Lamount Samuel to transfer

[Fordham Road]

That would be good news. I don't like a guard in a 3 guard system that can't shoot : )

[RamFan78]

With the right guards at all 3 spots last season, we would have been a much better team.  We were fine at the big men position last season.  Better guards would have made a world of difference last season.  That was last season though.  Despite the question mark at the center position, it is still better guards that will make the big difference next season.  Whether those are new guards or improved guards, time will tell.

While I agree its not like we had much choice. 2 of the 3 starters were freshman and the first off the bench (Short) would have been a freshman if he did not get hurt.

Also if Fatty is not penciled in as PG for next few years and we recruit in some one else my gut is he would not be content as a back up since he can not move to another slot given he is not a good shooter.

[Stick]

Barring a transfer or major injury, I expect McMillan to be in the starting lineup for all 4 of his years.  I also expect him to emerge as the leader of the team.  Sorry, 85!

[FU85]

85,
     if we need a point guard, like you say, then we should be all over tavon sledge and not let him go to one of our conference foes or north ave.

[Rich93]

Letting a player go to another school means that he wanted to come to Fordham but we were not interested.  Do we know if Sledge has any interest in coming to Fordham?

[FU85]

don't know rich, but there is only one way to find out. i do know that we recruited him in high school but it was tough after what we had just gone through. it takes one call and then its either lets talk or have a nice day but at least lets make a call.

[Fordham Road]

I do not see Mcmillan as the answer at the point. do you?

[Rich93]

I think we need to give Fatty another year before we decide if he is or is not the answer at PG. 

[85]

Everytime I pull up Rivals or one of thos esubsriptions Joe B has, we are listed with a PG. To me that tells me that TP is not penciling in Fatty as his 4 year PG. Who knows.  Its like left handed pitchers, you can never have enough good point guards. Although in TP's system, it is the key player.   I jsut dont see how Fatty will ever be that guy if he cant shoot.   

[ace93]

And well he shouldn't pencil him in. It would be a huge mistake going into the season less than 2 deep at every position.

[Fordham Road]

+ 1

[vinnys]

I felt he was underutilized and had some good games and upside. He was careless with the ball too often, but that kind of thing can be corrected with experience / coaching. I thought he saw the floor better than Fatty and penetrated pretty well.

Transfers are too common these days. Was Kevin Anderson our last 4 year PG ? I don't count Butler because PG was not his intended slot.

[RamFan78]

And well he shouldn't pencil him in. It would be a huge mistake going into the season less than 2 deep at every position.

agree 100% but when you say 2 deep at every position does that mean 6 guards because we play 3 at a time? Right now we only have 4 forwards (Gaston, Canty, Dominque and Leonard).

[ace93]

agree 100% but when you say 2 deep at every position does that mean 6 guards because we play 3 at a time? Right now we only have 4 forwards (Gaston, Canty, Dominque and Leonard).

I'd split up those forwards into true forwards and centers.  I am not sure if we are 2 deep at both of those spots.  In the 3 guard system I was still going 2 deep at each slot, but more importantly stressing that we need to go at least 2 deep at the PG.  Even though it is a 3 guard system I still think you can break it down into PG, smaller SG and bigger SG where the bigger SG's are more the 6'5" variety rather than the 6'0" variety we have now. 

2 forwards, 2 centers, 2 PG's and 4 SG's is still only 10 players, so some slots would go deeper obviously.  With the other 3 I'd look to anchor the center position since Leondard, at 6'8", seems to be a bit of a tweener.  That leaves two more to fill (though I am not saying we have 2 scholarships to give, this is all more generally speaking than anything).  I just think it's important that every guy feel challenged and not feel that their spot in the starting lineup is guaranteed.

[Fordham Ball Boy 04-09]

I am not surprised but I am really upset with his playing time. He was a good defender and was not afraid to get to the basket and draw fouls or kick it out in the post. Not to mention, with him in, he would find Gaston all the time. He was a playmaker who sometimes did too much which caused turnovers. I really like the potential in him but I am glad he will be a solid contributor somewhere else. Good Luck Lamount! You're a good baller!

[Buzz]

If Lamount could slow the game down in his head so he can finish at the rim there's nothing stopping him. (easier said than done)

[greenwood]

Re: Lamount
If he gets to the right program for him I think he could be a captain by his last year.  He was the only guard who consistently talked on the floor, on a squad where communication was a big problem.  He is not close to being a good enough ball handler to be a full time PG but in some conferences he'll have comparable size as a wing.  He got pressed into a tough spot as a frosh after the Clearinghouse fiasco and I hope the rest of his career is less rocky.

Re: Fatty
I don't think he's as bad a shooter as some think.  I don't think his defense met the hype either, but D should be his forte.  He has quick hands but his foot quickness seems below average for the conference, he needs a complement who has that quality (sounds like Harris does).  He's going to play a lot, the leadership part is the wait and see piece for me.

[rambacker]

If Lamount could slow the game down in his head so he can finish at the rim there's nothing stopping him. (easier said than done)

This is a very good observation.

[rambacker]

I'd split up those forwards into true forwards and centers.  I am not sure if we are 2 deep at both of those spots.  In the 3 guard system I was still going 2 deep at each slot, but more importantly stressing that we need to go at least 2 deep at the PG.  Even though it is a 3 guard system I still think you can break it down into PG, smaller SG and bigger SG where the bigger SG's are more the 6'5" variety rather than the 6'0" variety we have now. 

2 forwards, 2 centers, 2 PG's and 4 SG's is still only 10 players, so some slots would go deeper obviously.  With the other 3 I'd look to anchor the center position since Leondard, at 6'8", seems to be a bit of a tweener.  That leaves two more to fill (though I am not saying we have 2 scholarships to give, this is all more generally speaking than anything).  I just think it's important that every guy feel challenged and not feel that their spot in the starting lineup is guaranteed.

We need more length and quickness at the guard and wing positions.  One of our biggest weaknesses is not being able to stop the 3.

[02grad]

I dont think Fatty is penciled in as the PG of the future. I think we are looking for a starter not a back-up at that spot.

From what I have heard this is accurrate.   I don't believe Pecora is at all sold on Fatty as PG for the next three years.  We atleast need someone to push him and its clear that was not Samuel.

[PA Ram]

other than Gaston, I hope no one is penciled in.  I know Frazier is next best of the returning players but even he needs to be pushed and know that if we can upgrade, we need to. 

[RamFan78]

We need more length and quickness at the guard and wing positions.  One of our biggest weaknesses is not being able to stop the 3.

Agree but I am at the point now of being split as to what our biggest weakness is. I am still greatly concerned that we have huge issues at Forward/Center. Right now we have Gaston and that is it. IMO Dominque took a step back last year, Canty has a long way to go and we have an incoming Freshman who no one knows how much time he will need to develop. We really have no sub for Gaston given he is our main scorer (and right now only post up scorer). I am also concerned we will not be able to defend our opponents frontcourt and will get outrebounded by wide margins. Without another viable option, Gaston is in for a long season as teams will double on him if they do not have anyone else to worry about.

[Fordham Road]

leonard willl go good.

[Vooter]

Too many SGs not enough good PGs.

Too many SGs who can't S...

[oktornado]

how come there is no article on this transaction? typical bs

Up there with the paranoia about posting schedule online, especially with football.  WE always find out who we're playing (Syracuse in bball, Cincinnati in fb, e.g.) from other school first.  Samuel was mentioned on one of the televised games as getting pg minutes, then turned off and saw he only played 4 or something.  Not sure he got much of a fair chance.  Especially with Fatty and Frazier being inconsistent.   A pure PG would make a big difference.       

[NYRam07]

Up there with the paranoia about posting schedule online, especially with football.  WE always find out who we're playing (Syracuse in bball, Cincinnati in fb, e.g.) from other school first.  Samuel was mentioned on one of the televised games as getting pg minutes, then turned off and saw he only played 4 or something.  Not sure he got much of a fair chance.  Especially with Fatty and Frazier being inconsistent.   A pure PG would make a big difference.       

Has he left the school yet?

[John]

I would assume he'd finish the semester, then transfer.

[Tau]

What type of talent is Samuel(meaning conference)? MAAC,NEC,Patriot?

[PeterMartin08]

What type of talent is Samuel(meaning conference)? MAAC,NEC,Patriot?

low MAAC/high NEC

[ramfan01]

low MAAC/high NEC

He was going to the NEC before Rice left RMU, correct?