Just for fun and information

[hoopsupstate]

I’m just glad we’re looking at power five players with experience.

 

[Red2003]

That's the thing with JJ. Once he gets in to attack mode, there is no plan B. It's pretty easy to force him left and have a big man waiting for him when he gets near the basket. Good teams did just that. It's a lot different having someone drive under control with their eyes up and looking for opportunities to dish for open looks.

Ok imagine these two tings that will be different now and this without even knowing what we get in the portal.

1. We go small ball with Freeman at the 5. Rim protectors needs to follow Freeman out to the perimeter because he can shoot. Lot more paint for JJ or even Sadiq to get to the rim.
2. We actually have guys that move to get open and JJ can drive and kick to shooters that are open. Two years now his option has been Bell standing in the corner not moving at all or this year it was either Carlos or Cuffe, at some point you just stop kicking it to them because they can't make shots.

JJ is on my crap list for his free throw shooting and some other stuff but he can slash.

 

[orangefog]

Ok imagine these two tings that will be different now and this without even knowing what we get in the portal.

1. We go small ball with Freeman at the 5. Rim protectors needs to follow Freeman out to the perimeter because he can shoot. Lot more paint for JJ or even Sadiq to get to the rim.
2. We actually have guys that move to get open and JJ can drive and kick to shooters that are open. Two years now his option has been Bell standing in the corner not moving at all or this year it was either Carlos or Cuffe, at some point you just stop kicking it to them because they can't make shots.

JJ is on my crap list for his free throw shooting and some other stuff but he can slash.

He can slash, but he hasn't shown that he can adapt. Once he starts toward the basket, it's full steam ahead. He ain't finding an open man, he ain't dishin', that ball is going up no matter how he has to twist his body.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Ok imagine these two tings that will be different now and this without even knowing what we get in the portal.

1. We go small ball with Freeman at the 5. Rim protectors needs to follow Freeman out to the perimeter because he can shoot. Lot more paint for JJ or even Sadiq to get to the rim.
2. We actually have guys that move to get open and JJ can drive and kick to shooters that are open. Two years now his option has been Bell standing in the corner not moving at all or this year it was either Carlos or Cuffe, at some point you just stop kicking it to them because they can't make shots.

JJ is on my crap list for his free throw shooting and some other stuff but he can slash.

I would think if White is on the floor with Freeman, opposing teams will use their rim protectors to guard White. They won’t guard him on the perimeter. White will be an excellent roller to the rim and getting to the dunker spot. That’s his offensive game in a nutshell.

 

[Cappy3]

Claude has a much better handle than JJ and anyone else on the team. He plays under control going to the hoop and shows the ability to change speed and maneuver getting to the basket. We have no one who can do that. He’s really crafty when he gets into the lane. He doesn’t just put his head down and barrel to the basket. Reminds me a little of Edelin but a much better shooter.

Yet he turns it over more.

 

[Fly Rodder]

You could get a similar team with some different options, but this is the blueprint.

Good luck to Red.

 

[Cuseball]

How would you feel about our team next season if this was our team. Now, this
is just for fun. No inside info here.
PG Claude from USC
SG JJ
Center Ballard from WSU
SF Jam Watkins from FSU
PF Freeman

I would be very, very happy. That would be a very athletic and talented roster full of bucket getters. You would 4 of your starters capable of going for 20 any night and a real center who can score inside and get you rebounds. 3 point shooting is not great but enough to keep defenses honest and i expect freeman to up his percentage this year. You can't have it all but this would be an excellent starting five. Mix in White as 6th man, with Fennel and kiyan as subs in the backcourt. Peter provides depth and maybe a shooter sub at forward and backup center and you would be a tournament team.

 

[Brooky03]

So, here's the thing though - how many guys play the point guard position that shoot that percentage, have that a/t ratio, have performed at a level we expect will translate to our conference, and also want to play for us?

I just want a floor general. Is Claude that? That’s a genuine question; I don’t know his game.

I’m significantly more concerned about getting a PG who can run an offense and lead a team than a PG who hits threes. Hell, if we can get a 6 or 7 assist guy who only puts up 4 shots a game, I’d be thrilled.

 

[Cusefan0307]

You need to keep in mind the style of play Musselman at USC likes to play. He likes a fast, helter skelter style of game that’s prone to turnovers.

I’m aware. The board is already overrating Claude in my opinion. I’m going to be seen as a negative nancy like some think I have been in recent years, but I need to see it to believe it. Just don’t think it’s going to work in the backcourt. The front court is fine and will be good.

 

[pwong]

I think what Dasher is saying is…this is essentially the plan with some potential changes.

It’s also why Petar is considering his options, it would move him to where I think his game should be on a tourney team - an emergency option.

You could get a similar team with some different options, but this is the blueprint.

I think the backcourt shooting is a concern to me and if they can play team defense. Red hasn’t really shown yet he can teach man to man defense well.

If you’re trying to replicate a St Johns type of roster construction with less shooting, you’re gonna have to lock teams down.

 

[Sdot]

How would you feel about our team next season if this was our team. Now, this
is just for fun. No inside info here.
PG Claude from USC
SG JJ
Center Ballard from WSU
SF Jam Watkins from FSU
PF Freeman

If we get William Kyle I’d start him at the 5 and bring Ballard off the bench. I think starting Kyle would bring a faster tempo since he’s a smaller center, also would fit what Red wanted too do which was a fast pace tempo that can run the floor.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I’m aware. The board is already overrating Claude in my opinion. I’m going to be seen as a negative nancy like some think I have been in recent years, but I need to see it to believe it. Just don’t think it’s going to work in the backcourt. The front court is fine and will be good.

I’m not aware of who else they may be involved with, but Claude is not the worst they could bring in. His strengths are really good. Who you surround these guys with is really the key.

 

[Orangezoo]

I’m aware. The board is already overrating Claude in my opinion. I’m going to be seen as a negative nacny like some think so have been in recent years, but I need to see it to believe it. Just don’t think it’s going to work in the backcourt. The front court is fine and will be good.

Claude had turnover issues at Xavier too. Claude, JJ and Watkins might clog things up too much inside as a pairing. Watkins likes to put up a good number of 3s similar to JJ so they will take that shot but still also like to attack the same space on the floor. Donnie likes the 3ball and maybe can help stretch things too but overall the parts present some real offensive challenges if no one really comes in with having improved their outside shooting.

 

[phil77]

The best way to describe this team would be awkwardly athletic.

 

[orangepassion]

I think what Dasher is saying is…this is essentially the plan with some potential changes.

It’s also why Petar is considering his options, it would move him to where I think his game should be on a tourney team - an emergency option.

You could get a similar team with some different options, but this is the blueprint.

This team would be the opposite extreme of our team with Buddy, Jimmy, Girard, and Swider. That team was all shooting and no athleticism-this would be all athleticism and no 3-point shooting, probably with similar results record-wise.

 

[Niastri]

The chances of winning 20 games goes way up if we take 35 free throws a game… But it will be slog to watch.

 

[McCuse]

I would think if White is on the floor with Freeman, opposing teams will use their rim protectors to guard White. They won’t guard him on the perimeter. White will be an excellent roller to the rim and getting to the dunker spot. That’s his offensive game in a nutshell.

Something about his highlights reminds me of a young DC? Part of it is probably just him being left handed, but he does have aggressive athleticism like him too. Hopefully not just wishful thinking on my part.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Something about his highlights reminds me of a young DC? Part of it is probably just him being left handed, but he does have aggressive athleticism like him too. Hopefully not just wishful thinking on my part.

He’s quicker and a better jumper than DC. DC was a physical beast.

 

[Vorony]

It’s exciting reading about the prospect of better players. But the question still needs to be asked - can Autry coach them? Better talent may get us another 3-4 wins, but we need much better coaching and game management to get us 20+ and a smooth ride into the postseason.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The chances of winning 20 games goes way up if we take 35 free throws a game… But it will be slog to watch.

We need to win more than 20.

 

[dwilmont44]

Give me 3 point shooters.

 

[McCuse]

He’s quicker and a better jumper than DC. DC was a physical beast.

And DC was a rabid rebounder. He ripped rebounds down with angst!

 

[FrancoPizza]

We need to win more than 20.

Especially since we’re in the equivalent of a 2-bid conference.

 

[BlackSquirrels]

Last year, it seemed like Autry watched NC State's run all the way to the Final Four and thought that was a good blueprint.

This hypothetical lineup looks like Autry watched the Johnnies' run all the way to R32 and decided to use that as a blueprint.

 

[ezbeezy214]

This team isn’t very athletic. Think if Watkins is the big get you need a PG that can shoot better than Claude. Brings the defense up for the rest of the dudes to crash. Watkins and JJ would bring the ball up a lot anyway.