Just wondering???

[dukaholic]

If Loughton goes down, who will take his 30 minutes?

Mrksic? Vasylius? Dahi moving to the 4?

Just wondering, since it seems you have 3 billion guards, I would assume you have to be thin up front...

I heard Val is going to be something for the rest of the league to look out for, from a former player on Boo's AAU teams...I kinda hope he's wrong since there are 3 more highly touted players coming in for you ;)

[ODUhoopsCPL]

what if........ better question may be, Who cares to play this game?

[Al]

I'll play along Holic...

The options at center are Loughton, Mrksic, and Joe Principe. Joe will be a 5th year senior next year (he redshirted his freshman year). Joe's a great guy who works hard, but he's basically there to give 5 fouls. He has very little offensive skills and terrible hands.

ODU could also go small and try to outrun teams. TJ Waldon is a scrappy rebounder and I've heard great things about Dahi's athletic abilities (mostly from Heywood :) ).

This is all worst case senario. Knock on wood, I hope everyone stays healthy next year. That includes you, Mr "I Get Injured by Just Breathing" Waldon! :)

[Mr. Jablomi]

If Alex went down, it would make for a long year. That being said, Joe and Janko would see all the minutes at center, and Dahi, Val and TJ would all play some minutes at PF. I would not be shocked to see time when Dahi is the biggest guy on the floor. He and TJ are very athletic, and very good rebounders. If Taylor wanted to go small, and quick, he could run out those two at forward, with any combo of Hunter, Waller, Lidonde, Williamson at the guard/WG spots, and we'd be able to really get up and down the floor. We will at least have some versatility this year.

[dukaholic]

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Sounds like you have a lot of those "swing" type guys, and with Dahi you could use him at the 4 or even as the big forward in a 3 guard-2 forward set, as you mentioned. He'd definitely have the quickness that would force other teams to go zone...

[Mr. Jablomi]

Dahi would have a hard time defensively, in the low post, against a guy like Jesse Young, considering the size he'd be giving away. Considering this league won't have any guys like that (except maybe Loughton), Dahi could match up inside with just about any big man. Physically, he's a great deal like Kenny Adeleke, but with better hands, and skill. Same type of athlete.

[dukaholic]

He's built as big as Adeleke? I guess I figured a thinner frame on him...bigger than Nick George, or about the same with an inch on him?

[ramathon74]

Is there any JMU player who could go down and make a difference?

Hardest for VCU to lose would be Godwin or Jones.

[Mr. Jablomi]

He's about 6'7.5, 220lbs. Not thick, but very strong. Along the lines of a slightly bigger Nick George.
If VCU lost Jones, their offense would be non existent.

[ODUBB]

JMU can't lose Dwayne "I can dunk, I dunked all summer" Broyles. He should be the leading scorer for the Dukes. If Chris Williams learns to shot the ball, rather than shot put the ball, he could be devasting.

I agree with VCU, they can't lose Jones. Although, Godwin would hurt them.

As far as, ODU losing Laughton - it would be tough and make for a longer season. Old Dominion has always tried to have a big center or forward to control the play down low. Blaine is changing the way we've always done this. I think he's seen how the CAA operates and is building this team to compete at this level. (not sure) Hopefully, Alex will play great all season.

The Monarchs will persevere!

[UDPat]

Jablomi,

UD will have three post guys next year. can they play?? who knows. But don't say nobody will have this or that. we're all just listening to how the scghedule shouldn't even be played . well maybe next year but after that according to you what's the point. I know you're excited but let me just say that UD's recruiting class that will be seniors(Breys Last) was rated as high as 30 in the nation. Thats certainly higher then I've seen this year ODU's Boy they were wrong. With Ames, Wennt and a heathy David Lunn it's ok. Sean Knitter the gem of the classand couldn't play D. You just never know.

We have two guys offered by Providence and I know you laugh at Herb Courtney being a Mcdonalds nominee but he played against Tubby Smiths kid in a holiday tourny and went for 29 and 23. Tubby was gushing and when he found out he was going to UD he said he was going to call henderson to tell him what a steal he got in this kid. So I'll Tubby smiths word over any offer or any recruiting service you can throw out there.


UDPat


UDPat

[Mr. Jablomi]

Pat, jealousy is an ugly, ugly thing. You would trade classes without giving it a second thought.
BTW, four of our five recruits were nominated for the McDonald's game (Dahi, Lidonde, Williamson, Vasylius).

[UDPat]

Heywood,

Jealous??? Please, until you finish higher in the standings, go further in the tourny or even beat us regularly during the season(1 and 3 so far) give me a break. Your class is very impressive. You MISSED the point!! Three years from now you MAY be talking about this was supposed to be the class that turned the corner. It may , it may not. Time will tell. Now that we also are recruiting better kids , we'll start winning on a more consistent basis. And to think not so great times at UD is .500 during a transition time to a better league. So until until your a regular in the top 3 and we're not..... keep those jokes coming. :D _


UDPat

[mglau]

Dahi could match up inside with just about any big man


Considering what Troy Godwin did to Loughton last year, I would re-think this.

And before anyone goes off on the "Dahi is this and Godwin isn't that" rant, it is a pure physical mismatch. There are just too many cheeseburgers for Dahi to handle.

[Mr. Jablomi]

Godwin is a senior, Dahi will be a freshman. That being said, Arnaud is taller, much longer, and much more athletic. He'd be a completely different opponent for Godwin than Alex. He's VERY quick off his feet. If it were football, I'd give the edge to Godwin, but in hoops...

[dr. gunnie]

McDonalds nominee is kind of overrated... here are all the nominees from last year (about 1,400 in all).

http://www.sportsamericainc.com/Nominees%20-%20Web%20Site.pdf

[ramathon74]

1400 nominees - that should cover about every kid signed by a Div I program. Let's see 327 programs average 4 signees equals 1308, so some left over for Div II. Makes you wonder who wasn't nominated.

[Mr. Jablomi]

Gunnie, I agree. The topic of McDonald's nominees came up when UD fans were talking about Herb Courtney getting nominated. He's the only recruit they have that was nominated, and I pointed out that his nomination was no big deal, as I think I was the only guy in America last year NOT nominated for the game.

[dr. gunnie]

I saw that haywood, I wasn't really directing that comment at you...

[Monarch Sam]

Blaine took the very best players he could get. Every one wants a shot blocking center who can score and rebound. This year's recruiting class should make it easier for Blaine to get a center next year. He already has good scorers coming in. If he can pick up a defensive center who can brock shots and rebound we will be okay. Hey, stop trying to jinx Alex, OK?