Question of foresight (PG next year)

[nasdadjr]

So with Dee done at end of year who is being groomed to be the point guard for next year? I am asking because Myles Davis is a 2 not a 1 and Randolph and Austin are not getting nearly enough time to make me comfortable about our floor general for next year. Does anyone think Randolph should be getting more time now to get him better prepared for next season? Just a thought that creeped up in my head while waiting for this game to start.

[American X]

Davis will still be the starting point guard for Xavier next year.

[XUFan09]

Point guard by committee: Randolph, Austin, and Sumner. A lot of offense, particularly early on, will be initiated more from the 2 or 3, like when Dante ran the point.

[XMuskieFTW]

I'm not worried. Although we have may not have a great true point guard we can make up for it with the fact that we have a lot of guys that can handle the ball comfortably

[nasdadjr]

I hope that's not the case because that would mean inconsistency at the most important position on the floor. Obviously still way more concerned about this year still but does anyone think some of the other guys should see any more minutes at all to get a little more experience

[XMuskieFTW]

Only if we're up 20. If we're up 20 with 8 minutes left I'm all for backup pgs getting time as long as the lead doesn't diminish. Other than that you have to play your best lineup to win at all times. They'll just have to get experience in practice for now and that's fine. Next season isn't for 9 months which is a long time. I think one of the 3 PGs will emerge as at least good enough to handle the floor

[TUclutch]

I think you will see Myles start. I think the starting lineup will be Myles, Remy, Trevon, Farr, and Reynolds. Randolph and LA Jr will mix in at the one. Myles and Sumner will see some time at the 2. Remy/Macura will see time at the 3, when Bluiett sees time at the 4

[XMuskieFTW]

I think Myles is answering that today. Running the offense to perfection with Dee out

[markchal]

Myles can do it in spots, but you're crazy if you think he starts. Maybe if Randolph transfers but you have to think it will be Randolph or Austin. You can't start Myles when you have three PGs (Randolph, Austin and Sumner) on the bench.

[LA Muskie]

I think Myles would be a fine PG next year. He's the best backup PG we have this year. The only reason Brandon is seeing any mins is that we can't play both Dee and Myles 35 mins a game and expect them to have any gas left come March.

[xavierj]

I am pretty sure Sumner was brought in to be the PG of the future. He will eventually start and get spelled by Austin, Davis and Randolph (if he is still here). Xavier will be deeper at the point next year than they are now. Not concerned about that at all. Now they could use another big guy.

[LA Muskie]

I don't doubt that J. But I'm not so sure next year will be his year. It's hard enough to play at this level after a year off. It's even harder when you've never played at this level yet.

Based on what I've seen this year I think there's a good chance Myles starts at PG next year with Sumner playing the next most PG minutes (and often pushing Myles over to the 2).

[DC Muskie]

Who's in the recruiting pipeline for PG? We can never have enough.

In fact can someone breakdown our spots for the next two years?

I see us for next year:

Seniors:
Farr
Abell

Juniors:
Reynolds
Davis
Randolph

Sophomores:
Bluiett
London
Mcura
Austin
O'Mara
Sumner

Next year we have coming in:
Gates

I agree, I think we need a big name.

[TUclutch]

Who's in the recruiting pipeline for PG? We can never have enough.

In fact can someone breakdown our spots for the next two years?

I see us for next year:

Seniors:
Farr
Abell

Juniors:
Reynolds
Davis
Randolph

Sophomores:
Bluiett
Macura
Austin
O'Mara

Next year we have coming in/Freshman:
Gates
Sumner
London

I agree, I think we need a big name.

Fixed your post

[XUFan09]

A.J. Harris committed to OSU and the 2015 point guard class overall is pretty weak. In 2016, Xavier Simpson would be a good get.

[xu82]

I am pretty sure Sumner was brought in to be the PG of the future. He will eventually start and get spelled by Austin, Davis and Randolph (if he is still here). Xavier will be deeper at the point next year than they are now. Not concerned about that at all. Now they could use another big guy.

I was under the same impression, but in the limited minutes I saw him this year he looked out of sorts. I'm of the same mind as LA here, it's a big jump. Hopefully when fully healthy he can get up to speed quickly. Does he get to at least practice this year? That could help to some extent. I still wonder if he's done growing and can remain a PG. Tough to defend against quickness when you get past his listed height.

[DC Muskie]

I was under the same impression, but in the limited minutes I saw him this year he looked out of sorts. I'm of the same mind as LA here, it's a big jump. Hopefully when fully healthy he can get up to speed quickly. Does he get to at least practice this year? That could help to some extent. I still wonder if he's done growing and can remain a PG. Tough to defend against quickness when you get past his listed height.

Is London the only guy who red shirted? Did we lose a year on Sumner?

[BandAid]

Is London the only guy who red shirted? Did we lose a year on Sumner?

Sumner received a medical red shirt

[xu82]

Is London the only guy who red shirted? Did we lose a year on Sumner?

I'm pretty sure Sumner gets his year back, but I'm sure we have a better source than me.

[xu82]

Sumner received a medical red shirt

There you go, my only question is who would get it first!

[DC Muskie]

Thanks!

[muskienick]

Unlike Reynolds and Myles Davis when they were academic freshmen, Sumner will practice with (and against) D-1 players all this year. While that is likely nowhere nearly as efficient in preparing a player to compete at the high-Division 1 level by playing in actual games, you would have to think that Sumner would have a far smoother transition to the game than Myles did last year or a legitimate freshman would without a redshirt year.

I think we are likely to see A LOT of Edmond Sumner next season whether at the point or in the 2.

[94GRAD]

So with Dee done at end of year who is being groomed to be the point guard for next year? I am asking because Myles Davis is a 2 not a 1 and Randolph and Austin are not getting nearly enough time to make me comfortable about our floor general for next year. Does anyone think Randolph should be getting more time now to get him better prepared for next season? Just a thought that creeped up in my head while waiting for this game to start.

I'm officially sure you're not an X fan. Edmond is the PG next year with Myles as the backup.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Why so much hate for nasdadjr? Has he ever said I hate X and hope they lose every game?

[X-man]

Why so much hate for nasdadjr? Has he ever said I hate X and hope they lose every game?

He's a troll, that's why. If he came to this board and was man enough to identify himself as a fan of whatever program he actually roots for (clearly not Xavier), he is welcome in my book. But pretending to be a Xavier fan while constantly sniping at the team and the coach is what trolls do. And they should be banned from this board.

[XfansinKy]

It may take some adjusting but talent and athleticism always makes the jump to D1 smoother. With that said, I can answer the thread question and put my fellow X fans mind at rest in just three words...
Edmon Sumner

[xu82]

It may take some adjusting but talent and athleticism always makes the jump to D1 smoother. With that said, I can answer the thread question and put my fellow X fans mind at rest in just three words...
Edmon Sumner
Ha. Let me guess.... Were you a math major? At UC?

[XfansinKy]

:headscratch: EKU grad. Civil engineering major with much better friends and connections in the program than any amount of math skills. Pythagorean is an extinct dinosaur right?

[xu82]

:headscratch: EKU grad. Civil engineering major with much better friends and connections in the program than any amount of math skills. Pythagorean is an extinct dinosaur right?

No, pretty sure it's an STD. Be careful...

[LA Muskie]

Unlike Reynolds and Myles Davis when they were academic freshmen, Sumner will practice with (and against) D-1 players all this year. While that is likely nowhere nearly as efficient in preparing a player to compete at the high-Division 1 level by playing in actual games, you would have to think that Sumner would have a far smoother transition to the game than Myles did last year or a legitimate freshman would without a redshirt year.

I think we are likely to see A LOT of Edmond Sumner next season whether at the point or in the 2.

I don't think Sumner is practicing. I'm pretty sure they shut him down to try to heal the knees.

[XUFan09]

I don't think Sumner is practicing. I'm pretty sure they shut him down to try to heal the knees.

Yeah, they said he might practice some this year, but only if it doesn't interfere with the rehab on his tendonitis. He probably spends a lot of time on the bike and in the pool.

[Thor in 204]

I think Brandon Randolph is still the player to unseat as next year's starting point guard. He knows what kind of game Sumner has and decided to stay at X rather than transferring. His experience will be a big advantage, at least early on in the season.

For some reason, he seems to lack confidence. He came in as a freshman and stepped in and looked good in the early part of the season. Assuming he stays at X and can come back with more confidence in his skills and in understanding of the offense and defensive schemes, he will be the starter at least at the beginning of the season, and a valuable member of the point guard rotation, throughout the season.

[X-Fan]

I think Brandon Randolph is still the player to unseat as next year's starting point guard. He knows what kind of game Sumner has and decided to stay at X rather than transferring. His experience will be a big advantage, at least early on in the season.

For some reason, he seems to lack confidence. He came in as a freshman and stepped in and looked good in the early part of the season. Assuming he stays at X and can come back with more confidence in his skills and in understanding of the offense and defensive schemes, he will be the starter at least at the beginning of the season, and a valuable member of the point guard rotation, throughout the season.

The more this season progresses, the more I could see Myles starting at PG next year. He handles the ball pretty well, passes well, has an improving a Dribble-Drive game, and can make teams pay for playing off him. All the times this year teams have played off of Dee and dared him to shoot. No way they could do that with Myles. Woukd love it if Brandon stepped up, but I like the idea of Myles touching the ball every offensive possession.

[XUFan09]

Brandon just dribbled in place and passed the ball around a few feet beyond the top of the arc. He didn't really get the offense moving and he didn't probe the defense with the dribble-drive (which would probably be his strength).

[xu82]

Brandon just dribbled in place and passed the ball around a few feet beyond the top of the arc. He didn't really get the offense moving and he didn't probe the defense with the dribble-drive (which would probably be his strength).

Not only was there a notable drop off in offense, I felt like they smelled blood when he was in and were eager to trap him. It made me nervous. But he CAN do it. The first part of last year showed what he's capable of and will hopefully be building upon. He's got physical tools. These are kids turning into men. Confidence comes at difefrent times for different people.

[XU 87]

Brandon just dribbled in place and passed the ball around a few feet beyond the top of the arc. He didn't really get the offense moving and he didn't probe the defense with the dribble-drive (which would probably be his strength).

I was disappointed how Brandon ran the offense yesterday. He would dribble up to half court, see two defenders, pick up his dribble and then get trapped.

[LA Muskie]

Brandon just dribbled in place and passed the ball around a few feet beyond the top of the arc. He didn't really get the offense moving and he didn't probe the defense with the dribble-drive (which would probably be his strength).

Exactly. He also missed wide-open teammates (Myles open for a 3 in transition in the 1st half comes to mind). Randolph is not running an offense. He is just moving the ball, mostly to the guy standing closest to him.

[xu82]

I was disappointed how Brandon ran the offense yesterday. He would dribble up to half court, see two defenders, pick up his dribble and then get trapped.

That's a pretty good description of what I saw. Not a good thing... but a good description. Hopefully much better days are ahead.

[XUFan09]

Exactly. He also missed wide-open teammates (Myles open for a 3 in transition in the 1st half comes to mind). Randolph is not running an offense. He is just moving the ball, mostly to the guy standing closest to him.
I feel like Brandon needs an actual play to be called from the bench in order to run the offense. Dee, on the other hand, gets the offense running on his own. It's pretty straightforward:
- Direct players on where to move, whether it's making cuts, shifting over, or setting screens.
- Move with the ball, rotating the defense as it follows you and creating new gaps for players to move to or post-up opportunities
- Pass around the perimeter, not ten feet behind the line
- Pass and then cut, opening up a space on the perimeter
- Take your man off the dribble inside the arc. It doesn't even have to result in a shot for you or a teammate, as it still makes the defense scramble

Now, that is not an exhaustive list but more of a basic one. Dee does most of these things very well, but a backup PG should be able to do some of these things at least effectively. Larry Austin, in limited minutes, has shown that he does. Dribbling in place five feet from the halfcourt line and then passing to the guy next to you is not offense.

[American X]

J.P. Macura is the best passer on the team.

[GoMuskies]

JP is also phenomenal in the open court. Not sure he could run the team full time, but I love him as a point forward.

[Emp]

Sumner's size will be important if we are going to match up against the bigger guards we are encountering in the BE, and in late postseason rounds. I hope his body can adapt to his growth.