J Reynolds..

[atljar]

Quick update in the Enquirer about Jalen. I love how he has been quoted as "dominant" and "really good. REALLY GOOD"




"
Reynolds recently earned preseason All-Big East first-team honors and has lived up to the accolade in the team’s first two weeks of practice. He entered the season wearing the coveted gold jersey at practice – a reward for having the best stats at the end of last season – and nabbed the honor again this week.

“His first couple weeks of practice now have been really good. Really good. He’s been dominant,” Mack said.

Reynolds also plays with immense passion, a trait that has led to technical fouls throughout his career. Last year alone he was whistled for a team-high nine technicals (Murray State, Georgetown twice, Villanova, DePaul, Seton Hall, Providence, Marquette and Cincinnati).

The Musketeers can’t afford for Reynolds to lose his composure as often this season, both from a foul standpoint and a consistency perspective. That’s a big reason Mack tested Reynolds earlier this week at an intra-squad scrimmage moderated by college referees.

Reynolds was called for a technical – thanks, in part, to Mack.

“I told the referees that if Jalen said anything to them, looked their way, to please hit him with a technical,” Mack said.

“I want Jalen to be better than he was a year ago, and he’s going to be better. If that struck, if that happened, I wanted him to be able to deal with adversity and be a next-play guy, which he’s struggled with throughout his career - being able to let go of a bad call or a good call, being able to let go of foul trouble.”
"

[X-Fan]

Quick update in the Enquirer about Jalen. I love how he has been quoted as "dominant" and "really good. REALLY GOOD"




"
Reynolds recently earned preseason All-Big East first-team honors and has lived up to the accolade in the team’s first two weeks of practice. He entered the season wearing the coveted gold jersey at practice – a reward for having the best stats at the end of last season – and nabbed the honor again this week.

“His first couple weeks of practice now have been really good. Really good. He’s been dominant,” Mack said.

Reynolds also plays with immense passion, a trait that has led to technical fouls throughout his career. Last year alone he was whistled for a team-high nine technicals (Murray State, Georgetown twice, Villanova, DePaul, Seton Hall, Providence, Marquette and Cincinnati).

The Musketeers can’t afford for Reynolds to lose his composure as often this season, both from a foul standpoint and a consistency perspective. That’s a big reason Mack tested Reynolds earlier this week at an intra-squad scrimmage moderated by college referees.

Reynolds was called for a technical – thanks, in part, to Mack.

“I told the referees that if Jalen said anything to them, looked their way, to please hit him with a technical,” Mack said.

“I want Jalen to be better than he was a year ago, and he’s going to be better. If that struck, if that happened, I wanted him to be able to deal with adversity and be a next-play guy, which he’s struggled with throughout his career - being able to let go of a bad call or a good call, being able to let go of foul trouble.”
"
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!

I cannot wait for this season to start!

Go X!!!!

[Milhouse]

This year will be his swan song. Lets hope he goes out on an ultra high note.

[kyxu]

This year will be his swan song. Lets hope he goes out on an ultra high note.

Personally, I think he should stick around for another year to further develop and improve his NBA stock.

*fart noise*

[XUFan09]

Personally, I think he should stick around for another year to further develop and improve his NBA stock.

*fart noise*
Lol

[xukeith]

This year will be his swan song. Lets hope he goes out on an ultra high note.

When signing or committing, he promised a final 4!
Talk is cheap. This is the year!

[Emp]

We need someone to set a over/ under line, or poll, on how many halves Jalen will take to reach 1,5, and 10 TFs.

9, holy shit. I thought it was five or six. Cmon Jalen. DWest outgrew the whining, you can do this! You'll be awesome, w'll be awestruck.

[Milhouse]

I bet he really only deserved 4 of those tops.

He had SEVERAL reputation techs in the big east. Then a handful of double techs...which happens as well.

I think it was murray state or something, but some kid on the other team Viciously pulled JP Macura down when he was about to throw down a dunk. That kid got ejected as it wasn't a play on the ball at all. Jalen got up immeadiately and ran over to JP to make sure he was okay. He got a tech and ejected because he left the bench and ran onto the floor. I'm not saying it shouldn't be a rule, but it's an unfortunate technicality, I for one am glad he cares as much about his teammates as he does.

[Muskie]

I bet he really only deserved 4 of those tops.

He had SEVERAL reputation techs in the big east. Then a handful of double techs...which happens as well.

I think it was murray state or something, but some kid on the other team Viciously pulled JP Macura down when he was about to throw down a dunk. That kid got ejected as it wasn't a play on the ball at all. Jalen got up immeadiately and ran over to JP to make sure he was okay. He got a tech and ejected because he left the bench and ran onto the floor. I'm not saying it shouldn't be a rule, but it's an unfortunate technicality, I for one am glad he cares as much about his teammates as he does.

Yes. But that's the exact kind of tech I hope he eliminates. He can't help the team win a Big East Title if he's not on the floor.

[Xville]

I hope that Jalen is the dominant force he should be this year...but I will believe it when I see it. With his athletic talent, he should be averaging 15 and 10 this year no question about it. Hopefully, he has matured enough to the point that he realizes that staying on the floor is more important than whining about a call or getting in someone's face.

[casualfan]

I hope that Jalen is the dominant force he should be this year...but I will believe it when I see it. With his athletic talent, he should be averaging 15 and 10 this year no question about it. Hopefully, he has matured enough to the point that he realizes that staying on the floor is more important than whining about a call or getting in someone's face.

I agree with all of this.

Given the reports of him dominating practice I wonder who is spending the majority of the time guarding him?

[Milhouse]

I hope that Jalen is the dominant force he should be this year...but I will believe it when I see it. With his athletic talent, he should be averaging 15 and 10 this year no question about it. Hopefully, he has matured enough to the point that he realizes that staying on the floor is more important than whining about a call or getting in someone's face.

These are just unrealistic expectations...I don't think anyone realizes how ridiculous those stats are to get in a conference like the Big East.

In the last 2 years 4 players from Power conferences have averaged double digits in rebounds....none averaged 15 ppg.

I understand your thought process, but 15 ppg and 10 rpg are very unrealistic expectations in this league with this competition night in night out.

13 and 8 would be reasonable and probably push him into the second round

[Xville]

These are just unrealistic expectations...I don't think anyone realizes how ridiculous those stats are to get in a conference like the Big East.

In the last 2 years 4 players from Power conferences have averaged double digits in rebounds....none averaged 15 ppg.

I understand your thought process, but 15 ppg and 10 rpg are very unrealistic expectations in this league with this competition night in night out.

13 and 8 would be reasonable and probably push him into the second round

If someone like Josh Smith from Georgetown who admittedly is a decent player, can average 11 and 6...I think Reynolds can get 15 and 10. I know those numbers are pretty lofty, but I believe that is just how much potential Reynolds really has (if he puts it all together). The Big East doesn't have a whole lot of stand out Big Men...actually very very few, so I believe he can and should dominate the league. He has the athleticism to do so.

[Juice]

If someone like Josh Smith from Georgetown who admittedly is a decent player, can average 11 and 6...I think Reynolds can get 15 and 10. I know those numbers are pretty lofty, but I believe that is just how much potential Reynolds really has (if he puts it all together). The Big East doesn't have a whole lot of stand out Big Men...actually very very few, so I believe he can and should dominate the league. He has the athleticism to do so.

Only 18 people averaged 10 or more rebounds total in all of the NCAA last year. For a refresher that includes 351 teams x about 10+ scholarship players, so 18 guys out of 3,510 guys averaged 10+ rebounds and you think Jalen can do that after he averaged 6.1 rebounds last year? OK.

[XUFan09]

If someone like Josh Smith from Georgetown who admittedly is a decent player, can average 11 and 6...I think Reynolds can get 15 and 10. I know those numbers are pretty lofty, but I believe that is just how much potential Reynolds really has (if he puts it all together). The Big East doesn't have a whole lot of stand out Big Men...actually very very few, so I believe he can and should dominate the league. He has the athleticism to do so.
Josh Smith was one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, and a good defensive rebounder. I think Jalen will be better than him, but not *that* much better than him. You are asking Jalen to average more than 1.5 times the rebounds of one of last year's better rebounders, and you are asking him to do that when he's playing alongside possibly the league's best rebounder. It just isn't realistic, especially when the front court has enough pieces that Jalen can get rest. He doesn't need to play Holloway-level minutes for this team.

[paulxu]

I don't care what he averages as long as were in the FF.

[Xtemporaneous]

I agree with all of this.

Given the reports of him dominating practice I wonder who is spending the majority of the time guarding him?

Gaston. As mean and as nasty as Reynolds. And as Mack said, "the only guy in the BEAST that isn't afraid of him." Trust me Gaston doesn't take his $hit.

[Milhouse]

If someone like Josh Smith from Georgetown who admittedly is a decent player, can average 11 and 6...I think Reynolds can get 15 and 10. I know those numbers are pretty lofty, but I believe that is just how much potential Reynolds really has (if he puts it all together). The Big East doesn't have a whole lot of stand out Big Men...actually very very few, so I believe he can and should dominate the league. He has the athleticism to do so.

Yeah Jalen was very close to those numbers last year.

Again the difference between 11 and 6 and 15 and 10 is HUGE.

People love to throw the double double stat but it's just not realistic.

Not too mention Jalen will literally be competing with James Farr for rebounds. I fully expect Farr to average 7+.

[SC in DC]

OK, 14 and 9 and Final-4, baaaby!

[Xville]

Only 18 people averaged 10 or more rebounds total in all of the NCAA last year. For a refresher that includes 351 teams x about 10+ scholarship players, so 18 guys out of 3,510 guys averaged 10+ rebounds and you think Jalen can do that after he averaged 6.1 rebounds last year? OK.

If he is smart and can stay on the floor yes I think he can. The potential for Jalen is sky high. I think last year he was a good player, this year I think he can be great and with the tools that he has, I think he can and should get those numbers. Personally I believe that a lot of you are selling short just how dominant he should be. He's 6'10, has an nba body, and is a freakish athlete. I don't know if he has improved his outside shot over the summer, but if he has, watch the hell out.

[drudy23]

Jeff Robinson dominated practice too...just saying.

But I have more belief in this one.

[Juice]

If he is smart and can stay on the floor yes I think he can. The potential for Jalen is sky high. I think last year he was a good player, this year I think he can be great and with the tools that he has, I think he can and should get those numbers. Personally I believe that a lot of you are selling short just how dominant he should be. He's 6'10, has an nba body, and is a freakish athlete. I don't know if he has improved his outside shot over the summer, but if he has, watch the hell out.

Jahlil Okafor averaged 8.5 rebounds last year, KArl Anthony-Towns averaged 6.7, WCS averaged 6.4, Kaminsky averaged 8.2, Myles Turner averaged 6.5, Trey Lyles averaged 5.2. Do you want me to continue with guys who were drafted in the first or early 2nd round who didn't even average close to 10 rebounds a game that are/were better NBA prospects than Jalen?

[Xville]

Jahlil Okafor averaged 8.5 rebounds last year, KArl Anthony-Towns averaged 6.7, WCS averaged 6.4, Kaminsky averaged 8.2, Myles Turner averaged 6.5, Trey Lyles averaged 5.2. Do you want me to continue with guys who were drafted in the first or early 2nd round who didn't even average close to 10 rebounds a game that are/were better NBA prospects than Jalen?

Karl Towns, WCS, Lyles didn't play anywhere near the minutes that Jalen should average if he stays on the floor. Kaminsly is a much different player than Jalen...Okafor and Turner ok fair enough.

Let's not forget that West did it (though against weaker competition)...now i'm not comparing Reynolds to West...at least not yet. However, Reynolds certainly has the athletic ability to do what West did in college. You guys act like it can't be done...i say with his game, he can.

Maybe you all should go up and tell Reynolds how he can't do it....that may just be the motivation he needs.

[bobbiemcgee]

Nabbing the gold jersey with the talent on this team makes me giggity.

[xukeith]

Did he win the Gold Jersey this year? Maybe it is too early.

[X-band '01]

It's awarded weekly; Jalen won the gold jersey in Week 1.

[X-Fan]

What and why Jalen did or didn't do this or that the last two years is irrelevant. The variables are completely different this season. How this team approaches offense, defense, playing time, and rotation will be very different from Jalen's first two seasons. For better or worse, the offense went through Matt and Dee last year. It was effective and certainly got results, but it also limited Jalen's impact. I have no idea what his output will be this year, but even if it is 15 & 10, it wont solely be because he's smarter, more disciplined, etc... Those are important factors, but increased experience and opportunity are more likely why we'll see him excel.

[markchal]

Yeah, I think he's in line for a terrific year, but let's not throw crazy expectations on him already. This is going to be the first year he's arguably our best player and he's not at a level of dominance where everything will flow exclusively through him. This team is going to have a lot of scoring options, which will eat into his ppg total, and will probably play a lot faster (according to Mack) this year, so I imagine there will be less opportunity for him to get the number of touches needed to average 15ppg.

And someone else said it too, but it's not like he's our only big, as Farr is a terrific rebounder (better than Jalen imo), so that cuts into what he'd pull down too.

Still though, Jalen should have a monster season.

[Juice]

Karl Towns, WCS, Lyles didn't play anywhere near the minutes that Jalen should average if he stays on the floor. Kaminsly is a much different player than Jalen...Okafor and Turner ok fair enough.

Let's not forget that West did it (though against weaker competition)...now i'm not comparing Reynolds to West...at least not yet. However, Reynolds certainly has the athletic ability to do what West did in college. You guys act like it can't be done...i say with his game, he can.

Maybe you all should go up and tell Reynolds how he can't do it....that may just be the motivation he needs.

David West was the AP Player of the Year. I bet you a beer that Jalen doesn't even receive one vote.

I'm glad you're high on Jalen. I think he's going to have a great season but be reasonable.

Also, I was simply listing all the big men in this year's draft to give a broad sample.

[XUMIOH12]

Karl Towns, WCS, Lyles didn't play anywhere near the minutes that Jalen should average if he stays on the floor. Kaminsly is a much different player than Jalen...Okafor and Turner ok fair enough.

Let's not forget that West did it (though against weaker competition)...now i'm not comparing Reynolds to West...at least not yet. However, Reynolds certainly has the athletic ability to do what West did in college. You guys act like it can't be done...i say with his game, he can.

Maybe you all should go up and tell Reynolds how he can't do it....that may just be the motivation he needs.

Theres just not that many players who average 10+ rebounds per game in college basketball. It's extremely hard to do.

[XUMIOH12]

# of D1 players with 10+ RPG over the last 10 seasons (with # of players from Power 5 and Big East in parentheses):

14-15 - 17 (3)
13-14 - 17 (3)
12-13 - 15 (5)
11-12 - 22 (8)
10-11 - 24 (6)
09-10 - 22 (6)
08-09 - 19 (8)
07-08 - 22 (10)
06-07 - 10 (2)
05-06 - 20 (3)

[XUMIOH12]

It just shows that in order to average 10+ RPG in D1 basketball, you either need to be an elite rebounder, or you need to be a great or better rebounder playing in a weaker league against overmatched competition most games.

[Xville]

Seeing those numbers I know that my expectations for Jalen are pretty loft, but that is just how dominant I think he can potentially be. He just has to put it all together. Now if he is more in the 13 and 8 range I'm not going to be upset. That is still one helluva season. However I think he should be shooting for his ceiling and see how things play out. I'm excited for the season to start.

[XUMIOH12]

Seeing those numbers I know that my expectations for Jalen are pretty loft, but that is just how dominant I think he can potentially be. He just has to put it all together. Now if he is more in the 13 and 8 range I'm not going to be upset. That is still one helluva season. However I think he should be shooting for his ceiling and see how things play out. I'm excited for the season to start.

Right, obviously we all hope he averages over 10rpg, but if he "only" has 7 or 8 per game, I think most people will be pretty satisfied with that.

[WCWIII]

I saw much improvement in Jalen over the course of last season (knowing he was a marked player) in terms of restraining his emotions - not 100% perfect, but he was trying. It's JP that I have some concerns over ... he similarly has very good talent but needs to be reminded to know to let his game speak for itself. But this thread is about Jalen and it's the fact that I think he gets it ... that we are all excited about what and who he'll become this season.

[xu82]

I saw much improvement in Jalen over the course of last season (knowing he was a marked player) in terms of restraining his emotions - not 100% perfect, but he was trying. It's JP that I have some concerns over ... he similarly has very good talent but needs to be reminded to know to let his game speak for itself. But this thread is about Jalen and it's the fact that I think he gets it ... that we are all excited about what and who he'll become this season.

It would be nice if Jalen got it together enough to sit JP down and have a heart to heart. It might be better than anything a coach could offer. (See, back on the Jalen-centric path...... and true.)

[XUFan09]

I saw much improvement in Jalen over the course of last season (knowing he was a marked player) in terms of restraining his emotions - not 100% perfect, but he was trying. It's JP that I have some concerns over ... he similarly has very good talent but needs to be reminded to know to let his game speak for itself. But this thread is about Jalen and it's the fact that I think he gets it ... that we are all excited about what and who he'll become this season.
JP is good enough at pissing off the other guy without getting caught that he's a net positive on that front. I bet he'd lead the league in technicals *drawn* this coming year, if that stat was actually kept. And all other fanbases in the league are going to hate him.

[nasdadjr]

Didn't bother to read everything here but if he can get the back down hit 5 ft hook or slam off pick and roll we saw the last 7 games or so he will he a dominate player. Problem is fouls and consistency. Let's hope he has it day 1 cause he can be the dominant big in conference if he can figure it out

[Olsingledigit]

# of D1 players with 10+ RPG over the last 10 seasons (with # of players from Power 5 and Big East in parentheses):

14-15 - 17 (3)
13-14 - 17 (3)
12-13 - 15 (5)
11-12 - 22 (8)
10-11 - 24 (6)
09-10 - 22 (6)
08-09 - 19 (8)
07-08 - 22 (10)
06-07 - 10 (2)
05-06 - 20 (3)

Compare this with Bob Pelkington who averaged 21 RPGs in my freshman year at X. And he was only 6'7". He barely nipped Paul Silas of Creighton for the rebounding title in the NCAA that year.

[bleedXblue]

He actually got upset about an out of bounds call in the scrimmage and yelled an expletive. Trust me, I really didn't care. But, there's lots of kids in the crowd at the event and it's only a scrimmage. I'm not expecting him to be significantly better this year. I'm sure he'll get T'd up a few times. It's too bad because if he could channel the aggression, I think it can help him become a better player.

[Cheesehead]

He actually got upset about an out of bounds call in the scrimmage and yelled an expletive. Trust me, I really didn't care. But, there's lots of kids in the crowd at the event and it's only a scrimmage. I'm not expecting him to be significantly better this year. I'm sure he'll get T'd up a few times. It's too bad because if he could channel the aggression, I think it can help him become a better player.

Saw that as well and I recalled he got pulled from the scrimmage immediately. The kicker is my son tells me he is very nice off the court. I hope Jalen can grow up a bit.

I am tired of kids w/ talent but are head cases, see: Jeff Robinson, Justin Martin.

[casualfan]

What I'm most interested in watching is how the depth behind Jalen develops this year.

In other words, will O'Mara and London be able to play solid minutes when needed.

I think we can all agree that a huge part of what makes Jalen great, his tenacity, is also the reason it's imperative we have functional depth behind him.

He's going to foul a lot and he's going to get a lot of T's. It is what it is. I think people who are hoping for drastic improvements in those areas in year 4 of his college career are setting themselves up to be disappointed.

With that said, O'Mara and London need to show they can be solid in his absence so he can continue to play balls out.

Worst case scenario for me is that there is a significant drop-off between Jalen and the guys behind him to the point it gets in his head.

If he picks up foul 1 early in the first half i don't want to see him immediately go into a shell for the rest of the first half because he's worried about what will happen if he gets number 2 and has to come out.

[Xville]

What I'm most interested in watching is how the depth behind Jalen develops this year.

In other words, will O'Mara and London be able to play solid minutes when needed.

I think we can all agree that a huge part of what makes Jalen great, his tenacity, is also the reason it's imperative we have functional depth behind him.

He's going to foul a lot and he's going to get a lot of T's. It is what it is. I think people who are hoping for drastic improvements in those areas in year 4 of his college career are setting themselves up to be disappointed.

With that said, O'Mara and London need to show they can be solid in his absence so he can continue to play balls out.

Worst case scenario for me is that there is a significant drop-off between Jalen and the guys behind him to the point it gets in his head.

If he picks up foul 1 early in the first half i don't want to see him immediately go into a shell for the rest of the first half because he's worried about what will happen if he gets number 2 and has to come out.

Don't forget about Farr as well. However, yes frontcourt depth is also a concern for me heading into the season. I think we are pretty set in the backcourt and along the wings...I trust that Austin and Sumner will be able to carry the load, but front court depth concerns me just because I don't know if O'Mara has taken a big step forward and if London is ready to contribute.

[casualfan]

Don't forget about Farr as well. However, yes frontcourt depth is also a concern for me heading into the season. I think we are pretty set in the backcourt and along the wings...I trust that Austin and Sumner will be able to carry the load, but front court depth concerns me just because I don't know if O'Mara has taken a big step forward and if London is ready to contribute.

Yes, Farr is there, but I'm operating under the assumption Farr will see most of his minute at the 4 alongside Jalen.

I guess you could plan on Farr playing the 5 when Jalen is out, but that opens up a lot more minutes at the 4 so it doesn't really change anything about needing London or O'Mara to contribute. Unless you plan on playing Trevon at the 4 for large stretches O'Mara and/or London are going to have to play.

[Juice]

Yes, Farr is there, but I'm operating under the assumption Farr will see most of his minute at the 4 alongside Jalen.

I guess you could plan on Farr playing the 5 when Jalen is out, but that opens up a lot more minutes at the 4 so it doesn't really change anything about needing London or O'Mara to contribute. Unless you plan on playing Trevon at the 4 for large stretches O'Mara and/or London are going to have to play.

1) Farr is the 5 and not Reynolds. He has slower feet and is so much less mobile.
2) There isn't that big of a distinction between the 4 and 5 in X's defense. At lot of it is just having the ability to guard the guy you're match up with.
3) Trevon probably will play a lot of minutes at the 4 when X goes small.

[casualfan]

1) Farr is the 5 and not Reynolds. He has slower feet and is so much less mobile.
2) There isn't that big of a distinction between the 4 and 5 in X's defense. At lot of it is just having the ability to guard the guy you're match up with.
3) Trevon probably will play a lot of minutes at the 4 when X goes small.

So you made a point of defining that Farr is specifically a 5 and Reynolds specifically a 4 then go on to claim there isn't a big distinction between the two at X.

If that's the case why go to all the trouble of making your first point?

Regardless, my original point was that Farr is going to spend most of his time playing alongside Jalen, not backing him up. There will be times when Farr is in without reynolds and when that happens either O'Mara or London are going to have to play.

Yes, there is the option of going small but that's not going to work against most of our decent OOC games and most Big East teams.

[xufan2434]

I think O'Mara makes a nice jump this year. He showed a lot of promise last year and just needed the game to slow down a little bit for him. I expect it to heading into his sophomore year. Best case scenario, he makes a jump similar to what Jason Love did his sophomore year, and I think Sean was the better freshman.

[Juice]

So you made a point of defining that Farr is specifically a 5 and Reynolds specifically a 4 then go on to claim there isn't a big distinction between the two at X.

If that's the case why go to all the trouble of making your first point?

Regardless, my original point was that Farr is going to spend most of his time playing alongside Jalen, not backing him up. There will be times when Farr is in without reynolds and when that happens either O'Mara or London are going to have to play.

Yes, there is the option of going small but that's not going to work against most of our decent OOC games and most Big East teams.

No, my point is that you were wrong but also that it doesn't matter really but ok.

And Villanova plays 4 out and 1 inside and they dominate the league and are consistently ranked in the top 5/10.

[KC4X]

From @XavierMBB...

Xavier's @JalenReynolds captures the Week 2 #GoldJersey - the 9th of his career, moving him into 6th place all-time. pic.twitter.com/TGk0AlDOQv
1:51pm - 26 Oct 15

[Muskie]

From @XavierMBB...

Xavier's @JalenReynolds captures the Week 2 #GoldJersey - the 9th of his career, moving him into 6th place all-time. pic.twitter.com/TGk0AlDOQv
1:51pm - 26 Oct 15

We keep stats on the Gold Jersey?

[X-band '01]

I'm sure Tom Eiser has a #GoldJersey stat log in his files somewhere.

[Xville]

So you made a point of defining that Farr is specifically a 5 and Reynolds specifically a 4 then go on to claim there isn't a big distinction between the two at X.

If that's the case why go to all the trouble of making your first point?

Regardless, my original point was that Farr is going to spend most of his time playing alongside Jalen, not backing him up. There will be times when Farr is in without reynolds and when that happens either O'Mara or London are going to have to play.

Yes, there is the option of going small but that's not going to work against most of our decent OOC games and most Big East teams.

Admittedly, I don't know anything about his game but I know that Gates has some length...I think in the 6'8ish range? I think he may be a little too thin right now for the position, but could he realistically play some at the 4 as well?

[XUFan09]

Admittedly, I don't know anything about his game but I know that Gates has some length...I think in the 6'8ish range? I think he may be a little too thin right now for the position, but could he realistically play some at the 4 as well?
He hasn't been practicing unfortunately, so it remains to be seen. Theoretically, yes. He apparently has the lateral quickness to guard a 3, which is exciting, as a long 6'8" guy guarding wings would be great.

[Xville]

No, my point is that you were wrong but also that it doesn't matter really but ok.

And Villanova plays 4 out and 1 inside and they dominate the league and are consistently ranked in the top 5/10.

I forgot to see where it has ever been said by Mack or anyone from the coaching staff that Farr or Reynolds is distinctively a 4 or a 5. If someone can show me, I'll eat crow but I don't think either one of them has a "defined" front court position other than Forward.

It would be nice to dominate the league like Villanova does, but I'm not really a fan of that model. It just doesn't seem to hold up come tournament time for the most part (I know they reached the final four with it the one year with Cunningham)....you have to be able to pound the ball inside and rebound because there is going to come a time in the tournament when shots are just not falling.

[Juice]

I forgot to see where it has ever been said by Mack or anyone from the coaching staff that Farr or Reynolds is distinctively a 4 or a 5. If someone can show me, I'll eat crow but I don't think either one of them has a "defined" front court position other than Forward.

It would be nice to dominate the league like Villanova does, but I'm not really a fan of that model. It just doesn't seem to hold up come tournament time for the most part (I know they reached the final four with it the one year with Cunningham)....you have to be able to pound the ball inside and rebound because there is going to come a time in the tournament when shots are just not falling.

I agree that Mack doesn't specify exactly which front court player is which, and that's why I said that there isn't a difference in X's system. But where I think a person can tell is by who is guarding who. I expect Farr to guard the bigger, less mobile, center types (like Stainbrook did last year) and Jalen to guard the more mobile, big men.

[GIMMFD]

I forgot to see where it has ever been said by Mack or anyone from the coaching staff that Farr or Reynolds is distinctively a 4 or a 5. If someone can show me, I'll eat crow but I don't think either one of them has a "defined" front court position other than Forward.

It would be nice to dominate the league like Villanova does, but I'm not really a fan of that model. It just doesn't seem to hold up come tournament time for the most part (I know they reached the final four with it the one year with Cunningham)....you have to be able to pound the ball inside and rebound because there is going to come a time in the tournament when shots are just not falling.

I agree with this, it reminds me a little of the 04-10 Duke teams that had pure shooters, the Jon Scheyer's, the JJ Redicks, etc. but they lived and died by the 3 and had some early exits, it seems in years they're successful and win (like last year) they have a good big man that can make plays in the post. If Jalen and company can just simply contribute, we'll be fine. We don't need them to score 20 a game to win, we just need them to make key offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, and shoot a high percentage. I'm hoping our free throw troubles are in the past too and that our bigs have been working on that aspect, because lord knows Jalen and Farr aren't the best at shooting free throws.

[Juice]

I agree with this, it reminds me a little of the 04-10 Duke teams that had pure shooters, the Jon Scheyer's, the JJ Redicks, etc. but they lived and died by the 3 and had some early exits, it seems in years they're successful and win (like last year) they have a good big man that can make plays in the post. If Jalen and company can just simply contribute, we'll be fine. We don't need them to score 20 a game to win, we just need them to make key offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, and shoot a high percentage. I'm hoping our free throw troubles are in the past too and that our bigs have been working on that aspect, because lord knows Jalen and Farr aren't the best at shooting free throws.

They won a national championship in 2009-2010.

And the difference between those years and now is their recruiting. Coach K wasn't bringing in the top athletes he's bring in now. He wasn't recruiting or landing players like Jones, Okafor, and Winslow.

[GIMMFD]

They won a national championship in 2009-2010.

I know that, they beat Butler, they had a decent big man rebounder in Lance Thomas that year, Brian Zoubek could rebound, and had Mason Plumlee, and Miles Plumlee. They had good big men that knew their role, because majority of the scoring came from Singler and Scheyer, I guess I should have cut the dates off at 09! My apologies!!

[casualfan]

No, my point is that you were wrong but also that it doesn't matter really but ok.

And Villanova plays 4 out and 1 inside and they dominate the league and are consistently ranked in the top 5/10.

I must have missed all the time Pinkston spent hanging around the perimeter.

[Chalmers0]

I must have missed all the time Pinkston spent hanging around the perimeter.

Pinkston actually played as much time as the 5 as he did at the 4.

[Juice]

Pinkston actually played as much time as the 5 as he did at the 4.

Thank you.

Ochefu was 6th in minutes played. The top five in minutes on Nova were Pinkston and the 4 other guards and wings.

[XUFan09]

I agree that Mack doesn't specify exactly which front court player is which, and that's why I said that there isn't a difference in X's system. But where I think a person can tell is by who is guarding who. I expect Farr to guard the bigger, less mobile, center types (like Stainbrook did last year) and Jalen to guard the more mobile, big men.
Yep. Offensively, it doesn't really matter, but defensively, Farr is a 5. He lacks the mobility to guard a number of 4s effectively. That is what hurt last year in the post defensively; in addition to Stainbrook being Stainbrook defensively, Farr was often playing out of position alongside him. Alongside Jalen, he was able to play his more appropriate position.

[XUFan09]

Thank you.

Ochefu was 6th in minutes played. The top five in minutes on Nova were Pinkston and the 4 other guards and wings.
Plus, Pinkston wasn't really a prototypical post player.

[casualfan]

Thank you.

Ochefu was 6th in minutes played. The top five in minutes on Nova were Pinkston and the 4 other guards and wings.

Ochefu, Pinkston and Jenkins combined for just about 70 minutes a game last year. That's 70 minutes a game where they had two bigs on the floor.

[Chalmers0]

Ochefu, Pinkston and Jenkins combined for just about 70 minutes a game last year. That's 70 minutes a game where they had two bigs on the floor.

1. I don't consider Jenkins to be a "big"
2. According to KenPom's most used lineups for their last 5 games, which featured the same rotation as the rest of the season, they used 2 "bigs" 18.8% of the time. Even if you do count Jenkins as a big, it still is only around 32%.

[maketewahXalum]

Saw that as well and I recalled he got pulled from the scrimmage immediately. The kicker is my son tells me he is very nice off the court. I hope Jalen can grow up a bit.

I am tired of kids w/ talent but are head cases, see: Jeff Robinson, Justin Martin.

Better than having kids like this:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2402992-cincinnatis-octavius-ellis-throws-forearm-and-gets-ejected-leaves-in-tears

[JTG]

I think people may be underestimating OMara's contribution. With his size, if he can park himself in the lane , it will be like the opposition is going around a mini-barn to score or rebound, and that's all we need from him. To protect the lane & rebound, and get the occasional stick back or bunny.

[MADXSTER]

This is O'Mara's first year to concentrate on only basketball. He is not afraid of the weight room either. He may not surprise but I don't think he will disappoint people this season.

[XUMIOH12]

I think people may be underestimating OMara's contribution. With his size, if he can park himself in the lane , it will be like the opposition is going around a mini-barn to score or rebound, and that's all we need from him. To protect the lane & rebound, and get the occasional stick back or bunny.

Agreed, at the very least O'Mara will play some good defense inside, and grab some rebounds. Anything he does on offense would be a bonus at this point.

[Muskie]

I think people may be underestimating OMara's contribution. With his size, if he can park himself in the lane , it will be like the opposition is going around a mini-barn to score or rebound, and that's all we need from him. To protect the lane & rebound, and get the occasional stick back or bunny.

Ala Reggie Butler and Anthony Myles as underclassmen?

[XUFan09]

Ochefu, Pinkston and Jenkins combined for just about 70 minutes a game last year. That's 70 minutes a game where they had two bigs on the floor.
Just because he spent time at the 4, that doesn't make the 6'5" Jenkins a big. Even if we were to call him that, he would be a stretch 4, so the four out - one in concept would still be true.

And Pinkston was not a prototypical big. He might not have been putting up threes, but he wasn't parking in the lane either. If he were playing for Xavier, he would have spent a lot of time at the 3, like C.J. Anderson did. Both were tough, physical players who didn't shoot the ball but who still spent a lot of time off the block. (I don't think they're a lot alike but they are much more like each other than they are like most other players).

Daniel Ochefu was the only real big on that team.

[SemajParlor]

I don't know why people believe that traditional and distinct positions still matter in basketball.

[waggy]

I don't know why people believe that traditional and distinct positions still matter in basketball.

Says "internet guy".

Is point guard distinct?

[SemajParlor]

Says "internet guy".

Is point guard distinct?

No. But finding a talent that transcends what's asked of the traditional point guard position is the hard part. My point is, who cares whether Farr or Reynolds are labeled as a C or PF on the scoreboard. Having a designated PG or a designated PF, or C, is not essential to a team's success.

[casualfan]

Just because he spent time at the 4, that doesn't make the 6'5" Jenkins a big. Even if we were to call him that, he would be a stretch 4, so the four out - one in concept would still be true.

And Pinkston was not a prototypical big. He might not have been putting up threes, but he wasn't parking in the lane either. If he were playing for Xavier, he would have spent a lot of time at the 3, like C.J. Anderson did. Both were tough, physical players who didn't shoot the ball but who still spent a lot of time off the block. (I don't think they're a lot alike but they are much more like each other than they are like most other players).

Daniel Ochefu was the only real big on that team.

In the context of a comparison to bluiett, Pinkston and jenkins are "bigs".

Bluiett is a wing. Those guys, while they may be faceup players, are not wings.

If you guys think trevon compares to those guys more power to you. You're wrong. But more power to you

Those guys, while not traditional offensive bigs can rebound and defend against st traditional bigs. That's something I'd think you'd be stretching trevon's limits on.

[XUFan09]

In the context of a comparison to bluiett, Pinkston and jenkins are "bigs".

Bluiett is a wing. Those guys, while they may be faceup players, are not wings.

If you guys think trevon compares to those guys more power to you. You're wrong. But more power to you

Those guys, while not traditional offensive bigs can rebound and defend against st traditional bigs. That's something I'd think you'd be stretching trevon's limits on.

Okay, so they're closer on the spectrum to "bigs" than someone else so they must therefore be bigs. That doesn't necessarily follow in any way. It's like saying that a 5'10" guy is closer on the spectrum to being short than a 6'1" guy, so the 5'10" guy must therefore be short.

You are using as a comparison Trevon, who frankly wasn't that great at the 4. He really only played it to create mismatches on offense and to give more minutes to the offensive firepower availabe on the wing (and to match-up defensively against smaller lineups). So, "In the context of a comparison to Bluiett" is a really weak way to start your argument.

[casualfan]

Okay, so they're closer on the spectrum to "bigs" than someone else so they must therefore be bigs. That doesn't necessarily follow in any way. It's like saying that a 5'10" guy is closer on the spectrum to being short than a 6'1" guy, so the 5'10" guy must therefore be short.

You are using as a comparison Trevon, who frankly wasn't that great at the 4. He really only played it to create mismatches on offense and to give more minutes to the offensive firepower availabe on the wing (and to match-up defensively against smaller lineups). So, "In the context of a comparison to Bluiett" is a really weak way to start your argument.

This is why message boards are hilarious. Ppl jump in arguments midstream and don't understand where they started.

A refresher:

I said london or omara need to step up to provide depth in the frontcourt.

Someone responded and said bluiett could play the 4 quite a bit.

I said that's ridiculous.

They cited nova as an example of a team who plays 4 out.

I said that's not a good comparison because, while they play 4 out, they're still playing with two bigs.

That's right about when you jumped in thinking I was arguing jenkins and Pinkston are traditional bigs.

Which is not the case. I was saying the are much more a "big" than trevon, who is a wing.

Those guys allow nova to play 4 out effectively because they can face up and shoot from outside on O but still rebound and defend on D.

Xavier doesn't have a guy like that. So we likely won't play much 4 out. Hence the need for omara or london to provide quality depth behind Farr and Reynolds.

[Juice]

This is why message boards are hilarious. Ppl jump in arguments midstream and don't understand where they started.

A refresher:

I said london or omara need to step up to provide depth in the frontcourt.

Someone responded and said bluiett could play the 4 quite a bit.

I said that's ridiculous.

They cited nova as an example of a team who plays 4 out.

I said that's not a good comparison because, while they play 4 out, they're still playing with two bigs.

That's right about when you jumped in thinking I was arguing jenkins and Pinkston are traditional bigs.

Which is not the case. I was saying the are much more a "big" than trevon, who is a wing.

Those guys allow nova to play 4 out effectively because they can face up and shoot from outside on O but still rebound and defend on D.

Xavier doesn't have a guy like that. So we likely won't play much 4 out. Hence the need for omara or london to provide quality depth behind Farr and Reynolds.

I never said he could or would play it "quite a bit" but simply that he could play it or X would probably do it at some points. Huge difference.

[casualfan]

I never said he could or would play it "quite a bit" but simply that he could play it or X would probably do it at some points. Huge difference.

.......


1) Farr is the 5 and not Reynolds. He has slower feet and is so much less mobile.
2) There isn't that big of a distinction between the 4 and 5 in X's defense. At lot of it is just having the ability to guard the guy you're match up with.
3) Trevon probably will play a lot of minutes at the 4 when X goes small.

[Juice]

.......

"when X goes small"

It's right there.

[XUFan09]

This is why message boards are hilarious. Ppl jump in arguments midstream and don't understand where they started.

A refresher:

I said london or omara need to step up to provide depth in the frontcourt.

Someone responded and said bluiett could play the 4 quite a bit.

I said that's ridiculous.

They cited nova as an example of a team who plays 4 out.

I said that's not a good comparison because, while they play 4 out, they're still playing with two bigs.

That's right about when you jumped in thinking I was arguing jenkins and Pinkston are traditional bigs.

Which is not the case. I was saying the are much more a "big" than trevon, who is a wing.

Those guys allow nova to play 4 out effectively because they can face up and shoot from outside on O but still rebound and defend on D.

Xavier doesn't have a guy like that. So we likely won't play much 4 out. Hence the need for omara or london to provide quality depth behind Farr and Reynolds.

I don't care about your overall spat with Juice, seemingly mostly over semantics. I disagree with you because you claim Villanova's lineup still entails two bigs. I don't need to get up to speed on your back-and-forth to know that's wrong. Jenkins isn't a big and Pinkston is only kind of a big. And then, that doesn't even take into account that Pinkston spends a lot of time at the 5, moving Jenkins (once again, not a big) to the 4 or moving Hilliard or Hart to the 4 (definitely not bigs). So, at heart, Villanova's four-out offense is not based on two bigs. Essentially, Villanova this past season had 1.5 bigs total playing notable minutes, and a lot of the time not even together. The number one player on the Kenpom depth chart at the 4? Josh Hart.

[bleedXblue]

I guess message boards need their own version of pre-season workouts and conditioning to get ready for the real deal.

[XUMIOH12]

classic message board spat, arguing over essentially nothing

[paulxu]

Bullsh$t. I'm clearly in mid-season form.

Snipe is already in the E8.

[nuts4xu]

More great pub for Jalen Reynolds. He is poised for a monster season.

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/10/22/top-breakout-players-grayson-allen-duke-vj-beachem-notre-dame

[GoMuskies]

More great pub for Jalen Reynolds. He is poised for a monster season.

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/10/22/top-breakout-players-grayson-allen-duke-vj-beachem-notre-dame

15th?!? Jalen will punish SI for their sinful ways.

[xu82]

15th?!? Jalen will punish SI for their sinful ways.

That's fine, as long as he doesn't FOUL them in the process!