Just a few observations ...

Lindo primarily a 4 but can play some 3
Nixon is more a 4 than a 3
Dean will play some 4
Bamisile  is a 2/3
Harris is a 1/2/3
Freeman is mostly a 1 but can play 2
Bishop will likely be more at 2 than 1 this year
Brelsford can play 1/2
Lee can play 4
Brown is solely a 5

Point is other than Brown we have an incredibly versatile lineup which will give JC plenty of lineup options. And I'm sure we are not done yet.

I would bet on a smaller lineup of Freeman, Bishop, Bamisile, Lindo and Lee to start but it's way too early for that because I'd be very surprised if we don't add 1-2 more. I don't think Bamisile or Lee are coming here without a chance to start.

GWRising wrote:

Just a few observations ...

Lindo primarily a 4 but can play some 3
Nixon is more a 4 than a 3
Dean will play some 4
Bamisile  is a 2/3
Harris is a 1/2/3
Freeman is mostly a 1 but can play 2
Bishop will likely be more at 2 than 1 this year
Brelsford can play 1/2
Lee can play 4
Brown is solely a 5

Point is other than Brown we have an incredibly versatile lineup which will give JC plenty of lineup options. And I'm sure we are not done yet.

Lee can play 4, and as I posted in the other thread, I know he can make a mid-range J, but a lineup with Lee at the 4 and someone like Brown at the 5 would be very clogged in the middle, and I’m not sure Lee is switchable onto guards (guess we will find out). 

With the way this roster is taking shape, I have to think JC is thinking about trying to trap more aggressively and get more in transition (especially if we aren’t a great outside shooting team, we’ll need to use defense to generate offense).  However, when not trapping, I love the idea of being able to switch 1-4, which we know Lindo can do effectively, but I don’t know if that works with Lee.

Also want to make a point about rebounding. Last year we were a poor offensive rebounding team and an average-at-best defensive rebounding team (GMU game notwithstanding).  Ricky Lindo was an absolutely elite defensive rebounder when he played - he’d have been top 10 in the nation if he had enough minutes to qualify, though his offensive rebounding was far below Moyer.   

But Ira Lee’s rebound rates last year were similar to Moyer and Lindo (combined rates: Moyer 33.9, Lindo 34.2, Lee 33.9).  Having two guys on the court who are elite rebounders will be a huge boost - and then Bamisile is also an excellent rebounder for a guard (19.8 combined rebounding rate, which is higher than Bo Ziegler and comparable to a Yuta). 

I would think rebounding would become a strength and hope that JC would try to encourage us to hit the glass on offense.

Already time to update:

PG/lead guards:  Bishop, Freeman, Brelsford
Wing guards: Bamisile, Adams
Wing forwards: Ricky Lindo, Amir Harris (point forward), Nixon
Bigs: Lee, Dean, Brown


My presumed rotation with more recruits still to come:

STARTERS? —
Bishop
Bamisile
Adams
Lindo
Lee

Bench guards:
  Freeman (backup point or possible starter?)
  Brelsford (microwave bench scoring, ideally)

Bench wings:
   Amir Harris (great glue guy/defender if healthy)
    Nixon (might have time to develop, or a key bench wing if ready)

Bench bigs:
    Dean (for trapping D and rim runs)
    Brown. (for defending bigs)


On paper, this is a much better team than we’ve had, though three point shooting might still be an issue.

Mentzinger wrote:

I just want GW to reprise its once-amazing 1-3-1 defense with someone long like Lee at the top (where Garino, Regis, Omar once caused absolute wreckage).

I don’t think Ira Lee fits that role at 240 pounds. He’s more of the rim protector we’ve been missing. 

I doubt we’ll play a 1-3-1, but if we did, it’s probably Bamisile at the top with his 7’2” wingspan - which is longer than Yuta’s wingspan.

If I read this right, we have two scholarships available. Is that correct?

We also have Gapare from New Zealand who is expected to enroll for the 2nd semester next year So we only  have one scholarship left.

If he is actually coming second semester, be interesting to see when we can sign him so it is formalized that he's coming.
If he is still at Scots College, his school's first term ends in April. One would think if Tafara is enrolled that would be the equivalent of start of senior year and the November signing period. The second term ends in July. The third term ends Oct. 1. 
  It looks like the NCAA regular period signing date starts in about two weeks and ends on Aug. 1
One would think that an argument could be made that Tafara could sign during that period, particularly after July. But haven't the slightest idea what the deal is for international players like him.
Obviously (and hopefully) there is a plan for when the earliest Gapare signing could be. Be interesting to find out when that is.
It would certainly be reassuring to sign him as soon as allowed.

Last edited by jf (4/03/2021 6:12 pm)

I see from the recruits thread that we offered another guard for 2021.  I don't pretend to know how to coach or recruit, but we already seem awfully deep at guard.  Is the benefit of another guard to protect against transfers?  Just fill a roster spot we have open?  We are thin up front; is it just that there are no good up-front options?

The offer tweet is no longer there.. Maybe he got a bit ahead of himself. It does strike me as a bit of an odd offer if its accurate