Fab Melo's absence a reality check

[Orangeyes]

Going forward all of us now know that every cog in this machine must be at 100% if we are to obtain the goal we all hope for. Sure we may be one of the deepest teams in the nation but it doesn't mean we can be as strong when someone is injured or out. Hopefully we stay in tact for the rest of the season so we can give it our best shot.

Welcome back big guy.

 

[bballbeadle]

We hope the psychological lift of having Fab back will widen those baskets for our guards and let those balls plop sweetly in!

 

[cap2nine]

I think Melo's return will be an emotional spark and I'm looking forward to a dominant performance from the Orange. But, I am pretty disappointed in how the team played 2 of 3 last games. The Cincinnati game was the exception with Christmas really stepping up and everyone driving to the basket. Even with a full, healthy squad, we will need that kind of intensity and drive to reach New Orleans.

 

[orangefan13]

IMO.
Melo and KJO are the two pieces we absolutley need.
To a lesser extent Scoop and Triche(Triche ties Scoop on grounds of when Melo isn't in the game).
Then lesser then Triche and Scoop - Dion/Fair/ and Southerland
Then Baye and Xmas.

Got to have Melo to get CJ and Dion rolling(and thats just one reason). Got to have KJO because we need a Forward who can attack the paint off the isolation (not quick pass and go)dribble. Got to have the triangle of Scoop, Triche and KJO when Melo isn't in to run some pretty good offense.

But I agree nobody in our top 9 is truely number 9 in our rotation.
Xmas will have his days where he is ahead of Baye and Baye vice versa.
In the same way Southerland will have his days when he is our second or maybe even our best forward out there.
And MCW might not be to far behind Scoop Triche and Dion.
IMO.

 

[bevosu]

After the way we played Notre Dame (without Fab) I posted that I thought our defense was a threat to disappear. I really thought that our zone would be a lot worse. Surprisingly (to me) we played pretty good D without Fab against WV and Cinci.

The ND game had me convinced that we'd take a big step back on defense, but it was the offense that seems to have done a Houdini the past 3 games. I'm hoping Fabs return has a positive effect on our offense..and rebounding.

I know he usually sparks a few transition baskets.

 

[Niastri]

Hmmm, the houdini that disappears we have seen, now can we see the
breaking out version?

 

[Upstate]

you have to think about the kind of points Fab generates, even by not scoring: the blocks leading to fast breaks for the guards, as Fab has shown to be a good outlet guy; the altered shots leading to misses; the need for the high post/top guard to defend the pick and roll. That could easily add up to an extra 10-point swing, not to mention the 8 points he will provide.