Josh Mballa in the portal from UBuffalo

[OttoinGrotto]

I'm sure we'll press when we're getting hammered in a game to change things up, but there is no way, to your point, that we can put Jesse in that position.

He was already unfairly leaned on for defense last year and with Joe likely playing big minutes and at least one of the non-Judah frosh playing big minutes, it will likely be that Jesse is being relied on too much, again. And that's best case if Benny figures it out and Judah is serviceable on D.

And we also have to balance it with the pace we want to play on offense, because we prob have some pieces that would do better if we run more rather than settle in the half court.

Good catch, you're 100% right, we'll go trunk monkey when we're down and desperate, but the press won't have strategic placement beyond that. At least, it seems the odds of that are really low.

 

[Niastri]

I'm sure we'll press when we're getting hammered in a game to change things up, but there is no way, to your point, that we can put Jesse in that position.

He was already unfairly leaned on for defense last year and with Joe likely playing big minutes and at least one of the non-Judah frosh playing big minutes, it will likely be that Jesse is being relied on too much, again. And that's best case if Benny figures it out and Judah is serviceable on D.

And we also have to balance it with the pace we want to play on offense, because we prob have some pieces that would do better if we run more rather than settle in the half court.

My theory about using the press more was based off recent scouting reports that Carey is now 7' and has really good timing as a shotblocker. If those things are true, we would press with Carey while Edwards is resting. The press would be a way to mitigate the lack of scoring.

With Edwards being foul prone as he is, no way he should be backing the press unless the trunk monkey is active at the end of an impending loss.

I agree it might seem unlikely now, but JB has adapted to his personnel, from time to time.

 

[MikeSU02]

My theory about using the press more was based off recent scouting reports that Carey is now 7' and has really good timing as a shotblocker. If those things are true, we would press with Carey while Edwards is resting. The press would be a way to mitigate the lack of scoring.

With Edwards being foul prone as he is, no way he should be backing the press unless the trunk monkey is active at the end of an impending loss.

I agree it might seem unlikely now, but JB has adapted to his personnel, from time to time.

Personally, if that is the case with Carey, I would love that.

 

[cuseincincy]

JB has played 3 guard lineups many times over the years. I am sure Buddy played on the baseline some all four years he was here.

I am not thinking he is going to play 3 guard lineups extended minutes. But I would be really surprised if we do not see 3 guards out there late in games, especially if we have a lead. I would also expect to see 3 guards out there some when we press.

Sy played on the baseline last year as well. Not a lot of minutes but he did surprisingly well. He can jump and is strong and physical.

Personally, I think a defense with Sy on one side of the baseline is going to be a lot better than a defense with Jimmy on that side. He can cover a ton more ground, so much better switching, etc. You probably lose something rebounding, but Sy is surprisingly good at this and Jimmy...well let's just say rebounding was not his forte.

I am thinking Sy) will average at least 5 minutes a game at the forward position.

When I say plays the forward position, I mean that he plays on the baseline on defense but runs the point on offense.

From what I see on the roster right now, if you have Sy run the point, split Mintz and JGIII out on the wings to look for 3 point shots, put Jesse down low, and fill in the PF position with one of the frosh, that is going to be our best offensive lineup in some situations. And maybe our best defensive lineup too.

My favorite SU team of all time was essentially Danny Schayes and 6 guards; Moss, Headd, Santifer, Rautins, Bruin and Waldron. The 8th player was freshman Sean Kerins. Rautins, Santifer and Bruin were called forwards at times but they really weren't.

 

[DoctorBombay]

What are you thinking Mintz plays next year? Because he is going to play a lot. A real lot.

Might as well just RS Copeland, he’s not seeing any PT anyway.

 

[Sherman20]

No way Torrence is getting only 5 mpg.

Here is the minute distribution IMO.

C - Edwards - 38, Someone else 2
PF - Williams - 35, Maliq 5
SF - bunch - 30, Taylor - 10
SG - Girard - 39, someone else 1
PG - Mintz - 35, Torrence, 5

 

[OttoinGrotto]

My theory about using the press more was based off recent scouting reports that Carey is now 7' and has really good timing as a shotblocker. If those things are true, we would press with Carey while Edwards is resting. The press would be a way to mitigate the lack of scoring.

With Edwards being foul prone as he is, no way he should be backing the press unless the trunk monkey is active at the end of an impending loss.

I agree it might seem unlikely now, but JB has adapted to his personnel, from time to time.

I'm all chips in on Carey. If he can actually be such a good shot blocker that he's viable as the one man rim protector against the press I'll be ecstatic.

And if he is, yes, strategically we should use the press more.

I just don't believe it's likely.

 

[AZOrange]

No way Torrence is getting only 5 mpg.

I will believe otherwise when I see it. Sitting his starters is not a JB trait

 

[hoopsupstate]

I‘m not sold on him. Poor three point shooter and only 64% from the foul line. At 6’7” he’s not much of a shooter. There’s been much better forwards in the portal.

 

[CardiacCuse]

The "trend" I don't want to see continue is not having a good enough backup to the team's most important player.

Mballa is plenty big enough and good enough to play the 5 in a reserve capacity. Over the years, we've had plenty of 4's shift over.

in recent seasons it hasnt worked using a forward at the 5.

im not sure what youre getting at, honestly.

I want a portal center and forward to come in...I think we both want that.

If I had to choose 1 I would reluctantly choose a C...bc I think it is easier to cover for a forward than a C.

but now that chaz is in the portal, I might get my wish...

 

[RF2044]

in recent seasons it hasnt worked using a forward at the 5.

im not sure what youre getting at, honestly.

I want a portal center and forward to come in...I think we both want that.

If I had to choose 1 I would reluctantly choose a C...bc I think it is easier to cover for a forward than a C.

but now that chaz is in the portal, I might get my wish...

Here's what I'm getting at -- we've had 4's who slide over to 5 for decades. It not working recently to your satisfaction is more personnel driven, then an issue with the approach, IMo. Maybe it's just that Guerrier, JB3, etc. weren't suited for the 5.

Mballa is 6-8 and 240 pounds -- he'd have no problem manning the pivot. And if he were to come here [I doubt we've even reached out], then I'd rather see him get those minutes than JBA, when Edwards comes out of the game.

I definitely agree that it would be great to land a and a C via the portal. But I don't think we'll land either.

I think we're going to need to hope that Carey and Brown are ready to contribute.

 

[Sherman20]

I will believe otherwise when I see it. Sitting his starters is not a JB trait

Last season Symir averaged 13.1 minutes. I don’t see that regressing. It will likely increase. Maybe he’ll play some SF like he did against Duke, lol.

 

[CardiacCuse]

Here's what I'm getting at -- we've had 4's who slide over to 5 for decades. It not working recently to your satisfaction is more personnel driven, then an issue with the approach, IMo. Maybe it's just that Guerrier, JB3, etc. weren't suited for the 5.

Mballa is 6-8 and 240 pounds -- he'd have no problem manning the pivot. And if he were to come here [I doubt we've even reached out], then I'd rather see him get those minutes than JBA, when Edwards comes out of the game.

I definitely agree that it would be great to land a and a C via the portal. But I don't think we'll land either.

I think we're going to need to hope that Carey and Brown are ready to contribute.

yeah its personnel driven...I wasnt ven happy with lydon or marek at the 5, let alone jimmy or qg...i really am dumbfounded about JB thinking that works...

think about which forwards can cover timme garza or bacot (returning next season) etc...the list is small. this team has been gatting manhandled on the boards in the buddy era even with playing a 5 at the 5.....so im just not a fan of slide a 4 to the 5 approach...its possible to get another 5 on this roster...so why get cute???

NFL teams carry 3 QBs. Soccer teams carry 3 GK. 3 centers is the minimum for me...

maybe a rick jackson could do it. im not really too too familiar with mballa though i vaguely remember he did well vs SU last game...

theres 2 schollie slots now so no need to only get 1 player

i think chaz leaving is a crystal clear sign that this roster hasnt been finalized yet.

will be shocked if this roster as it currently stands is the one that gets rolled out next season.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Here's what I'm getting at -- we've had 4's who slide over to 5 for decades. It not working recently to your satisfaction is more personnel driven, then an issue with the approach, IMo. Maybe it's just that Guerrier, JB3, etc. weren't suited for the 5.

Mballa is 6-8 and 240 pounds -- he'd have no problem manning the pivot. And if he were to come here [I doubt we've even reached out], then I'd rather see him get those minutes than JBA, when Edwards comes out of the game.

I definitely agree that it would be great to land a and a C via the portal. But I don't think we'll land either.

I think we're going to need to hope that Carey and Brown are ready to contribute.

I read their roster and they say he’s 6’7” and 220. That’s not big enough to play the middle.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I will believe otherwise when I see it. Sitting his starters is not a JB trait

Torrence isn't a starter,IMO

 

[721Comstock]

Torrence isn't a starter,IMO

Neither was Laz Sims.

Until he was.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Torrence isn't a starter,IMO

Neither was Laz Sims.

Until he was.

Neither was Joe. Until he was.

 

[CardiacCuse]

Lydon wasn't good enough at the "5"?

We went pretty far in the Big Dance with him at the 5.
Guy was so good he could stroke a3 ball without 1 sneaker...what more do ya want?


On the other topic,I could see Copeland or Taylor at the "3", playing the back of the zone
IF one of them can shoot better than 30% from the 3.

well lydon was awesome as a player and mediocre at best as a center IMO..(and the team did lose 13 games that season fwiw...so its not like they had some kinda dominant recipe there)

he was good enough to beat dayton, midd tenn, squeek by Gonzaga (11 seeded) and UVA

but when they came up against BEEF in UNC they got trounced by 16 and double digits on the boards.

lydon got 4 or 5 boards a game as a center and did little to limit opponents from scoring inside as a center...how many minutes did he get in gleague or NBA at the 5????

gbinje and malachi went insane that tourney and carried the team despite not having a legit center

so yeah its possible...(and if the choice is a non offensively capable big who is also not really a basketball player or lydon, ipick lydon...but my real prefence is a basketball player who happens to be a center - something we have rarely seen in orange lately but when we do its ALWAYS A GOOD THING)

and what is your take on marek, jimmy, etc??? at the 5????

i think it should be clear that the team is not optimal without a legit player at each position who plays that position...its the same at PG...without a real PG this team is floundering

positionless bball works for the warriors but not for the limited rosters JB has been trying it with. period.

 

[RF2044]

I read their roster and they say he’s 6’7” and 220. That’s not big enough to play the middle.

I saw him play in person.

Who cares what a piece of paper says?

He'd be fine.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I doubt he has any interest in playing any center. Why in the world would he want to do that?

 

[ORRange]

I doubt he has any interest in playing any center. Why in the world would he want to do that?

He will be playing forward, and a few minutes at Center.

 

[kcsu]

Neither was Joe. Until he was.

" wouldn't have won 4 games without Joe, NOT 4 GAMES"

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Neither was Laz Sims.

Until he was.

Did they recruit over Z with a top guy at that spot. No.

 

[SUFan44]

" wouldn't have won 4 games without Joe, NOT 4 GAMES"

You’re getting your short white guards confused.

 

[Toga]

My favorite SU team of all time was essentially Danny Schayes and 6 guards; Moss, Headd, Santifer, Rautins, Bruin and Waldron. The 8th player was freshman Sean Kerins. Rautins, Santifer and Bruin were called forwards at times but they really weren't.

Better defensive guard - Hart or Moss?