Recent transfers clear the way for future seasons
by Zach Bell on May 9, 2010 8:43 PM PDT
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PrintUnder normal circumstances, the thought of two players transferring away from Gonzaga in less than a week would send me running for the hills. If you have been around the blog for the past few days, you probably have noticed that it has drawn very limited coverage from Max and I. This has been for a couple of reasons. One, because we've both been traveling (sorry), and two, because these transfers have honestly done nothing to shake our confidence. In fact, it sort of makes me pleased because it really does clear the way for a fresh look at the 2010-11 season. When Gonzaga signed Marquise Carter and Keegan Hyland, we all wondered what Mark Few was going to do with all these guards. I'm not going to pretend to know whether Mark Few recruited because he knew they were leaving or because he wanted better players but it was clear their was a disconnect with GJ and Grant. Now that they are gone, we have two new players to look forward to seeing in action, a few new scholarships to play with in the loaded 2010 class, and a short, succinct, talented, and dedicated roster of players to lead Gonzaga into the future.
So yes, if you are wondering, I couldn't be happier.
When most people hear the word "transfers" (plural) it freaks them out. Multiple transfers in one season can sometimes indicate trouble within a program. However, in this instance, when you are dealing with players that rarely left the bench, nothing could be further from the truth. I'm actually a bit stunned that some of the opinions I have read have indicated that this program is in trouble or unstable because three non-contributors decided to leave the program to find somewhere they can get more minutes and improve their game. All these transfers have indicated to me is that Grant Gibbs and GJ Vilarino have hopes for their basketball dreams and those were not getting fulfilled at Gonzaga. That's it. Can you blame them? Both Gibbs and Vilarino were recruited by a number of high major programs and looking at Gonzaga's depth chart in the next few seasons, the writing was on the wall that they should probably explore other options because minutes might not come the way they want them to here.
Now that we've got the transfers out of the way, let me tell you why I am ecstatic about how Gonzaga lines up for next season and beyond. If you have been around the blog for a while, you have probably picked up that I am not a fan of a big rotation. Eight players getting consistent minutes is ideal for me and I think we have seen some extremely talented teams in the past few years fall apart because there are simply not enough minutes (and basketballs) to go around. Gonzaga now has a talented and tidy backcourt to go along with a very powerful and praiseworthy front court. The idea of Meech, GJ, and Marquise battling all year for minutes at PG and then Steven, Manny, Grant, Keegan, and Bol all fighting it out for the rest of the backcourt minutes did not sit well with me. Now you have Meech and Marquise at the point (Marquise can slide around a bit) and then Steven and Manny getting consistent minutes at the other guard spot. This is assuming Elias moves to the three, Bol rotates at the three/four spot, and Keegan Hyland is used more sporadically early on before settling into consistent minutes. As much as I love the competition that GJ and Grant would have provided, I think there are times when strength in numbers can turn into a teams biggest weakness and it is clear that the staff knew what direction they wanted to go and everything fell into place from there.
The basis for my happiness stems from the fact that I believe in all the players Mark Few has now assembled at Gonzaga...all of them. I still believe in Demetri Goodson and I believe Marquise Carter is a perfect sub for him and is a guy that will push him for every minute he gets. GJ's transfer indicates that Mark Few still believes that Demetri can run this team with great success. I believe Steven will be consistent, that Manny will surprise everyone on the offensive side, and that Keegan will give this team an option from the outside and will stretch the floor for the talented slashers and post players Gonzaga has. I believe that Bol Kong will take this summer by the horns and get into shape and become the player that we saw glimpses of early on last season. I also believe that our frontcourt is one of, if not the, best in the country. I know many of you don't believe in some of these players I mentioned but I urge you to give them another year to change your mind. The one's who have draw the most discussion have been Meech, Bol, and a few others and the great thing is that they still have time to prove why they have garnered their accolades and why Mark Few believes in them
The last reason I look at these transfers positively if because it gives us new freedom with scholarships. Believe it or not, there are still players whom Mark Few (and Tommy Lloyd) are recruiting for 2010. What this also does is that it frees up another spot for the 2011 class which as you all know, is very talented (especially in Portland, Oregon at the power forward spot. Hint Hint). A week ago the Zags were buried with guards. Now, we sit with scholarships to throw around and many talented players to throw them at. We can address our needs (BIG) with the next few classes rather than trying to play catch up and fit guys in the wrong spot. The best part of the whole equation as that we have one of the best international recruiters (Tommy Lloyd) and one of the best domestic recruiters (Donny Daniels) to see that these scholarships are used wisely and with a clear purpose.
Thus, believe me when I say that the future remains very, very bright.
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Life is good!!!
I must say the stars a lining up for our Zags! Losing Gibbs and JG is good for all involved. They will find the playing time that they are looking for and the Zags get some scholarship relief. Coach Few can spread out those extra spots were they need it most. I hope that Meech can recover from one of the worst showing at the point guard position in recent history at Gonzaga. Unless Carter can come in and completely carry the team, they will need Meech. Without good guard play, you can’t make a good run in March. The Zags will only go as far as the guard play will take them. I have so much hope for the Zags this season and many seasons to come!
I believe you are over optomistic
There are four guys that are a lock to get a lot of minutes next year:
Gray, Arop, Harris and Sacre
Meech needs to develop his shooting this summer or he . . . and the team are going to have some significant problems.
The loss of Gibbs and and JG will cut much deeper than you may think. Where JG was concerned, there was no helping the situation. He wasn’t happy with his situation and frankly, as an add-on, he had to climb a very steep mountain at GU to realize his dreams — perhaps too steep. Gotta give him props for trying.
Marquise looks good on paper but the true test is on the floor. We shall see, we shall see.
I think Steven Gray will be the key to the entire season next year.
As Steven goes, so will the Zags go. We saw a little fire in Gray’s eyes at the end of last season. Could it be that Gray is ready to be the leader of this team next year?
mjc
I never saw either player cracking the consistent rotation at GU
When you look at who we brought in for the 2010 class (say what you want about Keegan, if he can drain for three, we’ll love him) and who we are bringing in for the 2011 class, I just never was able to find minutes for GJ or Grant. Thus I don’t think this will cut deep at all.
We’ve got plenty of talent in the backcourt but you are right, we do have to see how they perform on the court.
For some reason I am just not worried about Steven’s consistency. I know I probably should be but I saw enough a year ago to tell me he is ready to be a leader along with Rob. I’m just ready for the damn season to get here!
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Poling, Gibbs, and Villarino
Wish them all luck in the future, but I look forward to seeing what we can do with the open scholarships.
Mallon Fan
You might like the Scout site.
Spudzag
by Spudzag on May 10, 2010 10:34 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
okay now
I will now summarize all of MallonFan’s past and future posts on TSSF:
“GU is overrated, Mark Few is overrated, Zag fans are delusional and if we were in a decent conference we would have been relegated to bottom feeders long ago.” There we have it and since we now know what he is going to say I think we can now stop getting so worked up.
by opooos on May 10, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Front Court
I like GU’s but what if? Rob goes down with an injury, Sam sprains his ankle, KO gets the mumps and “E” moves to the post or combinations of such? Possible, you bet! Let’s revisit a little: Sacre, Erroll Knight, Josh(twice), Downs, Gray, Doudney, Bouldin, Gibbs, not including the little tweak’s. Injuries are part of the game and while I agree about having a very good front court next year, if the injury bug hits the front court, GU could be in BIG trouble. With 13 schollies, we have 1 post player, 1 PF player, 1 strong 3/4 player and 1 all around player in those positions. Lose Rob and it’s ugly! JMO
That's my biggest worry, Mike
and it is why I hope we still can snag some kind of foreign big in 2010 just to increase the depth down low. We will see.
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Recruit from Europe
Dont be surprised to see Gonzaga sign a recruit in the next 30 days. And IMO it will be a big from Europe. But we will get 1 more recruit for 2010 and he will be from Europe.
I sure hope so!
I’m with most here on Rob. We get 2 more years for him to develop. I’m not worried about the guard situation now that things have settled at GU. These kids will do very well and someone will rise to the top. Andy’s recruitment has hurt us the most. Not that he left but because when he was recruited as a Soph., he was expected to fill the post with Rob, which would’ve been perfect on the recruit board in Coach Few’s Office. GU went as far as they could with Andy waiting for the illness to pass and for him to get back to his best form like when they recruited him. That schollie to me was the most difficult to deal with and thus leaves the void in the post and hope that Rob stays healthy for 2 years!
Injuries are always in play...
but the Zags have 4 players that can play the post, Sacre, Harris, KO, Dower…If one gets hurt the’ll still be okay, if two get hurt then you are looking at the team going to a small line up with Kong and Arop playing a little 4.
They've got 1 post player period!
Height doesn’t make it. Do you understand what a true post player is? Do you understand how critical Rob is to this teams inside presence? Under your theory everybody’s a post player. Afterall, Meech, Manny, Bol, Steven have all posted up, Right? The Zags have ONE player who can play the post position and do all of the things required at that position besides requiring the height and weight to go with it. That’s why GU is vulnerable because there is no true back-up for Rob. NO, GU won’t be OK if an injury to Rob happens.
Imortance of 'True' Post Players
I would agree with you in one respect. Sacre is a true post player but a very mobile post player.
In today’s game, the ability to guard the perimeter is at least as important as banging underneath.
Remember how Batista and Violet were exposed in years past?
Finding a mobile big guy that can bang underneath is awfully hard to do.
Be glad we have Harris (I think we will see better D from him this year) and Sacre.
mjc
Yes I know what a TRUE post player is
that is why I said we have 4 players that CAN play the post! NOT 4 TRUE post players. Sacre is and NBA type center, solid body and does all of his work on the block. Harris and KO are 2 guys that can spell time at the post. Dower played center in high school and Few must think he is a center, since he labels him a center on the team roster. I think he will be a lot like Heytvelt with some picks and pops and can spred the floor to allow others to post up and draw mismatches. Like they used to do with Boldin
Too bad about Gibbs
I like Grant from the first time I saw him play a pre-season game his first year. I understand why he transfered and why he wasn’t getting playing time at GU. He felt he could be a legitimate D-I player and at GU he couldn’t guard the relish tray.
He was the best passer on the team, but he lacked the handle to be a point guard. He had a great looking shot, but most of the time it didn’t make it through the net. In past years at GU I think he gets the PT and support he needs to develop into a solid contributor. But this is 2010 and this team is loaded. No country for young men who can’t defend.
I have always liked the way hockey tracks plus and minus and I think Grant had the type of versatility and basketball IQ who would have a good “plus” without anyone noticing any one thing that he did well.
But GG is gone and I hope he finds a place he can show off his skills and hopefully meet the Zags again in the Big Dance, preferably in a later round.
Don't forget to include Elias and KO when talking about guarding the relish tray!
Those 2 are the poorest fundementally sound defensive players on the team this past year. Don’t confuse hustle with “D” either.
Transfers
We visited this topic before when the report on GJ first came out. GG and GJ need more time to make contributions to a team, and that wasn’t going to come with the Zags. It’s a move they’re making in their best interest, and you can’t really fault them for that. At the end of the day it’s better for the Zags because the two scholarships can be put to use on two bigs. Either a PF or C to create more depth at those positions. We also have to assume that Harris is leaving after this upcoming season, so we’ll need another SF in next year’s class. Bell Jr. and Drangini’s great, but the Zags have always had a big to depend on down low, and that won’t change in a couple years when Sacre graduates.
Thank you Zach...
You did a great job of stirring the pot on this one! This is my favorite read yet…very entertaining…a special thanks to Soundpound for the comic relief too – I have snickered also!
My IMO on our frontline – I too think our bigs are better than the numbers reflect. I believe the lack of 3’s (and midrange jumpers for that matter) from Meech allowed the defenses to collapse and essentially become 4 on 5 offensively. This is difficult for any bigs to work in – regardless of how good they are. After watching great guard play from the teams that advanced in the tournament, I thought how odd it was that “Guard U’s” strength was now their inside play and it was our guards hindering us from serious advancement.
After the player changes this spring, I am more optimistic for the coming year. From what I remember, Carter hit 38% from 3 – yes, JUCO competition is not D1, but the 3 point line isn’t any closer in JUCO – if our competitors want to leave Carter as open as they left Meech, it doesn’t matter if he’s playing JUCO or D1 – he’s going to hit 38%! Meech hit 12% from 3. I call that an improvement to look forward to. (For the record, I highly value Meech…I’ll take his fiery competiveness and desire and 12% 3 point shooting above a 50% shooting D1 Primadona/headcase [Isiah Thomas, Demetrius McCamey, etc.])
Another of my observations from tournament play was of how many NBA distance 3’s were being taken (and hit)…it dawned on me that it’s been since Stepp (perhaps Morrison too) that we’ve seen a player stretch a defense like that. Well, it seems we have one again in Hyland – a weapon we haven’t been able to pull out in several years. (Will Few give this Freshman a green light?)
I am excited and optimistic for the coming year…I can’t wait for it to begin…in the meantime thanks to all of you for your insight, opinions, and entertainment – keep up the good work!
Meech - why should we believe?
I still believe in Demetri Goodson…
Why? I desperately want to be wrong, but looking back on last season, it’s hard to be anything but disappointed in the way he played. Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see why I should believe he can build on last year’s performance.
Name one effing game Meech cost us?
I bet you can’t….because it didn’t happen.
On the flip side his free throws (yes you read that right) were instrumental in wins over Memphis and Florida State.
He’ll be a junior next year and you will see a marked improvement…will he ever be a Ty Lawson or Kalin Lucas? I seriously doubt it, but he will be a fine player for this program.
Until he costs us some games, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.
I just want to know?
Are Soundpound and MallonFan roomates? Or cousins, or brothers? Maybe you guys are St. Mary’s fans in disguise?
But seriously: It is what it is! Welcome to frickin college basketball. Hell even Duke had holes coming into last season. These are all young kids with a lot of talent, I am excited to see how guys like Manny, Meech, Elias, Kelly, Rob, Bol all do with a year under there belt and a summer to improve. Can’t wait for next year!
3rd
SP is enteraining and truthful, and the fact that he STILL doesn’t believe the Zags lost to USF is awesome! He is a true fan indeed!
Meech VS Pargo...and Dower....other thoughts
Meech is no worse then Pargo was as a freshman and sophmore. My hope is that he will make a quantum leap from soph to junior season..much like Morrison, Pargo and Ravio.
If he does not..then ok but I am certain we have a kid named Steven Gray who will be a 4 year starter and is a match up nightmare for opposing teams PG’s. Pretty sure that he along with this Carter kid can run the point if needed.
Dower…just got to see him a bit, but the kid can stroke it from the elbow, he is long and lanky and is a HUGE upgrade over Foster. I can see this kid starting at the 4 spot or being the sub for Sacre for sure. The fact is, our Front court just got a lot better then last year.
Other thoughts…Manny will really make a difference next year…with the hustle plays. Gray will once again hit shots.. ;) Meech will make that jump and Carter will have a good amount of minutes as well. My hope is that meech can get 20 minutes and Carter the other….one can really put pressure on the defense to get back and the other can create his own shot….nice….Dower…this kid is going to play well. Kong will attack the rim and make those 1 ft’ shots….Sacre will be Sacre…sorry….and Kelly will give quality minutes off the bench. End result….solid team with potential…much like Mich St every year…..the difference is Mich St finishes the year. Can this Zag team? I sure hope so!!! :)
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