Seawolves Fans

I know we have three conference tournament games, the 16-seed play-in game, and six games until we cut down the nets  but let's take a gander of what we have coming back and also the new arrivals.

PG: McKenzie, Cornish, Almonacy, Ceesay
SG: Olaniyi, Latimer, Long
SF: Yeboah, Garcia, Moor
PF: Ochefu
C: Christie

We have at least one more spot to fill; I have no evidence, but I sense though that at least one of these guards will transfer out, so perhaps maybe more. Pure speculation.

Yes, five seniors come off the books, so that's a lot of game experience that we won't have, but the cupboards aren't bare. I view Yeboah and Olaniyi as our two best players right now, but you can see the growth in Ochefu and McKenzie. The latter with Cornish is a pretty good place to start at PG, although both clearly have their flaws (and to be fair, their assets too).

Across the AE, Vermont gets hit pretty hard by graduation – I wonder if Becker gets lured away a la Pikiell – and UMBC loses its two guards. Is Hartford the favorite? It's strange to say, but their nucleus is that good. Albany has a pretty strong core returning also between Cremo, Nichols and Campbell. Otherwise, I can't see us falling behind the rest of the league; a lot of teams just spinning their wheels.

I'm not sure what deals we're locked into in terms of scheduling – at Norfolk State next year? at Bucknell? LIU Brooklyn here? – but at least we're sure about playing at Hofstra.

I'm cautiously optimistic – not a tournament team, but I think we have a good group that will hopefully be flanked nicely by the newcomers.

I'd think we'd probably line up like this, to be honest:

PG: McKenzie, Cornish, Almonacy, Ceesay
SG: Latimer, Long
SF: Olaniyi, Garcia
PF: Yeboah, Moor
C: Ochefu, Christie

Or, rather, I think Boals sees positions in this way (and I don't disagree):

PG: MCKENZIE. Cornish, Almonacy, Ceesay
WINGS: LATIMER, OLANIYI, YEBOAH. Long, Garcia, Moor
BIGS:  OCHEFU. Christie

I wanted to avoid Yeboah being our starting 4, but in AE play, I suppose he could manage that. And may have to if we don't address our lack of size.

We really can't say for sure what these freshmen bring to the table, but on the surface, I like your bolded starting five.

I'm not nearly up on the new guys coming in as the rest of you, but looking at who's presumably coming back, I think we're in a much weaker position next year than we are this year.  Sort of like the Knicks in 2017-18; pretty decent starting 5, but if we lose anyone of importance to injury (or transfer), it could get ugly fast.

No doubt Almonacy will transfer; nothing for him to get excited about coming back.  Given his pedigree at Brentwood, I sincerely doubt he's willing to sit on the pine his last 2 years.

Cornish, who has ability, is going to have to learn how to become a controlled quarterback in the off-season.  I think Ochefu is a project, but with the right Big coaching, could become a legitimate force moving forward.  He's shown some flashes this year, in his limited minutes.

Looking forward to this Latimer kid, and Christie.  Haven't seen enough of Long to see his value yet.  We definitely need some size; I'd prefer one Juco and one freshman to keep things balanced.  Aren't there any 2nd-tier Long Island kids at 6'9" and above that we could convince to stay local?  A Petras type maybe?

From a basketball standpoint, I hope Almonacy transfers, not because it’s an available scholarship spot for us but because he has two years left in his career and he’d be better off playing 30 minutes a night someplace, competing at a high level and making some memories rather than fighting for crumbs here. No shame in making that move. Molloy, Adelphi, Tech, Post, all good landing spots. Even Farmingdale, where he could play with Mableton again and win a bunch of games.

A friend thinks he will transfer, play for a year, and then not play as a senior. Not sure on that rationale but it comes from experience.

The above more or less applies to Long.


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It is impossible to not like Elijah Olaniyi. How could you?

https://cbbtoday.com/mens/stony-brook-seawolves-elijah-olaniyi-renaissance-man/

Spotted: Andrew Garcia walking gingerly with a big brace on his left knee and one crutch in hand.


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Quote from: Checkmate on September 15, 2018, 08:31:36 pm

Spotted: Andrew Garcia walking gingerly with a big brace on his left knee and one crutch in hand.


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OH NO!!  What a shame!  I expected this to finally be his breakout year, especially as hard as he has worked in the gym for his recovery.  Is this the same knee as his ACL?  Did it look like a knee or ankle?

I have no idea what the scale of the injury is but it was a sizable brace – definitely his knee, not his ankle. And it was his RIGHT knee that kept him out of action before. I'm hoping it's something minor.

Where's Newsday when you need them? Would the Lexington Herald Leader cover an injury like this at UK?

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Just got some info that Garcia's injury wasn't as serious as it may have looked, and it was to the other knee (i.e. not the one with the ACL tear).  Word is that he will be in practice sessions and that Coach B. is anticipating that he will be a major contributor this season.  Can anyone confirm?
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For whatever it's worth, I saw him at halftime during the last football game walking around, joking, and he looked fine to me with no sign of a brace or other noticeable limp/injury.