Jamail and Montverde lose to Findlay Prep

[Doctor V]

One thing I would like to add is even though Jones seems a little lazy to all of us, he is a very solid rebounder and with his size at guard it is something we will greatly need.



If not for about 3 or 4 shots that just rolled of the rim hed be nearing 30 pts. Hes got game.

Yes plenty of game. Id say one of the more polished incoming freshmen OFFENSIVELY that I have seen in a while. Like you said, will likely also rebound well with his length and strength

You know Buzz is doing an excellent job recruiting wise because any other year in this last decade we would be looking at this kid and saying he is a definite immediate starter, I truly feel that way. With the amount of talent in the backcourt he may not, but he will definitely contribute.  That said, it will mostly depend on his defense how much time he gets (although DJO got plenty of time with subpar defense, so Jones may too)

[77ncaachamps]

Findlay's Godwin Okonji had MARQ listed as interested schools on his graphic.

Really?

[NickelDimer]

James Bell has single handedly lost this game for MV.  My God talk about not knowing what a bad shot is!

[MU_Iceman]

James Bell has single handedly lost this game for MV.  My God talk about not knowing what a bad shot is!

I have been unbelievably unimpressed by Bell.  He's played selfish, sloppy basketball...I'm sure he's a damn good player and worth some of the hype...but on the whole, him going to Nova doesn't scare me at all...

[77ncaachamps]

James Bell has single handedly lost this game for MV.  My God talk about not knowing what a bad shot is!

Maybe...but their PG sucks balls.

That last three was selfish. He'd push the ball up only to get caught in bad passing situations. TOs galore... horrible.

[PGsHeroes32]

exactly ice man. By watching Bell I can see the talent he has with that step back and his shot looks good, but he is very selfish and takes some really dumb shots. Him and the little pg really lost this game for them today

[NickelDimer]

On the flip side I've been really impressed with JJ's patience.  It would be really easy to force things on this stage, (see James Bell), but he didn't, and yet he still filled up the stat sheet.  That's playing beyond one's years.

A little improvement on his defensive intensity and he could be the best player on MU's squad at some point.

[77ncaachamps]

So, with Findlay locking up this title...

Jamail Jones loses in Prep Title game.
DJ Newbill loses in the State Title game.
Vander Blue loses in the State Title game.
Reggie Smith loses in CLASS 3A SECTIONAL.

Talented and competitive kids with chips on their shoulders are coming in!
Gotta love it!

[Aughnanure]

None of those guys is ready to play point in the Big East.
Junior may not be either, but he's easily the best candidate. And as much as everyone is excited about the new guys, Junior was a pretty highly rated recruit in his own right, as high as any of the incoming freshmen.

I thought Blue is seen as being able to be a mix of a 2 guard and point and possibly trying to move to really learning the point. I could've been wrong though and assumed he would be our # 1 backup point guard (not saying he would only be playing point). He has to be more ready than Smith, and who else really is there? Buycks? Nothing I saw made me think his decision making skills should be applied to play the point. DJO? Possibly, but I would assume you'd want him to be the main shooting guard nearly all the time so plays could be built and run for him.

I don't know why we have suddenly written off every freshman coming in.  Have we already forgotten about the Big Three's rookie year?

[77ncaachamps]

Was looking up the PG for Montverde and found this interesting piece.

Possibly from Mbao to Ndao? Another Senegal big IF there's an opening?

" As the college coaching carousel spins this spring the last thing Papa Samba Ndao of Montverde Academy wants is reopen his recruiting.

That might be the case depending who Boston College hires after parting ways with coach Al Skinner earlier this week. Ndao, a 6-9 ace defender and rebounder, signed with the Eagles but hasn't heard who will get the job.

BC interviewed Ed Cooley (of Fairfield), a former BC assistant; Steve Donohue of Cornell; Chris Mooney of Richmond; and Bill Coen of Northeastern. A decision should forthcoming.

Until then Ndao, a native of Dakar, Senegal, can only wait."

"No decisions until the hire a coach," said Ndao, who hopes to study medicine with a keen interest in cardiology.

Before signing with BC, Ndao entertained Harvard, Texas Christian and Clemson.

"Coach Skinner called me the day he was fired and told me if I needed any help to call him," Ndao said. "He'll do whatever it takes to help me and the rest of the recruits. That's great of him.""

[NickelDimer]

Was looking up the PG for Montverde and found this interesting piece.

Possibly from Mbao to Ndao? Another Senegal big IF there's an opening?

" As the college coaching carousel spins this spring the last thing Papa Samba Ndao of Montverde Academy wants is reopen his recruiting.

That might be the case depending who Boston College hires after parting ways with coach Al Skinner earlier this week. Ndao, a 6-9 ace defender and rebounder, signed with the Eagles but hasn't heard who will get the job.

BC interviewed Ed Cooley (of Fairfield), a former BC assistant; Steve Donohue of Cornell; Chris Mooney of Richmond; and Bill Coen of Northeastern. A decision should forthcoming.

Until then Ndao, a native of Dakar, Senegal, can only wait."

"No decisions until the hire a coach," said Ndao, who hopes to study medicine with a keen interest in cardiology.

Before signing with BC, Ndao entertained Harvard, Texas Christian and Clemson.

"Coach Skinner called me the day he was fired and told me if I needed any help to call him," Ndao said. "He'll do whatever it takes to help me and the rest of the recruits. That's great of him.""

Interesting indeed.  A long defender/rebounder to compliment our offensive, guard heavy class?  YES PLEASE!

[Pakuni]

I thought Blue is seen as being able to be a mix of a 2 guard and point and possibly trying to move to really learning the point. I could've been wrong though and assumed he would be our # 1 backup point guard (not saying he would only be playing point). He has to be more ready than Smith, and who else really is there? Buycks? Nothing I saw made me think his decision making skills should be applied to play the point. DJO? Possibly, but I would assume you'd want him to be the main shooting guard nearly all the time so plays could be built and run for him.

I don't know why we have suddenly written off every freshman coming in.  Have we already forgotten about the Big Three's rookie year?

I'm sorry ... could you explain how you equate the suggestion that a high school two guard is not ready to start at he point as a freshman in the Big East to "writing off every freshman coming in?"
That's quite a stretch, even by message board standards.
Yes, either Blue or Smith I(more likely Smith, IMO) will get some backup minutes at the point next year. But, barring bad luck, it should not be "a lot" of minutes.

The better question is  ... Why have some already written off a top 50 recruit who's been characterized by all as a pure point guard without him even havin a full, healthy season to show what he can do?

[Aughnanure]

I'm sorry ... could you explain how you equate the suggestion that a high school two guard is not ready to start at he point as a freshman in the Big East to "writing off every freshman coming in?"
That's quite a stretch, even by message board standards.
Yes, either Blue or Smith I(more likely Smith, IMO) will get some backup minutes at the point next year. But, barring bad luck, it should not be "a lot" of minutes.

The better question is  ... Why have some already written off a top 50 recruit who's been characterized by all as a pure point guard without him even havin a full, healthy season to show what he can do?

First off, where did I say the Cadougan would not be the #1 point guard? I was simply saying that because Cadougan can't play all 40 minutes (and probably low 30 at the very most), we would most likely see a backup point guard around 10 minutes of the game.  

I'm sorry you got all worked up about it like I was ripping Smith and Cadougan. I also said I may have been wrong about suggesting Blue could play a significant portion at the points, I just remember some posters here suggesting Blue could see some solid time there.

I should not have said 'a lot,' but 10+ minutes is significant.

[rocky_warrior]

The better question is  ... Why have some already written off a top 50 recruit who's been characterized by all as a pure point guard without him even havin a full, healthy season to show what he can do?

I, for one, and really excited to see Cadougan play next year.  I think he's gonna' surprise a lot of people that watched him this year, and decided he wasn't starters material 

[muball]

First JJ really lacks hustle on defense, quite often if he would have hustled back on d he could have picked off missed shots and rebounded or helped on D. He just did not hustle on D, that is what leads to PINE TIME. On offense is not selfish and can play inside/outside with some penetration skills. Regarding Junior I can see him very effective in getting the ball to DJO, Dwight, Vander and others with his passing skills. Junior will start and effectively lead the team as a floor general.

[Aughnanure]

First JJ really lacks hustle on defense, quite often if he would have hustled back on d he could have picked off missed shots and rebounded or helped on D. He just did not hustle on D, that is what leads to PINE TIME. On offense is not selfish and can play inside/outside with some penetration skills. Regarding Junior I can see him very effective in getting the ball to DJO, Dwight, Vander and others with his passing skills. Junior will start and effectively lead the team as a floor general.

Agree, but I am trusting Buzz to be able to get the most possible out of JJ. Why would anyone think he wouldn't play a lot harder when he is at MU? I saw flashes of him having very good defensive capability, then at other times saw him lacking, not getting down the floor or in position. I just don't think you can conclude that that is the kind of play you will see from him while in an MU uniform.

I also think that having the ability to shoot as well as he does will lead to more floor time. I think that's why we saw DJO establish himself early and Buycks' time was limited (because he did play some good defense).

[ATWizJr]

exactly ice man. By watching Bell I can see the talent he has with that step back and his shot looks good, but he is very selfish and takes some really dumb shots. Him and the little pg really lost this game for them today

Agree 100%! Was not impressed by Bell. the PG had many TO's but  in his defense, his teammates were standing around waiting for...?  The pg apparently has no shot.

Jones was the story for Monteverde.  He should have seen a lot more of the ball during the second half when it got away from them.  On  "D" he was adequate but had to cheat down to help on Thompson.  Should be a contributor next year.

[PGsHeroes32]

like people have already said, DJO played with not great d skills. Jones will probably work on it alot this summer. But hes gona play with his size. At 6'6 he already has a huge advantage on other guards, he has proven he can rebound and like the announcers loved today, he can drive and play inside and also knock down shots outside to keep you honest.



HE ALSO MAKES HIS FREE THROWS, i didnt see him miss any the whole tourney and that is a huge asset.

[Doctor V]

Findlay's Godwin Okonji had MARQ listed as interested schools on his graphic.

Really?

Really? I missed this... Does anyone know anything about this? The kid looked to have a good body and would be a nice post presence, but seemed to be a project

[ATWizJr]

Seems to be a 6'9" 200 lb 2 star prospect.  Is he an upgrade from what we already have?

[muwarrior69]

At 6'6 he already has a huge advantage ...

Is he 6'6? The announcers at the game kept saying he was 6'4 or 6'5. Not a big deal though, the kid looks like he can play.

[PGsHeroes32]

every site has him listed at 6'6. But yeah I heard the annoucners say he was 6'5 alot so he probably is a generous 6'6. but hes also got some weight so hes built solidly for a guard. He could be alot like Wes from what i have seen. Hopefully he brings the same production.

[HouWarrior]

every site has him listed at 6'6. But yeah I heard the annoucners say he was 6'5 alot so he probably is a generous 6'6. but hes also got some weight so hes built solidly for a guard. He could be alot like Wes from what i have seen. Hopefully he brings the same production.

I saw only part of the game. I did not see his outside range shooting, but inside 15 he looked very good, quick feet when he worked with the ball. Could he poss play some 3 w/us-- he has decent size

[IrwinFletcher]

So, with Findlay locking up this title...

Jamail Jones loses in Prep Title game.
DJ Newbill loses in the State Title game.
Vander Blue loses in the State Title game.
Reggie Smith loses in CLASS 3A SECTIONAL.

Talented and competitive kids with chips on their shoulders are coming in!
Gotta love it!

And don't forget that Jae Crowder led his team to the Junior College National Championship and was named Player of the Year in the JuCo ranks.

[PGsHeroes32]

houwarrior, the thing that actually concerned alot of people was that he was "just a shooter". If you only watched him the last couple games you say what got everyone excited when he proved he can put it on the floor. Hes a great shooter.