cap2nine
Scout Team
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2012
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- 363
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- 293
I intentionally refrained from commenting after the Cornell game to allow for a pool of at least 2 regular season games from which to draw a few conclusions. I didn’t want to get overly excited about TC’s amazing performance nor too down on Ennis for such an awkward first outing. Also I wanted to see how JG’s presence would affect the game.
Now I can say… this team has a long way to go.
Obviously playing at anything less than 100% for 15 minutes or half of a game is simply unacceptable. I’d like to think that JB and staff are addressing that topic with the team, in practice, through the rest of the week and Colgate will pay dearly for being next on our schedule.
Free-throws are more important than ever! I know there is an ongoing public perception that SU is a horrible FT shooting team, which is statistically debatable, but we have got to figure out a way to maximize those points. We may not expect to have quite as many trips to the line as we saw last night but with more trips in general, FTs will be a deciding factor in even more games this year.
Coleman is not there yet and may not be very close. I realize he had a nice stat line against Fordham... but it was against Fordham. He still insists on bringing the ball down low, putting the ball on the floor and refuses to turn to his left. He reminds me a little of those old-school, battery operated, remote controlled cars that only went straight when going forward and would only turn to the right when going backwards. He may be the monster truck version but he’s still way too limited, predictable and easily defensible.
Luckily, Christmas does seem to have learned a thing or two. He’s still good for a couple silly, nonsense fouls in a game but his defense is better, his intensity is WAY better and you can see a little bit of game-smarts beginning to catch up to his physical gifts.
I have faith that Ennis will be a very good floor general and Cooney will have some fantastic games and make key contributions throughout the year. My big concern with them is the huge loss of driving the lane. Both MCW and BT were fully capable of getting to the rim several times each game. Although Ennis and Cooney are able from time to time, neither has the same ability of their predecessors. If we are a GREAT shooting team, it may not matter but I really don’t think we’re good enough. Our half-court offense will suffer some as a result and since we’re likely to have less transition offense this year, the problem could be compounded.
Grant could really be amazing, but when will he be? His talent, length, hops and intensity make him a force already. But can he add a consistent mid-range or even outside game? Is he quick enough or can he handle well enough to slash and drive? It’s not there yet and I think we’ll need to see some of that from him to be a FF contender again this year.
I’m not going to get into Fair or Keita here. We know what we have with them and both will be monumental components in this team’s success.
I also won’t talk much about BJ, Roberson or Buss. Unless something drastic happens Roberson will rarely see the floor in ACC play. BJ may see a little more than Roberson but he’ll have to start making some of those fearless shots he takes if he wants to get the chance. Ron will be the 4th guard in line. Ask MCW what that’s like.
I will however mention Mike G. We will NEED him this season. Not for the obvious breather for Ennis or Cooney but as a reliable offensive threat, distributing and shooting. Ennis will have some off games, he’s a freshman. Cooney will have some off games, he’ll be inconsistent. Mike G will have to be the hot hand once in a while. His extra length at the top of the zone should be a slight improvement on the defensive end when spelling Ennis so I hope that will be adequate compensation for not being as affective as a PG.
I think the general tone of my post sounds negative but I truly am optimistic. I just see that this team has a very long way to go to get back to the Final Four and beat out Duke for the ACC title. These are certainly attainable goals for this group but maybe shouldn’t be expectations… yet.
Now I can say… this team has a long way to go.
Obviously playing at anything less than 100% for 15 minutes or half of a game is simply unacceptable. I’d like to think that JB and staff are addressing that topic with the team, in practice, through the rest of the week and Colgate will pay dearly for being next on our schedule.
Free-throws are more important than ever! I know there is an ongoing public perception that SU is a horrible FT shooting team, which is statistically debatable, but we have got to figure out a way to maximize those points. We may not expect to have quite as many trips to the line as we saw last night but with more trips in general, FTs will be a deciding factor in even more games this year.
Coleman is not there yet and may not be very close. I realize he had a nice stat line against Fordham... but it was against Fordham. He still insists on bringing the ball down low, putting the ball on the floor and refuses to turn to his left. He reminds me a little of those old-school, battery operated, remote controlled cars that only went straight when going forward and would only turn to the right when going backwards. He may be the monster truck version but he’s still way too limited, predictable and easily defensible.
Luckily, Christmas does seem to have learned a thing or two. He’s still good for a couple silly, nonsense fouls in a game but his defense is better, his intensity is WAY better and you can see a little bit of game-smarts beginning to catch up to his physical gifts.
I have faith that Ennis will be a very good floor general and Cooney will have some fantastic games and make key contributions throughout the year. My big concern with them is the huge loss of driving the lane. Both MCW and BT were fully capable of getting to the rim several times each game. Although Ennis and Cooney are able from time to time, neither has the same ability of their predecessors. If we are a GREAT shooting team, it may not matter but I really don’t think we’re good enough. Our half-court offense will suffer some as a result and since we’re likely to have less transition offense this year, the problem could be compounded.
Grant could really be amazing, but when will he be? His talent, length, hops and intensity make him a force already. But can he add a consistent mid-range or even outside game? Is he quick enough or can he handle well enough to slash and drive? It’s not there yet and I think we’ll need to see some of that from him to be a FF contender again this year.
I’m not going to get into Fair or Keita here. We know what we have with them and both will be monumental components in this team’s success.
I also won’t talk much about BJ, Roberson or Buss. Unless something drastic happens Roberson will rarely see the floor in ACC play. BJ may see a little more than Roberson but he’ll have to start making some of those fearless shots he takes if he wants to get the chance. Ron will be the 4th guard in line. Ask MCW what that’s like.
I will however mention Mike G. We will NEED him this season. Not for the obvious breather for Ennis or Cooney but as a reliable offensive threat, distributing and shooting. Ennis will have some off games, he’s a freshman. Cooney will have some off games, he’ll be inconsistent. Mike G will have to be the hot hand once in a while. His extra length at the top of the zone should be a slight improvement on the defensive end when spelling Ennis so I hope that will be adequate compensation for not being as affective as a PG.
I think the general tone of my post sounds negative but I truly am optimistic. I just see that this team has a very long way to go to get back to the Final Four and beat out Duke for the ACC title. These are certainly attainable goals for this group but maybe shouldn’t be expectations… yet.
