Basketball.com
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It could be what's he's doing in practice! Maybe the young guys out play him in practice.
Carleton Exhibition
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It could be what's he's doing in practice! Maybe the young guys out play him in practice.
UCalum08
Well-known member
Not a big deal or anything but did anyone else find Jermaine Lawrence's free throw approach/routine to be odd? It seemed like he was standing a good foot behind the line.
There is no reason to even question Lawrence after this game. The dude got 2 early fouls, came back in and fouled within about 30 seconds and did the same thing to pick up his 4th foul. he never even got a chance to get into the flow of the game. This game didnt really count for him. He'll be fine.
BTW, that bearcatsTV live feed is horrible lol. half the game it looked like i was watching the game through a stained glass window. I'll be there next game for sure.
Last point, our athleticism across the board rivals many of the top teams in the country. JJ, Rubles, Shaq, Lawrence - i dont remember many uc teams in the past having 4 of these types of forwards/wings at one time. future is bright.
BTW, that bearcatsTV live feed is horrible lol. half the game it looked like i was watching the game through a stained glass window. I'll be there next game for sure.
Last point, our athleticism across the board rivals many of the top teams in the country. JJ, Rubles, Shaq, Lawrence - i dont remember many uc teams in the past having 4 of these types of forwards/wings at one time. future is bright.
Not to mention we picked up two athletic guards this year as well in DM and KJ. They are quick, they can jump, they can defend, they can handle the rock, they can shoot, and they can beat their man to get in the lane.
There are plenty of reasons to question Lawrence. His work ethic? He appeared to be out of shape, thus, 5 quick fouls. He is a one and done player, there will not be a sophomore season for Jermaine. The team needs to get his "A" game during his one season. Before anyone posts he is not ready for the NBA and will stay, it does not matter what you think, all that matters is what Jermaine thinks. The NBA drafts on potential, not current ability. Lance was not ready after year 1, he went anyway and sat on the Pacers bench for 2 full seasons. It has worked out well for Lance as he is now a starter and finisher for the Pacers.
TheLivingLegend
Well-known member
Ralphy...Ill say it... No chance hes a 1 and done player.
I dont think hes going to have a ton of playing time this year.
CaptDale
Well-known member
Sorry, but he's way too raw to be one and done. There are too many skinny 6'9" ers around who already have lots of potential. If he miraculously develops during the season and bulks up,then he may draw some interest after his sophomore year. Too many of the posters here have pie-in-the-sky dreams about these incoming freshmen. Let's see them play, THEN maybe those dreams will be realized.
Basketball.com
Well-known member
I've seen him play a few times and he is a good player soon to be great, but I would say after his sophomore year he should be good unless he turns it on asap! I just don't see it right away! But he's defiantly a better player than his first outing, just need to settle down and let the game come to him! He's a very talented Youngman.
Jermaine will be one and done, you more than likely said the same thing about Lance and the Don hoping for a year 2.
This is Cronin's commentary on Lawrence from just a couple weeks ago in practice. For all those who think his effort and motivation are suspect. For all those who think the ONE exhibition match is what we are going to get. I am not of the opinion he will be one and done...but let's just relax for a moment and let the kid get a few games under his belt. GEESH!
“Jermaine’s effort has been great,” said UC coach Mick Cronin. “The physicality is a little different. Jermaine is playing against Justin (Jackson), Titus (Rubles) and Dave (Nyarsuk). He’s playing up in age class and in weight class, but his hustle is tremendous, his attitude is great and he’s easy to coach.”
Lawrence, from Springfield Gardens, N.Y., is the marquee name in a five-man UC freshman class that was ranked No. 24 nationally by ESPN.com.
So far in practice, Cronin said, Lawrence has lived up to his advance billing. But the UC coach also cautioned fans not to expect too much too soon from his top recruit.
“He’s got to get stronger,” Cronin said. “I don’t want to mislead people. He’s not Lance Stephenson coming in here at 220 pounds at 6-4. Jermaine Lawrence didn’t play basketball last year (due to an injury). He played three games and he was hurt in the three games. He played with a padded cast on his wrist. He’s got to get comfortable and he’s got to get stronger.”
Still, Cronin has seen enough from Lawrence to convince him that he’s the real deal.
“It’s going to be a process, but he obviously is going to help us a lot,” Cronin said. “His play is tremendous as far as quickness and his passing for a guy his size. Obviously, we need his finishing around the rim. My goal is to get him to where he’s deadly from 15 feet and in. Right now what you’re looking at with guys is when adversity hits them how do they react? He keeps playing. He keeps fighting. He never gives up and doesn’t hang his head. That’s all I care about right now. The rest will come.”
“Jermaine’s effort has been great,” said UC coach Mick Cronin. “The physicality is a little different. Jermaine is playing against Justin (Jackson), Titus (Rubles) and Dave (Nyarsuk). He’s playing up in age class and in weight class, but his hustle is tremendous, his attitude is great and he’s easy to coach.”
Lawrence, from Springfield Gardens, N.Y., is the marquee name in a five-man UC freshman class that was ranked No. 24 nationally by ESPN.com.
So far in practice, Cronin said, Lawrence has lived up to his advance billing. But the UC coach also cautioned fans not to expect too much too soon from his top recruit.
“He’s got to get stronger,” Cronin said. “I don’t want to mislead people. He’s not Lance Stephenson coming in here at 220 pounds at 6-4. Jermaine Lawrence didn’t play basketball last year (due to an injury). He played three games and he was hurt in the three games. He played with a padded cast on his wrist. He’s got to get comfortable and he’s got to get stronger.”
Still, Cronin has seen enough from Lawrence to convince him that he’s the real deal.
“It’s going to be a process, but he obviously is going to help us a lot,” Cronin said. “His play is tremendous as far as quickness and his passing for a guy his size. Obviously, we need his finishing around the rim. My goal is to get him to where he’s deadly from 15 feet and in. Right now what you’re looking at with guys is when adversity hits them how do they react? He keeps playing. He keeps fighting. He never gives up and doesn’t hang his head. That’s all I care about right now. The rest will come.”
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Let's not forget that Lawrence has been practicing against D1 talent. From Cronin's comments he's shown a lot but has some work to do in adjusting to the physicality. It's not like the Carleton players were the best he's ever seen...he's seen better in our practices alone and shown he can perform (and we can assume he saw some great D). Yes games are different...but I hate for our kids to read (if they even do) knee jerk fan responses to ONE exhibition game. It could conceivably make them think we will turn on them on a dime. Is that the message we want to send the young players who we should be rooting for or giving encouragement to?
"I can't wait to see Lawrence play his first exhibition match"..."Wow did he suck...it's going to be a long year...he looked uninterested and was clearly over-rated"
Yikes!!
"I can't wait to see Lawrence play his first exhibition match"..."Wow did he suck...it's going to be a long year...he looked uninterested and was clearly over-rated"
Yikes!!
JumpinJack5
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I agree, we have many on this board who tend to overreact. It goes both ways-I was very pleased with JJ, but we must remember he played an exhibition game against inferior post players and it was only one game. On the same note, Jermaine played in his first college basketball game and he looked a little rusty, but it was only one game and it didn't even count.
Bearcat_NTS
Well-known member
Maybe some of you mere mortals overreacted, I was very clear about my position with Lawrence. He is going to be a very good player down the road, but for this year I never have expectations for a freshman. For the record, I believe Caupain will play a bigger role than Lawrence this year.
JumpinJack5
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Fair enough.
JasonS
Football Moderator
While this is true regarding JJ, remember that in years past, JJ didn't play like this against inferior competition. Time will tell what will happen but I do think we will see a different JJ this year. I think he will be much improved. Maybe not put up stat lines like the other night every night, but vastly improved.
JumpinJack5
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He definitely looked like a completely different player the other night, but time is the best judge of that. I hope he keeps it up, especially if Strickland is in eligible for this year. Staying out of foul trouble will be the key for him, IMO.
CaptDale
Well-known member
I think that the reality of not having a good sized 5, and he being asked to fill those shoes, has mentally affected JJ for the better. Hopefully his new attitude is he has to man up for more than limited minutes, and do so without fouling. Give certain people responsibility, and they take it to heart and adapt. The one thing about JJ is he gives a good effort when he's on the court.
I agree 100%. JJ had 14 points and 5 blocks. I am impressed with what Cronin has said about his work and weight gain in the off season...but I don't expect 14 points a game out of him every game. I would be happy with 8 points and 2 blocks along with 7 rebounds in games that matter. JL will catch on by mid season...or maybe the next game he plays.