Enquirer article on freshman

[XUGRAD80]

Check out this article from Cincinnati.com:

Big (fresh)men on campus: How Xavier's newest class is busy building a bond

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2020/08/26/2020-21-xavier-musketeers-basketball-freshmen-dwon-odom-colby-jones-cj-wilcher-hit-ground-running/5616577002/

It’s possible that you’ve got to be a subscriber to read this, but thought it was worth a try posting it

[bobbiemcgee]

Can't get it - maybe you can copy and paste.

[XUGRAD80]

I’ll try

[bleedXblue]

Would love to hear ANYTHING about Odom.

[surfxu]

Odom has the first quote in the article. Nice off season snipit really. Odom saying how the 3 freshmen have been in contact since they committed. Communication through phone calls and texts. When they all got on campus it was a very natural fit. All 3 are learning and are impressed with the "older" guys. Scruggs, Carter and transfer Ben Stanley mentioned specifically. Coaching staff is the same type of people they built a relationship with. By that I mean they are invested in them as people and developing their strengths and weaknesses. No bill of goods sold basically. Matt Jennings is a funny dude but kicks their butt in the weight room. I subscribe to the online Enquirer. Figure for a couple bucks a month I get some Muskie articles and keep in touch with the daily soap opera of city counsel, even though I don't live in town or Hamilton county.

[XUGRAD80]

"When we first got to campus back in June, I thought it was going to take a while for us to connect, but really, the first day when I got there and Colby got there – CJ was already there for two days – but when we all got in the room together we connected as quick as possible," said Odom, who has a case of Yoo-hoo chocolate drink proudly on display on a shelf behind him in his dorm room during a recent Zoom interview.

[XUGRAD80]

"Everybody brings something to the table that impresses me. The first week I was here I gained a lot of respect for Jason Carter," said Wilcher, who's roommates with Jones. "I didn’t know he was that good."

[XUGRAD80]

"Paul Scruggs. Learning a lot from him," said Odom. "Coming off of ball screens, reading the floor, doing that better. Paul is really impressive making decisions, playing slow to fast, so that’s what I’m getting better at."

[XUGRAD80]

Relationship and trust with the coaches was one of my big things when I was looking for a college to go to and they showed it when they recruited me and it’s been the same thing since I got up here," said Jones. "They’re the same people they were when they recruited me. It’s been fun."

[XUGRAD80]

"He is a fun dude to be around, but the workouts can be hell sometimes," Wilcher said. "I’m still sore from two days ago. It’s been tough but it’s been enjoyable. The work is work. We’re all working hard. We make it fun. We push each other in the weight room. Coach Jennings has his jokes. It’s always a good time in there."

[bobbiemcgee]

Thx.

[Xuperman]

Man, I am really happy to hear Ben Stanley mentioned. I for one am extremely excited at the possibility that he gets his waiver. If he doesn't, I fear that he will go pro somewhere next year and never suit up for X.

Let me go on the record in saying that Stanley is the ultimate wild card IMO. He WILL be a very effective scorer (22 D1 ppg will translate into significant production at any NCAA level). In fact, if he becomes eligible, I can not see how anyone on the roster can keep him out of the starting 5. IF he plays, he will be the difference in getting 10+ BE wins or not.

[noteggs]

"Everybody brings something to the table that impresses me. The first week I was here I gained a lot of respect for Jason Carter," said Wilcher, who's roommates with Jones. "I didn’t know he was that good."

Maybe he was reading our message board last year?

[sirthought]

Man, I am really happy to hear Ben Stanley mentioned. I for one am extremely excited at the possibility that he gets his waiver. If he doesn't, I fear that he will go pro somewhere next year and never suit up for X.

Let me go on the record in saying that Stanley is the ultimate wild card IMO. He WILL be a very effective scorer (22 D1 ppg will translate into significant production at any NCAA level). In fact, if he becomes eligible, I can not see how anyone on the roster can keep him out of the starting 5. IF he plays, he will be the difference in getting 10+ BE wins or not.

Stanley might get his waiver. UC's David DeJulius heard today that he'll be immediately eligible. Different players, but it could be a good sign. I'd say Stanley's argument for transferring is stronger than DeJulius' was.

But I'd be cautious about expecting too much. UC's Cane Broome ranked eighth in the country in scoring 23 ppg while at Sacred Heart, but struggled after transferring and not even going up against an impressive PG in Justin Jennifer to win minutes. Part of that was Cronin's style (maybe a lot). But it was also the difference in leagues and competition. I'm sure a lot of Big East players could excel at Hampton.

Stanley, it has been noted, is really bad at defense. Coaches will be demanding that effort before he gets on the floor—or I'd hope so. I agree he'll be a wildcard, and great for depth, especially in practice. Coach Steele found a great opportunity to get a guy who's hungry to impress and has a physique that could produce if he can follow coaching guidance.

[Xuperman]

Well, my take on Stanley is that either his ego, or those advising him, had him thinking pro ball after last season. No doubt the guy blew up as a soph and completely dominated the competition he was presented with...he's a man among boys.

I'm playing a hunch here but if you look at the abundance of video on him, IMO he will be the biggest difference maker as a transfer since Big Stain.

[Xuperman]

BTW, it doesn't get much better than a SIRTHOUGHT perspective.....you're due your props man!!

[Smails]

Stanley might get his waiver. UC's David DeJulius heard today that he'll be immediately eligible. Different players, but it could be a good sign. I'd say Stanley's argument for transferring is stronger than DeJulius' was.

But I'd be cautious about expecting too much. UC's Cane Broome ranked eighth in the country in scoring 23 ppg while at Sacred Heart, but struggled after transferring and not even going up against an impressive PG in Justin Jennifer to win minutes. Part of that was Cronin's style (maybe a lot). But it was also the difference in leagues and competition. I'm sure a lot of Big East players could excel at Hampton.

Stanley, it has been noted, is really bad at defense. Coaches will be demanding that effort before he gets on the floor—or I'd hope so. I agree he'll be a wildcard, and great for depth, especially in practice. Coach Steele found a great opportunity to get a guy who's hungry to impress and has a physique that could produce if he can follow coaching guidance.

This is good stuff. Stanley is crazy athletic, so I think that will help him make up for some shortcomings, but i don't think he's going to score at a really high level in the BE. I think he'll benefit from Freemantle's development because I think Zach is going to see more doubles this year. The Cane Broom comparison is a good one but why Broom chose Cincinnati is beyond me. That kid was born to run and gun and he decided to go an offensive system where cracking the 65 point mark was a big deal. Makes no sense.

[xukeith]

If Stanley averages 10 points a game, that is a huge get. More importantly will be rebounding. I will guess he averages 6 boards.
I don't think Carter is a strong rebounder. He and Fremantle will float to perimeter to launch from 3. We need a center (Miles or Griffin) to stay down low and dominate the glass. Ty Jones is hard to replace as he was the all time best rebounder I have ever seen at X.

[Final4]

If Stanley averages 10 points a game, that is a huge get. More importantly will be rebounding. I will guess he averages 6 boards.
I don't think Carter is a strong rebounder. He and Fremantle will float to perimeter to launch from 3. We need a center (Miles or Griffin) to stay down low and dominate the glass. Ty Jones is hard to replace as he was the all time best rebounder I have ever seen at X.

I'm guessing you're not old enough to have seen Ty Hill play. His hands were the size of a tennis racket.

[xukeith]

Man, I am really happy to hear Ben Stanley mentioned. I for one am extremely excited at the possibility that he gets his waiver. If he doesn't, I fear that he will go pro somewhere next year and never suit up for X.

Let me go on the record in saying that Stanley is the ultimate wild card IMO. He WILL be a very effective scorer (22 D1 ppg will translate into significant production at any NCAA level). In fact, if he becomes eligible, I can not see how anyone on the roster can keep him out of the starting 5. IF he plays, he will be the difference in getting 10+ BE wins or not.

I doubt a transfer from a low D1 school can 1) start for a high top 45 basketball school and 2) be the leading scorer.
Odds are he peaks at 9-14 points per game and 6-9 rebounds per game. I hope he averages 35 ppg and 18 rebounds a game but it’s not going to happen. Agree with others about his defense or lack there of. He will not play more than 5 minutes if he doesn’t play defense

[MHettel]

I doubt a transfer from a low D1 school can 1) start for a high top 45 basketball school and 2) be the leading scorer.
Odds are he peaks at 9-14 points per game and 6-9 rebounds per game. I hope he averages 35 ppg and 18 rebounds a game but it’s not going to happen. Agree with others about his defense or lack there of. He will not play more than 5 minutes if he doesn’t play defense

I see CJ Anderson here. Now, hear me out! I know everyone is going to say that Stanley is uber athletic, and CJ is not. I get that. But they both carved out a niche at a low D1 school.

CJ was just tough as nails and could bang with good footwork. He averaged 17-9 in 2 years with Manhattan......and 10 and 6 at XU. But he was EFFICIENT ON A GOOD TEAM. Didn't need any more than that.

Stanley put up 13 & 5 at Hampton overall, but his numbers were much better as a soph at 22 & 7. He translates in size to CJ. His ability to get to the line per minute is similar. His FG% is .577. CJs was .511 at Manhattan.

Reality is that Stanley was either scoring or getting fouled at an incredible rate. The Big East might have something to say about that, but I'm again making the jump for CJ from Manhattan to the A10, and seeing the bigger numbers and superior athleticism for Stanley and I think it adjusts for the A10 vs. BE gap.

But all said and done, I'd love to see a CJ type XU career where we can count of solid numbers on a really good team.

If Stanley dominates this year, it means were either REALLY GOOD, or REALLY BAD.

[joe titan]

I'm guessing you're not old enough to have seen Ty Hill play. His hands were the size of a tennis racket.

Or Connie Warren or Pelkington or Huck Budde.

[Smails]

I see CJ Anderson here. Now, hear me out! I know everyone is going to say that Stanley is uber athletic, and CJ is not. I get that. But they both carved out a niche at a low D1 school.



I can dig it. Definitely different types of players, but very similar back stories. I would take CJ production 8 days a week

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

[QUOTE=If Stanley dominates this year, it means were either REALLY GOOD, or REALLY BAD.[/QUOTE]

We have four starters back (its a stretch but I've included Tandy in that four). From what I've read on this board, most posters agree we will be a much deeper than last year. I'll concede that since we haven't seen so many of the new guys play, its hard to be too, too confident about our depth right now. Nevertheless, I'll assume most of the board is correct in that assessment. Their resumes, for what that is worth, look pretty good.

I'm uncertain what you mean by "dominate" but for arguments sake, I'm going to put it in the same broad category as Naji Marshall last year. And, if we have a deep team but have to rely on one player the way we did on Marshall last year, I'd say that doesn't bode well for X. It may also bring into question whether that depth really exists. I give Marshall credit for, at times, carrying the team last year. But, it wasn't really healthy for that team. It minimized the opportunity for players like Scruggs and in the end, our season wasn't anything close to what all of us on this board expect. We pretty much sucked.

I'm excited to see Stanley play and I hope he is as good as advertised. But, for X to get back on top of the B.E., one player (even one performing at a very high level) just isn't enough.