WH

Further notes on players and teams:

-Chris Wright was easily the best frosh in the league. His injury cost Dayton a certain NCAA invitation, though there’s still hope with at least two tourney wins.

That’s a darn shame, but the Flyers won’t be delayed for long. I think Dayton could be a better team next year, oddly because the Flyers won’t be able to rely on Roberts as much. Same thing happened with UMass this year.

Gregory also seems to have turned up the recruiting. So I like what I see, even if I understand the disappointment (that loss at LaSalle was especially a killer).

-Lamont Mack will be Charlotte’s go-to player next year and an all-conference performer. And Dijuan Harris was a revelation at point, even if he’s better suited to a reserve role. If only Phil Jones could max his potential. There is a star in that body, but can anyone extract it?

-Shawn James and Kojo Mensah were, in different ways, disappointments. In James’ case, constant injuries appeared to hurt his production after a terrific early start. Mensah, for his part, doesn’t take care of the ball well enough to start at point or shoot well enough to start at wing. His decision making was also subpar. I expect more of both next year. If they step up, Duquesne will go to the postseason for the first time since 1994.

-Fordham won’t be better next year, but the Rams will still be competitive despite a much younger team. Fordham needs to turn over a new leaf with young players and a guard-oriented attack. Something ossified on this team this year. Nor was it Whit’s finest job. His pouting on the bench is unbecoming.

-GW could be very good next year if Travis King returns healthy. King, Rob Diggs, Wyton Witherspoon, Damian Hollis make a nice starting four and Hobbs has enough material to fill in the gaps. The way GW played down the stretch is what A-10 foes should expect next season. The team doesn’t lose anyone important (and yes, I am knocking Rice here).

-LaSalle has lots of complimentary players, but the Explorers need a star. Jerrell Williams might become that player next year, especially if he learns to hold on to the ball. If Green makes a full transition to point, he also might be the guy. I suspect the biggest key, though, is Guillandeaux filling the role of Harris as 3-point shooter.

-UMass will lose Forbes, Brower and Milligan, but the Minutemen could have the best starting backcourt in the league and there’s plenty of young talent on this team. A third straight 20-win season is not out of the question if Ford is back. Papa Lo will be sophomore to watch with his terrific shot-blocking capability.

-Rhody can recover next year from its disastrous slide this year even though Will Daniels and Parfait Bitee move on. The problems at URI are not a question of talent or athleticism. Baron will have plenty to work with next year. Something else is amiss here. I like frosh PG Marquis Jones and Delroy James has tremendous potential. Of course, in the here and now, Rhody is still talented enough to win the A-10 tourney …

-I’ve already touted Richmond’s Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez, but a kid I really like is frosh Kevin Smith. A great athlete and potential lockdown defender with rapidly improving offensive skill. He will be a key cog next year. Just check out his second-half heroics in the win over Va Tech. Smith is a crowd pleaser.

-St. Joe’s was schizo this year and I’ve got to lay lots of blame on my favorite A-10 coach, Phil Martelli. He failed to develop a bench, which cost the team down the stretch, and he let his players ignore Nivins for long stretches in almost every game.

Basically Martelli coached too tight to the vest, unlike his approach during the Nelson-West years. It’s almost like he’s become too enamored with his own coaching ability. He needs to loosen up just a bit and let his younger players make a few mistakes in the pursuit of experience.

-St. Louis was a mild disappointment, primarily in terms of consistency of effort. I did not expect a miracle from Majerus given the obvious limitation with the roster, but he did have two all-league type guards. Some of the losses – at Kent State, home to Bona – were inexplicable. I have to wonder if Liddell can stand another year with Rick, even if he’s not pro-ready.

-The Bonnies played hard under new coach Mark Schmidt and did not give up, a good sign for the future. And the success this year of Robert Morris makes his rebuilding job there look much more impressive, even if the new RM coach deserves a ton of credit. (He’s a guy I’d like to see the A-10 hire at some point). Bona has more talent arriving next year, so it’s only going to get harder to win in Olean.

-Xavier has Final Four potential if Drew Lavender regains full health. This is a complete team and the Muskies can play with anyone. I wish Burrell were a bit more offensive minded, and CJ Anderson could be more consistent. Yet Duncan has been fantastic (he’s finally learned to play inside) and BJ Raymond has been the bomb. Helluva job to get through league play with just two losses.

Ored

The LaSalle loss is the killer...not only did it really dampen the NCAA chances but it probably cost Brob POY. Seniors Sandoval and Brob both had chances to put the gam with OUT of reach with a single made free throw. But since both have been on a good run...probably too late...Wright is probably unlikely in Atlantic City. After reading some of the comments about those who saw him warm up Saturday an hour or so before the game said he's still limping. I think the Flyers have him dressed as some have alluded...posturing to the Selection Cmt...if we win a couple...he's ready for the post season.

Re: the Flyers 08-09...BG has been on the recruiting trail and we're led to believe some roster change is likely...one of the scenarios has Charles leaving for pro hoops in Europe. So that might impact next year...Charles (in my opinion) just started to feel good o the last week...against the Hawks is the first time we've seen the big strong vertical both rebounding and finishing.

That said, I think the Flyers are dangerous this week and oddly enough the Flyer Faithful seem happy with the draw. If we beat SLU we get X early and if Drew still isn't 100% then this will be an interesting matchup...3 maybe 4 Flyers with their last shot at X and a lot on the line for 1 of the teams.

Free Quebec

Any thoughts on Xavier Alexander, WH? How do you think he fits in moving forward?

FlyingElvis

I love it. I agree on all points.

__________________
"US Bank Arena can't be that bad" "Top Flyght"

"A school is a school. The name on the jersey doesn't make the player because on draft day you don't go up and take your jersey up there when you get drafted. They don't say this jersey did this for you, you do the work yourself. You make the jersey."

diehardexplorer

la salle will have a star next year, and he is 6'9", 250 lb low post beast vernon goodridge, a former top 50 recruit who transferred in from mississippi state. he is the real deal. goodridge answers a few of la salle's biggest weaknesses (interior defense, shotblocking and the ability to score from the low post). he will also allow jerrell williams to play his natural power forward spot and he won't have to try and cover guys who have 30 lbs and a couple inches on him anymore.

while guillandeaux can't shoot like darnell harris, he's no slouch either, plus he can get to the rim and penetrate and dish more effectively than harris. there's a reason this kid was recruited by a number of bcs schools before picking la salle. all he needs to do is develop consistency and mature a little bit.

la salle is also involved with a few very good point guards and hope to sign one of them in april. even though the bottom has fallen out the last couple of games, next year looks to be a good one for the explorers. harris will be missed, but there's a lot of talent and experience returning.

WH

We'll see on Goodridge. He did not star at his last school, so I am skeptical he will become a star next year, even if he removes the rust quickly. I'd settle easily for a solid 25 minutes a game, 8 points, 6 boards, and 1 block. More would be great, but I've learned to be cautious about the expectations game based on hard experience.

diehardexplorer

he will be a double-double machine (12 pts, 10 rbds, 2-3 blocks) for la salle next season. book it. i've seen him play, and he is a man on a mission.

and la salle will finish higher than 13th in the league next season. just giving you a little 2008-9 preseason advice for your picks next year.

WH

Funny how attitudes can change in two months. I remember all the teeth knashing on the LaSalle site after the dreadful noncon play, and even talk of being done with G and getting a new coach. At that point, LaSalle might have been the 14th best team in the league.

Or Rhody fans positively giddy and taking back some of the nasty things they said about Baron.

Strange game, this.

A10fan

That's a stretch. I think LaSalle will be better but I'll take your double double bet any day.

NinerAdvocate

Stepping on WH's toes, but I liked what I saw of XA. he definitely has the family genes. Good frame, build, quickness, etc. I think he's gonna be a solid player at GW for 4 years, and possibly crack some all-conference lists.

Blue Dog

I remember when GW fans were telling us that Regis would be the second coming. Let these guys show up and play before we start annointing them.

Free Quebec