Really excited about some of the athletes that ND will put on the floor in coming years. Colson and Farrell aside (both with a year remaining) I think a core of Pflueger, Ryan, Gibbs, Djogo, Harvey and Mooney give ND a similar group of athletes to that of the Connaughton / Grant / Jackson group. I think the future group are better shooters, however, and have more overall length.
Gibbs really needs to refine his point guard skills, but it's obvious that he's going to be exactly like his brothers, who were warriors. Lockdown defenders that specialised at driving and getting to the free throw line, who could hit clutch shots as well. He's going to be a really good guard in year 3 and 4.
Pflueger will step up next year, I guarantee it. Look for him to become a double digit scorer, add some muscle to his frame, continue to make good decisions with the ball and remain ND's best defender. I think he has the tenacity to be a 6 RPG guy and at 6'6, he has plenty of length for a guard. As he gets stronger, he'll be more and more valuable.
Matt Ryan is really a Tim Abromiatis of sorts, but the key is defense. He could easily be a double digit scorer if he played 25+ minutes, and he's a great shooter, but at 6'8, he must become a better defender and rebounder. He's the obvious replacement for VJ Beachem and will be a more consistent scorer, but ND will give up some athleticism, shot altering and rebounding unless Matt really steps up.
Nik Djogo is a stud. Mark my words. You'll love this kid by the end of his career. Incredibly in shape. Way better athlete that you think and really tough. He's going to be 6'7 and 220lbs, and he's a pretty shooter that will take the ball to the rim. He has the hops to rebound and he's one of those fearless kids who has attitude (like Gibbs). Reminds me a lot of a taller Pat Connaughton and he'll be a captain down the road. I know two coaches in southern Ontario who use to coach against him and Nik Stauskas. Both feel that Djogo has more upside, but Stauskas was simply more refined at the same age. Sky is the limit though. A bigger, way more athletic Steve Vasturia, with the same toughness and leadership skills, but more swagger and fire? Yes please.
DJ Harvey is going to be a stud. This was a huge recruiting win. He has that Jerian Grant / Russell Carter athleticism that is fleeting at ND, especially associated with a player who great size for his position. Has all the tools you want in a "3 man" in ND's system and his game will only continue to develop. He has the makings of a 16ppg + scorer. Really excited about the Dematha standout.
John Mooney is really interesting to me because he's exactly the type of "big" that works well in Breys system. He's a decent athlete, at 6'9, with a 240-250lb frame he's not going to get pushed around and he should be a decent screener, rebounder and he even has a bit of range to his shot. A better Rob Kurz? I hope so. I'd be very happy with that!
The future is bright boys! Post Farrell and Colson I'm excited for a lineup of....
PG: TJ Gibbs
G: Rex Pflueger
G: DJ Harvey
F: Matt Ryan
F: John Mooney
G: Nik Djogo
F: Elijah Burns
Gibbs really needs to refine his point guard skills, but it's obvious that he's going to be exactly like his brothers, who were warriors. Lockdown defenders that specialised at driving and getting to the free throw line, who could hit clutch shots as well. He's going to be a really good guard in year 3 and 4.
Pflueger will step up next year, I guarantee it. Look for him to become a double digit scorer, add some muscle to his frame, continue to make good decisions with the ball and remain ND's best defender. I think he has the tenacity to be a 6 RPG guy and at 6'6, he has plenty of length for a guard. As he gets stronger, he'll be more and more valuable.
Matt Ryan is really a Tim Abromiatis of sorts, but the key is defense. He could easily be a double digit scorer if he played 25+ minutes, and he's a great shooter, but at 6'8, he must become a better defender and rebounder. He's the obvious replacement for VJ Beachem and will be a more consistent scorer, but ND will give up some athleticism, shot altering and rebounding unless Matt really steps up.
Nik Djogo is a stud. Mark my words. You'll love this kid by the end of his career. Incredibly in shape. Way better athlete that you think and really tough. He's going to be 6'7 and 220lbs, and he's a pretty shooter that will take the ball to the rim. He has the hops to rebound and he's one of those fearless kids who has attitude (like Gibbs). Reminds me a lot of a taller Pat Connaughton and he'll be a captain down the road. I know two coaches in southern Ontario who use to coach against him and Nik Stauskas. Both feel that Djogo has more upside, but Stauskas was simply more refined at the same age. Sky is the limit though. A bigger, way more athletic Steve Vasturia, with the same toughness and leadership skills, but more swagger and fire? Yes please.
DJ Harvey is going to be a stud. This was a huge recruiting win. He has that Jerian Grant / Russell Carter athleticism that is fleeting at ND, especially associated with a player who great size for his position. Has all the tools you want in a "3 man" in ND's system and his game will only continue to develop. He has the makings of a 16ppg + scorer. Really excited about the Dematha standout.
John Mooney is really interesting to me because he's exactly the type of "big" that works well in Breys system. He's a decent athlete, at 6'9, with a 240-250lb frame he's not going to get pushed around and he should be a decent screener, rebounder and he even has a bit of range to his shot. A better Rob Kurz? I hope so. I'd be very happy with that!
The future is bright boys! Post Farrell and Colson I'm excited for a lineup of....
PG: TJ Gibbs
G: Rex Pflueger
G: DJ Harvey
F: Matt Ryan
F: John Mooney
G: Nik Djogo
F: Elijah Burns
Last edited:
