BRYANT (2019-20 record: 15-17)Last Game: St. Francis (PA) 87, Bryant 61 on 3/4/20
Last Game with SBU: Bryant 77, Stony Brook 59 on 12/30/98
Checkmate Unofficial Line: Bryant -2
NET Ranking: TBD
KenPom Rating: Stony Brook 246, Bryant 310
KenPom Prediction: Stony Brook 70, Bryant 69
Listen/Watch: http://necfrontrow.com/game/7501Notables:6-2/180 jr G Chris Childs 14.2 ppg, .450 3-pt FG% (at Indian Hills CC)
5-11/155 so G Michael Green III 9.3 ppg, 3.1 apg
6-8/200 rjr G Melo Eggleston 8.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg (at Arkansas State)
6-4/185 so G Charles Pride 8.2 ppg
6-8/230 rsr F Hall Elisias 7.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .625 FG%
Let's do this?
Here we are: The roster's new, we can't go to any games, the game may or may not be played, and if it's played, are we certain that we have the opponent right? It's some start to the year. But I gotta say, I am still fired up about the ball going up on 2020-21 and am hopeful that we can get most/all of these games in.
Let's start with us. My projected starting lineup, with no inside knowledge, is Rodriguez, TSM, Diallo, Policelli and Gueye. And I actually like our depth Greene started some at Manhattan, Habwe at MSM, and then the jucos played a lot of minutes where they were too. I'm really curious to see how much we see of McKenzie, if at all, with Rodriguez, TSM, TPP and White all here.
As I think I've done the past couple years, questions I have going into opening night ...
- Just how much has Gueye improved?
- How good are these new guys, particularly Policelli and Rodriguez?
- No really, how good are these guys?
- Who are our #1, 2, 3, etc. options offensively?
- We lost 85% of our made threes from last year. Who are our shooters?
- How well has the team jelled considering the inexperience playing together?
For me, the guy I'm most interested in finding out more about is JRod (going with that moniker). At first glance, I was not impressed with the Monroe or high school videos. TBH, I thought Mike Almonacy all over again slight build, standing around, not interested in defense. And before you cite his junior college numbers, consider the numbers that our guys have put up at the Division II level. On the flip side, it sounds like he's going to get a chance to play a big role for us. Can he run the point at this level? Can he take care of the ball? Can he be one of our top few scoring options too? We'll find out.
If you listened to the Howl podcast, Ford said that Gueye is a completely different player. Like,
completely. Defensively, no worries whatsoever. But is he our go-to guy now? That would require a tremendous leap from where he was last year shaky jumper and prone to getting pickpocketed underneath or on drives. Is he ready to put up 15 a night? Or is it Policelli or TSM? If Policelli came here out of high school, he'd have been one of our greatest gets in history. And from what I hear, he can really really shoot it. Curious about his motor but this is a golden opportunity for him to be
the guy for the first time since New Hartford. We also saw glimpses last year from TSM with back-to-back 19 point nights.
Other than that, will
any of this juco production translate? Diallo had some big nights, and LES was a double double machine. But it can be so deceptive. Thrower averaged 14 a game in D-II. He's one of plenty of players who couldn't make it here but lit up the lower levels.
I feel like we'll be good on the glass between Gueye, LES, Sayles, Habwe and Diallo. Defensively, maybe we're all right inside, but you can't overlook the perimeter D that Olaniyi and Latimer in particular provided. We have generally defended the three well, and you could always count on those two, and Garcia, to get on the boards too. Both important.
As for Bryant, they'll have a lot of new faces too. All-conference guard Adam Grant is gone. Benson Lin, an all-rookie team member (and Jeremy's brother), isn't on the roster not sure of his whereabouts. Some key bench guys left for places like Elon, Indianapolis and Limestone. But ... there's still a decent nucleus led by conference Rookie of the Year Michael Green III, who I could see being a first- or second-team type this year. He reminds me a little of Sam Sessoms ball on a string, fearless going to the basket, can finish with either hand. Maybe Jairus Lyles Lite? He's pretty good. He's a NY kid and I wish we had him. Maybe JRod can match him though? Beyond that though, Childs and Eggleston had some good numbers at their previous stops, and Elisias (a Nassau kid) and Pride played significant roles a year ago.
Bryant was not a great shooting team last year, and a lot of those shooters are gone, so what do they really have? And does that sounds familiar? It should.
This one feels like a tossup. We lost a LOT. I give Bryant the edge because it's in their gym and they have a few more pieces back than we do.
Whatever the result, it's good to be back. Just don't change anything between now and game time to render this preview moot.