Senior Class

[lehigh90Participant]

A tribute to the seniors on this squad. Earlier in the season, it looked as if we would get a contribution from JH, but virtually nothing from JM or JA. Then, midseason, JM became a force in some games, and gave us great minutes at the 5. He was great on Senior Day. Then, JA became a 3 point specialist, energy guy, and now a starter. What a turnaround for the class. These guys played heavy minutes in critical games, and really showed up. Hopefully, that leadership brings us an upset next week. I wish we had gotten a bit more from the freshmen this year, but these 3 have way exceeded my expectations.

A P.S. on JH. Did he play on the same high school team as Spencer Hawes? They appear to be same age, only Hawes went 1 year to college before turning pro.

[RichHParticipant]

The advantage in retaining seniors. Some heal and others improve. Just look at Maneri , a foul a minute kid until this yr. He finally got it. I credit Reed with teaching him. Adams, a kid snakebit with injuries until this year. Jordan probably did not play as well as consistently as earlier but gave great energy and had numerous key moments all season. Lets hope for as much from our seniors next year. I do pray that we have all 3.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 11 months ago by  RichH.

[Bison137Participant]

“A P.S. on JH. Did he play on the same high school team as Spencer Hawes? They appear to be same age, only Hawes went 1 year to college before turning pro.”

Hawes was actually two years ahead of Hamilton. He turns 24 in a few weeks and graduated from Seattle Prep in 2006. Hamilton was not on the Seattle Prep roster that year.

[lehigh90Participant]

Thanks. I knew they were both Seattle Prep guys. I thought Hawes was younger than 24.

[gohawks63Participant]

Generally, I agree the Seniors have made progress. But, last night was a step backwards. JH was missing wide open threes all game and he mishandled an easy ball late in the game. JA chose the wrong moment and stage upon which to loose his cool. JM’s foul shooting in the past two games have been an absolute embarrassment. He did hit on a few keys buckets while spelling Gabe, so I give him credit there. Gabe, CJ, MM, and BJ saved the seniors from a disappointing finale. One more chance to put a complete performance together. Right now ESPN has us as a #14 seed against a #3 Baylor. Have you seen their tournament tees? Highlighter green: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikehayes/baylors-new-highlighter-green-basketball-uniforms

[LUHoops00Participant]

JM and JA outproduced expectations this year, JH did not, pretty simple. We talked all preseason that for this team to get to where we are today that JA and JM were critical with loss of KM, and these two gave gladiator minutes all year. JH brought leadership all year and he is a glue guy, two rings for each of them, special end to career, going out on top.

[lehigh90Participant]

I know they weren’t great last night, but if somebody told me when PL play started that JH and JA would give you 24 minutes in the final, and JM would play 10 critical minutes on Muscala in the final, I would have said you were nuts. And, if you told me BB would give me 29 quality minutes, I would have said you were beyond nuts. JH is about what I expected. Hits occasional 3 ball, but not consistent outside threat. Poor man’s Buchberger, perhaps. To me, those 2 are similar players.

[LUHoops00Participant]

BJB – wasn’t ever a question about his abilities, which is why we were all so fired up for his arrival, it was about rounding into shape off 2 yr layoff and reed giving him a shot…these last 8 games that he’s been in rotation, its a different dimension for us, what he brings over AD and SC in rotation has been huge asset. Rewatched some of the game, those 3 deep 3 balls off BU runs were huge, plus those blocks and defensive plays. He also had the nice ball fake, drive, dish to gabe on that big 3…telling you, a big summer of workouts and he’s going to be killing it next year.

Yes, JH is similar to Buchberger, but Buchberger was money money with the jumper his last year…I don’t recall his fg%’s and 3pt %s, but he was well over 40 on 3balls, maybe close to 50%…but similar careers yes…

[norcalfanParticipant]

I have enjoyed reading all the posts here. High school playoffs are on now too, makes it hard to be everywhere at once.Yes, I agree Adams did not choose the right moment to give Willman a piece of his mind. This is the same Willman that fell on him 2 years ago, causing the start of his injuries. If you have seen Willman, he is physical. I am sure Adams was making sure he knew that he was not going to do that again. They put him on the biggest guy on the team, Muscala and no one could touch Muscala without being whistled. Adams calmed down and it was over. Reed did a good job of reeling him in. Hamilton was chosen as captain by some say the team. He brings energy off the bench, works hard, tries his best as well as the other two seniors. Maneri became a physical player at the right time. The seniors came up huge and let’s remember that. I am proud of all three and would like to see them go out on a positive note, let go of the negatives. Last night was a tough game emotionally and physically. No one knows what these young men must have felt it being their senior year and possible last game. Focus on the good things they did, not the negatives. It was a beautiful sight to see Adams jump on Reed’s back. Let’s remember that, not the T. The same goes for BU seniors. I am disappointed that my boy Andoh did not see the floor against his friend Adams. It is my hope he gets some time in the next game in the NIT.

[norcalfanParticipant]

Speaking of high school teammates, Adams and Andoh were on the same team as Drew Gordon, expected to go in second round. Drew’s brother, Aaron, is also a highly touted recruit.

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