excited, nervous, and worried

[brownlavender]

there's a reason we won more games last year then any year in the past. Our 3 super seniors who we had to say goodbye to were a huge reason for that. In anticipation of next year i've gone back and watched tape of games from last year. Turns out there was a reason that in only 2 years here that Drew Lavender was one of my favorite X players of all time. Wow was he quick and one hell of a point guard. Duncan, a very solid player in his years here was also an underachiever much like doelmann was. They both had a ton of talent but rarely showed it. Burrell was flat out just a defensive stopper who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn on most nights. All this being said the only person I'm seeing having a hard time replacing is Drew. Although very small in stature he changed games on his own. I think we'll be top 25 but not serious contenders next year. Brown will be nasty and hopefully stay for his senior year, but the devolment of our freshman coming in will be very key. Even if crawford can play he's not a true point guard so either holloway or cheeks will have to play big. I haven't seen any tape on holloway but know he was highly reguarded coming out of HS. Cheeks has a quick first step and a long shot i don't really trust. Who knows I just have my doubts about the pg spot next year and we need either Dante to become a ball handling stud or one of the frosh to step up. Anybody else have any worries about the pg or any other positions this year?

[muskieman]

Maybe we lose something at the point, and time will tell, but look at the five and tell me X is not in better position than last year. On top of that the quality of players added mean there are few holes in this team again time will tell. Brown will be a bigger impact this year and McLean will add a rebounder that can rebound all night long.

excited yes, nervous for the start of the season, worried no.

[CarlosTheJackal]

This board was full of "we can never replace those lost three seniors"-- last year at this time.

As much as I hated to hear Huggins say "we just reload," that seems to be the case. Yes, we need someone who can bring the ball up and set up the alleyoops, run the plays, and be a defensive force at point. Dante can do some of that from the 2 with a year under his belt and the knowledge that protecting the ball is the first job. He really grew up on that in the last 17 games.

Yes, its a stretch to expect final 8, but we can do some big damage in the league, and beyond. Remember that Miller has rebuilt teams in the middle of the season after losing key players and still made the dance. Remember he took a bunch of plodders into OT against a physically superior #1 OSU. This guy can recruit and get the most out of players. Who would have predicted getting Stan to buy into being a defensive stopper and leader??

I always thought Gillen was the Golden Age. Hell, it was barely the Bronze Age. Be patient, let the man work his skills.

[muskieman]

while Gillen helped invent the wheel, Sean has started building a space ship.

[Mr. Neutral]

Drew did a lot of good/great things for X in his 2 years here, but I thought he was better in his junior year, actually.

For example, on our last 6 games this year, he went:

Dayton: 3-11
SJU: 3-8, 1 asst., 2 TO's

Georgia: 5-12, 2 asst.
Purdue: 18 pts., 9 asst.
WVU: 3-11 FG
UCLA: 2-9

So, while he was undoubtedly our primary ballhandler and press-breaker, he had nowhere near the Elite 8 performance that LC did 4 years ago.

So, will any of our incoming frosh pick up the slack at PG? No, probably not right away. But do they have the potential to be better overall players than Drew? I'd say yes.

We'll miss him, but there's a reason why Duncan and Burrell were at least in NBA camps and Lavender was not.

[brownlavender]

I agree Drew wasn't at his best at the end of the year but he did have the ankle injury. As for Stan and Josh they are both decent overseas players I think. Josh more then Stan. Stan was the man and i remember watching him as a freshman and thinking damn that kid leaves it all on the floor. That never waivered his whole career. You knew what you would get with him, bad shots and a ton of hustle. Drew on the other hand was a great college player, like many other kids, but doesn't have the size to play NBA and his run in in clifton didn't help him at all. I don't think we've seen the last of Drew though he'll show up on some roster in the future whether it be overseas or as a backup to jameer nelson(just another example of a little guy). Either way though I see Dante coming in as our starting point guard at the start of the year, Love at center, D brown PF, Anderson SF and the 5th spot to be determined by the most impressive frosh guard this summer or maybe Raymond. From all I've seen, and I haven't seen walsh or holloway at all, I'd have to say either holloway or cheeks will battle for the point which would move Jackson over to the 2. If crawford can play, which i'd say is a 85% chance of NO, that would change it around but until I hear he can then that's how I see the starters. Frease coming off the bench and god know's who to redshirt. Redford can flat out score, Walsh is more of a D player. Of the 2 I'd probaly rather have Redford on the floor but if you can sit him for a year and benefit who knows. A lot depends on D Brown's senior year will he stay or go and whether Crawford can play or not.

[Mr. Neutral]

<<...or as a backup to jameer nelson(just another example of a little guy). >>>

Per his NBA.com listing (below), Nelson's 6'0", while our Drew was listed at 5'7", if I recall correctly. So, if Nelson's "little", Drew's "littler".

I'll admit that X would have been lost without Drew at the point, but as to his "next level" chances, he might be able to play overseas, but there aren't many (any?) NBA PG's who are 5'7", can only effectively dribble with one hand, have an inconsistent outside shot, and can't get a shot off inside that's not a "miracle" teardrop.



http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jameer_nelson/index.html

[Murph85]

Half of the fun and excitement is the unknown of what will happen when players are replaced each year.

For sure we know we have an excellent coach; some of the most highly regarded recruits ever at X; and most importantly depth everywhere.

This season will be awesome. There is no way we can miss at any position. True, the point guard is undetermined but Miller was an outstanding guard and we have a stable of highly regarded players at the position. Someone will rise and become the leader and ball handler. We also have a lights out shooter to replace BJ. On paper he looks like the best shooter ever to be recruited.

Excited? Yes. Nervous? No. Worried? Not in the least.

[wkrq59]

This could be the deepest team in Xavier history. Posters who have seen the newcomers play at various times in the summer league have noted the excellent chemistry that appears to exist between the new guys and the veterans on the team.
Also, Miller and his staff have another year together under their collective belts which is one of the more important facets of any team.
Each of the new guys has specific talents to offer but each also seems to possess the talents which were the reasons for their recruiting and signing.
There is almost three months time before full-scale practice begins.
By necessity, each of the new guys will have to step up and make a contribution, especially on offense. Raymond has been streaky on offense, when Anderson is kept from driving by varying zone defenses his offensive production drops. Dante improved defensively and in his overall game late last season, but his offense, too, is streaky at best. Graves is an unknown quantity at this juncture. Frease, Love, Brown and the other front court guys are limited in what they can do offensively and at times can be controlled offensively by zones.
Of the newcomers, assuming Crawford doesn't play this season, Walsh has the overall game, especially defense. Cheeks and Holloway are the point guards after Dante and are hopefully pass first, score when needed. The only zone-buster appears to be Redford. Everyone who has seen him play
says the kid can flat out shoot.
Let's leave the worrying to Sean and enjoy the anticipation.