The Future

[The Doddfather]

Watching these NCAA Tourney games, these teams are going 9-10 guys deep. We were very thin this year, especially after Matthews took his hiatus and Gueye got hurt. It's amazing to me that we have come this far playing basically 7 guys per game (save Ogbanda playing big minutes in the wake game). The key in the upcoming years is building some depth through recruiting. I think CJP has made some big steps in recruiting for next year. We have made huge strides this year, even ahead of schedule, but we need to remember that this is still a rebuild. That's what CJP signed up for after all ( believe me, the announcers tell us that every game). I'm optimistically hoping for 20+ wins again next year (for the 3rd yr in a row), but 20+ wins before the post-season is definitely in our sites with the nucleus we have coming back. Alvarado or JM has to take over the point for Heath. But with Tadric, JO, and big Tex (insert nickname here) coming back, the future is bright. Can't wait for Tuesday in the Garden!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I am not overly confident that the team is markedly better next year. I think Heath and Heyward will be hard to replace in experience and leadership at the point. Moore as a junior and Alvarado as a sophomore will be much better than both next year. I hope for slightly better but it could be a bit worse. However, landing a couple strong shooters could change that dynamic. Or Alvarado could surprise in his maturity and composure as a freshman, etc.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Want to add that my confidence in the direction and long-term leadership and momentum in the program is much rosier than immediate prospects next year.

If overachieving and coming together as a team becomes a yearly phenomenon then I will adjust my expectations up. But until that is more than a one year trend I am expecting more once the program "gets old and stays old."

 

[Peacone36]

I dunno. I'm having a lot of fun this year but the only thing I'm worried about next year transitioning from Heath to Alvarado is turnovers. I think JA will probably be a better scorer as a frosh.

I like what Josh has done this year for us. He and Corey have been steady hands and he's played a heck of a lot better than I thought was possible preseason but he still does somethings that absolutely enrage me. That could also be attributed to the type of PG he is. His reluctance to push the ball sometimes is a DNA thing. Though he has done it a bit better lately. One thing about Heath is he is a sneaky SOB as an offthe ball defender. In that zone he will come off his man and stick his nose in there and knock balls away ALOT. Love that

Jax needs to step into that defensive stopper for us next year when Heyward is gone. He has the talent and athleticism it just comes down to desire and I think it will happen. He seems to really be enjoying this season I hope he will be inspired to improve on that end of the floor and realize that it can lead to transition buckets for him because he really is a one man fast break.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

My concern in losing Heath and Heyward is in maintaining their collected assist to turnover ratio, defensive pressure, and ability to manage the pacing and behavior of the underclassmen, or even Tadric who has a way of still seeing a 1 on 3 situation as a fast break opportunity for himself. I am also concerned about getting the ball to Lammers as the real floor general, or 2nd pg. I think that Heath especially played a major factor in the fluidity of the half court offense. Success there was largely dependent on good and abundant passing, as well as the violent in and out cuts. And speaking of Lammers, still no proven backup for him and AD healing and then progressing well is a big unknown.

Okogie, Tadric, and probably Alvarado can all do a good job pushing the ball for the transition offense, which has been critical for success this year. But does the half court improve a little, a lot, or even get weakened some? I am hopeful, sure, but not very optimistic until I see the new recruits bring better perimeter shooting with them. For example, just look at how much better the team has been overall in the NIT when Stephens has been a much better shooter than most of the year. Hopefully we get that part of the current O next year, but I am waiting to see it.

Sometimes all the talk of possible commits like MJ and Tucker and Blumbergs who can all shoot so well has a way of making one start to feel as if they are a given, and one can get overly optimistic. If some of those kind of prospects commit I will adjust my expectations up. My expectations for next year are still fluid and likely to change much over the coming months.

 

[BigDaddyBuzz]

Alvarado is the real deal at PG and is a great ball handler. He does not turn the ball over very often. I think we get back into the NCAA tourney next year bc I am confident we close strong in recruiting and that includes grad transfers.

 

[jeffgt14]

I'm confident in JA but agree we will miss Heath more than we think. We were very much a defensive/half-court offense type of team and there were times where we would start trying to run with the other team and it didn't end well. Heath was great at slowing the game down to run our offense through Lammers. And yes his defense was also terrific. Very smart player. Sometimes threw some bad passes but also had some great ones mixed in.

 

[YlJacket]

Any time you have to count on freshmen it is a crap shoot. Even if you are talking about burger boys. So I am hopeful we are slightly better next year but right now it is just that - hope.

More worrisome though is that we don't even know who the 4 is for next year. Most likely it is someone not on the roster or commit list right now - with Okogie as a backup. Until we know that it is really hard to know whether we will be better or not.

Finally I don't think we have to go 9 or 10 deep. I think that is really a rarity where they actually play 9 or 10 deep legitimately. Not that we were not unbelievably thin this year but I think most teams are playing 7/8 legitimate minutes.

 

[MikeJackets]

The aim of GT men's basketball for 2017-2018 should be to win 20 games in the regular season. That would get GT in the NCAA Tournament no questions asked.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Alvarado is the real deal at PG and is a great ball handler. He does not turn the ball over very often. I think we get back into the NCAA tourney next year bc I am confident we close strong in recruiting and that includes grad transfers.

I am hopeful in this manner as well, just waiting to see CJP close some more recruits first to declare myself an actual optimist and build some confidence.

I expect improvement from the returners, but also expect opponents to better game plan us, and improve their focus on individuals like Okogie. Also, I noticed how second games against teams didn't go as well and our underwhelming road record. I am not filled with confidence that freshmen can come in, learn the offense and defense, and handle the improved game planning against us, and make it easier to win on the road. Road wins will be critical for NCAA worthy improvement.

The biggest key to as much or greater success next year will likely be in the improvements and leadership of returning players. But, surprising maturity and quick adjustments by freshmen could end up a huge factor.

Now that I think about it, the grad transfer market could be really crucial to success next year. When I imagine Lammers, Tadric, Okogie, with the incoming freshmen and an Adam Smith type senior transfer . . . then I could have rising expectations beyond my current hope for similar success.

 

[Peacone36]

Freshman pGs are always going to experience a leaning curve. Look at PJ Dozier at USCe or even Derrick Walton at Michigan. Those guys had big reps coming in and struggled early in their careers. Given time and reps they were able to blossom but it took time. Going from HS to the ACC is always going to take time.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Freshman pGs are always going to experience a leaning curve. Look at PJ Dozier at USCe or even Derrick Walton at Michigan. Those guys had big reps coming in and struggled early in their careers. Given time and reps they were able to blossom but it took time. Going from HS to the ACC is always going to take time.

Very true.

Like others I am excited in Alvarado and think he will be an excellent pg. But is his toughness, attitude, and immediately better scoring ability going to be less than, equal to, or better than Heath overall? Is a true fresh w/ the ACC learning curve really equal or better than the 5th year senior, coaches son? Eventually, absolutely. Next year? Open question.

I really wish Alvarado had a year with Heath and Heyward to mature. Indeed, how Moore progresses could be a huge factor as JA will need chances on the bench to get coached up and see the game in the ACC slowed down.

Letting Lammers pace the half court offense also will be key.

 

[JDjacket]

I feel like we talk about if our team with this defense had some shooters but most of the better shooters don't have the defensive work rate we've seen this year. If Pastner can get the defensive work rate out of good shooters, it's going to be a fun ride.

 

[scotts]

I have to believe our freshmen guards next year will be better outside shooters and scorers than Heath/Heyward. While our defense may suffer, I believe their offensive output will more than offset their defensive lapses.

 

[GT_B]

With lammers/okogie/tadric all back next year and adding Alvarado, that 4 right there should be enough to make the NCAA tourney if everyone is playing well next year again. Now we will be a higher seed? No, prob not, but making it in as a 7-11 seed seems probable. Maybe something like 10-8 or 11-7 in ACC play and 22-11 overall.

 

[YlJacket]

I feel like we talk about if our team with this defense had some shooters but most of the better shooters don't have the defensive work rate we've seen this year. If Pastner can get the defensive work rate out of good shooters, it's going to be a fun ride.

Not just work rate but knowing what CJP wants them to do. Rotations in college are a lot more complex and critical than most HS/AAU teams. And the speed is 2X what they are used to. Most college coaches talk about the defensive transition limiting freshmen's PT befor offensive issues

The core of this year's team was D. With Lammers coming back I don't expect that to change. It would be great to find we have Heath's defense with ACC level shooting but it has to start with maintaining that level D

 

[CuseJacket]

 

[MikeJackets]

With lammers/okogie/tadric all back next year and adding Alvarado, that 4 right there should be enough to make the NCAA tourney if everyone is playing well next year again. Now we will be a higher seed? No, prob not, but making it in as a 7-11 seed seems probable. Maybe something like 10-8 or 11-7 in ACC play and 22-11 overall.

I could see GT going 20-12 and making the NCAA Tournament in the 2017-2018 season as a 7-9 seed.

 

[RyanS12]

I could see GT going 20-12 and making the NCAA Tournament in the 2017-2018 season as a 7-9 seed.

I'll add to this by hoping we end up in Detroit for the first weekend. (I'll be there) Win the 1st rd game and then play Mich St in the 2nd rd and pull the upset. I can see us anywhere from a 7-10 seed. Msu will be a 1/2 seed. That's my dream scenario for next season. Lol.

 

[MikeJackets]

I'll add to this by hoping we end up in Detroit for the first weekend. (I'll be there) Win the 1st rd game and then play Mich St in the 2nd rd and pull the upset. I can see us anywhere from a 7-10 seed. Msu will be a 1/2 seed. That's my dream scenario for next season. Lol.