The tendency in preseason player evaluation is to look at the offensive possibilities while totally overlooking defensive skills, past performance and strengths and weaknesses. This article while interesting as far as it goes ignores the defensive strengths and weaknesses of the players mentioned. Further I question the wisdom or advantage of playing two point guards with similar skills and size ( on the smaller side) together for multiple minutes. Granted we know little of the defensive capabilities of any of the guards except Pierre and Floyd because we have not seen them against BE competition. Practically speaking, I believe we will see a variety of line ups for most of the non conference schedule with the exception of the Battle for Atlantis and perhaps BYU. For those games I think we will see the majority of minutes go to the more experienced players.
I don’t disagree with any take here - although it is quite obvious Jayden and Bensley are not of the stature of Kris Dunn or David Duke Jr when looking at their defensive abilities. I did call out Bensley’s great hands and grit as well as CFJ’s physicality which can help him against smaller guards. But regardless the offensive upside at the point guard position at least is much more exciting - I try to keep it positive lol
Bill- My analysis of the 2024-25 Friars is hopeful also. I like Pierre but I just hope he can cut down on his turnover rate. He had too many last year. The team looks talented and very deep.
It will be a real challenge for English to utilize that talent to its best advantage. As I always say you never know how good your team is until you start playing Big East teams like Nova, Creighton, St. John's et al. Hopefully with players like Hopkins, Pierre, Floyd, Barron etc. we will make the Big Dance! From there the sky is the limit. Go Friars, God Bless!
Very well said Alfred, you truly don’t know your team until you’ve entered the grind of Big East Conference play - I think Pierre is going to take a huge jump this year!
The tendency in preseason player evaluation is to look at the offensive possibilities while totally overlooking defensive skills, past performance and strengths and weaknesses. This article while interesting as far as it goes ignores the defensive strengths and weaknesses of the players mentioned. Further I question the wisdom or advantage of playing two point guards with similar skills and size ( on the smaller side) together for multiple minutes. Granted we know little of the defensive capabilities of any of the guards except Pierre and Floyd because we have not seen them against BE competition. Practically speaking, I believe we will see a variety of line ups for most of the non conference schedule with the exception of the Battle for Atlantis and perhaps BYU. For those games I think we will see the majority of minutes go to the more experienced players.
I don’t disagree with any take here - although it is quite obvious Jayden and Bensley are not of the stature of Kris Dunn or David Duke Jr when looking at their defensive abilities. I did call out Bensley’s great hands and grit as well as CFJ’s physicality which can help him against smaller guards. But regardless the offensive upside at the point guard position at least is much more exciting - I try to keep it positive lol
Bill- My analysis of the 2024-25 Friars is hopeful also. I like Pierre but I just hope he can cut down on his turnover rate. He had too many last year. The team looks talented and very deep.
It will be a real challenge for English to utilize that talent to its best advantage. As I always say you never know how good your team is until you start playing Big East teams like Nova, Creighton, St. John's et al. Hopefully with players like Hopkins, Pierre, Floyd, Barron etc. we will make the Big Dance! From there the sky is the limit. Go Friars, God Bless!
Very well said Alfred, you truly don’t know your team until you’ve entered the grind of Big East Conference play - I think Pierre is going to take a huge jump this year!