Yes, he's thinking a lot. He'll be a load when the moves become instinctive.His development will be interesting. His HS highlights show him with good range for a 7 footer, and he'll get Reveno's big man coaching. Right now he needs to gain a LOT of strength in the upper body...and he seems to be slow to rotate over on defense. He needs to be a physical presence down low. Good thing is those things can be improved on over time. You can't teach 7+ foot, and getting someone with that length that can handle the ball and shoot from the 3 isn't an everyday thing on the college level.
You also have to be excited about how he can combine with the shooters we have coming in, and the guards we have now and next year. Give it to Pastner and our staff, they are getting REALLY good talent to stack and back up their get old stay old mantra. As a GT fan, you have to be really excited seeing how well we're playing this season, and seeing how all the pieces will fit over the next 2-3 years.
A grad transfer big would be hugeIMO the biggest factor of how much we fall off next year is going to be how well Saba develops between now and then.
His potential on offense is certainly enticing especially with him working with coach Rev. Great size, and while he's fairly slow footed he's coordinated enough where he can put the ball on the floor and use his size to drive on big men who may not be used to dealing with guys his size trying to drive on them. He also has nice touch on his shots and showed in highschool at least the ability to pass. Once he develops he's going to be a match up issue for opposing teams. Just a matter of how long that take him to get there in my opinion.
My guess is next year we will start something like
Sturdivant, Devoe, and Coleman in the back court with Maxwell and Kelly coming off the bench. Now there is obviously a different dynamic in play but it wouldn't surprise me to see that group play at a similar level as our guards this year. More reliant on raw talent vs experience, but even then Sturdivant and Devoe would bring a good amount of experience as well. The issue comes with how do we compliment that group. We'd likely start something like Khalid at the 4 and Howard at the 5 based on what we've seen this year. That would be an alright group defensively but I would question if we would have enough offense. We'd basically need our guards to all show up, or at least 3, pretty much every game unless one of Moore or Howard took a leap. But if Saba could have the type of development that Moses had going into last year where he just gave us a consistent ~12 ish then that would do wonders towards balancing that lineup as his skill set would give us the option of going double big man looks or putting him at the 4 with Moore at the 4 for better wing defense.
In any case, I'm really looking forward to how he, and Howard, develop under coach Rev with his track record.
A grad transfer big would be huge
Does the NCAA "free year" apply to basketball as well? I was assuming so. And if that's the case, what are our chances of seeing Moses and Jose back for another season?
I highly doubt it. I see them both as 5's. Defensively I don't think either could guard a college 4, which these days tend to play more on the perimeter. I also don't think the offense would flow as nicely. The strength of next years team will be the perimeter. In addition to Sturdivant, Devoe, and Moore, you have Maxwell, Coleman, and Kelly. That is a lot of talented guys that can handle the ball and shoot.Could anyone see a potential starting lineup with Howard and Saba starting with Moore coming of the bench? If they develop as expected, we could see a lite version of Ivan Joseph and John Salley next year. I also like the energy that Moore brings off the bench and he may be better suited for that role. He would definitely get the minutes.
It is still possible that Usher may consider coming back given he will have the option. I think Wright should go and make money, if not stateside then in Europe. He is a possibility to stay however I wouldn't bet on it.
I think you’re forgetting that all of these guys retain eligibility if they want to. We could get Moses and Jose back.IMO the biggest factor of how much we fall off next year is going to be how well Saba develops between now and then.
His potential on offense is certainly enticing especially with him working with coach Rev. Great size, and while he's fairly slow footed he's coordinated enough where he can put the ball on the floor and use his size to drive on big men who may not be used to dealing with guys his size trying to drive on them. He also has nice touch on his shots and showed in highschool at least the ability to pass. Once he develops he's going to be a match up issue for opposing teams. Just a matter of how long that take him to get there in my opinion.
My guess is next year we will start something like
Sturdivant, Devoe, and Coleman in the back court with Maxwell and Kelly coming off the bench. Now there is obviously a different dynamic in play but it wouldn't surprise me to see that group play at a similar level as our guards this year. More reliant on raw talent vs experience, but even then Sturdivant and Devoe would bring a good amount of experience as well. The issue comes with how do we compliment that group. We'd likely start something like Khalid at the 4 and Howard at the 5 based on what we've seen this year. That would be an alright group defensively but I would question if we would have enough offense. We'd basically need our guards to all show up, or at least 3, pretty much every game unless one of Moore or Howard took a leap. But if Saba could have the type of development that Moses had going into last year where he just gave us a consistent ~12 ish then that would do wonders towards balancing that lineup as his skill set would give us the option of going double big man looks or putting him at the 4 with Moore at the 4 for better wing defense.
In any case, I'm really looking forward to how he, and Howard, develop under coach Rev with his track record.
Man, I forgot all about him. He’s another Moses type guy. High motor and athletic as hell.I wouldn’t be surprised if Meka is better than Howard and Saba