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2009-10 Season Preview
Welcome back for what hopes to be a great season for this young squad as we approach the team's first official practice on Friday's Midnight Madness (on ESPN U) at McDonough Gym. We keep our fingers crossed for a better showing than the embarrassing collapse of last season. There's no denying that the Hoyas fell flat on their face in the second half of last season. After a strong 12-3 start with major victories against powerhouses Memphis and UConn, the young squad seemed to be on the right track. But a series of losses against Big East opponents, notably the two losses against St. John's (yes, St. John's) in the second half of the regular season crushed hopes of a return to the NCAA tournament and the Hoyas finished 16-15. The young Hoyas truly suffered from growing pains,but with this kind of embarassment hopefully has provided the motivation and burning desire necessary for this year's squad to prove the doubters wrong and storm into the season with confidence.
At the end of last season, the last members of the beloved team that charged its way into the 2007 Final Four departed for places like Detroit and Scotland, bringing about an official changing of the guard, as players such as returning sophomore and Big East Rookie of the Year Greg Monroe and guards Austin Freeman and Chris Wright inherit the leadership roles of this year’s squad. These three form the core of this year’s Hoyas.
Monroe, the Hoyas' highly touted recruit of last season, put smiles on the faces of many Hoya fans when he announced that he would put the NBA Draft aside and return for his sophomore season. There is no question that he is the most talented player on this team. But can he be the team's leader? That is yet to be seen. While the 6-11 Monroe scored in double figures 27 times last season and led the the team in several categories, this young phenom still is a work in progress. He needs to get tougher in the post and be more aggressive with rebounding and blocking, as well as attacking the rim using both hands. All eyes will be on him throughout the season. He's got the potential to be one of the greats.
Although he is now a junior, Chris Wright got his first full year of playing time last season as he inherited the spot left open by popular guard Jon Wallace. The dude's got talent. I've been saying it since he was a senior in high school, dropping 30 points per game and showing his hops when he'd jump ball instead of a center. He provides a level of speed that even the 2007 Hoyas did not have and he can use that greatly to his advantage, particularly in transition. He's a pure athlete, BUT there is one main question about him and it's not just how he needs to relax and limit turnovers. First, has he matured to be a team leader? For those who may not have heard, he was involved in a halftime locker room brawl with teammate Jesse Sapp during the Hoyas' loss to Duke at Cameron. He was one of the main voices of discontent, sowing seeds of separation rather than unity. If he has grown mentally, the Hoyas will be better off.
Junior guard Austin Freeman also makes his return to this year's squad. While there is no doubt that he's a talented athlete, he's packed more than just a few pounds worth of McD's Dollar Menu items and chicken finger Thursdays at the cafeteria. He HAS to drop some pounds if he's going to continue to play the 2-spot. However, good news, according to JT3, Freeman has shed major weight in the gym without sacrificing strength, so let's hope we see some good things from this veteran. He's also learn not to rely on his perimeter shot. He could attack the basket with the best of them in high school and can add that weapon to his arsenal.
Sophomores Jason Clark and Henry Sims also return while other veterans such as the clumsy Julian Vaughn and utterly worthless and sad excuse of a “perimeter threat
Welcome back for what hopes to be a great season for this young squad as we approach the team's first official practice on Friday's Midnight Madness (on ESPN U) at McDonough Gym. We keep our fingers crossed for a better showing than the embarrassing collapse of last season. There's no denying that the Hoyas fell flat on their face in the second half of last season. After a strong 12-3 start with major victories against powerhouses Memphis and UConn, the young squad seemed to be on the right track. But a series of losses against Big East opponents, notably the two losses against St. John's (yes, St. John's) in the second half of the regular season crushed hopes of a return to the NCAA tournament and the Hoyas finished 16-15. The young Hoyas truly suffered from growing pains,but with this kind of embarassment hopefully has provided the motivation and burning desire necessary for this year's squad to prove the doubters wrong and storm into the season with confidence.
At the end of last season, the last members of the beloved team that charged its way into the 2007 Final Four departed for places like Detroit and Scotland, bringing about an official changing of the guard, as players such as returning sophomore and Big East Rookie of the Year Greg Monroe and guards Austin Freeman and Chris Wright inherit the leadership roles of this year’s squad. These three form the core of this year’s Hoyas.
Monroe, the Hoyas' highly touted recruit of last season, put smiles on the faces of many Hoya fans when he announced that he would put the NBA Draft aside and return for his sophomore season. There is no question that he is the most talented player on this team. But can he be the team's leader? That is yet to be seen. While the 6-11 Monroe scored in double figures 27 times last season and led the the team in several categories, this young phenom still is a work in progress. He needs to get tougher in the post and be more aggressive with rebounding and blocking, as well as attacking the rim using both hands. All eyes will be on him throughout the season. He's got the potential to be one of the greats.
Although he is now a junior, Chris Wright got his first full year of playing time last season as he inherited the spot left open by popular guard Jon Wallace. The dude's got talent. I've been saying it since he was a senior in high school, dropping 30 points per game and showing his hops when he'd jump ball instead of a center. He provides a level of speed that even the 2007 Hoyas did not have and he can use that greatly to his advantage, particularly in transition. He's a pure athlete, BUT there is one main question about him and it's not just how he needs to relax and limit turnovers. First, has he matured to be a team leader? For those who may not have heard, he was involved in a halftime locker room brawl with teammate Jesse Sapp during the Hoyas' loss to Duke at Cameron. He was one of the main voices of discontent, sowing seeds of separation rather than unity. If he has grown mentally, the Hoyas will be better off.
Junior guard Austin Freeman also makes his return to this year's squad. While there is no doubt that he's a talented athlete, he's packed more than just a few pounds worth of McD's Dollar Menu items and chicken finger Thursdays at the cafeteria. He HAS to drop some pounds if he's going to continue to play the 2-spot. However, good news, according to JT3, Freeman has shed major weight in the gym without sacrificing strength, so let's hope we see some good things from this veteran. He's also learn not to rely on his perimeter shot. He could attack the basket with the best of them in high school and can add that weapon to his arsenal.
Sophomores Jason Clark and Henry Sims also return while other veterans such as the clumsy Julian Vaughn and utterly worthless and sad excuse of a “perimeter threat
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