What should we expect from freshman guard Romeo Langford?
- Thread starter rikki-tikka-tava
- Start date
Romeo is the top talent in the B1G. Experienced upperclass players have maximized their talent potential, where Romeo is still gaining experience, with the highest ceiling in the B1G. The Indy Star not having Romeo on the All-B1G Conference Team is a joke. They will soon see they were wrong. Romeo and Barrett of Duke are the top talents in College Basketball. Both are Freshmen.
I'm unsure exactly what to predict about Romeo for this upcoming season. His potential is unquestionable but to me, he's seemed to lack upper body strength which becomes evident against good competition - such as his playing with the USA Basketball teams. I have no doubt by the time he's 22-23 years old and his body has matured he'll be an elite NBA player but I'm not sure how much of that we'll see in his freshman and likely only season of college ball.
Romeo will have an impact similar to Eric Gordon. Gordon was at 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 32 games. I expect Romeo to score less (18.5) and rebound a little more (4.5) than Gordon.
Here's a good baseline .. average PER in the last decade for a 5 star wing in a top 3 role that is projected top half of lottery is 22.5. Consider 3 pts under as under performing, and 3 pts over is over performing. Average numbers should place him as a 1st team all conference player and 3rd team to honorable mention AA.
I think he’ll be more consistent than Gordon but I don’t think he’ll necessarily take over games like Gordon did. Gordon was just way more developed physically. Romeo is more of a “quiet” scorer. But overall I expect them to be similar.
As a side note, it’s a shame Gordon got drug into the dumpster fire that was 07-08. He was one of the best talents to ever play at IU and was a really good kid, but he was overshadowed by the circus. Same with DJ White. I still feel bad they both went out that way. Should’ve and likely would’ve been different if Sampson had half a brain.
As a side note, it’s a shame Gordon got drug into the dumpster fire that was 07-08. He was one of the best talents to ever play at IU and was a really good kid, but he was overshadowed by the circus. Same with DJ White. I still feel bad they both went out that way. Should’ve and likely would’ve been different if Sampson had half a brain.
One thing I will tell you with high liklihood is that IU will not have 2 1st team all-con selections unless they win the B1G. That isn't to say that Romeo isn't capable of being a first team selection, it is just that you won't see Morgan and Romeo unless IU wins the conference.
Could Romeo be a 1st team selection and Morgan a second teamer? Possibly, but I beleive it would be more likely that Morgan is a first teamer this season.
16-20ppg is necessary from yeah yeah22 this year if he is to live up to the hype. I suppose 14/5/3 might do it if he also shoots well from 3 and wins clutch games. But that reputation....and all the fauning....and the court with his name on it? He had better light it up.
RoJo averaged 14 and a half last season. He doesn’t remotely have the array of offense stuff Romeo has. I just find it hard to believe, unless Justin Smith emerges as a big-time scorer, that RL won’t be close to 20 a game. Romeo will be initiating the offense on many possessions and also figure big-time on fast breaks. With his size and athleticism he’ll take other guards down low and score or get fouled and also be a great weapon in the pick and roll. Just a lot on the menu here to love.
I think Romeo avg 18 - 25ppg, 1st Team All-B1G, B1G POY candidate, All-American candidate, Juwan 2nd Team All-B1G 13 ppg, I think another scorer or two will emerge, Fitzner, Phinesee, Devonte, Damezi, Hunter, Smith. And McRoberts will be solid on both ends of the court. I really like Fitzner and Damezi shooting the ball on the wing with Romeo initiating the offense to drive and kick or shoot. Romeo's offensive game is difficult to defend especially with other scorers around him.
Last edited:
Last 5 Indiana players to avg 20ppg or more:
Gordon 08
Evans. 96
Henderson 95
Cheney 93, 91
Edwards 89
Several other greats were in the 17-19.5 range during that time.
Gordon 08
Evans. 96
Henderson 95
Cheney 93, 91
Edwards 89
Several other greats were in the 17-19.5 range during that time.
Gordon was an unreal shooter but his PPG was that high because of his ability to get to the foul line. He has a high propensity for doing so still in the NBA. That is how most players with high PPG typically get 1/3rd to 1/2 their points most games. If Romeo can do that and do it consistently, then there's no telling where he lands.
I think that there is 80% probability that he scores between 15 and 20 points a game and a 10% probability that scores under 15 or above 20 points per game. He is going to score a lot of points and I believe that he will be the best scorer in college basketball.
Romeo will have to prove he has a better offensive game. What areas do you feel Romeo is better?
I would agree with this. Unless he is getting 8-10+ FT attempts per game, there is almost no way he averages over 20pts. 15-17 sounds right to me so naturally under 15 is closer to that zone than over 20. We're on the same page.
I watched both Gordon and Romeo play in high school. Gordon had great touch on his push jumpshot, and he bullied people with his strength to the rim, where he drew a lot of fouls. Romeo is taller, longer, and possibly a higher overall leaper. Romeo took more 23+ foot 3pt shots than Gordon. Romeo finishes non-dunks more effectively, by extending with his length and finishing with an entire arsenal of finger rolls, floaters, layups and dunks. Romeo also creates separation using fade aways with great touch, and a variety of spin moves. 15 -18ppg could be a possibility, but that is likely the floor with 20+ point games becoming the norm as the season goes on, Romeo goes to the foul line as much if not more than Gordon did, scoring 6-10 points per game on just FT alone.
Last edited:
I'm tapping the brakes on 17 -20 a game..
12 - 14 pts a game seems realistic You don't think Jr's & Sr' 's in the Big Ten.Who are physical.Don't have him on the radar. for shutting him down some .Not to mention every coach telling his interior player's..Bump #0 everytime he come's threw the lane..Who knows. He may go off at time's too. We'll know by Christmas what he's got.
12 - 14 pts a game seems realistic You don't think Jr's & Sr' 's in the Big Ten.Who are physical.Don't have him on the radar. for shutting him down some .Not to mention every coach telling his interior player's..Bump #0 everytime he come's threw the lane..Who knows. He may go off at time's too. We'll know by Christmas what he's got.
In over 40 years of watching Indiana HS basketball I have not seen a player with more overall talent than Romeo Langford. Shawn Kemp and Glenn Robinson are the only players that I have watched in person that were similar to what Romeo was capable of doing on both ends of the court. I did not see George McGinnis, Oscar, or Damon Bailey in person in HS.
Last edited:
Romeo as a Jr. In HS played against the Prep School National Champions with D1 players at every position on the court, basically a D1 college team. And Romeo torched LaLu for 40 points on ESPN National TV. And posterized 6'11" McD AA and NBA Lottery pick Jaren Jackson with a dunk. They wont be able to double team Romeo like they did almost every game in HS. If anything, Romeo may have even more room to operate in college.
Last edited:
He got bodied and bumped for 4 years in HS without stopping him. Every defense imaginable has already been thrown at Romeo.
Very impressive! This guy nailed Romeo's stats, in October!
Actual stats : 16.9/5.3/2.2
lol.....your predictions were a tad closer than ufo's. I'm still waiting for RL's "arsenal of finger roles, floaters, lay-ups, and dunks" as well as him creating "separation using fade aways with great touch, and an array of spin moves"
I'm surprised I wasn't in here. I think I had him at 18 ppg.
He was better than Rojo who he was replacing at 14 ppg but thought he was most similar to Gordon at 20.
Figured 20 was the ceiling so I had him at 18.
Didn't do rebound or assists, etc.
Also thought he'd be more of a perimeter player vs a dynamic interior scorer...which is a shame cuz if he could shoot (I think he can, I think his wrist is a big issue) he'd be pushing that UFO clouds.
He was better than Rojo who he was replacing at 14 ppg but thought he was most similar to Gordon at 20.
Figured 20 was the ceiling so I had him at 18.
Didn't do rebound or assists, etc.
Also thought he'd be more of a perimeter player vs a dynamic interior scorer...which is a shame cuz if he could shoot (I think he can, I think his wrist is a big issue) he'd be pushing that UFO clouds.
