A Sea Of Red

Who's our starting 5? Does Tomasz go back to the 4 and Drew to the 5?

All I'm prepared to say about next year is that I'll bet we won't win 10 D1 games...again.

PG- Braxton Bonds
SG- Joe Retic
F- Stavian Allen
F- Thomas Gielo
F- Andrew Smith

PG Braxton Bonds
SG Osandai Vaughn (JUCO transfer I believe will be signing this spring)
SF Gielo
PF Stavian Allen/Ezra Talbert
C Smith

This lineup will give us great length and still be an upgrade in athleticism, especially when Allen is in there. Not a lot of bulk, but I expect Smith to work to put on some muscle in anticipation of this move.

I think Bonds has 4 year starter and team leader written all over him. Retic will be a really solid backup at the point and also see PT at the 2 and 3. If we go smaller at times with Gielo at the 4, we could see Kemrite, Alcagaire, Retic, or newcomer AC Reid at the 3.

I think the Bonds/Retic dynamic will be interesting to watch.

The big question to me is who plays the center/third forward position. I think Retic and Bonds will be the two guards with Smith and Gielo at the first two forward positions. Maxwell could be the 5 but he needs to muscle up some lice I said about the 7 foot kid.

PG- Braxton Bonds or Joe Retic
SG- Retic or Wesley Alcegaire
SF- Tomasz Gielo or AC Reid
PF- Andrew Smith or Stavian Alen
F/C- Evan Maxwell or Smith

Kemrite or Talbert would be off the bench guys so id run an 8-10 man rotation

I just don't see Retic and Bonds starting alongside one another. Sure, they may see some time on the floor together, but both of their games are pass first point guards, and neither are knock-down shooters. Teams would be able to pack the paint against us. Our only 3-point weapon would be Gielo.

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jcmanson wrote:I just don't see Retic and Bonds starting alongside one another. Sure, they may see some time on the floor together, but both of their games are pass first point guards, and neither are knock-down shooters. Teams would be able to pack the paint against us. Our only 3-point weapon would be Gielo.

For now, I'll go with:

PG - Retic
SG - unknown 2 guard recruit probably JUCO
SF - Gielo
PF - Talbert/Allen
C - Smith

I think Bonds will push Retic and may take over as starter once we hit conference play.

still need a juco or 2. preferably a 2guard and center.

Smith and Gielo are more productive at the 4 and 3 respectively.
hoping
Retic
Vaughn
Gielo
Smith
Juco
realistic
Retic
Juco
Gielo
Talbert/Allen
Smith

jcmanson wrote:For now, I'll go with:

PG - Retic
SG - unknown 2 guard recruit probably JUCO
SF - Gielo
PF - Talbert/Allen
C - Smith

I think Bonds will push Retic and may take over as starter once we hit conference play.

I see this being the lineup for our opening game only if Retic demonstrates clear superiority in running the team during early practices. If it's close, I think you hand the reigns to the kid who will be coming off leading 3 straight state championship teams (see what I did there pop?). Then you go to work selling Retic on how his versatility can be such an asset to the team, playing 25-30 minutes a game at the 1, 2 and 3, which is something Bonds could not do. Keep in mind that while Retic was a PG last year and during his one year of JUCO ball, he had not played the position before then. He was a SF in HS. I believe Bonds has been a PG since he was a toddler.

olldflame wrote:

jcmanson wrote:For now, I'll go with:

PG - Retic
SG - unknown 2 guard recruit probably JUCO
SF - Gielo
PF - Talbert/Allen
C - Smith

I think Bonds will push Retic and may take over as starter once we hit conference play.

I see this being the lineup for our opening game only if Retic demonstrates clear superiority in running the team during early practices. If it's close, I think you hand the reigns to the kid who will be coming off leading 3 straight state championship teams (see what I did there pop?). Then you go to work selling Retic on how his versatility can be such an asset to the team, playing 25-30 minutes a game at the 1, 2 and 3, which is something Bonds could not do. Keep in mind that while Retic was a PG last year and during his one year of JUCO ball, he had not played the position before then. He was a SF in HS. I believe Bonds has been a PG since he was a toddler.

You want to crush Retic's confindence? Start him then replace him with a Frosh. If he starts he stays. Whether at the 1 or 2 but you will destroy a kids confidence like that

I get the feeling Retic is adaptable to multiple roles. I thought he did a great job yesterday looking for his shot when he realized that was the best option for the team. He can be a shooter. Ended up shooting 35.3 percent from 3, albeit in a limited sample size. The point move was more about how poorly the team played with either Marshall or Sanders running point. I think as long as you send him into next year with a clearly defined role, whatever it is, he'll adapt.

That's why I say if it looks like Bonds is the real deal once practices start, you make him the starting PG from day one and define Retic's role from there.

I think Retic is one who could develop into scoring option...Lang hit on a point when he said the he can be a shooter. If he works on it in the offseason, he could coexist with Bonds if BB gets the start at the point.

Bonds, Kemrite, Smith, Gielo, Ogukwe.

Retic, Allen, and Maxwell getting the primary time off the bench.


Going to be a long season.

Addition by subtraction.

TDDance234 wrote:Bonds, Kemrite, Smith, Gielo, Ogukwe.

Retic, Allen, and Maxwell getting the primary time off the bench.


Going to be a long season.

I would be VERY surprised if that is our starting lineup, but if it is, it would actually bode well for the team IMHO. It would mean that Sommy had finally gotten his mojo back and could play up to his capabilities and that Kemrite is the real deal.

You don't mention Ezra Talbert at all. I personally think he will contribute as much as Allen or maybe more. Those pullup jumpers of his may not look as sexy as Allen's dunks in a mixtape video, but they will be easier to get off against D1 competition, and count for the same 2 points. Possibly 3 if he can extend his range a bit.

jcmanson wrote:I just don't see Retic and Bonds starting alongside one another. Sure, they may see some time on the floor together, but both of their games are pass first point guards, and neither are knock-down shooters. Teams would be able to pack the paint against us. Our only 3-point weapon would be Gielo.

I think it could work...as I said before, if Retic can work on his midrange and perimeter game both he and BB can spread the floor along with Gielo. It also gives them a secondary ballhandler at the two which would be helpful against pressing teams

Oldflame taking the words from my head. Totally agre. Even if bonds is the full time pg you still need 10 min a game from retic. I think he finds 30 to 35 min no matter what happens. I still think we need to find a juco big man bad with that last pick. Donley is not a d1 player so use his scholly on another g/f.

As has been much speculated, Sommy Ogukwe will be transferring.

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/ogukwe-to-transfer/

That gives us 2 schollies to work with this Spring. Should be 3 soon.

If he has graduated, he may be able to swing a D1 transfer as a grad student and play right away, but I would think he will more likely drop down to D2 or NAIA. At this point I doubt any D1 program would be interested anyway. He's just not the same player since his knee injury.

This should open one up for the much rumored Vaughan signing and if Donley is gone as many speculate on here, that should be the third one that olldflame is referencing which will give us an opportunity to pick up another small forward or scoring guard option.

yup Donley gone

so says MANSON

http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/donley-to-transfer/

Long year awaits. 20 loss season? Again? 3 in a row?
Same coaches, different players. No off season momentum to build on.
Like a hamster on a wheel, Moving forward getting no where.