Andy Toole story

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

This was from a pitt forum thread and I am posting on this one for RMU fans to see.
This is what the guy said:

It was DT Pitt-

"... I had the chance to meet and talk to RMU Coach Andy Toole on Monday.

Wasn't a long conversation, but I told him "I was a big fan of his work."

I congratulated him on a fine season and told him that it was too bad that Marquese Reed had to transfer. He replied, "we'll find some other guys who will hit some shots."

Then I told him how I was involved in the summer pro-am event and how much we enjoyed watching Lucky Jones play, and that I was sorry he had to graduate. His response was something along the lines of Lucky often making as many bad plays as good plays. I joked to him about the time at the Pro-Am when Lucky had a quadruple double (points, rebounds, missed threes, turnovers)

Then he said: "we'll be fine as long as the guys become more dedicated to playing more defense next year."

I laughed to him and said "spoken like a true coach!"

In so many ways, this conversation reminded me of many of the conversations I've had with Jamie Dixon. Often, it would seem, all coaches grew up in the exact same house!" "

Comment on what you think. Thanks.

 

[GoRMU]

Who do you think will fill the shoes left by Marquese and Lucky?
For us locals, we all know of Matty McConnell, so a lot of people seem to think he will be starting at shooting guard. However, Steven Whitley is a big strong player that has unlimited range and can also take it inside. Isaiah Still, although 6'6," can handle the ball and pass good enough to play a lot of positions. I believe Jordan Lester will be a point guard, but has the shooting ability to play the two position. Or, Rodney could play the two, Elijah Minnie could play the three and JUCO transfer Billy Giles play the four spot. Joe Hugley is a talented 6'7' player that likely will get some minutes this year. He can be a Lucky type player, he can handle the ball and shoot, but also battle on the inside.

If this team comes together and "the guys become more dedicated to playing more defense," it could be a great year to be a Colonials' fan. The roster is very talented.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Yea I agree with you completely.
Starting Steven Whitley actually could be a really good idea or Still too (not saying Matty isn't going to play much, at least 20 per game).

As to Billy Giles, he's 6-7 (but only 185 lbs!) or so and I think could play the 3 (but will probably see time at the 4 too). Minnie can play the 3 but if they were on the floor at the same time, I would play Minnie at the four and Giles at the 3 (or M at the 5 and G at the 4). Just because Minnie has at least an inch and 25 or more lbs on him.

Joe Hugley looks to be a 3/4 spot player and talented.

How good do you think Jordan Lester is ? (Maybe 5-10 min per game). And any chance any player gets red shirted?

The team looks to be pretty talented and as long as Toole gets the guys to play defense better and still score without Lucky and Marcquise, they should be fine. Everyone he recruited can score well (and most can rebound well to).

Getting pumped for Hoops...
Go bobby Mo!

 

[Chris Cappella]

Definitely spoken like a true coach! Wouldn't expect anything from coach, I can just picture the intensity he must have had during that convo! Haha!

Hopefully he's right though. Competition was a big talking point last year, but I'm not sure how much everyone always wanted to put that in action. A new class (plus a few departures) is just another opportunity for an attitude change.

I know this team managed to win last year, but that doesn't mean an attitude change wouldn't be helpful in my opinion. As I'm sure everyone here recalls, the ship was sinking FAST last year. It was almost lucky things got right.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

The guys this year (returning and just everyone in general) will have tough competion for playing time (I agree with you). Competition (and talent) is a good thing tho and should push the returning players to be even better. Toole said his team had a different attitude to it and hopefully this year's team will have a "ball hard" and play hard mentality with a focus on defense.

Who do you think will replace Reed's spot in the lineup? (Matty, Whitley, or Still?) Btw, I think all these three will have fairly big roles on the team this year and all should at minimally play 15 min a game per person.

Go RMU....

 

[ColonialCrazy]

I don't think anyone can replace Reed alone. My guess is Pryor will assume more of a role. He was mostly a spot up shooter (and very good one) for most of the year.

This season I expect him to be a more well rounded scorer, much like we saw in Karvel Anderson his senior year. Not saying he will put up those types of numbers, but you will see that progression from a spot up three point shooter, to well rounded scorer.

I look for Still to fill the role in the starting five because of his versatility and length, especially if Robert Morris continues playing the 2-3 zone.

Starting five:

Stewart
Pryor
Still
Minnie
Tate

 

[Carlester]

We really do have a lot of talent on this year's squad - very nice problem to have. I think Whitley will be the 5th starter given his strength and athleticism. Sounds like he more than held his own against the guys on his recruiting trip. I think Still and Matty are the first guys off the bench. Will be interested to see how the big rotation plays out. Giles put up huge numbers last year, not sure how that will translate to D1 but he should be a nice addition. Maybe this will be the year that Bennett breaks out and can't wait to see Andre swatting shots into next week with an offseason under his belt.

Go Colonials!!

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Colonial C- love your starting lineup, I just wish Tate was like at least 3-4 inches taller - lol.

I also hope Frederick improves and gets time in the middle. He has a bigger frame than Bennett and more talent than Leo Gomis. For his junior season, I could see him and Minnie playing the 4 and 5 (if they both stay that is).

Pryor could turn out to be a Karvel Anderson this year but only 3 inches taller and can shoot over people from anywhere. (Plus he can rebound!). Just due to his size,( if he doesn't have any or hardly any games under 40% shooting) and his scoring ability, he could make the NBA. I did say "could" & I hope the best for him. He has a better chance than Karvel dude to the fact he can easily play SG in NBA while teams wanted Anderson to play the point.

Anyway, (after Pryor side point)....

My top 10 players right now are
PG: Stewart
SG: Pryor
SF: Still
PF: Minnie
C: Tate
- Whitley
- McConnell
- Giles
-Frederick
-Bennett

Leo will mainly play against the High Major teams b/c of his size and Lester won't play much. Hugley could beat out any of the bench people in my top 10.

(But remember, lots of playing time minutes still up in the air a lot....)


Go RMU...