Sunday, December 14, 2008

Jai Lucas

Apparently Florida guard Jai Lucas is interested in playing for Notre Dame. While I would shy away from picking up a guy who wants to be more of a centerpiece of the offense, we do need a true point guard. Lucas was a four star guy out of high school and can play two-and-a-half years starting next January. If he has a good head on his shoulders (many NBA kids do: see Ryan Ayers and Stephen Curry), I would love to see him wearing blue and gold.

The first half season would be tricky, as Tory Jackson will be finishing his senior year. If Lucas is happy with coming off the bench (a Jackson-Hansbrough backcourt pairing is most likely) for just a little bit, he could make an excellent two year starter at the point (provided he stays five years in college). In 2010, a Jackson-Hansbrough-Lucas three guard lineup would also be very deadly, especially with Lucas' shooting ability.

Coach Brey's effort in recruiting transfers is very heartening (Alex Legion, Hansbrough, and Martin in the last year). If he can't land the most talented players out of high school, he keeps working to improve the team quickly through players who can step in right away. That will trickle down to high school recruiting when kids can see that players who have a second chance to make a school decision consistently pick ND and have success here.

Of course, transfers could always be a problem as well. In hindsight, we were lucky to not land Legion (nicknamed Kobe for how he doesn't pass or play defense). No need to add a Chris Thomas-type with such a mature and unselfish team already put together.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very good analysis! Do you think ND has a chance to win the Big 10 this year? What are our chances in going deep in March?

Anonymous said...

Just as I was about to give up on everything Irish due to Charlie Fat Man Weis, I came across your blog. Are you a current player at ND or did you play when you attended ND? You seem to have a real handle on Irish basketball. Maybe there is more to life than "hut hut".

BlackandGreen said...

Thanks for comments!

I think the Irish are a long shot to win the Big East. The league we play in is just too deep to expect better than a top four finish. We have historically not played well in the Big East Tournament, but you never know what might happen.

It certainly is nice to take one's mind off of football for a bit. Though Notre Dame will always be known for its football program, the hoops team is experiencing one of its best seasons in a long time just as football hit the skids. Good timing.

I have never played basketball at the collegiate level. Actually, my basketball career consisted of being cut from teams at two different high schools. But just like Michael Jordan, I vow to bounce back and one day become the greatest ever (if I can learn how to shoot).

MJenks said...

I'm going to give the Irish a zero chance of winning the Big Ten this year.

BlackandGreen said...

Though we might win as many Big Ten games as Indiana...

MJenks said...

Well, they did beat Indiana, so I guess that's one win against the Big Ten.