I believe DJ Armstrong has 2 years of eligibility left. He played for 2 years at JUCO power, Odessa College. He played 60+ games there. If that JUCO ruling is still in effect, he should have 2 years left if he wants them.
I think D1 basketball went to 15 scholarships for the 25-26 season, so should be interesting to see who else we get in.
As far as the rotations go. I hope I am wrong on this, but I don't think Devin Ceaser is the answer at PG or SG. That's based purely on data available to evaluate.
There is no question, he can score. 61 career games at 14.2 min a game and avg 8.4 ppg. But it is not efficient scoring. It's volume scoring.
My other concern is: 61 career games - avg 14.2 min a game ... yet only has 41 career assists (49 turnovers) in those 61 games.
He only played 12 of ODUs 35 games last year. I am assuming an injury?
The year prior he had solid numbers considering the minutes played per game. If he could get the shooting % up to like 45/35/75 this year, he could be a real player for us.
He is still kind of a mystery, with only 19 games as a freshman, 30 games as a sophomore off the bench and 12 games last year as a junior.
Onto other players ..
Evan Morton, I think is going to be good. I have some concerns about the shooting % and scoring efficiency, considering he's moving up in level of competition. I think this year at UMBC may be similar to last year in D2 stat wise. He'll be improved this season obviously, but also will be facing much better competition. I see it as kind of a wash stat wise if he is in the same type of roll.
I think 6-6 Paul Greene and 6-3 Jah'likai King both start this year for us. They are both good players. They fit into what Ferry wants to do offensively. Greene's size, plus ability, helps. King is a player.
Daylon Dickinson and Tim Eze were both completely misused last season. It was disappointing. I think both of these guys can produce this year and give quality minutes. They are both much better than people think. I want to see them used this season.
DJ Armstrong is a smooth guard. He can shoot, high basketball IQ. I think he will be a solid guard off the bench and situationally will be very good for us. I may not be giving him enough credit. He might surprise.
Caden Diggs was very good in HS. Had some nice offers. I am a little surprised he didn't play more at Old Dominion. They were not very good, finished 15-20. The positive was he played in all 35 games as a true freshman, around 11 min a game. He should be much improved and fit right into Ferry's offense. High hopes for him.
Jose Tanchyn had some decent numbers for not playing a ton of minutes. I think he helps with size obviously. With big guys, especially ones transferring up a level, this may be more of a wait and see type deal. I'm optimistic for sure though. Palm Beach Atlantic was a quality D2 program, beating the eventual D2 national champion during the reg season. Tanchyn had 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 20 min in that game.
As for the freshman coming in from NoVa, Jacobs can play, and it's a nice grab for UMBC. I'm not sure how much he plays this year just because this team has a decent amount of talent/depth and Ferry needs to win games to get an extension. With the injury to Ciunys, maybe some minutes could possibly open up.
The preferred walk on Jake Stout can play, he's a former first team All-MIAA guy. He's got good size and can shoot.
If I had to take a wild guess for a starting five, I'd probably go with:
Valentine
King
Greene
Odunowo
And then depending on what Ferry wants to do offensively would determine his last starter.
He either puts another guard out there Ceaser/Armstrong/Morton ... or he puts some type of forward or post player out there, maybe Diggs, bec of his size and athletic ability? I would guess another guard.
I think Valentine and Odunowo are known commodities to Ferry and he'll probably start both. If Diggs proves to be more athletic and overall just better than Greene, maybe hes out there instead. Who knows, maybe even the big man from Palm Beach Atlantic starts at the 5, with Odunowo at the 4, and then 3 guards on the floor?
I actually think this team has some talent and ability to win games. Lots of potential depth here, even with losing Ciunys.
