NapaDuke wrote:

Dukes2012 wrote:

duq81 wrote:

Castro has already sat out a year, so his options would be limited. Is there anyone who saw him 2 summers ago at Greentree, and could tell us if they notice any major differences in his play? I can remember the Pitt fans being impressed with him. Did he look quicker then?

I'm not willing to give up on him either. He was highly recruited for a reason and some average chump isn't setting scoring records at the summer league even with relaxed defense. There's something there, coach just needs to try to find it again

I think he is a shooting guard first, but I'd really like to see some minutes to see if he has "court vision" , Eric this last game with the "no-look behind the back in the paint pass" is court vision.  Too many Color  Commentators constantly say Eric James has "court vision" BUT we need a under-classman guard to get some minutes these next 10 games that shows some court vision. Anybody can be the shooting guard, Hey even Gill looks like it right now, but we need someone that sees the whole court and  sets the play, or,  down to the last seconds, drives and dishes for the dunk. That's court vision.  Castro might. or might not be it, we just don't know.  If Ferry finds that player, (maybe here right now off the bench , or maybe coming in ) but just  find him!    

Castro has no chance to beat out Tarin Smith, but if he could come around, he might be able to battle Lewis for the backup spot, as well as some time at the 2. Playing time at the 2 should be wide open going into next fall.

Given how we are engaging and showing interest in a few 2016 guys, I wouldn't be shocked to see a grad transfer SG to plug the gap for a year.

duq81 wrote:

NapaDuke wrote:

Dukes2012 wrote:

I'm not willing to give up on him either. He was highly recruited for a reason and some average chump isn't setting scoring records at the summer league even with relaxed defense. There's something there, coach just needs to try to find it again

I think he is a shooting guard first, but I'd really like to see some minutes to see if he has "court vision" , Eric this last game with the "no-look behind the back in the paint pass" is court vision.  Too many Color  Commentators constantly say Eric James has "court vision" BUT we need a under-classman guard to get some minutes these next 10 games that shows some court vision. Anybody can be the shooting guard, Hey even Gill looks like it right now, but we need someone that sees the whole court and  sets the play, or,  down to the last seconds, drives and dishes for the dunk. That's court vision.  Castro might. or might not be it, we just don't know.  If Ferry finds that player, (maybe here right now off the bench , or maybe coming in ) but just  find him!    

Castro has no chance to beat out Tarin Smith, but if he could come around, he might be able to battle Lewis for the backup spot, as well as some time at the 2. Playing time at the 2 should be wide open going into next fall.

Side Bar:    I am looking forward to some Abbott and Costello moments for Ray next year when MIKE LEWIS, Isaiah MIKE and Darius LEWIS are all on the floor together.

"Pass to Lewis, to Mike Lewis to Isiah Mike, back to Lewis........I dunno.........................THIRD BASE! 

Having a player like Castro on this team is not what the program needs. This kid has had all year to get going. This whole idea of "rust" is garbage. The kid was still playing basketball everyday since leaving butler. The only "rust" I would see would be in game playing but even that should wear off after a game or two. 

Also I hate how some are falling into the notion of "Sunk Cost". I'm a bills fan so I've been dealing with this for years with multiple QBs. We have given this kid a shot and he has been awful. There really wasn't one game or moment where we could say "Look! That's the Castro I've been expecting" I'd rather give his roster spot to a kid who deserves it. 

Speaking of which.....Tarin Smith tweeted at the NCAA about how Jerry Jones should be eligible for return next year. Does he have a case?

duq81 wrote:

Castro has already sat out a year, so his options would be limited. Is there anyone who saw him 2 summers ago at Greentree, and could tell us if they notice any major differences in his play? I can remember the Pitt fans being impressed with him. Did he look quicker then?

Even in summer league, Castro was a streaky scorer. He'd have five at the half of a game and then go off for 25 in the second with 7 assists. He looked quicker but the speed of the defense is also much slower than it is in a normal game. Players don't rotate as fast. Help arrives later if it arrives at all. There is just more space to operate for a guy who now looks a little slower in both his decision making and his foot speed against faster defenses than he did then.

Here's my summary of Castro's season to this point:

1) He came out of the gate with more rust than any of us imagined. We have to remember he was out of competitive basketball for almost two years. I'm sorry, but you don't shake that off in a couple of games like people, even Castro, may have thought.

2) He lost his confidence quickly. This compounded the rust IMO. This happened by the Penn St game and I was fortunate enough to sit behind the Duquesne bench and his body language was awful. He even looked like he couldn't make a shot in warm ups. This continued through most of the non conference season. It's important to note that he looked bad on defense as well.

3) Ferry took the pressure off and stopped playing him. Castro transferred the last time this happened but his demeanor changed he actually started looking happier on the bench. He was a better teammate cheering on the guys in the game and being the first off the bench to congratulate them after a big play.

4) He's started looking at least marginally better in games, and in warm ups. He actually looked a bit like the Castro I was expecting in limited time vs. La Salle.

He has a long way to go, but I think his offense is finally getting back. IMO, his issue is his defense right now, more so than his offense and that may honestly be what's keeping him out of games now. I wouldn't sleep on him though especially if he can convert to more of a combo guard. He's a good shooter, can still get in the lane and I think his vision and passing will improve when he stops trying to do too much. I would also be very surprised if Ferry moves on from him this year. Next year? Maybe. This year not likely. I think he sticks around and I think he drops 15 in a half fairly early in the non - conference and people are going to start saying "That's what people were talking about."
 

Last edited by steve19981 (1/31/2016 10:22 am)

steve19981 wrote:

duq81 wrote:

Castro has already sat out a year, so his options would be limited. Is there anyone who saw him 2 summers ago at Greentree, and could tell us if they notice any major differences in his play? I can remember the Pitt fans being impressed with him. Did he look quicker then?

Even in summer league, Castro was a streaky scorer. He'd have five at the half of a game and then go off for 25 in the second with 7 assists. He looked quicker but the speed of the defense is also much slower than it is in a normal game. Players don't rotate as fast. Help arrives later if it arrives at all. There is just more space to operate for a guy who now looks a little slower in both his decision making and his foot speed against faster defenses than he did then.

Here's my summary of Castro's season to this point:

1) He came out of the gate with more rust than any of us imagined. We have to remember he was out of competitive basketball for almost two years. I'm sorry, but you don't shake that off in a couple of games like people, even Castro, may have thought.

2) He lost his confidence quickly. This compounded the rust IMO. This happened by the Penn St game and I was fortunate enough to sit behind the Duquesne bench and his body language was awful. He even looked like he couldn't make a shot in warm ups. This continued through most of the non conference season. It's important to note that he looked bad on defense as well.

3) Ferry took the pressure off and stopped playing him. Castro transferred the last time this happened but his demeanor changed he actually started looking happier on the bench. He was a better teammate cheering on the guys in the game and being the first off the bench to congratulate them after a big play.

4) He's started looking at least marginally better in games, and in warm ups. He actually looked a bit like the Castro I was expecting in limited time vs. La Salle.

He has a long way to go, but I think his offense is finally getting back. IMO, his issue is his defense right now, more so than his offense and that may honestly be what's keeping him out of games now. I wouldn't sleep on him though especially if he can convert to more of a combo guard. He's a good shooter, can still get in the lane and I think his vision and passing will improve when he stops trying to do too much. I would also be very surprised if Ferry moves on from him this year. Next year? Maybe. This year not likely. I think he sticks around and I think he drops 15 in a half fairly early in the non - conference and people are going to start saying "That's what people were talking about."
 

Steve, even if you watch his highlight videos from aau and high school, Rene was never a "fast" guard. He is a "stop and go" type of quickness. There have been many successful guards who don't have Russell Westbrook type foot speed, but are still able to get past defenders and get into the lane. In a way, he kind of reminds me of tj McConnell. Tj is not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but even in the nba he has little trouble getting past defenders. I think it is a confidence issue, like you said

Just something interesting in this slow week of DBB. 

Mike Lewis posted a video online of him doing the "Steph curry challenge" which basically is shooting a three and looking away before it goes in. So Mike Lewis does it and nominates Spencer Littleson, Isiaha Mike, And Ty Powell. 

In the comments of Mike Lewis's video Isiah Mike says " You want coach Ferry to pull my scholarship?" with Spencer Littleson adding "Im going to get one next game and post the film LOL"

Just thought it was cool these kids are trying to jell before even meeting each other

currentstudent wrote:

Just something interesting in this slow week of DBB. 

Mike Lewis posted a video online of him doing the "Steph curry challenge" which basically is shooting a three and looking away before it goes in. So Mike Lewis does it and nominates Spencer Littleson, Isiaha Mike, And Ty Powell. 

In the comments of Mike Lewis's video Isiah Mike says " You want coach Ferry to pull my scholarship?" with Spencer Littleson adding "Im going to get one next game and post the film LOL"

Just thought it was cool these kids are trying to jell before even meeting each other

 Littleson responds Saturday to fellow Duquesne recruit Michael Lewis II's (Chaminade) Steph Curry challenge

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBdD5v9LDNG/

 

Last edited by CLK (2/08/2016 1:56 pm)

So who is jumping ship? I oblivious would be happy with Castro but who else would the board be okay with leaving? 

When it comes to Thik Bol he's obviously a big time defender. One of the videos on youtube says he's the leading shot blocker in the country. I would like to see more size on him. His offense isn't much with only putting up 8.9 PPG a game. Plus he's a 46% free throw shooter. 

To me I like the shot blocking ability but as far as anything else....I don't know about this offer. 

102 I think it would be Robinson and as I have said before I have no idea why he would stay. Although Robinson may not be as athletic as this kid is he is some much more polished it's not even close. IMHO Robinson has been wasted.

Yes I agree, I would much rather have Robinson due to his size and agree that he should be featured more. 

Tejas_Duke wrote:

currentstudent wrote:

Yes I agree, I would much rather have Robinson due to his size and agree that he should be featured more. 

I never understood whey Ferry didn't occasionally try a size lineup against some of the weaker and smaller teams just to see how it would work.  Lewis and Robinson as the 2 F, with DC, MM and a rotation of Gill, James and Powell, I think could have been effective.

I don't think Powell could play the 3. If you're saying have Powell Come in for Robinson, I think I start Powell over Robinson.

indygjm wrote:

Is it possible the "offer" was some form of financial aid package that doesn't use up a scholarship? 

Given the number of schools that have "offered" I doubt that DU is trying to get him to be a walk on.  For those speculating who may leave, keep in mind that there is a possibility that nobody is leaving, but that one of our recruits may not qualify.