Free Quebec

GW fans are feeling VERY good about the incoming recruiting class right now.

1) The two incoming guards -- PG Joe McDonald, combo guard Kethan Savage -- were both named to first-team All-Met (DC) by the Washington Post. That's the first time GW has landed two first team all-met guys that I can remember. I think Chris Monroe is the last time we even had one. There are big expectations that these guys will start or log major minutes from day 1.

McDonald is a physical PG with great size and leadership skills. Scored 48 points in an upset of Bullis, the private school champions in the DC area. Kethan Savage is a seriously athletic 6'3" guard, who is also very physical.

He was the best player in the DC area for the fist half of the season, but he got hurt, missed a couple of games, and while still one of the best 5 players in the area, fell behind a couple of others in all-met voting. He's an attacking guard in the mold of Chris Monroe (maybe not quite so physical and hard to compare him to GW's all time leading scorer), though I think he needs to continue working on his jumper. Coaching staff made him the first recruit because they believe he has an incredible work ethic and a burning desire to win.

2) Incoming swingman Patricio Garino put on quite a shot on ESPN last week in the national High School Invitational, sort of the unofficial HS national championship (at least for teams east of the Rockies). Garino plays for star-studded Montverde Academy and appears to be easily the best all-around player on that team. In the championship game against #2 Findlay (OH), Garino put up 20 points and 7 rebounds, and was trusted to distribute the ball down the stretch after Junior PG Kasey Hill (FL commit) basically ball-hogged a big lead away with bad shots and turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Perhaps more impressively was Garino's defense. In both the semis and finals on TV, Garino guarded the opposing team's best player. In the semis against Montrose Christian, Garino gaurded the bigger Justin Anderson (Virginia signee), Montrose's best player, and basically shut him out. I don't remember Anderson scoring one time against him.

Garino isn't the fasted guy, but the Argentinian has quick hands, excellent instincts, is a creative passer, and terrific all around skills.

My guess is that he makes the all-rookie team next year (along with McDonald) and is the best glue guy in the A-10 within 2 years.


3) Isiah Armwood becomes eligible next year. Villanova transfer was captain of their team before transferring because of Villanova's guard-exclusive system and glut of similar player. Armwood was a top 50 recruit in HS, though didn't score much yet at the college level. He is a 6'8" athletic payer who is actually very similar to David Pellom. The thinking is that the two of them together will give GW a very athletic frontcourt and a second scoring option we didn't have.

4) Greek big man Paris Maragkos seems to have some skills. Maragkos is the guy GW fans know the least about. He is from Greece and was rated a top 5 European player his age. He played at a top prep school near charlottesville, VA this year, and fared well, though got hurt late in the year and his production waned a bit. He is supposedly a strong 6'9" kid, with a nice face up jumper. I don't know if he's the most talented guy, but Lonergan's system desperately needs big men who can screen and hit jumpers to stretch the defense and he appears to be a very good fit for this role.

5) Kevin Larsen could = Kevin Lyde. GW has not signed 6'10", 260 lb. Kevin Larsen from Montrose Christian, but is hopeful he will sign very soon. Laresn starts for the Monstrose Christian powerhouse, though he is the 5th option so doesn't see the ball much. Physically he resembles Kevin Lyde, the old Temple big man. Larsen is a Danish guy who grew up playing soccer so he moves nicely and appears to have some decent skills, but from when I've watched him, it seems like he has a ways to go because the instincts aren't quite there yet. I doubt he would do much next year, but the coaching staff seems to think that within a year or two he could develop into a very big, very seriously skilled low post threat. He is the top recruiting target right now.


With so many new additions, I expect GW to start taking better to Lonergan's system, even with the loss of Tony Taylor (and Aaron Ware and Jabari Edwards). Expect GW to take a step forward next year, and be a top team in the league within 2.

__________________
A Wall St. banker, a tea party guy, and a union guy all sit down a table with 12 cookies.

The Wall St. banker takes 11 cookies, turns to the tea party guy and says, "That union guy wants a piece of your cookie."

Bona Wolf for Pope

Sounds like a good class. Are any of them expected to start?

__________________
"Careful reading comprehension is crucial to an online forum discussion."

Free Quebec

Yes, expectation is that 2 or 3 (maybe even 4) will start. I think you can pencil in Armwood and McDonald for sure, and either Savage or Garino will probably start. If Lasan Kromah refuses to play defense, I could see all 4 starting.

Team is going to Italy in August so they get some extra practice early, which will help the new guys and help the coaches figure things out.

__________________
A Wall St. banker, a tea party guy, and a union guy all sit down a table with 12 cookies.

The Wall St. banker takes 11 cookies, turns to the tea party guy and says, "That union guy wants a piece of your cookie."

Bona84

Are the newcomers allowed to make the Italy trip? Not sure, but I thought I read at some point that incoming players were not allowed on such trips, perhaps because they aren't officially enrolled until the Fall semester begins?

__________________
Bona84

BM-GW

Rule change a couple of years ago. Newcomers will go on the trip... And you can too!

Bona84

Then that is a great opportunity to begin integrating the newcomers early.

__________________
Bona84

templefan2

Kevin Lyde was a Mcdonald's All-American...Larson is a big body but he is no where near Lyde besides his body type...

MudFlap

Man, that looks like a fabulous trip!

z8-Minutemen

The first 3 recruits look good. Larson also looks like an intriguing prospect. Lots of diversity in that class. GW won't be very good this year, but look like they're headed in the right direction under Lonergan.

__________________
Dallas Cowboys- 5 super bowls and counting...

UMass Minutemen- 8 tournament appearances, 1 final four. Alumni: Julius 'Dr. J' Erving, Marcus Camby

Northeastern Huskies- 7 tournament appearances. Alumni: Reggie Lewis, Jose Juan 'JJ' Barea

Free Quebec

Oh, apparently Xavier has offered Larsen too.

__________________
A Wall St. banker, a tea party guy, and a union guy all sit down a table with 12 cookies.

The Wall St. banker takes 11 cookies, turns to the tea party guy and says, "That union guy wants a piece of your cookie."

TrainingDay

Watched MOntrose play a fair amount this year. Larsen to Lyde is definitely a stretch. Lyde was a serious load coming out of high school, simply dominated with his size. Larsen is more of just a big guy who gets in the way. Not terrible at anything but not good at anything really.

Not familiar with any of the other GW recruits except for Joe McDonald. From what I've heard from coaches in the area he should be a steal for them and a big time player from day 1. I was told that he could have gone to many Big East schools but was focused on academics. Supposedly once Villanova didn't have room for him than GW it was. Either way should be a good addition to the conference.

Free Quebec

I really just meant the Lyde comparison because he resembles him physically more than anoyone else I can recall. As I said, he'd have a very long way to go to get there in terms of performance, but perhaps in a couple of years

__________________
A Wall St. banker, a tea party guy, and a union guy all sit down a table with 12 cookies.

The Wall St. banker takes 11 cookies, turns to the tea party guy and says, "That union guy wants a piece of your cookie."

BM-GW

Kevin Larsen to sign with GW later today per many sources. Since the discussion here, Larsen was named the MVP of the under-card game of the Capital Classic (video). He chose GW over offers from PC, Marquette, VTech, Temple, UVA, Gonzaga and others.

JHG722

If you say so.

__________________
Temple Owls football and basketball

BU Terriers hockey

Gotta have my Pops

See for yourself...