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RamblinRed

Helluva Engineer
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Write up on every transfer into an ACC program this year and how they might be used at their new school.

247sports.com

Realistic expectations for every 2024-25 ACC basketball transfer

Scouting reports and intel on the fit for each of the 84 new transfers heading to the ACC this upcoming season.
247sports.com 247sports.com

Javian McCollum, from Oklahoma

Expected role: Starting combo guard.

McCollum is a stud. He was one of the top pick-and-roll scorers in the country last year for an undermanned Oklahoma club. McCollum is so dynamic off the bounce, and he can operate as Georgia Tech's lead guard or as a spot-up assassin next to Nait George. McCollum's 31% 3-point mark is a bit deceiving. McCollum often had to operate as Oklahoma's late-clock, bail-us-out option. He shot just 4-for-24 on 3-pointers with less than four seconds left on the shot clock. McCollum can be one of the best guards in the ACC with a few subtle tweaks in his game.

Luke O'Brien, from Colorado

Expected role: Likely starting forward.

O'Brien knows how to play next to talented hoopers. He's a low-usage, off-ball wing who will be a connector. O'Brien shot over 37% from 3-point range and is an excellent cutter. Turn your head and O'Brien is cutting to the rim. His tape is littered with 45 cuts. O'Brien isn't much of a self-creator, but that won't be his job for this Georgia Tech club. O'Brien is not some defensive stopper, but he's not a sieve on that end.

Duncan Powell, from Sacramento State

Expected role: Wing rotation.

Powell's strengths are pretty clear. He's an excellent offensive rebounder and he can be effective in post-ups. His passing at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds is interesting, too. But he has to become a better shooter to be a real asset at the high-major ranks. Powell made 14 3-pointers in 27 games this past season at a 29% clip. Opposing defenses didn't close out on him with any urgency.

Ryan Mutombo, from Georgetown

Expected role: Backup center.

Georgia Tech didn't have a 7-footer on the roster. Insert Mutombo. The 7-foot-2, 265-pound center has a massive frame, but he struggled to crack the rotation at Georgetown. He'll likely sop up the minutes at the 5 behind star sophomore Baye Ndongo.
 

gameface

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
325
RamblinRed said:
Write up on every transfer into an ACC program this year and how they might be used at their new school.

247sports.com

Realistic expectations for every 2024-25 ACC basketball transfer

Scouting reports and intel on the fit for each of the 84 new transfers heading to the ACC this upcoming season.
247sports.com 247sports.com

Javian McCollum, from Oklahoma

Expected role: Starting combo guard.

McCollum is a stud. He was one of the top pick-and-roll scorers in the country last year for an undermanned Oklahoma club. McCollum is so dynamic off the bounce, and he can operate as Georgia Tech's lead guard or as a spot-up assassin next to Nait George. McCollum's 31% 3-point mark is a bit deceiving. McCollum often had to operate as Oklahoma's late-clock, bail-us-out option. He shot just 4-for-24 on 3-pointers with less than four seconds left on the shot clock. McCollum can be one of the best guards in the ACC with a few subtle tweaks in his game.

Luke O'Brien, from Colorado

Expected role: Likely starting forward.

O'Brien knows how to play next to talented hoopers. He's a low-usage, off-ball wing who will be a connector. O'Brien shot over 37% from 3-point range and is an excellent cutter. Turn your head and O'Brien is cutting to the rim. His tape is littered with 45 cuts. O'Brien isn't much of a self-creator, but that won't be his job for this Georgia Tech club. O'Brien is not some defensive stopper, but he's not a sieve on that end.

Duncan Powell, from Sacramento State

Expected role: Wing rotation.

Powell's strengths are pretty clear. He's an excellent offensive rebounder and he can be effective in post-ups. His passing at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds is interesting, too. But he has to become a better shooter to be a real asset at the high-major ranks. Powell made 14 3-pointers in 27 games this past season at a 29% clip. Opposing defenses didn't close out on him with any urgency.

Ryan Mutombo, from Georgetown

Expected role: Backup center.

Georgia Tech didn't have a 7-footer on the roster. Insert Mutombo. The 7-foot-2, 265-pound center has a massive frame, but he struggled to crack the rotation at Georgetown. He'll likely sop up the minutes at the 5 behind star sophomore Baye Ndongo.
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Curious how may think O'Brien will replace Reeves as starter.
 

MtnWasp

Ramblin' Wreck
Messages
989
gameface said:
Curious how may think O'Brien will replace Reeves as starter.
Click to expand...
Our roster is put together like a dougnut, with mostly Freshmen and Seniors (and 2 core sophs).

As others have predicted, I expect to see a lot of rotation in the line-up, at least until a group establishes itself as the team core. It never really happened last season.

That said, to start the year, I expect Stoudamire to exploit that Senior experience to avoid early season flubs:

George - McCollum - Reeves - O'Brien - Ndongo (Can this group defend?). I don't think we recruited Mustaf, Sutton or Onwuchekwa to sit and I think Terry plays. So any on that list (And maybe Powell also) could work themselves into being a heavy minute guy.

Who emerges is up to the players, but I feel more confident that Stoudamire is looking as much for 5 guys with competitive toughness and high motor as he is for talent.

I think a lot will depend on who can bow-up and defend. Therefore, if Reeves gets pushed, it would be by either Mustaf or Terry. Similarly, O'Brien could be pushed by Sutton or Powell for defensive reasons, or Ndongo could be moved out to the 4 to allow Onwuchekwa to use his size to defend the post if he is ready to do it.
 

gameface

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
325
MtnWasp said:
Our roster is put together like a dougnut, with mostly Freshmen and Seniors (and 2 core sophs).

As others have predicted, I expect to see a lot of rotation in the line-up, at least until a group establishes itself as the team core. It never really happened last season.

That said, to start the year, I expect Stoudamire to exploit that Senior experience to avoid early season flubs:

George - McCollum - Reeves - O'Brien - Ndongo (Can this group defend?). I don't think we recruited Mustaf, Sutton or Onwuchekwa to sit and I think Terry plays. So any on that list (And maybe Powell also) could work themselves into being a heavy minute guy.

Who emerges is up to the players, but I feel more confident that Stoudamire is looking as much for 5 guys with competitive toughness and high motor as he is for talent.

I think a lot will depend on who can bow-up and defend. Therefore, if Reeves gets pushed, it would be by either Mustaf or Terry. Similarly, O'Brien could be pushed by Sutton or Powell for defensive reasons, or Ndongo could be moved out to the 4 to allow Onwuchekwa to use his size to defend the post if he is ready to do it.
Click to expand...
So you think Ndongo starts at the five? I think CDS signed too many centers so he does not have to play 5.
 

Root4GT

Helluva Engineer
Messages
3,040
gameface said:
So you think Ndongo starts at the five? I think CDS signed too many centers so he does not have to play 5.
Click to expand...
I would bet in most games Ndongo gets by far the most minutes of any other combination of bigs. There will be games where other big guys start or get match up minutes but I firmly believe we will see Ndongo playing a role similar to last season just at a much higher level and with a better supporting cast.
 

gameface

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
325
Root4GT said:
I would bet in most games Ndongo gets by far the most minutes of any other combination of bigs. There will be games where other big guys start or get match up minutes but I firmly believe we will see Ndongo playing a role similar to last season just at a much higher level and with a better supporting cast.
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I agree Ndongo gets the most minutes of all the bigs; but mainly at the 4. Keep in mind there is only one basketball, so a 5 who mainly plays defense with a few put backs still works.
 

Jack

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
257
Root4GT said:
I would bet in most games Ndongo gets by far the most minutes of any other combination of bigs. There will be games where other big guys start or get match up minutes but I firmly believe we will see Ndongo playing a role similar to last season just at a much higher level and with a better supporting cast.
Click to expand...
A lot depends on the new bigs.
I have hopes for Mutombo.
He has reasons enough to be inspired. This is his last year and he is home and near his family.
 

YlJacket

Helluva Engineer
Messages
3,260
Mutumbo would unfortunately return our offense to the glorious days of the clogged toilet offense. Having watched a bit of him as a Georgetown fan he will not be an elite rim defender or rebounder.

As much as I am a fan of 80’s NBA structure with post, midrange and a bit of 3 point shooting, those days are long gone
 
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