Andrew Jones and the Men's Program

[westx]

Jones' return is the best news (IMO) this 2017 year. It means having one more quality player on the court with experience. One year is such a big difference when you consider how these players can help the freshman and not totally rely on the coaching staff. The mentorship and support on the court during real time play usually elevates these young guys. It seems as though we have had a revolving door of true freshman contributing a lot of minutes per game.

Shaka and the coaching staff really needed this. I think it helps stabilize things. They've had an excessive reliance on freshman this last year and it wasn't getting much better. We will have at least a better rotation of experience with Young, Davis, Roach, Banks, and the transfer Osetkowski. The coaching staff can at least take a quick breath and build upon this group. The only downside is It could be a negative for Shaka if Texas doesn't have a decent season. I don't see this happening. In fact I believe it will be an exciting season for the men's basketball program.

 

[Charlie Mang]

Best thing. Matt Coleman. 2nd best (maybe first) Mo Bamba. 3rd best Osetkowski becoming eligible (my opinion probably not widely shared), then Andrew Jones. IMO Young & Davis may not be contributors if the other 3 recruits are as good as advertised (4 stars). If the two new 6'8 guys can rebound, Banks may also be have trouble getting on the court.

 

[diadevic]

"The best thing about freshman is that they become sophomores" - Hall of Fame Coach Al McGuire. Those young guys looked overmatched last year, but don't give up on them yet.

 

[westx]

Best thing. Matt Coleman. 2nd best (maybe first) Mo Bamba. 3rd best Osetkowski becoming eligible (my opinion probably not widely shared), then Andrew Jones. IMO Young & Davis may not be contributors if the other 3 recruits are as good as advertised (4 stars). If the two new 6'8 guys can rebound, Banks may also be have trouble getting on the court.

I am optimistic about the fresman as well, but, at this point, it is hard for me to totally buy into freshman. Just like Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen was a blue chip that really didn't become decently productive till the end of the season. But even then, he never acquired the consistent play-in-play-out aggressive hard nosed effort (mentally or physically). I agree with you on Osekowski.

 

[DC3.0ppg]

i very much hope our hoops team is really good. member when we were top 5 in football, won the college world series, and were final four contenders every year? yyyyeah, i miss that

 

[Charlie Mang]

I am optimistic about the fresman as well, but, at this point, it is hard for me to totally buy into freshman. Just like Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen was a blue chip that really didn't become decently productive till the end of the season. But even then, he never acquired the consistent play-in-play-out aggressive hard nosed effort (mentally or physically). I agree with you on Osekowski.

I don't expect Coleman and Bamba to be 20 + points a night guys. I expect both will average low double digits, but also with 7+ assists for Coleman and double digit rebounds for Bamba. The other freshman will hopefully be good enough so that NO ONE who can't shoot (except Banks) will see much playing time.

16/17 3pt percentage: Roach .28, Davis .26, Young .23. Cringe worthy.