2014 Recruiting

[gmutom]

Tom, I figured Mayimba for a 2 all along. He's long and quick enough to guard the 2 spot, and would give us impressive athleticism when paired with Jenkins at the 3 and Royal at the 4.

Jim, I like idea of putting Holloway at the point if he has the handle, but who are you starting at the 5 in your scenario above if you go with Mayimba at the 2, Jenkins at the 3 and Royal at the 4?

I'm thinking you move Jenkins down to the 5 and then you can start Marko or Lockett at the 3 to hopefully give you some more size and scoring on the wing.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Currently, we would have 2 options at the 5....Porter or Copes.

 

[dr. gunnie]

My guess is next years starting lineup will look like:

1) Moore
2) Holloway
3) Up for grabs - possibly a frosh
4) Jenkins
5) Copes

 

[GSII]

Holloway starting is highly contingent on his defense improving a great deal. Problem is gonna be supporting the PG position. Moore is great, but can't shoot and this is a major problem.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Holloway at the PG spot?

Wow. I mean just wow.

 

[Five Two]

Please say no to plugging in wing guards at the point. See Allen, B. as exhibit #1.
Its fine for a few minutes in the middle of the game, but when its nut-cutting time in the 2nd half, we need a true point guard. We need another option in addition to Moore. there isn't one on the current roster and none of the incoming recruits, from what I can tell, fit that need.

 

[GreenLantern]

We need someone who isn't coming in to score a bazillion points. PGs by nature are unselfish.

 

[GMUgemini]

We need someone who isn't coming in to score a bazillion points. PGs by nature are unselfish.

A point guard gives the team what the team needs. We will need scorers next year.

 

[GSII]

We need someone who isn't coming in to score a bazillion points. PGs by nature are unselfish.

This is opposite in Hewitts system.

 

[gmubrian]

Please say no to plugging in wing guards at the point. See Allen, B. as exhibit #1.
Its fine for a few minutes in the middle of the game, but when its nut-cutting time in the 2nd half, we need a true point guard. We need another option in addition to Moore. there isn't one on the current roster and none of the incoming recruits, from what I can tell, fit that need.

Bingo!

One of my main reasons for liking the Hewitt hire in the first place was his indication that he has learned from his mistakes at GT. I like people that can learn from their mistakes. One of Hewitt's self proclaimed biggest issues at GT was roster management. We are seeing it all over again, particularly at point guard. It seems that the learning from mistakes was just lip service. If can't learn from the mistakes he identifies himself, what about the other myriad problems.

 

[gmujim92]

Holloway was a PG at Paul VI.

Now, he was a scoring PG and not the traditional pass-first PG some of you seem to be clamoring for.

But other than Moore, he's niftier with the dribble than any of our other guards -- and as Gemini noted, we have a lot of scoring to replace in our backcourt next season.

Seems like a perfect scenario for having a scorer at the PG spot, especially if you surround him with 3 other versatile athletes like Mayimba, Jenkins and Royal who can also help handle and distribute the ball.

Coach L did quite well without a traditional PG most of the time he was at Mason, so we know it can be done.

Do I think it's going to happen? No, probably not.

That doesn't make it the craziest idea in the history of ideas.

 

[GMUgemini]

Holloway was a PG at Paul VI.

Now, he was a scoring PG and not the traditional pass-first PG some of you seem to be clamoring for.

But other than Moore, he's niftier with the dribble than any of our other guards -- and as Gemini noted, we have a lot of scoring to replace in our backcourt next season.

Seems like a perfect scenario for having a scorer at the PG spot, especially if you surround him with 3 other versatile athletes like Mayimba, Jenkins and Royal who can also help handle and distribute the ball.

Coach L did quite well without a traditional PG most of the time he was at Mason, so we know it can be done.

Do I think it's going to happen? No, probably not.

That doesn't make it the craziest idea in the history of ideas.

PG Holloway
SG Mayimba
SF Jenkins
PF Marko
C Royal

Play a defense that's a mix of 2-3 and 1-3-1 zones, a little surprise half court trap with Mayimba and Jenkins? I think it could work.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

The next time Holloway goes by someone off the dribble will be the first time. And I don't mean catching off a curl cut or pin down and forsaking a 3 to drive and shoot a floater. I mean take the ball at halfcourt and break down a defender.

I vote no.

 

[Patriotfan49]

I agree, Holloway has not shown he is a scorer like you are alluding to Jim. He is a jump shooter, and every now and then floats into the lane to try a floater. I dont think he would be a viable option as a main ballhandler.

Allen, is a scorer who can get into the lane and create for himself. But even then, we see how that PG experiment went.

Im hoping Jackson is big enough, and can handle enough to where he can replicate a Hancock role in regards to bringing the ball up etc or at the very least, Cam Long like.

 

[gmujim92]

The next time Holloway goes by someone off the dribble will be the first time. And I don't mean catching off a curl cut or pin down and forsaking a 3 to drive and shoot a floater. I mean take the ball at halfcourt and break down a defender.

I vote no.

If your standard for effective PG play is being able to "take the ball at halfcourt and break down a defender," you obviously haven't been very happy with most of Mason basketball's history -- because I can't recall the last true 'breakdown' PG we've had.

Unless Moore improves his offense, we're gonna need to be creative to generate points next season. And anyone who doesn't think Holloway has a creative offensive game hasn't been watching.

The simple fact of the matter is we won't have the luxury of having a pass-only player at the PG spot next year. Between Wright, Allen and Williams, we'll have too much scoring to replace.

 

[Patriotfan49]

If your standard for effective PG play is being able to "take the ball at halfcourt and break down a defender," you obviously haven't been very happy with most of Mason basketball's history -- because I can't recall the last true 'breakdown' PG we've had.

Unless Moore improves his offense, we're gonna need to be creative to generate points next season. And anyone who doesn't think Holloway has a creative offensive game hasn't been watching.

The simple fact of the matter is we won't have the luxury of having a pass-only player at the PG spot next year. Between Wright, Allen and Williams, we'll have too much scoring to replace.

Just curious, what makes you say Holloway has a creative offensive game?
From what I see, I notice him standing on the wing waiting for a pass alot, jacking up threes from all over and every now and then leaks into the paint to try a floater.

Disclaimer (For Tom, Dawgs and the likes) this isnt saying he is bad, or Im complaining. Was just wanting you to expand on that comment Jim.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

If your standard for effective PG play is being able to "take the ball at halfcourt and break down a defender," you obviously haven't been very happy with most of Mason basketball's history -- because I can't recall the last true 'breakdown' PG we've had.

Unless Moore improves his offense, we're gonna need to be creative to generate points next season. And anyone who doesn't think Holloway has a creative offensive game hasn't been watching.

The simple fact of the matter is we won't have the luxury of having a pass-only player at the PG spot next year. Between Wright, Allen and Williams, we'll have too much scoring to replace.

Allen can (and has) gone by defenders. Cam Long could get by defenders and into the paint. Tony Skinn, Campbell, the list goes on and on. I didn't say they had to be "true" PG's. I said I need my PG to be able to take someone off the dribble. Holloway hasn't shown that ability.

Jason Miskiri, Tony Skinn, Campbell, Long, and Allen are ALL guys I'd take at the PG spot before Holloway. ALL of them could create their own shot. Holloway relies on screens, picks, etc to get himself open. He's an amazing shooter and can score. Not sure he can run an offense.

 

[gmutom]

I just wish P49 would stop complaining and saying Holloway is bad.

(kidding)

 

[Pablo]

How about PG Myles Tate, who is already on the roster?
See

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXdPTOsI1g
.

 

[gmutom]

That's the first footage I've watched of Tate, and I have to admit he finishes in traffic much better than you would expect for a kid his size. He also seems to have a lot of confidence in his shooting and driving ability. It definitely gives us another option to compete with Moore and Jackson (and Corey if he returns)

What would concern me the most about Tate is it would give us smallest backcourt in the A10 if you paired his 5-7 height with Holloway's alleged 6-1 height. What they provide on offense could prove to be a huge disadvantage defensively.

Now, if we were to start Moore and Holloway together, it would offset some of that disadvantage, and it would allow us to pair Tate with bigger guards like Jackson, Mayimba, Lockett and Gray (no, I'm not giving up on him yet).