(04-11-2014 02:46 PM)bluebacker Wrote:  I think the future bodes well because of the type of player JP is recruiting now vs. his first class. Just look at the size and length. Athletically JJ is as good as it gets but his size and sulking hurt his game. If he were 6'3" he'd have probably been an all-American.

That is yet to be seen. By my count, this is the first season since 2007-2008 that we haven't had a McD's AA in our back court.

I'm not selling next year short.

No deep run expectations but NIT is absurd.

Too many top 100 players to believe otherwise.

(04-11-2014 07:19 PM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(04-11-2014 02:46 PM)bluebacker Wrote:  I think the future bodes well because of the type of player JP is recruiting now vs. his first class. Just look at the size and length. Athletically JJ is as good as it gets but his size and sulking hurt his game. If he were 6'3" he'd have probably been an all-American.

That is yet to be seen. By my count, this is the first season since 2007-2008 that we haven't had a McD's AA in our back court.

I think we had a McDonald's all-American in the backcourt in '07-'08 (D.Rose), but I know what you meant.... That this is the first time since '06-'07 that we haven't had a McDonald's AA in our backcourt (we had Tyreke in 08-09, Elliot Williams in 2009-10, and Joe from 10-11 to 13-14). However, you may also recall that 1-year after losing McDonald's AA guard, D.Wash (in addition to key wing/forwards like shawne williams and rodney carney), we made it back to the elite 8 with a freshman PG, Willie Kemp (ranked #53 by rivals), sophomore Chris Douglas-Roberts (#75 by rivals), soph. Antonio Anderson (#56 by rivals), and the highest rated player in that years' backcourt, freshman Doneal Mack (rivals #47), coming off the bench.

So, maybe the rankings themselves are overrated and are not a great indicator of future success? They do tend to be good indicators of individual potential, and which players have the flashiest moves against high-school talent, but the only thing that having McDonald's AA's on your team guarantees is high expectations by fans. I don't think we had a single one on that '06-'07 team... So maybe it is a blessing in disguise to have guys handling the ball that haven't been groomed to think they are the best thing since penny to hit the court...?

I like this young mans game and desire to lead and learn

(04-11-2014 07:32 AM)Trapper John Wrote:  Just as encouraging was Jason's tweet that numerous Tiger players were there to show support - including Damien, Kuran, and The Dom - three of the players rumored here to maybe be transferring.

Glad to see this. These guys could all play a major role in the success of next years team. Next season should be a lot of fun, am big time looking forward to it.....GO TIGERS!!!!

(04-11-2014 07:32 AM)Trapper John Wrote:  Just as encouraging was Jason's tweet that numerous Tiger players were there to show support - including Damien, Kuran, and The Dom - three of the players rumored here to maybe be transferring.

You can see some of them in the video interview. Nick King as well

(04-11-2014 10:45 AM)holysheetman Wrote:  4-year player, still pretty good.

We'll see. He's a lot better than what a lot of people think. He's already got a lot of size and is tough minded. He has to work on his shot but I don't see him staying all 4 years unless he wants too.

(04-11-2014 09:41 PM)HoopDreams Wrote:  I'm not selling next year short.

No deep run expectations but NIT is absurd.

Too many top 100 players to believe otherwise.

For the first time in I don't know how many years, I guess I've fallen somewhat into the Negative Nellie demographic.. my expectations are extremely tempered for next season. I'll believe it when I see it.

Seems to me that everyone is focusing on on the new recruits and not what we have coming back. Last I checked we have good top 100 players returning, and good complimentary players coming in. 7 McDonald's all Americans don't always make a championship.

(04-12-2014 12:26 PM)macphil30 Wrote:  Seems to me that everyone is focusing on on the new recruits and not what we have coming back. Last I checked we have good top 100 players returning, and good complimentary players coming in. 7 McDonald's all Americans don't always make a championship.

I am not bothered by the NIT level perception, but realistic assessment (good or bad) is not possible until practice and games start.

We're not going to the NIT.

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Link?

(04-15-2014 09:59 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Link?

He's responding to those saying that we are NIT bound. They don't have a link either

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

I am surprise there hasn't been that troll saying CBI yet

(04-15-2014 10:06 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:59 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Link?

He's responding to those saying that we are NIT bound. They don't have a link either

Thanks, I was just joking around with him.

(04-15-2014 10:13 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 10:06 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:59 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Link?

He's responding to those saying that we are NIT bound. They don't have a link either

Thanks, I was just joking around with him.

Oh! Got it

(04-15-2014 10:13 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 10:06 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:59 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Link?

He's responding to those saying that we are NIT bound. They don't have a link either

Thanks, I was just joking around with him.

:)

(04-12-2014 10:16 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  

(04-11-2014 10:45 AM)holysheetman Wrote:  4-year player, still pretty good.

We'll see. He's a lot better than what a lot of people think. He's already got a lot of size and is tough minded. He has to work on his shot but I don't see him staying all 4 years unless he wants too.

He's ranked #71 in rivals, and he hasn't played a minute of college ball. What exactly indicates he's good enough to go pro before his senior year?

(04-15-2014 09:40 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  We're not going to the NIT.

Sheesh, we're missing the NIT? We won't be nearly that bad this season.

(04-15-2014 11:01 AM)Johnny Betts Wrote:  

(04-12-2014 10:16 AM)Tigermaniac Wrote:  

(04-11-2014 10:45 AM)holysheetman Wrote:  4-year player, still pretty good.

We'll see. He's a lot better than what a lot of people think. He's already got a lot of size and is tough minded. He has to work on his shot but I don't see him staying all 4 years unless he wants too.

He's ranked #71 in rivals, and he hasn't played a minute of college ball. What exactly indicates he's good enough to go pro before his senior year?

I don't buy into the rankings. I buy into skill set. As I said, he has to work on his shot. He has the size, physical tools, speed, athletic ability, driving ability, vision and so on to be elite. Had he had a more consistent shot he would not have been ranked #70 ESPN or # 71 Rivals. A shot can be developed over a couple of seasons. I am thinking he leaves after his junior season.

You'll see the potential this upcoming season. He may start out a little raw and of course make freshman mistakes even the great Derrick Rose did. This dude can ball.

You can develop your own opinion of it though as the next couple of seasons go by and see how he progresses. I'm sticking with mine until I see something that says otherwise a ranking in the 70's doesn't take anything away from my opinion as I have seen several players that were 2-3 and 4 stars become the best players on their team and be NBA ready by the time they are a Junior.