The good includes these comments on the freshmen from Noie after the first couple practices:
"Dane Goodwin - Game comes easily to him. Just knows how to play.
Robby Carmody - Known for his shot but like his penchant to challenge by driving and finishing at the rim. Got some swagger to him.
Nate Laszewski - Can shoot it and has steady feel but really skinny. Can use some work with Tony Rolinski.
Chris Doherty - Stunning in terms of physicality (kid's a beast). He's a handful and will be guy other ACC teams will hate, hate, hate. He just never stops."
Brey cited Goodwin and Doherty in his comments as well as the standouts so far. With Goodwin, his shooting and his court sense seem to be the distinguishing factors. With Doherty, it's the same thing Noie cited, his physicality and motor. Doherty was, by far, the least heralded of the freshmen but his physicality should not a surprise to anyone who watched his high school tapes. It may be difficult to redshirt him now, particularly if Durham or the other frontline guys prove unprepared for conference play.
The bad:
Brey also again talked about his big hopes for Prentiss Hubb, who is rehabbing an ACL injury from high school and it sounds like it isn't where Brey hoped in the recovery.
ND really has no one who can step in and spell TJ Gibbs at the point. with Hubb out of commission. You don't want Djogo or Pflueger bringing the ball up against quality ACC competition.
Brey also seemed discouraged by DJ Harvey's injury situation. Reading more about microfractures, it's entirely possible Harvey's playing days are over, period. Even if that isn't the case, predictions of his return this season are probably too optimistic.
Noie seemed down on Elijah Burns because he remains a "below the rim player." I'm not as negative, but I think Mooney does just about everything better.
My prediction for the starting five at the beginning of the year: Gibbs, Plueger, Djogo, Mooney, Durham (Goodwin could very well supplant Djogo)
Brey will and should be excessively cautious. Worst case, he gets a great education.
I know he struggled at times, but he had the look of an NBA wing. Not many enter college with a mid-range game like him and he's a solid athlete in terms of his lift. The shot would improve, too.
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