Transfer Portal - Comings and Goings

[lionlife]

We could probably absorb one more guard. But I hope the four transfers are ok with splitting 80 guard position minutes between them.

Time for wings.

[lmu2015]

I think the strategy might be to have 120 guard minutes, not 80... I loved the three guard lineups of the old Villanova and Marquette teams, I think CSJ might be trying to bring that to LMU.

[ALioninWinter]

Apr 11, 2023 11:15:42 GMT -5 lmu2015 said:

I think the strategy might be to have 120 guard minutes, not 80... I loved the three guard lineups of the old Villanova and Marquette teams, I think CSJ might be trying to bring that to LMU.

I agree. I also suspect this is the direction Coach Stan is headed. I also agree that given the right talent, 3-guard line-ups can be very entertaining. However you still need some 6’7”-type SFs who can defend the plethora of SFs the team will face all year. The SFs also provide another dimension to the offense that you have to have if you expect to compete against quality teams.

Two years ago Coach Stan seemed to miss the point that you have to have rim protectors. So last year he brought in Issanza and Graham. They made a big difference! Hopefully he doesn’t “miss the point” with regard to SFs.

[golions]

Mar 27, 2023 20:14:39 GMT -5 LIONS90045 said:

Reese Dixon Waters, USC

BIO:

BREAKDOWN: Sophomore Reese Dixon-Waters is a 6-5, 210-pound athletic guard who has great basketball instincts and has the ability to help the Trojans both offensively and defensively. Dixon-Waters is expected to have a big roll during the 2022-23 season. He originally committed to USC for the 2021-22 season, but graduated from high school early and enrolled at USC in December of 2020 and was able to get invaluable experience as part of the 2020-21 team.

2021-22: Dixon-Waters played in 33 games off the bench and averaged 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. He saw his playing time increase during the second half of the season, averaging 20.7 minutes and 8.5 points over the last 10 games. He missed the Pac-12 semifinal game against UCLA on March 11 with a sore hip. He came back strong in the NCAA Tournament game vs. Miami on March 18, scoring a career-high 16 points, 14 in the second half to help the Trojans get back into the game after trailing by as many as 13. He scored 10 points and matched a career best with two three-pointers vs. UCLA on Feb. 12. He scored a then-career-best 14 points in the double-overtime win at Oregon State on Feb. 24. He made 34 of his last 38 free throws (89.5 percent). Among Trojans with at least 20 makes from three-point range, he led the team with a 46.0 shooting percentage (23-for-50).

2020-21: Dixon-Waters joined the team after graduating He became eligible on Dec. 12 and USC was set to open Pac-12 play with him in uniform on Dec. 13, but hours before the game it was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test. He did make his debut vs. Santa Clara on Dec. 29 and he nailed a three-pointer on his first collegiate shot...for the game he scored 5 points and had a rebound in 5 minutes of action. In seven games for USC he scored 5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Overall, he played 34 minutes over 10 games and scored 5 points and had 6 rebounds. He played in three of USC’s four NCAA Tournament games along USC’s NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight.

HIGH SCHOOL: Dixon-Waters was ranked as the No. 4 player in the state of California and No. 50 overall player in the nation by 247Sports.com. Waters averaged 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game in leading the Vikings to a 22-7 record last season. As a sophomore at Dorsey HS, Dixon-Waters averaged 18.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

PERSONAL: Reese was born on June 21, 2002.

Louisville and Alabama have reached out to him already, among others.

Would like to see this big guard on our new roster.



Go get him Coach Johnson!

Transferred to San Diego State

[lionlife]

Fair, that could well be the case. We could have a great offense that way. Not sure I'm excited about watching 3 guards plus Keli and Rick try to defend opposing starters, though.

[Lion-O]

[ALioninWinter]

Now we’re talking’. This is the height we need. Never seen him play, but he put up some decent numbers on a poor Cal team.

[thx4leavinjimlynam]

Started at least 11 games each of his four seasons at Cal.

Last season 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds, with 74% free throw shooting.

www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/lars-thiemann-1.html

[LIONS90045]

Like Winter said: “Now we’re talking!”

[LIONS90045]

Coach Johnson will have the most experienced roster in the WCC.
This is not an accident.
Aside from McBride, Lamaj Lewis will be one of our “younger” players.
Lars reminds me of Markusson.

[Lion-O]

Apr 16, 2023 13:47:52 GMT -5 Lion-O said:

[LIONS90045]

Love it!
Lars has that baby hook that Dunlop tried to teach his players in years past.
And finishes with both hands!
Really hope we sign him.

[julia6]

[pumpfake]

Good addition. The first thing I think if when I consider Lars' potential contribution to the team will be his impact on our half court game against teams like St. Mary's that slow you down. He will also be valuable in tight late game situations which every possession is key. He is a threat to score from the post in the half court set and can make free throws. One more arrow in the quiver. I am not sure about his defensive skills but he can rebound and will should be good against big strong slower players down low.

[lmu2015]

Although Cal would have probably finished last in the WCC this past season, the Pac12 had a lot of talented bigs that Lars had to play against. There aren't a lot of skilled 7 footers that come through the WCC and I don't see too many teams that will have an answer for him. Really curious how this impacts our big man rotation - seems like Issanza or Graham will be riding the bench this season assuming none of them transfer. Still would like to see another wing join the program, but looks like we will be seeing a lot of 3 guard lineups next season.