CCT: A-10 Notebook....9/27

[LutherRackleyRulez]

Per CollegeChalkTalk.....



Atlantic 10 Notebook: Follow the Leader



Whether it was Billy Packer in the old days, Clark Kellogg now, or Dick Vitale everywhere in between, the oft-repeated cliché that “college basketball is a point guard’s game” has been firmly implanted in the mind of any casual fan.

For Atlantic 10 fans this season, there might be something to the phrase.

Looking around the conference, a few prominent returnees like Kwamain Mitchell, Juan Fernandez and Kevin Anderson headline the title chances for the leading contenders.

But the guys on the covers of magazines are not the only ones carrying the load of expectations. All 14 teams in the league are entering the season with hopes directly reliant on the point guard spot. As such, logic holds that the teams with the rosiest situation at the helm are measuring the rafters in anticipation of a postseason banner, and the teams with point guard issues, well, are not.

Really, the league’s point guard situations—and not coincidentally, teams—can be divided into four tiers:

Cream of the crop: All-Conference locks who will be the focal point of their offenses


Xavier - Even with a new name, Tu Holloway is still one of the better floor managers in college basketball. With Jordan Crawford in the NBA and Jason Love removing a reliable post presence, Holloway will be the go-to guy on offense, perhaps challenging Crawford’s mark of 20.5 points per game. By getting to the line eight to 10 times per contest, Holloway wears out opposing big men, an eventual key against A-10 foes like Saint Louis and Charlotte.







http://collegechalktalk.com/atlantic10/2010-11/9.27.10tifft

[GoMuskies]

We're probably in trouble if Holloway is scoring 20 per game. I don't see that happening.

[Masterofreality]

We're probably in trouble if Holloway is scoring 20 per game. I don't see that happening.

Agree. But 12-14 will be fine. Also remember that Tu will build up points at the line at game's end. He'll get an easy 6 every game near the end because of his throws.

[MADXSTER]

We're probably in trouble if Holloway is scoring 20 per game. I don't see that happening.

If his percentage does not take a dip, then I don't think it will be a problem.

I could see 14 - 18 ppg. As he becomes more of a catalyst, other teams will put their better defenders on him.

[smileyy]

I worry a little about this team's ability to create on offense:

Holloway and Lyons can create on their own, but will run into trouble if they can't get spacing inside to penetrate.

Dante Jackson hasn't shown himself to be much of an offensive threat. He seems more like the team's defensive stopper who you can't leave open on the perimeter.

Most of McLean's offense comes from offensive rebounding, but he'll also get some dump-off's from the guards. If he can expand his game to be a threat from the block, that'll be big for Xavier.

Kenny Frease 2.0 is a cipher, of course.

It seems like Redford will continue to be an outside specialist, with plays run for him, rather than offense flowing naturally.

The freshman, and Robinson, of course, are all largely unknowns.

My fear is smothered guards on the outside, with help coming as soon as penetration happens. There's no proven floor-spacers like Duncan or Brown, or get-his-own-shot-anytime guys like Crawford. Tu will pick up some of that slack, but counting on him to do it all will have diminshing returns.

I get a 2009 feel for this team, where they can be successful with a less-than-efficient offense if they play a withering defense. I think this team will be fairly successful (round of 32 or 16), but also a tantalizing tease of what could be in 2012.

[whiteyxu]

On a side note the columnist, Doug Tifft, is a recent Xavier graduate. He was the sports editor for the Newswire last year, so it's nice to see he got a job in sports journalism.

[rhyno2110]

On a side note the columnist, Doug Tifft, is a recent Xavier graduate. He was the sports editor for the Newswire last year, so it's nice to see he got a job in sports journalism.

I don't know him, but he went to a school (Notre Dame) about 20 minutes from my house. Represent the Upstate!! Haha.

[madness31]

I'm thinking 14 to 17 for Tu with increased assist numbers too. McLean will be close to a double double guy and Jackson will do a little more creating for himself and teammates. Jackson will have to play more consistent when it comes to decision making. Lyons might be great if his decision making improves. Frease will likely be able to create his own shots this year. Redford should average 7+ so the points will come. Robinson or a freshman or two will probably put up some solid numbers as well.

The D will have to be better this year if the team is going to make a run or challenge for the A-10 title. The A-10 is going to be deep again this year with many teams improved from last season. The league should do even better in out of conference play than last year assuming the play up to expectations. If that happens you could see 6 teams make the NCAA tourney and challenge one another for the A-10 championship. I'm not calling for 6 to make it but less than 4 would be disappointing.

[Masterofreality]

Just to get an off-season basketball fix, I went back and watched the SucKS game from last year. Tu Holloway was amazing. Oh, yeah. He can create his own shot. CMack also did a lot of 4 guard offense in that game last year, which bodes well for this year. I know that JCraw was one of those 4 guards, but Tu was a man among men in that game- and many others. I don't think that 14 a game- especially when considering late game frees, is out of the question, nor forcing anything.

Don't forget that Dante Jackson scored over 2,000 points in high school and outplayed Mr. Basketball (?) "one trick pony" Diebler head to head. Dante has deferred on some level each of the last 3 years. I believe that he's primed for a huge year. Add the recruits and the renovation of KFrease and I like our chances.