2019-20 season

[UMassHoops]

^ we have way too many months until real basketball action, but predicting lineups is fun

The locks (IMO) for opening night: Keon, Mitchell, Pierre
Two of these Three: Samba, Sy, Laurent
Wild Card: Surprise point guard signing

[UMassHoops]

I'm excited about the newcomers but my favorite player Carl Pierre might be set for a monster season next year. He showed a lot of growth last year, adding much better ability to get to the rim and a reliable pull up mid-range (still can't forget that game winner vs. St. Joes). It felt like he really came into his own after Pip went down, I think Pierre realized he can be an alpha dawg and carry this team at times with his shooting. Probably set to become our all-time leading 3 point shooter if his current pace continues. He's only going to get stronger and seems like a super hard worker that will keep adding nuances to his game. Pierre could be a strong candidate for all A10 next year. I think the addition of Mitchell in particular could really open his game up. When you have a big that can pick and pop, great low post game, and can pass how many more open looks will that create for Pierre? With all the incoming talent, let's not forget about our guy Carl Pierre.

[TheInsider]

Carl, Keon, and hopefully JL will be big for us next year, especially early. Tre is the only freshman i'm expecting anything out of next year. He's ready to play in the A-10. As for the others.. who knows.

[UMassfan_19]

I'm excited about the newcomers but my favorite player Carl Pierre might be set for a monster season next year. He showed a lot of growth last year, adding much better ability to get to the rim and a reliable pull up mid-range (still can't forget that game winner vs. St. Joes). It felt like he really came into his own after Pip went down, I think Pierre realized he can be an alpha dawg and carry this team at times with his shooting. Probably set to become our all-time leading 3 point shooter if his current pace continues. He's only going to get stronger and seems like a super hard worker that will keep adding nuances to his game. Pierre could be a strong candidate for all A10 next year. I think the addition of Mitchell in particular could really open his game up. When you have a big that can pick and pop, great low post game, and can pass how many more open looks will that create for Pierre? With all the incoming talent, let's not forget about our guy Carl Pierre.

Key for Carl is consistency. To often this year he would have a monster game followed by a terrible game needs to be in the middle of the two extremes more

[eldonabe]

^
I believe that is a maturity thing as much as anything else. As long as he has a solid supporting cast with him and the scoring load is spread out a bit, he will be much improved and stable next season.

That unfortunately leaves a lot of variables including Freshmen who can contribute regularly.

[bobolink]

Key for Carl is consistency. To often this year he would have a monster game followed by a terrible game needs to be in the middle of the two extremes more

that's it: consistency, which is often the difference between good and very good or very good and excellent. It's concerning that so many of his stats got worse this year : 3-pt% down from 47 to 38; FT% down from 82 to 70, etc. He had more assists, which makes sense and needs to continue. He can attract attention and if you have someone like Laurent hitting the way he mostly did, assists are in order. I'm dying to see what could happen if CP, Keon and Laurent all have a good shooting game at once. Can only imagine what if they all did and did consistently.

[minutefanjsf]

^
Looking at averages is not the way to see if he is consistent. I know you know that. However, I would like to know the range and mode of his shooting numbers including how many of each type (not just FT and 3s) by game. It would also be interesting to see if the players he is in the floor with impact the number and types of shots he takes.

[Floyd]

Tre Mitchell as a big guy who has good passing skills will change alot of things for Carl, Keon, and the rest of the guards/wings. Not only do you have to respect Tre's ability to shoot it or drive to the hoop, but if teams double down on him, it sounds like he has good instincts to find the open man. Should open things up for those other guys. Crazy what a difference that skillset can make. Kid could really be a program changer

[Roadtrip]

"Take that with a grain of salt." Old saying. I have ordered a 10 pound bag. "The proof is in the pudding."

[Floyd]

Stop thinking about food Roadman and be more optimistic

[capezona]

^
Roadtrip puts salt in his pudding. No wonder he's not more optimistic.

[capezona]

So if Laurent leaves, as Niles suggests, there will only be 4 guys with significant playing time. MM is going all out. Seems a big risk but cleaning house may have been his best option.

[Acer71]

Count me as skeptical of a winning record next year, but hopeful that we will have a better squad at season's end. We've got limited experience on the squad, and history shows that not all the freshmen will make the transition to A10 BB as easy as their resume suggests. Its all on McCall and coaches to show that the 19-20 season makes us competitive again in 20-21.

[UMassfan_19]

^
I do believe the prep school kids usually find the transition easier. The PSA kids who went to olean last year were studs by a-10 play. My personal expectation is to avoid the bottom 4

[78]

Count me as skeptical of a winning record next year, but hopeful that we will have a better squad at season's end. We've got limited experience on the squad, and history shows that not all the freshmen will make the transition to A10 BB as easy as their resume suggests. Its all on McCall and coaches to show that the 19-20 season makes us competitive again in 20-21.

Agree with this perspective 100 percent.