Do we have enough down low?

[Cuse House]

Not sold on Coleman... He still reaches a lot defensively and gets stripped/blocked down low against inferior competition. I know his numbers were good vs. Lemoyne but it's Lemoyne. We all know Chino is useless offensively but he did show today he can play good enough defense when he doesn't reach. Were certainly lacking the shot blocking that we've had in the past as well.

I'm just not sure. We can shoot the crap out of the ball and we have four scorers out there at all times, but can we play down low with the big boys and get enough rebounds? The rebounding performance against two DII schools has been suspect. What do you all think? This will be the biggest factor in how good this team is.

 

[DonLightfoot]

I agree. My main concern is at the 5 position, regardless of who is in there. Scoring from that position I don't really think we need, but shot blocking and rebounding could be a problem. We will need some improvement from what I have seen. Hopefully it will come.

 

[iommi]

Out front line could face a huge test in the Bahamas if we wind up facing Gonzaga, who have one of the best front lines in the country. Coleman looks healthy but will he give us enough productivity? I'm not sold and I'm very concerned about our defense in the paint.

 

[Cusefan0307]

After what I saw today from chino, I'd rather play the three forward lineup with Lydon at the 5 when DC is out. We are going to need to force turnovers this year.

 

[br801]

Out front line could face a huge test in the Bahamas if we wind up facing Gonzaga, who have one of the best front lines in the country. Coleman looks healthy but will he give us enough productivity? I'm not sold and I'm very concerned about our defense in the paint.

When Coleman and Roberson are on the court together rebounding will not be an issue, IMO. With either out of the game, some match ups will be problematic and this team will likely have to win some games with the 3-ball. JB has acknowledged as much, so prepare to see a little different look than we've seen from recent SU teams. It should be fun.

 

[Deano]

Imagine if this team had Rak on it.

 

[rrlbees]

After what I saw today from chino, I'd rather play the three forward lineup with Lydon at the 5 when DC is out. We are going to need to force turnovers this year.

O was second on the team today with 6.

 

[iommi]

When Coleman and Roberson are on the court together rebounding will not be an issue, IMO. With either out of the game, some match ups will be problematic and this team will likely have to win some games with the 3-ball. JB has acknowledged as much, so prepare to see a little different look than we've seen from recent SU teams. It should be fun.

Rebounding might not be a huge issue but defense could be. This team lacks shot blocking and a low post scoring presence. We have no one who can score with his back to the basket. Diagne would have provided all of that. Alas, we have to go with what we have.

 

[br801]

Imagine if this team had Rak on it.

Or McCullough.

 

[Cusefan0307]

O was second on the team today with 6.

I'd rather not play 4 on 5 on offense, but it is what it is.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Rebounding might not be a huge issue but defense could be. This team lacks shot blocking and a low post scoring presence. We have no one who can score with his back to the basket. Diagne would have provided all of that. Alas, we have to go with what we have.

The low post scoring really won't be an issue because teams will have to extend out on us because of our shooting ability, so it should be easier to get to the basket. I don't think we will have many offensive issues this year.

I think DC, Roberson, and Lydon should be able to handle their own on the boards. Lydon is the only guy we have really capable of blocking shots.

 

[iommi]

The low post scoring really won't be an issue because teams will have to extend out on us because of our shooting ability, so it should be easier to get to the basket. I don't think we will have many offensive issues this year.

I think DC, Roberson, and Lydon should be able to handle their own on the boards. Lydon is the only guy we have really capable of blocking shots.

I hope you're right. We should be able to space the floor better. Lydon will block a few shots but he won't be a feared guy on defense because guys will be able to push him around.

 

[realorange]

I won't worry too much about Coleman until the conference season starts. That gives him plenty of practice and playing some solid teams to be game ready.

 

[Toga]

Well I do. I don't know about any of you guys.

 

[rrlbees]

I'd rather not play 4 on 5 on offense, but it is what it is.

I'm not worried about scoring. Even with DC, rebounds and taking up space inside is job 1. I can deal with O playing 4-8 mins and getting a few rebounds and not scoring.

 

[br801]

Well I do. I don't know about any of you guys.

Nice.

 

[Newhouser]

We are going to struggle at the 5 against good people putting up any numbers other than fouls committed. JAB is going to earn his money this year handling that situation.

 

[CuseitUp]

I think the issue lies more with our depth down low on the defensive end than the offensive. Good teams will pound the ball down low every chance they get, and we have don't have much of anything to defend. If coleman gets in foul trouble (God forbid injury from all that abuse), neither chino nor lydon have the size to compete with bulky 5's. We can play 5 around the arc on offense all we want, but defensively we will get hammered by good teams from the inside. I pray DC2 can get back and stay in form for conference play, or this will be another long year IMO.

 

[pearl31]

I think the issue lies more with our depth down low on the defensive end than the offensive. IMO.

Yes. We're going to mostly have to outscore teams this year, because I fear that decent teams will not have trouble scoring on us.

 

[Jake]

The middle is going to be an issue all year. This team reminds me of Pitinos Providence teams. We're are going to take the first decent look we get from 3 and not look back.

 

[CusefanATL]

Or McCullough.

Or Grant, Ennis or Diagne. Not to mention Bryant.

 

[rhcuse]

Yes. We're going to mostly have to outscore teams this year, because I fear that decent teams will not have trouble scoring on us.

At least it will be a fun change to play games in the 70s/80s instead of grinding out 50 pts and hoping we can hold the opponent to less.

 

[rhcuse]

Yes. We're going to mostly have to outscore teams this year, because I fear that decent teams will not have trouble scoring on us.

At least it will be a fun change to play games in the 70s/80s instead of grinding out 50 pts and hoping we can hold the opponent to less.

 

[Deano]

Or McCullough.

who?

 

[doc05]

Diagne it.