Jake
Mod
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
- Messages
- 9,520
- Like
- 69,398
So here's my take on the season to date.
We're kinda where I thought we'd be, with maybe one more loss than expected. Some things are better than expected, some are worse.
Offensively, if it weren't for AW3, we'd be a disaster. It's what concerns me most. Good defensive teams will provide problems for us - and we've got some weaknesses that I think can get better, but it's going to take time. We've got good pieces, but we don't have a "pro" right now. That's a problem...someone needs to step up their game and be a go to guy.
Defensively, we will figure it out. Especially with Battle at the top of the zone. The one skill he has that is above average for a frosh is his athleticism and defensive motor.
Here's the good:
DaJuan Coleman has finally figured it out. As a kid with bad knees who can't elevate, he's abandoned his post-up game and focused on knocking down 8-10 footers in open space. If he can make 2-3 j's a game and rebound on the defensive end of the court, he'll have given us what we need.
Aw3. He is obviously as good as advertised. He's a great shooter who's going to be asked to take on more of the scoring load as conference games begin. There will be games where's going to force shots. We're going to have to live with it.
TThompson. He's been a pleasant surprise. Still too thin to bang in the ACC for 25 minutes, but he can be effective in spurts.
Here's the bad:
The Tyler twins.
Probably the best and worst thing that happened last year was Lydon's success. It got us to a FF, but it built up unrealistic expectations for him this year. He's still an undersized 5 - stretch 4...whose perimeter game is much better than his inside game. He's getting tossed around inside and he needs to get stronger. He's put on weight, but it doesn't look like good weight. He isn't nearly as efficient as we need him to be inside. It sure looks like a player that needs another year.
Roberson. Ugh. I really feel awful for the kid. There's been pressure on him to be an NBA'er since high school. And the belief is that he needs to hit 15 footers to do so. But he can't. So there's this never ending friction between the coach who wants him to attack the glass and the player who wants to make the league. Coach is always going to win this one...and the coach is right on this one. If Robey would just rebound and hustle, there's a better chance of him getting a contract...and everyone wins. Coleman has figured out how to be effective - Robey still hasn't.
Chukwu: For a 7-2 kid, he has to get better at understanding how to maximize his height. Chasing people 40 feet from the basket isn't one of them. His shotblocking instincts are shockingly bad for his size. I knew we wouldn't get much offense from him, but his defense has been worst tvan imagined.
The so-so:
The PGs. Frank has shown spurts- better shooting and gives us size at the top of the zone. But his inability to finish at the rim or convert FTs are troublesome. Good defenders have also forced him to puck up his dribble- which stagnates the offense.
Gillon can shoot and run a team, but the size and athleticism of opposing guards have shown why he wasn't recruited at this level originally. He can't close out on shooters at 5-9 and players pass right over him. His FT shooting will earn him time in crunch time.
The unknown:
Tyus Battle. Battle is the wildcard that I think can give us an extra gear. He's shot the ball very well against the mid majors, but has struggled to get good looks from the perimeter against real teams. It's fools gold and I don't expect that to change this year. I'd like to see him attack the basket from the wings. Defensively, he's probably going to draw the opposing SF, because White doesn't attack the rim and can be checked by the opposing two. I think Tyus can be more effective with his very good handle against a "3", instead of shooting over them.
I think JB made a wise move getting him at the top of the zone where he can defend and get some run outs.
We are going to need to get some baskets outside of the half court sets. If not, we are going to struggle a bit.
We're kinda where I thought we'd be, with maybe one more loss than expected. Some things are better than expected, some are worse.
Offensively, if it weren't for AW3, we'd be a disaster. It's what concerns me most. Good defensive teams will provide problems for us - and we've got some weaknesses that I think can get better, but it's going to take time. We've got good pieces, but we don't have a "pro" right now. That's a problem...someone needs to step up their game and be a go to guy.
Defensively, we will figure it out. Especially with Battle at the top of the zone. The one skill he has that is above average for a frosh is his athleticism and defensive motor.
Here's the good:
DaJuan Coleman has finally figured it out. As a kid with bad knees who can't elevate, he's abandoned his post-up game and focused on knocking down 8-10 footers in open space. If he can make 2-3 j's a game and rebound on the defensive end of the court, he'll have given us what we need.
Aw3. He is obviously as good as advertised. He's a great shooter who's going to be asked to take on more of the scoring load as conference games begin. There will be games where's going to force shots. We're going to have to live with it.
TThompson. He's been a pleasant surprise. Still too thin to bang in the ACC for 25 minutes, but he can be effective in spurts.
Here's the bad:
The Tyler twins.
Probably the best and worst thing that happened last year was Lydon's success. It got us to a FF, but it built up unrealistic expectations for him this year. He's still an undersized 5 - stretch 4...whose perimeter game is much better than his inside game. He's getting tossed around inside and he needs to get stronger. He's put on weight, but it doesn't look like good weight. He isn't nearly as efficient as we need him to be inside. It sure looks like a player that needs another year.
Roberson. Ugh. I really feel awful for the kid. There's been pressure on him to be an NBA'er since high school. And the belief is that he needs to hit 15 footers to do so. But he can't. So there's this never ending friction between the coach who wants him to attack the glass and the player who wants to make the league. Coach is always going to win this one...and the coach is right on this one. If Robey would just rebound and hustle, there's a better chance of him getting a contract...and everyone wins. Coleman has figured out how to be effective - Robey still hasn't.
Chukwu: For a 7-2 kid, he has to get better at understanding how to maximize his height. Chasing people 40 feet from the basket isn't one of them. His shotblocking instincts are shockingly bad for his size. I knew we wouldn't get much offense from him, but his defense has been worst tvan imagined.
The so-so:
The PGs. Frank has shown spurts- better shooting and gives us size at the top of the zone. But his inability to finish at the rim or convert FTs are troublesome. Good defenders have also forced him to puck up his dribble- which stagnates the offense.
Gillon can shoot and run a team, but the size and athleticism of opposing guards have shown why he wasn't recruited at this level originally. He can't close out on shooters at 5-9 and players pass right over him. His FT shooting will earn him time in crunch time.
The unknown:
Tyus Battle. Battle is the wildcard that I think can give us an extra gear. He's shot the ball very well against the mid majors, but has struggled to get good looks from the perimeter against real teams. It's fools gold and I don't expect that to change this year. I'd like to see him attack the basket from the wings. Defensively, he's probably going to draw the opposing SF, because White doesn't attack the rim and can be checked by the opposing two. I think Tyus can be more effective with his very good handle against a "3", instead of shooting over them.
I think JB made a wise move getting him at the top of the zone where he can defend and get some run outs.
We are going to need to get some baskets outside of the half court sets. If not, we are going to struggle a bit.