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Post by akhorey on Jun 19, 2024 16:34:57 GMT -5
Probable RosterManciel Kuac Hurst N. Johnson Mitchell Okoro Nadeau II Geeter Lovejoy Kalambay Lary Gondrezick II Tchikou? The ? after Tchikou's name reflects his continuing uncertain status. If you read his column in the Varsity News from last February, he's likely dealing with a class credit issue due to his visa problem. He’s in the same situation that stone was in last season. If he gets a certain amount of credits by August to make up for what was missed in the previous year (F’s/Incompletes and I would imagine their is a lot of them) he’ll be eligible. It comes down to if he wants to do it or not though. It’s not hard at all to get 15 online credits in the summer UDM he can get eligible if he chooses to. but if it’s a headache Monty seems more eager to develop guys than wait on talented guys who are at times head cases so if he fills that spot I wouldn’t be surprised but they don’t have anyone nearly as athletic as him it would be nice.
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Post by royaloakdave on Jul 10, 2024 10:29:23 GMT -5
I agree, it appears that Tchikou is the most athletic of the front court players on our roster. And he displayed talent in limited playing time at URI during the 2022-23 season.
Clearly, the 'ball is in his court' regarding academic eligibility and maintaining an appropriate level of fitness over the Summer.
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Post by akhorey on Jul 12, 2024 8:03:12 GMT -5
From what I can tell French is in Detroit and has been on campus
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 12, 2024 17:09:25 GMT -5
Monty doesn't look much heavier than he was when he played. Nice to see more social media content from the program this year, including the post about recruiting. Go Titans.
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Post by royaloakdave on Jul 22, 2024 10:39:20 GMT -5
Since Alex Tchikou is apparently on campus, I'm wondering if the coaching staff is excluding him from Summer workouts until he gets his course work in order.
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Post by JDetroitTitan on Jul 22, 2024 10:43:29 GMT -5
Since Alex Tchikou is apparently on campus, I'm wondering if the coaching staff is excluding him from Summer workouts until he gets his course work in order. This guy had all of last year to get grade in order. The University must be on top of this like they were on top of the passport.
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Post by akhorey on Jul 22, 2024 14:55:33 GMT -5
Since Alex Tchikou is apparently on campus, I'm wondering if the coaching staff is excluding him from Summer workouts until he gets his course work in order. I only went from his social media feed which seemed as if he was in Detroit. Doubt coaches would leave him out of summer workouts if he was there.
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Post by Commissioner on Aug 2, 2024 10:30:18 GMT -5
It appears that the roster is pretty well set with one big "if," that being Tchikou.
Anybody want to start guessing as to the starters and rotation? I wouldn't be surprised if we see several different lineups early in the year--we've got 9 players who have never seen D-1 action--7 freshmen and two transfers--and a 10th who played 5 games in an injury-riddled freshman season.
If everyone is healthy, I suspect we'll not see any of the freshmen start, but rather the starters will be: PG - Lovejoy, 6-2 SG - Manciel, 6-3 or Hurst, 6-3 F - Tchikou, 6-11 F - Geeter, 6-8 F - Kuac, 6-7
If Tchikou can't play, I see a 3-guard lineup with both Manciel and Hurst starting, but some real opportunities for one of the big freshmen--Mitchell, Okoro, or Kalambay.
Much depends on Tchikou. First, will he be on the team at all; and Second, if he is, will he be any good. He was a P5 recruit and after playing just 3 games at 'Bama, transferred to Rhode Island where he had a passable red-shirt freshman year, starting 13 games and averaging 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Manciel was a big disappointment last year, but I remain optimistic for 2024-25. Why? In part, he was much better over the last half of the season.
Here are his splits, dividing the season into 4 quarters or 8 games each: 1st Quarter: 7 games, 12 mpg, 0.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, 00.0% 2pt (1.0 attempts), 10.0% 3pt (1.4 attempts), 66.7% FT 2nd Quarter: 8 games, 16 mpg, 2.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.9 apg, 50.0% 2pt (1.8 attempts), 09.5% 3pt (2.6 attempts), 50.0% FT. 3rd Quarter: 8 games, 30 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 47.4% 2pt (2.4 attempts), 31.1% 3pt (5.6 attempts), 86.7% FT 4th Quarter: 8 games, 21 mpg, 7.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 55.6% 2pt (1.1 attempts), 43.8% 3pt (4.0 attempts), 66.7% FT
By half-season: 1st half: 15 games, 14 mpg, 1.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.6 apg, 33.3% 2pt (1.4 attempts), 09.7% 3pt (2.1 attempts), 60.0% FT 2nd half: 16 games, 26 mpg, 8.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 50.0% 2pt (1.8 attempts), 36.4% 3pt (4.8 attempts), 79.2% FT
As you can see, Manciel was a LOT more effective in the second half. He was used less in the final 8 games than in the 3rd quarter (mainly because Stone was out in the 3rd quarter), but his numbers were solid and his floor shooting percentages continued to climb. Manciel was both stepping up from the JUCO ranks, and coming back from injury last year. It took him a long time to get going, but once he did he was pretty good. I think he's a good bet to take a Tankersley-like step forward this year.
Kuac is another key. Last year he was dogged by injuries throughout most of the season. He was able to play in just 11 of the Titans' first 24 games, averaging just 16 minutes. Kuac played in all of the Titans' final 8 games, however, averaging 26 minutes. Unfortunately, that didn't boost his production a lot--he shot just 28.6% from three and averaged 4.9 points in those 8 games. But as his 27-point game against Milwaukee earlier in the season showed, he can play. He needs to stay healthy, and needs to shoot better (just 29.5% overall last year, 26.9% from three).
Lovejoy comes over from EMU, where he averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 assists. He averaged almost 32 minutes per game last year, which is good, because we have no experienced back-up for the point--I expect redshirt freshman Grant Gondrezik (a transfer from Elon) will get every chance there. Neither Hurst nor Manciel, nor transfers Jared Lary and Peter Fuchs, are good options at the point.
Geeter, a one-time Providence recruit, comes over from EMU with Lovejoy. Legend, who is listed as 6-8, 235 lbs., has had two nearly identical seasons at EMU (157 points and 108 rebounds in 2023, 157 points and 107 rebounds in 2024), where he's been just OK. He's a big body, and especially if Tchikou doesn't join the team, we really need Legend to step it up a notch. We need about 10 points and 6 rebounds a game from the big guy from River Rouge--but he's averaged just 5.5 and 3.8 in two seasons with the Hurons Eagles. He'll help in any event, but his ability to take it up a notch will matter a lot.
We'll have to see what happens with Ryan Hurst. When he was able to play last year--just 5 games--Ryan was a gunner, averaging 12.4 points but also taking 12 shots per game (over 14 shots per game if we take out his one game with an injury-related early exit), with a decidedly mediocre 25.6% rate from three. As Lovejoy is not a three point shooter at all, we need Ryan to improve on that. I think he can do so, and he's an exciting player to watch.
Someone of Manciel, Hurst, and Kuac has to consistently hit the three.
Beyond those 6 guys (5 if no Tchikou!) are the freshmen and transfers. But I don't expect a whole lot from our two transfers. Jared Lary, started just 9 of 29 games at WHAC member Aquinas last year. His top-line numbers (11.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 apg) were decent enough, and he can score, but his 3 point percentage was just 33.7%, and all those numbers, don't forget, are against WHAC competition. I think we'll be pretty happy if he's a decent 7th-8th-9th man in the rotation. Peter Fuchs comes in from D-2 Minnesota-Crookston, where he started just 4 games last year, averaging 6.4 points and shooting just 20.5% from three. These stats don't scream out "D1 star-in-the-making!" Again, if Fuchs can just be a back-end rotation player this year I think that would be fine.
Then there's the freshmen. I'm cautiously high on Gondrezick. Never seen him, don't know much about him, but he's got the pedigree--his dad played a couple years in the NBA, his mom was also a star player, playing on Louisiana Tech's 1988 National champs, so hopefully he's got some basketball IQ (he has regular IQ--he was an honor roll student in HS). He averaged over 25 ppg his senior year at Benton Harbor and was 1st team all-state in the Detroit News; he had offers from at least Elon and Northern Illinois. He signed with Elon, which red-shirted him last year.
Beyond that we've got three big guards--Chase Kuiper, TJ Nadeau, and Nathan Johnson. Nadeau may be the best. He got a an offer from Bowling Green shortly before signing with Coach Montgomery, and Arkansas offered him a preferred-walk on slot. He's described as a big time shooter. Johnson had an early offer from CMU, but they didn't recruit him hard. Had we not gotten him Grand Valley State was his likely destination. He is said to be a solid all-around player with a good floor game. Kuiper was a second-team All-State selection by the Free Press. It appears that all three of these guys, and especially Kuiper and Nadeau, were moving up in the eyes of most scouts last year, which is always better, I think, than someone whose offers/reviews are declining in quality.
Of the freshman bigs, I think both 6-9 Nigerian Stephen Okoro and 6-10 Detroiter Miles Mitchell could both get significant PT. Okoro had offers from Siena and some lower ranked D1 programs; Mitchell from Eastern Michigan, Morehouse State, and Alabama A&M. Mitchell needs to bulk up a bit, but he's tall and lean, said to work hard and be athletic. I'm hopeful he can be a strong rim-protector. The third big guy is 6-9 Ryan Kalambay, out of Canada.
To sum up, I see the top 6 (or 5?) as Tchikou (?), Kuac, Geeter, Manciel, Lovejoy, and Hurst. I think several of the freshmen may get meaningful PT, at least until one or two seize the time. My guess is Gondrezick will back up Lovejoy; one of either Okoro or Mitchell will be the top front court player off the bench, and one of the big shooting guards will hopefully emerge to round out the rotation.
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Post by royaloakdave on Aug 3, 2024 11:06:47 GMT -5
Commissioner ..... thank you for thorough assessment of our current roster.
I agree with your projected starting line up. From my perspective; this group represents reasonable talent and a decent amount of experience. 😊
PG Lovejoy SG Manciel or Hurst F Tchikou F Geeter F Kuac
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Post by akhorey on Aug 3, 2024 14:14:39 GMT -5
Tchikou makes this conversation difficult because I would say him not being on the squad will change around the expectations for other guys. For example if tchikou is in the lineup then Geeter and Kuac will be able to bump to the 4 (or even the 3 for Kuac) which is much more favorable size matchups and our defense would actually be fairly tough to score on because we’d be long and athletic. Tchikou isn’t that impressive of a rebounder at all so it’ll have to be by committee, no Liddell DIY board control this year. Alex t can block shots well but I’d assume he’s a guy who plays himself out of position trying to swat everything. If he doesn’t play miles Mitchell and Kuac will be the rim protectors and I could see Mitchell getting in the starting lineup by the end of the year because of this with injuries or struggles by Geeter. Geeter has the talent but only had 4 and 2 or something like that against us last year and we can’t afford guys who sometimes just don’t mentally get off the bus. I think the guard from Elon will be a good bench piece. Manciel is going to be a stud and Monty wants to use him. Could see hurst being a 15 ppg guy off the bench. Also think Nadaeu improves a lot throughout the year similar to tank his freshman year. Excited for this team but I think it’ll take a little while for them to Mesh.
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Post by ptctitan on Aug 3, 2024 16:43:42 GMT -5
Alex is older but he has just one year's experience playing D1 ball. He is a very gifted athlete. If he returns, I hope he proves to be a gifted basketball player.
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Post by upbasketballfan on Aug 3, 2024 19:18:38 GMT -5
Tchikou makes this conversation difficult because I would say him not being on the squad will change around the expectations for other guys. For example if tchikou is in the lineup then Geeter and Kuac will be able to bump to the 4 (or even the 3 for Kuac) which is much more favorable size matchups and our defense would actually be fairly tough to score on because we’d be long and athletic. Tchikou isn’t that impressive of a rebounder at all so it’ll have to be by committee, no Liddell DIY board control this year. Alex t can block shots well but I’d assume he’s a guy who plays himself out of position trying to swat everything. If he doesn’t play miles Mitchell and Kuac will be the rim protectors and I could see Mitchell getting in the starting lineup by the end of the year because of this with injuries or struggles by Geeter. Geeter has the talent but only had 4 and 2 or something like that against us last year and we can’t afford guys who sometimes just don’t mentally get off the bus. I think the guard from Elon will be a good bench piece. Manciel is going to be a stud and Monty wants to use him. Could see hurst being a 15 ppg guy off the bench. Also think Nadaeu improves a lot throughout the year similar to tank his freshman year. Excited for this team but I think it’ll take a little while for them to Mesh. From what I saw last year Hurst should start before Manciel. Hurst was a much better defender . Manciel never guarded anyone and was quite apprehensive inside. I am looking for Hurst to have a nice year for us! We should be fine inside even if we have to play a couple of the Freshmen bigs.
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Post by royaloakdave on Aug 6, 2024 13:49:44 GMT -5
Tchikou makes this conversation difficult because I would say him not being on the squad will change around the expectations for other guys. For example if tchikou is in the lineup then Geeter and Kuac will be able to bump to the 4 (or even the 3 for Kuac) which is much more favorable size matchups and our defense would actually be fairly tough to score on because we’d be long and athletic. Tchikou isn’t that impressive of a rebounder at all so it’ll have to be by committee, no Liddell DIY board control this year. Alex t can block shots well but I’d assume he’s a guy who plays himself out of position trying to swat everything. If he doesn’t play miles Mitchell and Kuac will be the rim protectors and I could see Mitchell getting in the starting lineup by the end of the year because of this with injuries or struggles by Geeter. Geeter has the talent but only had 4 and 2 or something like that against us last year and we can’t afford guys who sometimes just don’t mentally get off the bus. I think the guard from Elon will be a good bench piece. Manciel is going to be a stud and Monty wants to use him. Could see hurst being a 15 ppg guy off the bench. Also think Nadaeu improves a lot throughout the year similar to tank his freshman year. Excited for this team but I think it’ll take a little while for them to Mesh. From what I saw last year Hurst should start before Manciel. Hurst was a much better defender . Manciel never guarded anyone and was quite apprehensive inside. I am looking for Hurst to have a nice year for us! We should be fine inside even if we have to play a couple of the Freshmen bigs.
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Post by royaloakdave on Aug 6, 2024 13:54:09 GMT -5
From what I saw last year Hurst should start before Manciel. Hurst was a much better defender . Manciel never guarded anyone and was quite apprehensive inside. I am looking for Hurst to have a nice year for us! We should be fine inside even if we have to play a couple of the Freshmen bigs. I'm looking forward to seeing some 'healthy competition' between Hurst and Manciel. 😊
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