My gut

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,615
5,407
113
Prior stats

Adam Clark​


TJ Simpkins​


Elijah Fisher​


Joshua Rivera​


Stephon Payne​

 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,615
5,407
113
No group of 5 based on last year will inspire confidence. But I am hearing to date the guard play has been much better than last year and we do have three quality centers to split time there.

Not sure about the 4 spot as we will be small if what I am hearing about Payne, Godswill and Hines only playing the 5. If that's true we will be much stronger in the middle with 3 descent, and maybe better players there than recently.

And of course Clark will be the star running the team.

With so many new players it's going to be fun to watch the open practice in a few weeks.
 

JD Walker

Senior
Staff member
Jul 8, 2025
334
645
93
This mostly tracks with what I have heard as well with the possible exception of 2 guard spot being up in the air still.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Piratz

Hall84

Senior
May 23, 2023
331
451
63
Rivera is really the only true surprise here. We all have Clark and Fisher at the 1 & the 3. And consensus is either Simpkins or Staton-Mccray at the 2.
I originally had Payne at the 4 with either Godswill or Hines at the 5, hoping Payne could at least shoot up to 10 feet from the hoop. If our 3 centers are all playing decently that only leaves 13 minutes each per game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Piratz

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,615
5,407
113
I understand, Sight unseen I would have played Payne at the 4 and either Godswill or Hines at the 5. But I'm hearing that won't happen.

We'll see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NYC Pirate

Hall84

Senior
May 23, 2023
331
451
63
In this scenario our backup at the 4 would be Suemnick or Dar. And Dar to me would be a swing forward who is probably our best 3 point shooter. Any word at all on these two? Obviously with Sha the defensive end will determine a lot.
 

Fishjam

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2016
653
2,264
93
Just message board fodder in this quiet time

My starting lineup sight unseen from what I am hearing

PG

Adam "Budd" Clark

2G

Tajuan Simpkins

Swing

Elijah Fisher

PF

Josh Rivera

C

Stephon Payne


We'll know a little better as the season nears and we see the open practice later this month
I'm fine with going small with 4 guards/wings, but I don't know about Rivera. Think I'd rather see Staton-McCray in the lineup than him. I like Dar's shooting ability too but I think he'll have issues with team defense.
 

PirateBlue08

Junior
Jul 25, 2025
332
359
63
The fact is we don't really have a typical PF. If you go with Dar, you need him to show he can rebound and play defense against Big East forwards, and even if he can, he's still a twig. Rivera would seem to have better strength but defense and rebounding prowess is highly doubtful given that I believe he was a 3 at Fordham and didn't even start. Now he's supposed to be a starting BE 4? Problems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jwcacciola1

HALL85

Heisman
Jul 5, 2001
29,813
10,949
113
The fact is we don't really have a typical PF. If you go with Dar, you need him to show he can rebound and play defense against Big East forwards, and even if he can, he's still a twig. Rivera would seem to have better strength but defense and rebounding prowess is highly doubtful given that I believe he was a 3 at Fordham and didn't even start. Now he's supposed to be a starting BE 4? Problems.
Dar is 170lbs. He will get exposed at PF.
 

NIL BAD

Junior
Aug 15, 2025
298
256
63
Unless Godswill improves his FT% drastically he can not be counted on to play much more than 13 minutes a game. Hearing that Rivera has looked good albeit a very small sampling.
 

Piratz

All-Conference
Mar 24, 2004
1,313
2,576
113
Awkward Season 9 GIF by The Office

But hey, here’s hoping. Maybe we’ll be surprised. We have a soft non-con let’s at least avoid last years embarrassment.
 

NYC Pirate

Senior
Nov 11, 2007
650
616
92
I can see a scenario where they change the lineup several times in the first part of the season. Most of us would agree that the PG spot is set. After that it could be a good degree of experimenting. Last season the over substituting really came back to haunt them in a few of those inexcusable upset losses. More talent should get them through those types of games, but not sure how you build continuity for the season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jasonbmore

Seton75

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2001
36,365
2,500
113
I say by early in the OOC if not sooner, Hines starts at center and we know the PG. They rest of the spots? No clue. Looking forward to seeing how it shakes out.
 

Jasonbmore

Redshirt
Feb 26, 2007
12
7
3
I think our best case scenario (with size) would be if Godswill or Payne could be in the rotation at the 4. I don’t know if that is possible though.

I think all 3, Payne, Hines and Godswill can all be eventual starters at center for us. Likely Hines, as a fresh, can’t play anything but center. So that would mean we are leaving a good player out of rotation if Sha continues with split time at center.

I think Dar, Rivera, Fisher will all get pushed around at PF against top 50 teams. Against bad teams, we might get by though.
 

Seton75

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2001
36,365
2,500
113
I think our best case scenario (with size) would be if Godswill or Payne could be in the rotation at the 4. I don’t know if that is possible though....

Me too. And I prefer a PF who wont take threes to one who is left open and takes them and hits less than 20%
 
  • Like
Reactions: jwcacciola1

CT Pirate

Freshman
Mar 30, 2010
31
59
18
Was starting to get pumped about this season but this post brought me right back to reality. A lot has to go right to be truly competitive. Want to believe but will wait till the games start. Focus on football for the months of September and October. Being a G-man fan, it is a little like being a Hall backer. Prove it to me.
 

Seton75

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2001
36,365
2,500
113
Was starting to get pumped about this season but this post brought me right back to reality. A lot has to go right to be truly competitive. Want to believe but will wait till the games start. Focus on football for the months of September and October. Being a G-man fan, it is a little like being a Hall backer. Prove it to me.
get pumped! change your mind when the games change your mind
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheHall87

sobo1

Senior
Oct 15, 2023
246
660
93
If Rivera plays significant minutes, this team is worse than last year’s
Overall, I think last year’s roster was more talented on paper, but I’m hoping with stronger pg play this year’s team will have better results.

To use the school grade analogy, a C level player paired with a good PG is more effective than a B- player with no PG.

This season success is fully dependent on Budd Clark. If he’s able to make the transition to the high major level then we could be competitive. If not, we could see a repeat of last year.
 

Bud Boomer

All-Conference
Dec 24, 2007
605
1,722
93
The Rivera thing reminds of Braden Anderson back in the day. He was penciled in as a starter during the 2015 preseason, and it never materialized. I'd be surprised if Rivera is a rotation player, let alone a starter.
 

HallLine69

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
10,402
10,566
112
The Rivera thing reminds of Braden Anderson back in the day. He was penciled in as a starter during the 2015 preseason, and it never materialized. I'd be surprised if Rivera is a rotation player, let alone a starter.
10.7 and 4.3 are not bad ppg and rpg numbers, albeit against A10 competition. His number the previous two years were comparable. If he can approach that level this year I would be OK with it. Not thrilling in any way, but certainly not awful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheHall87

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,615
5,407
113
He's playing well from what I am being told. And obviously PF is not a strong position for us.

Sight unseen I think he deserves a fair chance from the fans. We'll know more when we see the open practice in 2 weeks.
 

Halldan

All-American
Staff member
Jan 1, 2003
183,615
5,407
113
10.7 and 4.3 are not bad ppg and rpg numbers, albeit against A10 competition. His number the previous two years were comparable. If he can approach that level this year I would be OK with it. Not thrilling in any way, but certainly not awful.
The one thing I do not like from just looking at the stats is the foul shooting.

 

MBryantFan88

Freshman
Nov 4, 2018
87
77
18
Couldn't break the starting lineup at Fordham last year. Shoots .411/.295/.500 splits in Patriot & A10 leagues over first 3 years. Turned the ball over nearly 2x per game as a non-ball handler.

Expected to start in BE for us based on summer practices. Bad signs....
 

Bud Boomer

All-Conference
Dec 24, 2007
605
1,722
93
10.7 and 4.3 are not bad ppg and rpg numbers, albeit against A10 competition. His number the previous two years were comparable. If he can approach that level this year I would be OK with it. Not thrilling in any way, but certainly not awful.
He had the 2nd worst offensive and defensive rating of all Fordham rotation players last year. His offensive and defensive box plus minus were no better. It's just hard to project an upperclassman with those numbers in a mid-major conference, starting on a power conference team.