Gillon is a huge get

[We Are Syracuse]

Right, and he will be able to shoot those 30 footers about 3 times in his Syracuse career before Boeheim shivs him in the locker room.

I think there is 0% chance of him starting. It will be either Battle and Mali or Battle and Howard. I couldn't imagine taking a starting spot away from a kid like Frank the Tank in a situation like this. He is going to be a stud player for us and has the size to actually play our defense.

This is all coming off way more negative than I intend it to. I am a huge Howard fan and think he will start and be great. I think Gillon will get minutes and will provide a really nice change of pace in his speed and quickness but will likely not shoot any better than Cooney did for his career and will likely be somewhat of a liability on defense. He will bring maturity and experience. Overall an excellent pick up.

Gillon is better than Frank exponentially offensively. Defense I cannot say because I have no idea how this kid will be in the zone. If he stinks defensively, then Frank will start. This kid is a threat from anywhere and has great vision like Frank.

 

[We Are Syracuse]

They are under valuing because we are loosing two perimeter shooters and maybe a third. Howard simply doesn't fill that void.

This. EXACTLY

 

[sugrad68]

Sorry man, if Gillon is anything less than an NBA MVP-caliber player, I will consider him a waste of a scholarship.

Not sure if anyone else responded to your post. With Kaleb Joseph leaving, I assume SU had an open scholarship. Too late to get a HS recruit for 2016-17. So there is no waste of a scholarship to give Gillon a one-year scholarship. We have one open, we need experience at the guard position, and Gillon was the best option available.

 

[sugrad68]

holy moly are people under-valuing Frankie H

I don't think so. Howard showed SOME ability last year in limited minutes. Best pure point guard on the roster prior to Gillon coming in. Gillon is a fairly proven commodity at the college level. Howard is not. I see both players playing substantial minutes.

 

[MSOrange]

No offense, HoustonCuse, but that is unadalturated bunk. Frankly, I don't think some of you are recognizing what you're seeing b/c it has been awhile since we've had a guard like this.

This kid was not brought in to sit, nor was that the expectation that was communicated to him in the recruiting process.

I agree. I think we all agree the MWC is not ACC level but it's a respectable enough conference that I'm excited about getting a guard who has already proven he can put up some nice stats at that level. It's certainly better than some of the alternatives like Spike or not getting anyone at all. And yes, someone who could put up those stats certainly had choices and wouldn't come to sit and watch.

 

[MSOrange]

Not sure if anyone else responded to your post. With Kaleb Joseph leaving, I assume SU had an open scholarship. Too late to get a HS recruit for 2016-17. So there is no waste of a scholarship to give Gillon a one-year scholarship. We have one open, we need experience at the guard position, and Gillon was the best option available.

I think your sarcasm detector might be off - or mine is.

 

[OttoMets]

Don't mean to imply that any of the in-the-know folks is wrong, but it would be very strange if a sub-6-footer who's never played Boeheim's zone before is given a starting job.

It's obvious that offense has been a huge problem for four years, but this would be sending the pendulum way back in the other direction. Not saying I'd disagree, but this would fly in the face of everything Boeheim's been doing since November 2009.

 

[HOFCeluck]

I couldn't care less if he starts out not. If his offensive prowess is legit he's going to see significant minutes coming off the bench at worst.

 

[iommi]

View attachment 62582

I'm still learning Photoshop. I could not figure out how to get rid of the white part. It's a work in progress.

Lawrinson14 has nothing to worry about.

 

[RF2044]

Don't mean to imply that any of the in-the-know folks is wrong, but it would be very strange if a sub-6-footer who's never played Boeheim's zone before is given a starting job.

It's obvious that offense has been a huge problem for four years, but this would be sending the pendulum way back in the other direction. Not saying I'd disagree, but this would fly in the face of everything Boeheim's been doing since November 2009.

Only, we've done that before multiple times, with Flynn and GMac [I don't care if he was listed at 6-2, the guy is about the same size as Gillon].

That is an artificial constraint the board is putting on the situation.

 

[kuethstheman]

Only, we've done that before multiple times, with Flynn and GMac [I don't care if he was listed at 6-2, the guy is about the same size as Gillon].

That is an artificial constraint the board is putting on the situation.

Maybe so but SU is at its best when the zone is awesome. If Gillon doesn't pick it up fast and/or Howard's offense doesn't make a big step, it'll be interesting to see what trade-offs JB makes, offense vs. defense.

 

[RF2044]

If the hipless Spike Albrecht had signed with us, it wouldn't have been for starter's minutes. Same deal. We picked up a capable backup and insurance policy. Not a bench rider or practice player, but not a guy to 'replace' Howard or Battle. IMO, of course... It's not like we went out to get a guy to replace Kaleb Joseph's freshman year. Howard has a higher ceiling. And, Battle...

A couple of quick things. We pursued three different grad transfers, but not all three were cut from the same cloth or viewed the same by the coaching staff. Mullins was a guy the staff went after--hard. They viewed him as a complimentary player who would provide terrific shooting, could play backup PG as he was the lead guard for Columbia, and had good size for the zone. They were trying to pitch him the potential for expanded PT if Mali didn't return.

Albrect was a desperation / stop gap involvement. It is very important to step back and recognize that we were facing a situation where if Mali bails we'd only have TWO GUARDS no next year's roster--Howard and Battle--neither of whom is a proven commodity. When Mullins [who the staff viewed as a good fit] opted to go elsewhere, then Albrect became a plan C fallback option--injury history and all. If we'd landed Albrect, the staff would have crossed their fingers hoping he would be healthy enough to play and give us the 10 minutes per game that some are artificially attributing to Gillon.

Gillon is small. That's literally the only knock on this kid. He could have gone to Oklahoma and been handed the keys to the team, since both of their guards are departing. Once the staff broke down his film, they loved his game. He wasn't brought in to sit--and will play major minutes whether as a starter or as a sub.

Ceiling is irrelevant. Sure, Howard has a higher "ceiling" because he's a sophomore, and this kid is a fifth year senior. Ceiling doesn't factor in much when the goal is to win this season.

 

[Dave85]

Lawrinson14 has nothing to worry about.

I thought the same thing!

 

[RF2044]

Maybe so but SU is at its best when the zone is awesome. If Gillon doesn't pick it up fast and/or Howard's offense doesn't make a big step, it'll be interesting to see what trade-offs JB makes, offense vs. defense.

Scoring is a pretty important part of the game, too. Let's not forget that.

I love Howard. He was my favorite recruit from the class of 2015. I'm hoping that he is putting up 1000 shots a day, and that he plays on a summer league team where he can run the point and further hone his lead guard aptitude to prepare for next season. Kid is going to have a very nice career in Orange, IMO.

But as things stand right now, our starting lineup if Mali bails could be Howard, Battle, Lydon, Roberson, and Coleman / Chukwu.

That's a non-scoring point, an unproven frosh, a PF playing out of position, a low scoring forward, and a low scoring center. That isn't exactly going to strike fear in the heart of the opposition.

Hopefully Mali returns, and we'll be loaded. That would also give us tons of roster flexibility.

 

[Dave85]

Scoring is a pretty important part of the game, too. Let's not forget that.

I love Howard. He was my favorite recruit from the class of 2015. I'm hoping that he is putting up 1000 shots a day, and that he plays on a summer league team where he can run the point and further hone his lead guard aptitude to prepare for next season. Kid is going to have a very nice career in Orange, IMO.

But as things stand right now, our starting lineup if Mali bails could be Howard, Battle, Lydon, Roberson, and Coleman / Chukwu.

That's a non-scoring point, an unproven frosh, a PF playing out of position, a low scoring forward, and a low scoring center. That isn't exactly going to strike fear in the heart of the opposition.

Hopefully Mali returns, and we'll be loaded. That would also give us tons of roster flexibility.

Howard or Gillon is not a question. As always, JB will play whoever is playing well. I've never seen JB ever play a kid just so the kid gets time to improve. He always plays what he thinks gives him the best chance to win. He's always been this way. How many times have players been in the dog-house through the years. I can't even count it. My thinking is if Howard is playing well he gets the starting spot. If not, then Gillon gets it if he can play it and so on down the line until Lydon is the PG. Okay, just kidding on Lydon being PG. Don't get your panties in bunch and start replying to my post Lydon can't be PG and shouting what an idiot I am. My fragile confidence can't take it.

 

[OttoMets]

Only, we've done that before multiple times, with Flynn and GMac [I don't care if he was listed at 6-2, the guy is about the same size as Gillon].

That is an artificial constraint the board is putting on the situation.

Maybe, but from everything I hear it's a real constraint that Boeheim put on (specifically because of Flynn's laziness, oddly enough). He's been a defense-first coach, especially with his guards, since summer 2009. And I think he'll credit this move as the spark for our renaissance.

I trust the coaches' talent evaluation completely, I think Gillon looks more offensively skilled than anyone we've had since Scoop left, but I'm just noting that Boeheim prioritized defense 7 years ago and it'd be something of a reversal of course for him to start a first-year guard (especially one who's short).

I'm cool with that, because we need good offensive players on the floor, but this would be a significant change.

 

[Dave85]

Maybe, but from everything I hear it's a real constraint that Boeheim put on (specifically because of Flynn's laziness, oddly enough). He's been a defense-first coach, especially with his guards, since summer 2009. And I think he'll credit this move as the spark for our renaissance.

I trust the coaches' talent evaluation completely, I think Gillon looks more offensively skilled than anyone we've had since Scoop left, but I'm just noting that Boeheim prioritized defense 7 years ago and it'd be something of a reversal of course for him to start a first-year guard (especially one who's short).

I'm cool with that, because we need good offensive players on the floor, but this would be a significant change.

Battle is going to be terrific on offense. Gillon and Battle will learn how to play the top of the zone very quickly. What's more important is having the athleticism and endurance to expend the amount of energy that is required. Our teams always seem to play our best defense at the end of the season.

P.S. I remember biting my nails every time Scoop would shoot. But I sure did miss him after he left!

 

[SWC75]

Not a high school highlight tape is a very good point!

It's still a highlight tape. What would his lowlight tape look like? (Every player could have one and it might tell you more about him.)

 

[Dave85]

It's still a highlight tape. What would his lowlight tape look like? (Every player could have one and it might tell you more about him.)

At least it is a long highlight tape if that's any consolation. But I do see your point.

 

[Cusefan0307]

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2016/5...so-who-is-colorado-state-transfer-john-gillon

Here's a great article on Gillon from Nunes. I like what I hear more and more. Sounds like he would be perfect as an energy changing 6th man.

 

[QUSE]

Watched his highlight a few times, his game just reminds me of Flynn's. Physique wise they are similar too. Flynn was stronger and slightly more explosive, but this kid's offensive game has more finesse to it. What impresses me the most is his shooting, he has both 1-motion quick set shot (similar to Curry and Harden's) and 2-motion jump shot, and he switched it up depending on the defense, I hardly ever saw that from a college player. That's a sign of a great shooter even though his shooting number last year didn't agree (probably more of a shot selection issue). And just like Flynn he plays bigger than his size and finishes very well in traffic, but unlike Flynn who was more of a straight line driver and looked for body contact in the air, he changes speed and direction a lot and seems smarter and more in control when he drives, having a great handle obviously helped. Offensively if he can provide 70-80% what sophomore Flynn did I think we're in good shape.

 

[iommi]

RF2044 You've got mail.

 

[RF2044]

Maybe, but from everything I hear it's a real constraint that Boeheim put on (specifically because of Flynn's laziness, oddly enough). He's been a defense-first coach, especially with his guards, since summer 2009. And I think he'll credit this move as the spark for our renaissance.

I trust the coaches' talent evaluation completely, I think Gillon looks more offensively skilled than anyone we've had since Scoop left, but I'm just noting that Boeheim prioritized defense 7 years ago and it'd be something of a reversal of course for him to start a first-year guard (especially one who's short).

I'm cool with that, because we need good offensive players on the floor, but this would be a significant change.

Get used to it--they are going hardcore after Quade Green, who is exactly this same size.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Frank still has to tighten up and improve that handle in addition to the shooting/defense to be given most of the minutes at PG. I think it really will be a heated competition when practices start. Competition is good. We'll see how it shakes down. But, for the most part we're really set now in the backcourt especially if Mali returns.

 

[SWC75]

At least it is a long highlight tape if that's any consolation. But I do see your point.

He does show some interesting skills. I'm glad to have him.

A Cooney highlight tape would make him look like Jerry West.