thin defending the wing, which has traditionally seen strong scorers in the B1G.

An interesting question is if we don't get anyone and our starters are Noah/Derek/Gavin/Mag(Hyatt)/Cliff - who does Gavin defend and how do we match up?

It may be a great year to be a freshman big wing (or 3 if you prefer) in the Big Ten

 

[Scangg]

If I had to guess... I'd say more likely than not whoever we get from the portal will be worse than Joe T... hopefully at least that player better fills a need

 

[MiloTalon13]

If I had to guess... I'd say more likely than not whoever we get from the portal will be worse than Joe T... hopefully at least that player better fills a need

It’s not about getting the best players it’s about getting the right players