More than any player not named Jerome Robinson, their leading scorer who played 34 mpg to AJ's 30.8
Cats land BC transfer AJ Turner
- Thread starter lou v
- Start date
In the comments under the SB Nation blog article about Turner's transfer, one posted made the comment that he was BC's best defender. And there are many references to his overall athleticism. (That's all I can add on this subject as I haven't seen him play.)
I have no analysis. It's just some observations. Like I said, I'm trusting CCC and the staff on this one.
He scored in double digits 17 times last season. If the NU coaching staff has shown one thing in four years, its that players get better. If he gets two ppg better as a Jr., he will average 10 ppg. That goes a long way to replacing Lindsey and avoids the potential of having to start two freshman in 2018. Here is his game by game log from ESPN:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/3943608/aj-turner
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/3943608/aj-turner
I'm not impressed by his 2017 season, sadly. For a guy playing that many minutes, he doesn't draw fouls, doesn't get many steals, isn't super active on the glass... mostly shoots 3s (at admittedly a better clip than our woeful guards) so I'm guessing penetration isn't his strong suit. Time will tell, I guess, but his first season was already going to be a wash anyway, so it doesn't hurt to take a flyer.
He is listed as a forward but was a shooting guard when recruited. Could be adjusting to that growth. That said,
If you look at his stats, probably similar to Lindsey and Law. Law as a Frosh and Lindsey as a Soph. He hit about as many threes as our top two guys last year (especially since we had a couple playoff games that they did not) Look at the advances in Law and Lindsey games as they got to 3rd year in the program.
You are right but in both BB and FB, Boston College has name recognition inspite of recent performance.
They prob wish they had 2 years of Vassar tape against P-5 schools before offering him. Big difference between a HS kid playing HS competition and evaluating this kid playing in the ACC. I'll trust CCC on this one. I don't expect him to be a stud but 8-10 ppg and a role player will be good enough for me.
If the system and the in game coaching at NU is better (I think it is pretty good so far) the guy is going to perform better just because he will be put in better situations for his skill set. Add to that better development ( something I think we are seeing), he could really be a star.
I don't see why we have any reason not to think he won't be at least a productive player for us.
If he matches his sophomore year production, at worst he's someone who can play 10 to 15 minutes and shoot 3s. This is a good pickup.
By the way, KenPom lists comps for individual player seasons, and one of Turner's freshman year comps is a freshman Sanjay Lumpkin.
Yep. By his numbers and observations from others, he sounds like he'll be one of the first guys off the bench. That's not flashy but it's still very important. And if Collins and staff can develop him into a quality B1G starter, so much the better.
I'm thinking a PG is a more important get for next season. Then a couple of 6-9, 6-10 guys along with a 3 point specialist for the next class.
We are talking a guy that started for them as a true soph and played his role. I see him as being a bit more than a 10-15 minute off the bench guy. Remember we will be replacing Lindsey and Skelly as well as BMac. Depends on how Gaines does but I can see he taking Lindsey's role
He really doesn't strike me very much like Sanjay. He appears to be much more offensively skilled, but gives up more than 30 pounds to Sanjay (so he shouldn't be guarding any 4's.) He doesn't appear to be near the rebounder that Sanjay was, but seems to have a much better handle and is more of a jump shooter.
I hope that he has heart, hustle, grit, and leadership, but several of our guys have those qualities. But, in terms of physicality, I don't see the same attributes that Sanjay brought. That said, I'm thrilled to have him as a Cat!
The more you look at his numbers, the more he looks like a Scottie Lindsey replacement. Similar number of rebounds, few less steals better 3 pt shooting etc. And we will be looking for a replacement. And when you look at Scottie's Soph numbers, he is farther along. with a full extra year to develop before he sees the court. Gaines might have something to say but he is that 2/3 wing
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Yeah. Maybe the year sitting out will give him a chance to bulk up, but 6'7"/188 pounds screams 2-guard.
Y'all should really pony up the $$$ to read Lou's article on AJ. You're selling this young man way, way short. This is a big time pickup and absolutely fills a need for the roster in 2018-2020. Make no mistake, he's a great fit at Wing for CCs system on both ends of the floor.
I so badly want to quote some of the points from Lou's story, but won't do it. I'm very excited about this development.
I so badly want to quote some of the points from Lou's story, but won't do it. I'm very excited about this development.
Also the same Tribune story states that Elijah Brown will be making a decision after his visit to Gonzaga. Think that he would really bring needed depth to the guard spots next season.
Anybody know when Cormac and Brown will be choosing to commit? I anticipate pretty soon- in May sometime?
E Brown is currently visiting the last of his final 5 schools right now, Gonzaga. I'd bet a decision comes in the next week.
this is great pick-up. it gives CCC and staff a 6'7 guy to fill in for lindsey upon graduation and not rely on a freshmen to play major minutes the way we did with the law/lindsey class. it also adds an older player to the roster who has major confernce experience and shown to be an effective scorer in a role where he doesn't have to be "the guy". by all accounts he is a great young man/teammate who will fit in with the NU culture well. finally it locks up a scholarship for only 3 years. kudos to the staff.
Not really. I haven't focused at all on "normal" transfers...just on the ones with immediate eligibility...and have never claimed to have any "inside info"... it seems in this case no poster had (or chose to reveal it).
Good point. Our staff can and (in at least one case) did make a mistake making a scholarship offer (or not offering)...Some seem oblivious to that.
I was wondering about that myself. I asked about this situation in general in THIS (<--) thread. I suspect he does count during the sit-out year (but hope he doesn't, for obvious reasons). If he does, NU is down to his final 2017 athletic scholarship.
I don't doubt it (in fact, expect it, as indicated above). But what's your source that makes you be so sure?
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