Chance Westry Transferring to Syracuse

[Orangezoo]

I'm not a McLeod backer but there is no reason he shouldn't be getting 5-10 minutes. Makes no sense unless he's hurt. If he isn't, there are more questions with no answers.

Yeah I just don’t get it. If we didn’t think he would be healthy and able to help us then why not go after a shot blocker to backup the 5 in the portal?

 

[Niastri]

Yeah I just don’t get it. If we didn’t think he would be healthy and able to help us then why not go after a shot blocker to backup the 5 in the portal?

They showed a preseason clip of McLeod that made him look awesome.

He took a pass on a transition drill out by the three point line, dribbled once and dunked on Majstorovic (who was late getting in position) like he wasn't there.

I figured that meant he was healthy and ready to contribute. Once the season started, nothing but crickets. He hasn't even been mentioned except here.

 

[two3zone]

I wonder if there will be more Chance career syrfan threads or Chance SU games played or starts.

 

[721Comstock]

I wonder if there will be more Chance career syrfan threads or Chance SU games played or starts.

Yes.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

They showed a preseason clip of McLeod that made him look awesome.

He took a pass on a transition drill out by the three point line, dribbled once and dunked on Majstorovic (who was late getting in position) like he wasn't there.

I figured that meant he was healthy and ready to contribute. Once the season started, nothing but crickets. He hasn't even been mentioned except here.

The excuse here has been that the matchups didn’t favor us—the other team had bigs that could shoot threes, so our biggest big couldn’t defend. But, Youngstown St had a ‘traditional’ skinny 7-footer who didn’t shoot from the outside. I gotta believe it’s a health thing—unless Red has said it’s not?

 

[IthacaMatt]

They showed a preseason clip of McLeod that made him look awesome.

He took a pass on a transition drill out by the three point line, dribbled once and dunked on Majstorovic (who was late getting in position) like he wasn't there.

I figured that meant he was healthy and ready to contribute. Once the season started, nothing but crickets. He hasn't even been mentioned except here.

He had a great 12 minute stretch against that D2 team in exhibition game 2. Seems like he should have had at least another chance or two. He had like 9 pts, 7 reb and 2 blocks in his one appearance.

 

[Niastri]

He had a great 12 minute stretch against that D2 team in exhibition game 2. Seems like he should have had at least another chance or two. He had like 9 pts, 7 reb and 2 blocks in his one appearance.

Yup, McLeod looked pretty awkward in that game. He doesn't look like a natural baller... But he produced good to great stats in the minutes he's been getting.

I'm going to get over it, I just wish we had a better explanation than we've gotten.

It's decreasing my opinion of Red's coaching decisions.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yup, McLeod looked pretty awkward in that game. He doesn't look like a natural baller... But he produced good to great stats in the minutes he's been getting.

I'm going to get over it, I just wish we had a better explanation than we've gotten.

It's decreasing my opinion of Red's coaching decisions.

Yeah, if we were just crushing it on defense, then sure, Naheem has to be able to do all that is required of the job.

But man, our interior defense is putrid. Let him just come in and foul some guys. Knock 'em on their asses. Who cares about a few fouls? Make them reconsider coming down the lane.

 

[Idiocuse22&]

They showed a preseason clip of McLeod that made him look awesome.

He took a pass on a transition drill out by the three point line, dribbled once and dunked on Majstorovic (who was late getting in position) like he wasn't there.

I figured that meant he was healthy and ready to contribute. Once the season started, nothing but crickets. He hasn't even been mentioned except here.

Watched a practice recently...best performer was Cuffe and it wasnt close, multiple steals, good def, led fast breaks well ànd beat his man multiple times from top of the key and dunked on whoever was left down there at least 3 times. If I was Cuffe I would be pissed but what do I really know...nada.
Naheem was the next standout performer. Moving well, blocks, rebounds, solid defense and a couple nifty offensive moves.

 

[two3zone]

Watched a practice recently...best performer was Cuffe and it wasnt close, multiple steals, good def, led fast breaks well ànd beat his man multiple times from top of the key and dunked on whoever was left down there at least 3 times. If I was Cuffe I would be pissed but what do I really know...nada.
Naheem was the next standout performer. Moving well, blocks, rebounds, solid defense and a couple nifty offensive moves.

Is this real? Is red trying to get fired because this is crazy. I'm not saying I don't believe you because I have no reason not to but it is bonkers based on the dnps

 

[Idiocuse22&]

Is this real? Is red trying to get fired because this is crazy. I'm not saying I don't believe you because I have no reason not to but it is bonkers based on the dnps

My brother was with me and he really loves to disagree with anything and àlmost everything I say, even if I really know he agrees, and have a debate.
On our way home after the practice, I brought what I said here up...he totally agreed ànd that literally never happens. He said he was very impressed with Cuffe mostly.
We ride to the games together and on our way home he always says how right I was about Cuffe & NM and how shocked he is neither is playing...No joke or exaggeration.
In my opinion it is bonkers, to see our specific struggles and to witness 2 players that are not playing thriving at our weaknesses, blows my mind.
I dont care if it was just 1 3hour practice, the dudes made it happen better than everyone else, give em minutes and see what happens.
I mean coach said hes testîng rotations..?

But what do I know?
or is there somethîng else goîng on?
Somethîng doesnt seem right to me

 

[two3zone]

My brother was with me and he really loves to disagree with anything and àlmost everything I say, even if I really know he agrees, and have a debate.
On our way home after the practice, I brought what I said here up...he totally agreed ànd that literally never happens. He said he was very impressed with Cuffe mostly.
We ride to the games together and on our way home he always says how right I was about Cuffe & NM and how shocked he is neither is playing...No joke or exaggeration.
In my opinion it is bonkers, to see our specific struggles and to witness 2 players that are not playing thriving at our weaknesses, blows my mind.
I dont care if it was just 1 3hour practice, the dudes made it happen better than everyone else, give em minutes and see what happens.
I mean coach said hes testîng rotations..?

But what do I know?
or is there somethîng else goîng on?
Somethîng isnt right

I appreciate this and I'm sure others will too. Thank you.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Is this real? Is red trying to get fired because this is crazy. I'm not saying I don't believe you because I have no reason not to but it is bonkers based on the dnps

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Until i see him on the floor im convinced he is never playing here. Just doesnt make sense that he wasnt in last game for at least a couple of minutes

Is he real?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Watched a practice recently...best performer was Cuffe and it wasnt close, multiple steals, good def, led fast breaks well ànd beat his man multiple times from top of the key and dunked on whoever was left down there at least 3 times. If I was Cuffe I would be pissed but what do I really know...nada.
Naheem was the next standout performer. Moving well, blocks, rebounds, solid defense and a couple nifty offensive moves.

They are playing against out guys, remember. There is always the possibility that: 1) it was an anomaly, and/or 2) there are off court reasons they are not playing.

 

[AZOrange]

I'm not a McLeod backer but there is no reason he shouldn't be getting 5-10 minutes. Makes no sense unless he's hurt. If he isn't, there are more questions with no answers.

We have 87 guys in the rotation as it is and we want to add 2-3 more? At some point you have to get you 7-8 set which Red has not gotten there with

 

[Cusefan0307]

My brother was with me and he really loves to disagree with anything and àlmost everything I say, even if I really know he agrees, and have a debate.
On our way home after the practice, I brought what I said here up...he totally agreed ànd that literally never happens. He said he was very impressed with Cuffe mostly.
We ride to the games together and on our way home he always says how right I was about Cuffe & NM and how shocked he is neither is playing...No joke or exaggeration.
In my opinion it is bonkers, to see our specific struggles and to witness 2 players that are not playing thriving at our weaknesses, blows my mind.
I dont care if it was just 1 3hour practice, the dudes made it happen better than everyone else, give em minutes and see what happens.
I mean coach said hes testîng rotations..?

But what do I know?
or is there somethîng else goîng on?
Somethîng doesnt seem right to me

It’s rarely carried over to games for either of them. I played with a guy in HS who was a dead Reggie Miller ringer in practice, but when he got in a game he could not hit anything. Practice speed is not the same as game speed.

 

[RF2044]

It’s rarely carried over to games for either of them. I played with a guy in HS who was a dead Reggie Miller ringer in practice, but when he got in a game he could not hit anything. Practice speed is not the same as game speed.

People who've posted on the board awhile remember that back when I used to live in Syracuse, I used to attend practices regularly, and would often report on the observations here.

In the 2003 timeframe -- national championship team -- we had two walkons named Ronneil Herron and Andrew Kouwe, who were great shooters. Not good, great.

In practice, they were often mixed in with the scholarship players, and the result of set plays often would end with one or the other of those two getting a shot, which they invariably made more than they missed. Not exaggerating -- if you just watched a single practice with no other context on the players, you might come away with the impression that those players should somehow get PT. Meanwhile, they weren't good enough athletes, defenders, etc. to warrant that. But man, could they shoot.

I love the post above. I love when people share their first-hand observations from practice, because there's a lot that can be gleaned from it. But you also have to take things with a grain of salt.

Unlike Kouwe / Herron, Cuffe certainly has the requisite athletic ability -- and then some. Problem is, he's a 'tweener. He's too short to play the 2 [his natural position], but lacks the playmaking capabilities to adequately man the 1 -- which is the position his size is best suited for. And I think that contention is what hampers him in games. I'd expect that in practice, he's more comfortable and there's less pressure about making mistakes, so he cuts loose and performs better than in games.

Encouraging to hear that he's playing well in practice, because the ability is there -- it just hasn't translated over to games for the most part. Largely, because he's a 5-11 shooting guard.

 

[Bayside44]

Yup, McLeod looked pretty awkward in that game. He doesn't look like a natural baller... But he produced good to great stats in the minutes he's been getting.

I'm going to get over it, I just wish we had a better explanation than we've gotten.

It's decreasing my opinion of Red's coaching decisions.

Thew "bigs" SU played the last three games were non-factors. Looks like we went to using the post to just outscore the other guys. Agreed at some point we'll need something different.

 

[shandeezy7]

It’s rarely carried over to games for either of them. I played with a guy in HS who was a dead Reggie Miller ringer in practice, but when he got in a game he could not hit anything. Practice speed is not the same as game speed.

Yeah we've seen Cuffe in a decent amount of game action, and I can't say he's done much to have me clamoring for him getting more minutes. He's a plus defender, for sure, but he's a tweener at this level, which isn't ideal.

 

[two3zone]

We have 87 guys in the rotation as it is and we want to add 2-3 more? At some point you have to get you 7-8 set which Red has not gotten there with

You act like I want to add 2 more players to a 25 win team. If there are people who can help on the bench, why wouldn't you play them? That makes no sense.

 

[HyattsCuse]

Watched a practice recently...best performer was Cuffe and it wasnt close, multiple steals, good def, led fast breaks well ànd beat his man multiple times from top of the key and dunked on whoever was left down there at least 3 times. If I was Cuffe I would be pissed but what do I really know...nada.
Naheem was the next standout performer. Moving well, blocks, rebounds, solid defense and a couple nifty offensive moves.

Read this and memories of hearing about Terrance Roberts in practice his freshman year popped into my brain. Boeheim said he might be our best player. I was psyched to read about it and thought we found our next DC. Then he got into the games and it was like he'd never played organized basketball before.

Not meant to be a direct comparison (TR had a decent career and injuries got him) other than another memory I had of a reading about a player in practice apparently being a stud compared to what I saw in games.

 

[IthacaMatt]

They are playing against out guys, remember. There is always the possibility that: 1) it was an anomaly, and/or 2) there are off court reasons they are not playing. No

Even if it is "playing against our guys", just like a game of pickup in the park, you can tell who's zooming who. Players know who is playing well.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yeah we've seen Cuffe in a decent amount of game action, and I can't say he's done much to have me clamoring for him getting more minutes. He's a plus defender, for sure, but he's a tweener at this level, which isn't ideal.

But Carlos is falling flat on his ass. Yes, we want to give guys time to adjust, but Cuffe and Naheem really need to be playing 5-10 minutes each, just to address our obvious shortcomings.

 

[shandeezy7]

But Carlos is falling flat on his ass. Yes, we want to give guys time to adjust, but Cuffe and Naheem really need to be playing 5-10 minutes each, just to address our obvious shortcomings.

I don't disagree with that premise. I was more speaking to the fact that just because he may look like the best player on the team in practice, that clearly has not translated to actual gameplay.