GIVE RAK THE BALL

[Ghost]

Yeah, it was a bad play. He identified the double, calmly went through a couple options, then deliberately dribbled. A rare foolish play. Really good game otherwise.

Apart from that, funny to see so many people to hop onto the bandwagon with GoHam; it's increasing with every game. 'Hey, Christmas has offensive skills! He can shoot free throws! He can score with both hands!'

Meh. He's been able to do this for three years. Now he's starting to get a few touches and some consistent minutes. If he hadn't been ignored on half the occasions that he sealed his man today, he'd have put up some terrific numbers.

Yeah, oddly, throughout his whole career he's been ignored by the guards. It seemed like even last year if he ever got a touch in the post it was coming from JSouth or Fair. Not sure why the guards seem to hesitant to get the ball in there - JB even said last year they wanted to work the ball in more, never materialized though. Today they seemed to be putting in some more effort though - hopefully it continues.

I'm not sure about all three years - but I do know his development was hampered a lot by the inability of the guards to deliver a pass inside in years prior. I agree wholeheartedly he could have been a bigger positive last year, and that a lot of his rep as a loafer was crap from his frosh year.

 

[Cuse315Pat]

Yeah, oddly, throughout his whole career he's been ignored by the guards. It seemed like even last year if he ever got a touch in the post it was coming from JSouth or Fair. Not sure why the guards seem to hesitant to get the ball in there - JB even said last year they wanted to work the ball in more, never materialized though. Today they seemed to be putting in some more effort though - hopefully it continues.

I'm not sure about all three years - but I do know his development was hampered a lot by the inability of the guards to deliver a pass inside in years prior. I agree wholeheartedly he could have been a bigger positive last year, and that a lot of his rep as a loafer was crap from his frosh year.

Grant seems to pass him the ball more than anybody. That's probably why he's second on the team in assists.

 

[Cuse315Pat]

Whatever happened to Rak's midrange shot. He use to be pretty smooth with it. One of the reasons I wish he'd get more touches is because he's always been one of the best free throw shooters on the team. He's got a nice stroke.

 

[Oakland]

They were looking to pass to Rak a lot today but were a little hesitate. Thought it went to Rak's head at the end when he held the ball way too long thinking about making a move and then turned in over. Anyway, luv his shots today. He has always had that hook shot.

My obligatory post-game Rak thread

Great game. Tough turnover at the end but you know what? Not even upset with it. He wasn't expecting the double team, how often is he doubled? Love that he got the ball there with a chance to make a play, he's typically very good at kicking it out to our guards for open looks too. He is gaining confidence on O to makes plays in crunch time. This is what we need. Low post scoring. The question mark preseason. We have found it.

I love it.

 

[rrlbees]

He's coming along on offense but we need him to rebound. I'd rather have had 10 Rebs from him than 10 points.

 

[corpjet]

We need to get Rak the ball more for sure. JB is always so quick to pull him and never gives him a chance to get in rhythm. When he gets the rock on offense he has looked great, we all know his D needs work and he's no BMK on that end of the court.

We need to start rotating our front court more anyways, Grant and Fair need some breathers JB is running them thin. Go with some three guard looks and also get Roberson some time even if it's for 60 seconds to give one of our big guys a rest.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[SoBeCuse]

Any way to manufacture points. Rak's baskets looked great. Gotta generate more offense or else it will be Michigan-like loss deep in the Tourney. I think Rak can make good plays down there. Good D can only take you so far. Ennis/Rak Co-MVPs for me tonight.

 

[Coach Orange]

Any way to manufacture points. Rak's baskets looked great. Gotta generate more offense or else it will be Michigan-like loss deep in the Tourney. I think Rak can make good plays down there. Good D can only take you so far. Ennis/Rak Co-MVPs for me tonight.

I see your point about good D. However, teams that play tenacious defense and have a point guard that can control a game tend to get deep into tournaments--to lose deep in the tourney, a team has to get there first.

That said, when a team possesses these qualities, I'm not sure that the key to winning a title is necessarily "more offense;" the key is the ability to execute offensively when it matters most. So far, this team has shown the ability to do that. Rak emerging as an offensive option enhances that ability.

My question all season has been will this team be able to execute in the half court 3-4 trips in a row in close games against the best teams come March--teams like Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky (I still think they will be a tough out in March), Wisconsin, and Michigan State. This year's team may even be more equipped to handle this situation than many of our squads of the past because it doesn't rely as much on transition opportunities to score.

If Ennis can take over the end of games like he did yesterday (he doesn't have to score every bucket--he has to make plays that lead to scores) against the type of teams mentioned above, then I like our chances. My eyes and gut say he can…and he will.

 

[SoBeCuse]

I see your point about good D. However, teams that play tenacious defense and have a point guard that can control a game tend to get deep into tournaments--to lose deep in the tourney, a team has to get there first.

That said, when a team possesses these qualities, I'm not sure that the key to winning a title is necessarily "more offense;" the key is the ability to execute offensively when it matters most. So far, this team has shown the ability to do that. Rak emerging as an offensive option enhances that ability.

My question all season has been will this team be able to execute in the half court 3-4 trips in a row in close games against the best teams come March--teams like Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky (I still think they will be a tough out in March), Wisconsin, and Michigan State. This year's team may even be more equipped to handle this situation than many of our squads of the past because it doesn't rely as much on transition opportunities to score.

If Ennis can take over the end of games like he did yesterday (he doesn't have to score every bucket--he has to make plays that lead to scores) against the type of teams mentioned above, then I like our chances. My eyes and gut say he can…and he will.

Great post and I agree with all of this. I think I meant to say that we need to look inside more. No team can win a title without having some kind of inside threat. We can't just keep cruising around the perimeter looking for Cooney coming off of screens or to get CJ in 1-on-1 good matchups. Rak's baskets were terrific and will just put more pressure on a defense if he is utilized more as a scorer or playmaker.

 

[rrlbees]

Need to make a deal with Rak. For every defensive rebound, we will get the ball inside to him once.

 

[Coach Orange]

Great post and I agree with all of this. I think I meant to say that we need to look inside more. No team can win a title without having some kind of inside threat. We can't just keep cruising around the perimeter looking for Cooney coming off of screens or to get CJ in 1-on-1 good matchups. Rak's baskets were terrific and will just put more pressure on a defense if he is utilized more as a scorer or playmaker.

I completely agree--basketball offense is fundamentally easier and more efficient when it works inside-out, whether on post feeds or dribble drives.

 

[MSOrange]

I see your point about good D. However, teams that play tenacious defense and have a point guard that can control a game tend to get deep into tournaments--to lose deep in the tourney, a team has to get there first.

That said, when a team possesses these qualities, I'm not sure that the key to winning a title is necessarily "more offense;" the key is the ability to execute offensively when it matters most. So far, this team has shown the ability to do that. Rak emerging as an offensive option enhances that ability.

My question all season has been will this team be able to execute in the half court 3-4 trips in a row in close games against the best teams come March--teams like Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky (I still think they will be a tough out in March), Wisconsin, and Michigan State. This year's team may even be more equipped to handle this situation than many of our squads of the past because it doesn't rely as much on transition opportunities to score.

If Ennis can take over the end of games like he did yesterday (he doesn't have to score every bucket--he has to make plays that lead to scores) against the type of teams mentioned above, then I like our chances. My eyes and gut say he can…and he will.

Glad to see you posting a little bit more again Coach. I always learn from your posts.