How about some game thoughts?

[TOL22]

I got the impression watching MCW that perhaps JB told him not to shoot. At first I thought he looked timid, but he had 5 assists and 3 steals and never took a shot, so I think JB pulled a Norman Dale.

 

[AZOrange]

some random thoughts:

Last impression: way too much reliance on the perimeter shot last night, and this team doesn't get to the line enough. I don't think we'll win many BE games taking 30 threes. Without a true low post presence, I think you need to be able to score points from the line.

mason

maybe...but 6 of them came in walk on time (or when the game was over) so it really was not much different (low 20s) during the action...And I cannot remember one of them which was a bad shot. This is pretty important. Our FTAs were down last night, but we are still averaging 18 FTA per game. (although that number is trending down). I am not sure what to make of it. On the one hand it is lower, but on the other guys like KJO are staying away from charges. And FTs are worth much if you have guys like Rick Jackson shooting them. That said, I cannot even remember one bad turnover last night. That is more impressive to me. Make 50% of shots, have 5 turnovers, grab rebounds, you can be a little deficient in some areas.

 

[moqui]

Agree with moqui that a team with Southerland and KJ on the floor at the same time would get killed on the glass in BE play. JB's system also requires his 3's to be able to handle the ball quite a bit to take pressure off the guards, and I'm still not seeing that from JS yet. But man, that kid can shoot when he's got space, and he can jump out of a gym. Tony Scott II.

he's getting better - he helps bring it up against pressure and he handles it on the perimeter, but he either cannot or will not put it on the floor to drive. Still, I drool when I think of his potential. With the possible exception of MCW, he is the most physically talented athlete on the team; the issue remains turning that raw material into a well rounded basketball player. I really wish he had redshirted a season. Once BE season starts, he is not going to get many minutes, and I don't know if he will be able to develop that potential in his final year.

 

[AZOrange]

he's getting better - he helps bring it up against pressure and he handles it on the perimeter, but he either cannot or will not put it on the floor to drive. Still, I drool when I think of his potential. With the possible exception of MCW, he is the most physically talented athlete on the team; the issue remains turning that raw material into a well rounded basketball player. I really wish he had redshirted a season. Once BE season starts, he is not going to get many minutes, and I don't know if he will be able to develop that potential in his final year.

MCW? Or did you mean Rak with your physically talented athlete comment?

 

[billsin01]

[MCW] was really unselfish last night, showed great court vision, and his defensive intensity and length at the top of the zone is really impressive. The good news is that we really don't need him to be a major contributor this year, so strength and shooting issues can be sorted out and I fully expect him to be a very, very good player for SU in the future.

Last impression: way too much reliance on the perimeter shot last night, and this team doesn't get to the line enough. I don't think we'll win many BE games taking 30 threes. Without a true low post presence, I think you need to be able to score points from the line.

mason

Unquestionably too much 3-pt shooting but I don't necessarily see that changing this year. I think we'll live and die by jump shots, as scary as that is. But I agree on the MCW point, particularly defensively in the zone. He has that Rautins-type ability to be thoroughly disruptive at the top. That will be a big weapon going forward.

 

[moqui]

Our FTAs were down last night, but we are still averaging 18 FTA per game. (although that number is trending down). I am not sure what to make of it. On the one hand it is lower, but on the other guys like KJO are staying away from charges. And FTs are worth much if you have guys like Rick Jackson shooting them. That said, I cannot even remember one bad turnover last night. That is more impressive to me. Make 50% of shots, have 5 turnovers, grab rebounds, you can be a little deficient in some areas.

raw FTAs are only part of the story - SU's FTA/FGA ratio is one of the worst in the nation -306th out of 345 schools, according to Pomeroy. This team is perimeter oriented, everything goes from the outside in, and there isn't a go-to inside scorer. Even though the 09 team was dominated by Wes and Andy (and Kris off the bench), they still had Arinze as the go-to guy when they needed a tough bucket. I think the best opportunity for anything similar on this team might be Fab at the high post, not necessarily scoring himself, but finding cutters along the baseline. He has shown good vision and touch from there in the past.

MCW? Or did you mean Rak with your physically talented athlete comment?

I meant MCW, and I meant as a physically gifted offensive player

 

[AZOrange]

raw FTAs are only part of the story - SU's FTA/FGA ratio is one of the worst in the nation -306th out of 345 schools, according to Pomeroy. This team is perimeter oriented, everything goes from the outside in, and there isn't a go-to inside scorer. Even though the 09 team was dominated by Wes and Andy (and Kris off the bench), they still had Arinze as the go-to guy when they needed a tough bucket. I think the best opportunity for anything similar on this team might be Fab at the high post, not necessarily scoring himself, but finding cutters along the baseline. He has shown good vision and touch from there in the past.

I meant MCW, and I meant as a physically gifted offensive player

I do tend to agree (although I think we will get more calls as we go), but I guess my point is that just having a big man low post presence doesnt necessarily fix the FTA problem. AO at the free throw line was nothing more than a turnover. I think over the course of the season KJO and Dion will get a lot of free throw attempts.

 

[JOC44]

On MCW, I can only imagine the Syracuse assistants when they got their first look at him. It's like WOW, he is exactly the type of guard who fits our system.

 

[orangepassion]

I actually think Dion was getting kind of antsy there in the 2nd half to get some points-He is so quick.
I think KJ is showing that he might be able to be our go-to guy. His shot has improved every year.
MCW is going to be REALLY good-it's just a matter of when.

 

[BlueCurtain]

our M2M stunk last night for the most part

Someone should pm AZ - apparently JB hacked into his account.

 

[cusetown1]

Joseph looks like a different player, he's very confident. My problem is that when he drives in many times it's a turnover.

 

[Millhouse]

BORING

 

[AZOrange]

Someone should pm AZ - apparently JB hacked into his account.

you thought the blow bys were good defense?