Daemen Postgame Thoughts.

[IthacaMatt]

Two plays really stood out that JJ made. McLeod made a nice defensive stop and JJ got the ball and then rewarded him with a nice pass for an easy basket on the offensive end. And then the same thing with Cuffe. He made a nice block, JJ gets the ball and looked specifically for him for an open three. Two heads up plays by JJ to reward his guys for great defense.

I noticed that, too. Good observation, and a good sign of players playing the right way

 

[IthacaMatt]

i like that, as well...Red wants a whole team, balanced approach...and the players got the message

Looking at the box score (didnt watch the game), Daeman had more offensive rebounds than SU (7-6)

in theory, a benefit of playing man is offensive rebounding...or, a negative of zone is lack of rebounding...

im kinda surprised by that - thought switching to man would instantly help with rebounding...

perhaps a lot of these players have the muscle memory from the zone in a way? or simply havent developed as rebounders, especially offensively...

if youre going to play a lot of dribble drive, passing, share the ball...offensive rebounding seems like it should be a key.

To the naked eye, I thought we played very good defense in the first half, and then coasted in the 2nd half. Players do that in every sport when they get a big lead. You need maturity to manage a lead. This is something Boeheim was great at. Red needs to work on this with them.

 

[atlanticuse]

when do we think we'll hear an update on injuries i.e. Maliq groin?
First real game in 9 days...

 

[Cusefan0307]

when do we think we'll hear an update on injuries i.e. Maliq groin?
First real game in 9 days...

He gave an update after the game. He said nothing to be concerned about and basically if it wasn’t an exhibition game they likely would have or could have played.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Benny had a couple really nice mid range jumpers where he created space for himself.

Yep… but more athletic teams will bring a double. I’m curious how he handles that. I don’t recall him ever kicking it out off a double.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yep… but more athletic teams will bring a double. I’m curious how he handles that. I don’t recall him ever kicking it out off a double.

I don't think Benny is going to see many double teams, personally. He's not our best 3 point shooter, and he can't really make his own shot. His game is to work for the midrange jumper, and nobody is really looking for him as the first or second option. They are going to have their hands full with our guards.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Was great seeing the energy and not seeing us walk the ball up court allowing the defense to set up. Wow JJ is so quick to the basket when he sees any daylight. Loved the steady, unselfish way he ran the team first half. Defense still needs plenty of work, we still are allowing team’s good shooters to shoot open threes though. Hoping McLeod continues work on his conditioning. We’re going to need him against some opponents more than 15 minutes a game. He is a force and can really help erase some defensive lapses.

Daemon was a much shorter team than us yet we barely beat them in rebounds, we need to box out, attack those boards. Cuffe is a force on defense, hope the team catches his enthusiasm for defense. Copeland, the energizer bunny, is fun to watch. He did get away with some crazy ballhandling on drives that won’t work against bigger, quicker teams- he needs to know when to use his energy forcing things vs when he needs to be a steadying influence. Benny could be a real force on the boards this year, hoping to see him really step up. He forced some shots particularly at the start of the game but seemed to settle down. Needs realwork on D. Glad to see Carey out there. His timing is off but not playing because of injuries will do that. Needs more work to improve his strength and hand to eye coordination. Gets pushed too easily. Chris had an off night. Slow reacting, left players open for 3. Maliq is a player, hoping he recuperates and this injury isn’t a nagging one through the season. We need him. Team seemed to lose focus and energy in the 2nd half, Copeland ended up being the energy force then as the game went on, probably relying on him too much. Hope this team stays unselfish and focused and that this will continue to be a fun ride this season watching them develop.

 

[two3zone]

I am not so much worried about bells shooting. That can happen. My main concern is that his defense is absolutely atrocious. Easily one of the worst defensive players I have ever seen in a Syracuse uniform from the forward position. I forsee a lot of three or even four guard offense and a big

 

[STEVEHOLT]

The wide open 3 given up on the out of bounds play was Bells fault.

I think Red wants to play switching m2m if the matchups are favorable. The communication is a work in progrwas.

I think if Taylor plays with Benny that should be enough shooting. Cuffe can shoot too. Jury is out on JJ.

We are going to have to live with the good and bad from Cope. To me he’s a more talented and athletic Scoop.

Of all the players on the team, his skills will translate the least when facing high level competition. Almost all that razzle dazzle tonight will get unceremoniously rejected against ACC level teams. He has ability but it’s going to be an ugly few weeks watching him learn what doesn’t work

 

[two3zone]

Benny had a couple really nice mid range jumpers where he created space for himself.

If he can hit them great, but his first three makes we’re low percentage shots.

When he moves off the ball he scored at other times with higher percentage shots.

Not a guy I want creating a lot, not sure it’s sustainable.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Was great seeing the energy and not seeing us walk the ball up court allowing the defense to set up. Wow JJ is so quick to the basket when he sees any daylight. Loved the steady, unselfish way he ran the team first half. Defense still needs plenty of work, we still are allowing team’s good shooters to shoot open threes though. Hoping McLeod continues work on his conditioning. We’re going to need him against some opponents more than 15 minutes a game. He is a force and can really help erase some defensive lapses.

Daemon was a much shorter team than us yet we barely beat them in rebounds, we need to box out, attack those boards. Cuffe is a force on defense, hope the team catches his enthusiasm for defense. Copeland, the energizer bunny, is fun to watch. He did get away with some crazy ballhandling on drives that won’t work against bigger, quicker teams- he needs to know when to use his energy forcing things vs when he needs to be a steadying influence. Benny could be a real force on the boards this year, hoping to see him really step up. He forced some shots particularly at the start of the game but seemed to settle down. Needs realwork on D. Glad to see Carey out there. His timing is off but not playing because of injuries will do that. Needs more work to improve his strength and hand to eye coordination. Gets pushed too easily. Chris had an off night. Slow reacting, left players open for 3. Maliq is a player, hoping he recuperates and this injury isn’t a nagging one through the season. We need him. Team seemed to lose focus and energy in the 2nd half, Copeland ended up being the energy force then as the game went on, probably relying on him too much. Hope this team stays unselfish and focused and that this will continue to be a fun ride this season watching them develop.

Great post, Cherie! Love your observations. I think you really nailed it with JJ that he was focused on being a distributor, not just looking for his own shot, like some of our recent guards.

I think MacLeod is a year away from who he is going to be for us. His footwork needs instruction. He needs to learn to shoot that jump hook over the other shoulder, too, like Arinze or Rick Jackson both used to be able to do. He could be unstoppable down low a year from now.

I hope Coach Autry gets Benny to focus on rebounding, but I think that's hopeful. He reminds of how certain other forwards of ours whose main skill was on the interior, but they all want to be three point shooters, don't they?

I agree that Copeland is going to be s very interesting player for us this year. I see him going off and winning a few games for us this year, just hunting offensive boards, and those funky drives to the hoop - "what's he gonna do?" This is looking like a fun team.

Yes, I also agree that the defense needs work, but in the first half, they were hustling their butts off. Still very early in the season, so maybe they just need more conditioning. I liked seeing a 1-2-2 zone press, and it looked well organized, unlike the Boeheim press.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Great post, Cherie! Love your observations. I think you really nailed it with JJ that he was focused on being a distributor, not just looking for his own shot, like some of our recent guards.

I think MacLeod is a year away from who he is going to be for us. His footwork needs instruction. He needs to learn to shoot that jump hook over the other shoulder, too, like Arinze or Rick Jackson both used to be able to do. He could be unstoppable down low a year from now.

I hope Coach Autry gets Benny to focus on rebounding, but I think that's hopeful. He reminds of how certain other forwards of ours whose main skill was on the interior, but they all want to be three point shooters, don't they?

I agree that Copeland is going to be s very interesting player for us this year. I see him going off and winning a few games for us this year, just hunting offensive boards, and those funky drives to the hoop - "what's he gonna do?" This is looking like a fun team.

Yes, I also agree that the defense needs work, but in the first half, they were hustling their butts off. Still very early in the season, so maybe they just need more conditioning. I liked seeing a 1-2-2 zone press, and it looked well organized, unlike the Boeheim press.

McLeod—in the first half, he had the sweet, easy oop dunk. But he took two other shots. Both were as close as a person could be to the rim without being under/in the cylinder. And he laid them both off the backboard. He missed one of them.

He needs to be dunking everything within reach. There’s no excuse for not just taking a millisecond to be on balance, gathering, and powering up at his size. The guy guarding him came up to his shoulder. Maybe he’s the gentle giant type, but that habit needs to be eliminated. I don’t see ‘mean’ in him and we need the nasty when we face actual competition.

Thats the one drill I would have him running constantly in practice: catch off the board, catch a pass, immediately dunk, from off-balance positions. Learn how to get your vertical strength while moving in random/wrong directions. Boom, boom, boom….

 

[two3zone]

Was great seeing the energy and not seeing us walk the ball up court allowing the defense to set up. Wow JJ is so quick to the basket when he sees any daylight. Loved the steady, unselfish way he ran the team first half. Defense still needs plenty of work, we still are allowing team’s good shooters to shoot open threes though. Hoping McLeod continues work on his conditioning. We’re going to need him against some opponents more than 15 minutes a game. He is a force and can really help erase some defensive lapses.

Daemon was a much shorter team than us yet we barely beat them in rebounds, we need to box out, attack those boards. Cuffe is a force on defense, hope the team catches his enthusiasm for defense. Copeland, the energizer bunny, is fun to watch. He did get away with some crazy ballhandling on drives that won’t work against bigger, quicker teams- he needs to know when to use his energy forcing things vs when he needs to be a steadying influence. Benny could be a real force on the boards this year, hoping to see him really step up. He forced some shots particularly at the start of the game but seemed to settle down. Needs realwork on D. Glad to see Carey out there. His timing is off but not playing because of injuries will do that. Needs more work to improve his strength and hand to eye coordination. Gets pushed too easily. Chris had an off night. Slow reacting, left players open for 3. Maliq is a player, hoping he recuperates and this injury isn’t a nagging one through the season. We need him. Team seemed to lose focus and energy in the 2nd half, Copeland ended up being the energy force then as the game went on, probably relying on him too much. Hope this team stays unselfish and focused and that this will continue to be a fun ride this season watching them develop.

The only thing I’m going to disagree with is, while they did get some good looks wr looked much better than in previous years where it seemed there was an open three every other time down the court.

 

[tbonezone]

Thats the one drill I would have him running constantly in practice:

the ball is your oreo . the rim is a glass of milk. go !

 

[Orangezoo]

McLeod—in the first half, he had the sweet, easy oop dunk. But he took two other shots. Both were as close as a person could be to the rim without being under/in the cylinder. And he laid them both off the backboard. He missed one of them.

He needs to be dunking everything within reach. There’s no excuse for not just taking a millisecond to be on balance, gathering, and powering up at his size. The guy guarding him came up to his shoulder. Maybe he’s the gentle giant type, but that habit needs to be eliminated. I don’t see ‘mean’ in him and we need the nasty when we face actual competition.

Thats the one drill I would have him running constantly in practice: catch off the board, catch a pass, immediately dunk, from off-balance positions. Learn how to get your vertical strength while moving in random/wrong directions. Boom, boom, boom….

In fairness if McLeod had that nasty in him he would probably be a pro already at his size and with his ability to run the floor. He's not that guy and that's still OK. He's got good instincts as a shot blocker and doesn't flail like Jesse at times where he would have fouling issues. I get what you are saying but again that's why a still developing limited value kid like this is out there available.

 

[Cheriehoop]

The only thing I’m going to disagree with is, while they did get some good looks wr looked much better than in previous years where it seemed there was an open three every other time down the court.

Part of that probably was the lack of speed in our transition defense the past few years. Benny, Chris, Swider etc plus Joe were definitely not quick in transition from O to D, or D to O. Hopefully if Benny, Bell and JT etc start hustling down court on defense to be in guarding position while in transition to defend their man when headed to the perimeter will help prevent open threes. They have to remember they are guarding people not areas anymore with m2m. I’m not as worried about the guards getting back as I am about the cover by our forwards on defense. Daemon shot 46% from 3 (11/24). Last year‘s loss to Colgate they shot 48.7% from 3 so it’s still an issue but we have hopefully better options and more experienced players to handle any continuing perimeter defensive issues.

 

[Orangezoo]

Great post, Cherie! Love your observations. I think you really nailed it with JJ that he was focused on being a distributor, not just looking for his own shot, like some of our recent guards.

I think MacLeod is a year away from who he is going to be for us. His footwork needs instruction. He needs to learn to shoot that jump hook over the other shoulder, too, like Arinze or Rick Jackson both used to be able to do. He could be unstoppable down low a year from now.

I hope Coach Autry gets Benny to focus on rebounding, but I think that's hopeful. He reminds of how certain other forwards of ours whose main skill was on the interior, but they all want to be three point shooters, don't they?

I agree that Copeland is going to be s very interesting player for us this year. I see him going off and winning a few games for us this year, just hunting offensive boards, and those funky drives to the hoop - "what's he gonna do?" This is looking like a fun team.

Yes, I also agree that the defense needs work, but in the first half, they were hustling their butts off. Still very early in the season, so maybe they just need more conditioning. I liked seeing a 1-2-2 zone press, and it looked well organized, unlike the Boeheim press.

McLeod may be a year away from hitting his ceiling as a college bb player but for us he just needs to do what he did last night when called upon and for maybe 20 mins some nights or more not just 15. I won't repeat all I said in response to ZZ but ultimately he's a nice piece for certain matchups that should work well given there are plenty of offensive options around him and unselfish guards. His defensive footwork was pretty good last night considering it was basically like playing against 5 guards or 4 guards and a SF.

 

[hoopsupstate]

In the next scrimmage Red needs to demand effort on every play. His strongest message is the seat next to him. He can overlook some mistakes, but lack of effort is not one of them. Not running or communicating is a reason to sub. Depth is a great answer for lack of effort. If players are tired, they should ask to come out. Gone are the days when JB might sub and then a guy is not heard from for two or three games.

 

[Cuse4455]

JT was great in the First Half, then he reverted back to Freshman JT, just one game but was disappointing to see.

 

[Orangezoo]

In the next scrimmage Red needs to demand effort on every play. His strongest message is the seat next to him. He can overlook some mistakes, but lack of effort is not one of them. Not running or communicating is a reason to sub. Depth is a great answer for lack of effort. If players are tired, they should ask to come out. Gone are the days when JB might sub and then a guy is not heard from for two or three games.

Let's see how he decides to manage it. He called out the effort level being too low in the second half which I was glad to hear. He will have his own way I'm sure. The extended period where Bell and Benny both sat in the second half I thought was to make a point. I don't see Red calling players out like JB did and keeping it in the locker room/Melo center.

 

[two3zone]

In the next scrimmage Red needs to demand effort on every play. His strongest message is the seat next to him. He can overlook some mistakes, but lack of effort is not one of them. Not running or communicating is a reason to sub. Depth is a great answer for lack of effort. If players are tired, they should ask to come out. Gone are the days when JB might sub and then a guy is not heard from for two or three games.

If someone isn’t showing effort there are at least two players on the bench that will. I hope Red has a short leash on these guys.

 

[tbonezone]

if my old HS coach ever saw you put your hands on your knees you got yanked next whistle. too funny. learned to stand straight hands on hips.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Great post, Cherie! Love your observations. I think you really nailed it with JJ that he was focused on being a distributor, not just looking for his own shot, like some of our recent guards.

I think MacLeod is a year away from who he is going to be for us. His footwork needs instruction. He needs to learn to shoot that jump hook over the other shoulder, too, like Arinze or Rick Jackson both used to be able to do. He could be unstoppable down low a year from now.

I hope Coach Autry gets Benny to focus on rebounding, but I think that's hopeful. He reminds of how certain other forwards of ours whose main skill was on the interior, but they all want to be three point shooters, don't they?

I agree that Copeland is going to be s very interesting player for us this year. I see him going off and winning a few games for us this year, just hunting offensive boards, and those funky drives to the hoop - "what's he gonna do?" This is looking like a fun team.

Yes, I also agree that the defense needs work, but in the first half, they were hustling their butts off. Still very early in the season, so maybe they just need more conditioning. I liked seeing a 1-2-2 zone press, and it looked well organized, unlike the Boeheim press.

Thank you for the kind words. We used to have good presses, great traps under JB. We really got away from aggressive defensive schemes probably based on player’s abilities. In fact you don’t see as many programs dependent on presses anymore unless a team is really struggling. Must be more difficult with the increasing athleticism teams have. Perhaps having less intimidating mobile big men who used to sit back waiting to swat any mistakes when the press was broke is a factor too.

 

[721Comstock]

McLeod—in the first half, he had the sweet, easy oop dunk. But he took two other shots. Both were as close as a person could be to the rim without being under/in the cylinder. And he laid them both off the backboard. He missed one of them.

He needs to be dunking everything within reach. There’s no excuse for not just taking a millisecond to be on balance, gathering, and powering up at his size. The guy guarding him came up to his shoulder. Maybe he’s the gentle giant type, but that habit needs to be eliminated. I don’t see ‘mean’ in him and we need the nasty when we face actual competition.

Thats the one drill I would have him running constantly in practice: catch off the board, catch a pass, immediately dunk, from off-balance positions. Learn how to get your vertical strength while moving in random/wrong directions. Boom, boom, boom….

Can we have Hak come in and consult w The Highlander for a bit?

That said - he did have one nice move on an O-Reb, where he faked going over one shoulder, then spun and hit the layup going the other way.

He also fielded a rocket pass that was pretty much to his chin.
His hands and reflexes are good.

There’s a LOT for Griff to work with here.

They should get him doing that drill I saw Fab doing, where he picks up the ball off the floor, one step, DUNK.
Alternating sides of the paint.

Just to get him in the mindset that - when he’s one step away from the rim, he needs to THROW IT DOWN.

 

[FrancoPizza]

We are going to have to live with the good and bad from Cope. To me he’s a more talented and athletic Scoop.

that seems a reach seeing as cope is completely unproven. Every SU wide receiver looked like Jerry Rice vs Colgate. Let’s see what he does when the games matter. Scoop played well on a huge stage for us.