jordoo
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Viewed in the light of Thursday's reality check I found last night very encouraging. I think its obvious that this team has some major growing to do and even with all the talent they just aren't very good right now. I realize that I need to view this team by how they are improving rather than by all the mistakes they make or what they lack.
First some thoughts on the sophmores since bench use seems to be a major board concern:
I mentioned that we couldn't fix all of Thursday's problems before Friday and where that was most evident was JB's use or non use of the bench. There was simply no time for the staff to go over all the mistakes on defense and offense with the less experienced players and also install the game plan for Iowa. Obviously the game plan for Iowa was of primary importance. I know there is a group of posters that are already very concerned about the short bench last night and although in some thought perspectives its valid I'd say be patient and see what happens @ Michigan with the bench. I'd bet that it will directly related to how "My Three Son's" take corrections from their MSG performances and install them into the next two games. Specifically getting back on defense, not missing obvious half court defensive assignments (the corner) and jacking quick covered jumpers. If they do then we will see them get opportunities against Michigan. I think we would like to see BJ be a spark plug bench scorer and establish himself as a shooter but he's got to play better defense and use a little bit of discrimination in his shot selection. I think Buss can bring energy and keep Cooney around 30minutes a game but he cannot come in and jack bad shots when he has shown he is a streaky shooter. JB did give Buss a chance last night which is a good sign and its because most of the time he plays excellent defense. We need Tyler to be a capable scorer in a complimentary roll because he is not going to get a lot of defensive attention with Chris and Rak out there. I think he's getting closer but he needs to make teams pay for leaving him open. These 3 guys are the key to long term success and their development alongside the development of our main 5 guys is going to determine how good this team can be.
Ok the defense was still pretty poor compared to what we are used to. Mike over commits and flies by the wing shooter quite often causing rotational problems. Trevor and Kaleb over commit to the shot and don't do a good job with the screnes allowing penetration much to easily. Kaleb specifically is really lost in the concept of the zone and in what his weak side responsibilities are. Most of the time we had a free runner coming down the lane to crash the offensive glass it was because Kaleb had no one to guard but had not dropped down. Chris and Tyler are still learning the wing position but they are improving and both show good instincts and effort. Still we held Iowa in the low 60's and forced a lot of turnovers. Some of what we are seeing is guys like Cooney, Christmas and MikeG over compensating for mistakes and missed rotations they are starting to expect the other guys to make. As Kaleb, Chris, Tyler and BJ start to get it I expect the defense to gel and be pretty good. The major issue we will have all season is going to be what happens when Christmas is out of the game. Even though I think Chris can contest shots pretty well from the 5 he doesn't direct traffic well (no surprise for a freshman) and is too slight to hold his position. Chino is also inexperienced and even if DC2 comes back we wasn't exactly the best defensive center we have seen. I do think that DC2 would be an instant upgrade on D from Chris or Chino but I think this is the one big issue we will have on defense all year even as we improve which I see coming little by little.
Offensively we are still a work in progress. Shooting is a big question mark right now although I think Cooney is showing signs. No 0-fers yet and he seems to be making his open squared shots at a high rate. Its more about being able to get more of those shots for him. Still he needs to expand his offensive game which we see some small indications of. Mike, BJ, Buss, Kaleb and even Tyler need to help in the jump shooting department. All of them have the ability its about taking good looks when you get them and not rushing. All of these guys have passed up good shots and taken some poor ones. If you are open in your comfort area you have to catch and take that shot because we might not get it again in that possession with the exception of Mike and Kaleb who also have the responsibility of running the offense. I still think that this team has more shooters than last season, perhaps no great shooters but more guys who can and will make open ones when they shoot with confidence. Rak and Chris are going to be a great offensive tandem but their over all efficiency relies on the rest of the guys moving the ball well and making teams pay for the extra attention given to our two big guys. We see signs of this but nothing consistent yet. The good news is that no matter who we have played if we get Rak the ball in good position down low he has scored. Also Chris can score in so many ways that as he continues to develop he is pretty much going to get his no matter what, he's just scratching the surface right now. Our transition offense is a mess right now but oozes potential and could round into a big strength. That leads me into one of the most important reasons for optimism Kaleb Joseph.
Lets not sugar coat it Kaleb right now is a mess as a PG and lost on defense. He needs to keep playing 30+ minutes because we need him to get better. The biggest take away I have is that he is nervous, thinking and unsure most of the time, even more so than Tyler. In the exhibition season his pull up looked strong and ripped the nets now even when his shots go in they rattle the rim a sure sign of nerves. He looks like he is a step slower and not very quick most of the time and we know this is not the case. He was honestly scared to try and break that pitiful little trap that Iowa threw at us. Still he had what 9 assists and the nutz to try and win the game with a jumper (he will make that 70% of the time later this season). Everything wrong with his game right now is tied to lack of experience, indecision and being uncomfortable. Same as Thursday Kaleb needs to accept that he will make mistakes, play like Kaleb and be natural. He has all the tools and will get there as everything is fixable and tied mostly to success and experience. As he gains it and gets coached up he will get comfortable and reliable. We have to be patient here and we should see him making aggressive mistakes as a big positive because it means he is moving in the right direction. Its the cautious hesitant mistakes that are bad and as long as we see these diminishing as he plays more then things will get much better. Kaleb has the ability to bring a whole new dimension to this team. He will be able to free up Rak and Chris, get Cooney the shots we want him to take and allow everyone else room to operate in their comfort level. He is the key offensively IMO.
I can't wait to watch the next game and see what has changed.
First some thoughts on the sophmores since bench use seems to be a major board concern:
I mentioned that we couldn't fix all of Thursday's problems before Friday and where that was most evident was JB's use or non use of the bench. There was simply no time for the staff to go over all the mistakes on defense and offense with the less experienced players and also install the game plan for Iowa. Obviously the game plan for Iowa was of primary importance. I know there is a group of posters that are already very concerned about the short bench last night and although in some thought perspectives its valid I'd say be patient and see what happens @ Michigan with the bench. I'd bet that it will directly related to how "My Three Son's" take corrections from their MSG performances and install them into the next two games. Specifically getting back on defense, not missing obvious half court defensive assignments (the corner) and jacking quick covered jumpers. If they do then we will see them get opportunities against Michigan. I think we would like to see BJ be a spark plug bench scorer and establish himself as a shooter but he's got to play better defense and use a little bit of discrimination in his shot selection. I think Buss can bring energy and keep Cooney around 30minutes a game but he cannot come in and jack bad shots when he has shown he is a streaky shooter. JB did give Buss a chance last night which is a good sign and its because most of the time he plays excellent defense. We need Tyler to be a capable scorer in a complimentary roll because he is not going to get a lot of defensive attention with Chris and Rak out there. I think he's getting closer but he needs to make teams pay for leaving him open. These 3 guys are the key to long term success and their development alongside the development of our main 5 guys is going to determine how good this team can be.
Ok the defense was still pretty poor compared to what we are used to. Mike over commits and flies by the wing shooter quite often causing rotational problems. Trevor and Kaleb over commit to the shot and don't do a good job with the screnes allowing penetration much to easily. Kaleb specifically is really lost in the concept of the zone and in what his weak side responsibilities are. Most of the time we had a free runner coming down the lane to crash the offensive glass it was because Kaleb had no one to guard but had not dropped down. Chris and Tyler are still learning the wing position but they are improving and both show good instincts and effort. Still we held Iowa in the low 60's and forced a lot of turnovers. Some of what we are seeing is guys like Cooney, Christmas and MikeG over compensating for mistakes and missed rotations they are starting to expect the other guys to make. As Kaleb, Chris, Tyler and BJ start to get it I expect the defense to gel and be pretty good. The major issue we will have all season is going to be what happens when Christmas is out of the game. Even though I think Chris can contest shots pretty well from the 5 he doesn't direct traffic well (no surprise for a freshman) and is too slight to hold his position. Chino is also inexperienced and even if DC2 comes back we wasn't exactly the best defensive center we have seen. I do think that DC2 would be an instant upgrade on D from Chris or Chino but I think this is the one big issue we will have on defense all year even as we improve which I see coming little by little.
Offensively we are still a work in progress. Shooting is a big question mark right now although I think Cooney is showing signs. No 0-fers yet and he seems to be making his open squared shots at a high rate. Its more about being able to get more of those shots for him. Still he needs to expand his offensive game which we see some small indications of. Mike, BJ, Buss, Kaleb and even Tyler need to help in the jump shooting department. All of them have the ability its about taking good looks when you get them and not rushing. All of these guys have passed up good shots and taken some poor ones. If you are open in your comfort area you have to catch and take that shot because we might not get it again in that possession with the exception of Mike and Kaleb who also have the responsibility of running the offense. I still think that this team has more shooters than last season, perhaps no great shooters but more guys who can and will make open ones when they shoot with confidence. Rak and Chris are going to be a great offensive tandem but their over all efficiency relies on the rest of the guys moving the ball well and making teams pay for the extra attention given to our two big guys. We see signs of this but nothing consistent yet. The good news is that no matter who we have played if we get Rak the ball in good position down low he has scored. Also Chris can score in so many ways that as he continues to develop he is pretty much going to get his no matter what, he's just scratching the surface right now. Our transition offense is a mess right now but oozes potential and could round into a big strength. That leads me into one of the most important reasons for optimism Kaleb Joseph.
Lets not sugar coat it Kaleb right now is a mess as a PG and lost on defense. He needs to keep playing 30+ minutes because we need him to get better. The biggest take away I have is that he is nervous, thinking and unsure most of the time, even more so than Tyler. In the exhibition season his pull up looked strong and ripped the nets now even when his shots go in they rattle the rim a sure sign of nerves. He looks like he is a step slower and not very quick most of the time and we know this is not the case. He was honestly scared to try and break that pitiful little trap that Iowa threw at us. Still he had what 9 assists and the nutz to try and win the game with a jumper (he will make that 70% of the time later this season). Everything wrong with his game right now is tied to lack of experience, indecision and being uncomfortable. Same as Thursday Kaleb needs to accept that he will make mistakes, play like Kaleb and be natural. He has all the tools and will get there as everything is fixable and tied mostly to success and experience. As he gains it and gets coached up he will get comfortable and reliable. We have to be patient here and we should see him making aggressive mistakes as a big positive because it means he is moving in the right direction. Its the cautious hesitant mistakes that are bad and as long as we see these diminishing as he plays more then things will get much better. Kaleb has the ability to bring a whole new dimension to this team. He will be able to free up Rak and Chris, get Cooney the shots we want him to take and allow everyone else room to operate in their comfort level. He is the key offensively IMO.
I can't wait to watch the next game and see what has changed.
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