Key to the season...

[orangepassion]

Ennis. He has shown he won't turn the ball over, but he needs to be a greater offensive threat, whether it be scoring points or drawing the defense to him to get others easy points. The good news is I think he can and will improve with more experience and confidence.

Other than Fair, who is a very good, but not great player, we have no one else who can score points on their own. Cooney can hit some shots with a little space, but will struggle against tight man-to-man without help. Other than an occasional Gbinije 3, no one else on this team inspires confidence shooting the ball more than 5 feet from the basket, including Grant. I would love to see what Roberson could do with extended minutes.

We go as far as Ennis takes us. No pressure, kid

 

[MGP]

The fact that he gets into the lane for those floaters and takes it to the rim with confidence tells me he has and will make those shots eventually. They just aren't falling for him now, and there will be that period of adustment where he will learn to get the shots up quicker or alter shots - full confidence in the kid.

 

[Garbs]

Ennis. He has shown he won't turn the ball over, but he needs to be a greater offensive threat, whether it be scoring points or drawing the defense to him to get others easy points. The good news is I think he can and will improve with more experience and confidence.

Other than Fair, who is a very good, but not great player, we have no one else who can score points on their own. Cooney can hit some shots with a little space, but will struggle against tight man-to-man without help. Other than an occasional Gbinije 3, no one else on this team inspires confidence shooting the ball more than 5 feet from the basket, including Grant. I would love to see what Roberson could do with extended minutes.

We go as far as Ennis takes us. No pressure, kid

he didn't seem to struggle last night

 

[orangepassion]

he didn't seem to struggle last night

He did play well and I hope he keeps it up, but I think he needs help to get open, which he got last night from Minnesota's full court pressure and some from Ennis.

 

[Dave85]

You know last year about this time I remember MCW making wild crazy drives to the basket and finding myself cringing three or four times a game. I remember people talking about how he has no outside game. Triche was great but was inconsistent. And other than the Arkansas game, JS was inconsistent for the most part. That said, last year's team making it to the final four was truly amazing. And I am very grateful for what MCW has done with the 76's and all the great publicity for the Orange brand which will help recruiting.

BUT, I think this year's team is going to be better. Right now, every game, each player seems to me to be getting better. And as a team, the team is playing better team defense and better team offensive each game. It really feels a lot like last year at the beginning of the season but this year's teams seems a little better to me at this point in the season.

 

[terron]

he didn't seem to struggle last night

how can you justify 0-9 from the field as not struggling ? sure he did some other things good but yea that is struggling

 

[4evaOrange]

how can you justify 0-9 from the field as not struggling ? sure he did some other things good but yea that is struggling

He highlighted man to man pressure.

 

[4evaOrange]

Ennis' game for me so far should be the drive to the lane and pull up free throw jumper/floater, and lay up. But he should be the pass first PG and look to get Cooney and Cj started first, then he can get into the lane, help spread the court. I think Ennis will be fine, I don't think he is going to WOW anyone but I think after these first 5 games, I think he will contribute. Not always in points but assist, hitting important FT, making that outlet pass, etc

 

[edowd26]

how can you justify 0-9 from the field as not struggling ? sure he did some other things good but yea that is struggling

WHOA WHOA WHOA... Hold the goddamned mothereffing phone. He was 1-9.



Carry on

 

[Conrad13]

Ennis' game for me so far should be the drive to the lane and pull up free throw jumper/floater, and lay up. But he should be the pass first PG and look to get Cooney and Cj started first, then he can get into the lane, help spread the court. I think Ennis will be fine, I don't think he is going to WOW anyone but I think after these first 5 games, I think he will contribute. Not always in points but assist, hitting important FT, making that outlet pass, etc

This. Those drives and pull up jumpers open up passing opportunities for Ennis. He'll have the green light to keep taking them and I think that they'll start to fall as he gets more comfortable.

 

[Dave85]

how can you justify 0-9 from the field as not struggling ? sure he did some other things good but yea that is struggling

TE reminds me a lot of TC last year. But TE is going to get a whole lot more playing time. I think once TE gets used to the speed and style of play with the Orange he will simmer down. When CJ drives to the basket it doesn't even look like he's moving he's so smooth. TE needs to calm down. The kid is under tremendous pressure to perform. At some point, it's going to ho hum and his real talents will start to emerge. I think TE is going to be terrific. But it's going to take some time. He's getting better every game.

 

[SUbear]

TE reminds me a lot of TC last year. But TE is going to get a whole lot more playing time. I think once TE gets used to the speed and style of play with the Orange he will simmer down. When CJ drives to the basket it doesn't even look like he's moving he's so smooth. TE needs to calm down. The kid is under tremendous pressure to perform. At some point, it's going to ho hum and his real talents will start to emerge. I think TE is going to be terrific. But it's going to take some time. He's getting better every game.

I will take any point guard who makes 90 per cent of his foul shots as Ennis did yesterday.

Oh and forgot to mention does not have turnovers against an aggressive pressure defense.

 

[newmexicuse]

Didn't anybody actually watch Ennis play & not just read his stat line of 1 for 9 from the field ? The kid has great composure with his dribble and seeing the floor. He rebounds well for his position and his steal stats proves his quickness. The kid can get to where he wants to be on the floor. He has great form on his free throws. He is skilled at drawing contact and getting to the line. The one for nine was simply a result of his rushing some shots. He needs to take his time more on his pullups and shoot to his form without rushing his shot. My only criticism of him from what I saw was that it looked like he penetrated too deep on his drives to the hole, so he did not have space to adjust his lay-up attempts. A little experience and perhaps a bit more strength will correct that, and it will be sooner rather than later. It would not surprise me if he ends up being our second highest scorer after CJ as the seaosn progresses.

 

[Garbs]

how can you justify 0-9 from the field as not struggling ? sure he did some other things good but yea that is struggling

Cooney was not 0-9, neither was Ennis, but I am not talking about Ennis

 

[SoBristol]

My key to the season is getting more from Grant & Coleman -- and I believe both will improve over the course of the season.

Ennis is going to be what he is -- 5 assists, 10 or so points, control the ball. And JB is going to be very careful to limit his minutes so he doesn't run out of gas.

Can't see Ennis improving until he gets stronger.

 

[orangepassion]

My key to the season is getting more from Grant & Coleman -- and I believe both will improve over the course of the season.

Ennis is going to be what he is -- 5 assists, 10 or so points, control the ball. And JB is going to be very careful to limit his minutes so he doesn't run out of gas.

Can't see Ennis improving until he gets stronger.

I think/hope he'll start making those floaters around the basket. That could open up the floor for easier shots for the other guys. That's what MCW was so good at

 

[Eagles20]

The shots he took yesterday for the most part where all good looks. Those mid range jumpers will fall as soon as he doesn't lean on them and he pretty much got to the baker at will yesterday, but just didn't finish. Their might have only been 1 or 2 shots that he took that I thought were tough shots, the rest were good opportunities to put the ball in the basket. If he make a few more everyone would be talking about how great of a game he had.

He also on a side not did a great job against the pressure. He handled the ball well and advanced it easily without problem which was great to see. He didn't once look rattled or let the pressure get to him. Kid is a solid player.

 

[OttoMets]

I think/hope he'll start making those floaters around the basket. That could open up the floor for easier shots for the other guys. That's what MCW was so good at

Not for nothing, but Mike's inability to hit a floater was a major factor in our offensive troubles in the first 31 games last season. In March he transitioned from "absolutely cannot make that shot" to "will make one once in awhile." That improvement helped, no doubt, but we hope that Ennis will have a lot more success from the floor. You're right that it'll make things easier for the offense as a whole.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Ennis. He has shown he won't turn the ball over, but he needs to be a greater offensive threat, whether it be scoring points or drawing the defense to him to get others easy points. The good news is I think he can and will improve with more experience and confidence.

Other than Fair, who is a very good, but not great player, we have no one else who can score points on their own. Cooney can hit some shots with a little space, but will struggle against tight man-to-man without help. Other than an occasional Gbinije 3, no one else on this team inspires confidence shooting the ball more than 5 feet from the basket, including Grant. I would love to see what Roberson could do with extended minutes.

We go as far as Ennis takes us. No pressure, kid

I agree.

I love what I see (missed shots notwithstanding).
He is a cool character on th court...always in control.
And that's exactly what you want from the guy running the show.

But we are going to need more scoring options.
A number of teams (Duke) likely will take Cooney right out of the game.

 

[igor]

boeheim doesn't get it yet. coleman and xmas are better than they have; not keita. when he discovers Roberson look out.

 

[Garbs]

I agree.

I love what I see (missed shots notwithstanding).
He is a cool character on th court...always in control.
And that's exactly what you want from the guy running the show.

But we are going to need more scoring options.
A number of teams (Duke) likely will take Cooney right out of the game.

I am not worried about Duke stopping us from scoring, see Vermont

 

[CorduroyG]

i think by the time march rolls around ennis is gonna have this offense rolling. you can tell the kid is really really good, just needs a little more game experience at this level. hes just gonna get better and better as he gets more comfortable.

 

[SoBristol]

i think by the time march rolls around ennis is gonna have this offense rolling. you can tell the kid is really really good, just needs a little more game experience at this level. hes just gonna get better and better as he gets more comfortable.

Ennis was good playing the point for Canada U19, he was good playing in our first four exhibitions in Canada, he has been good in our games so far. He has had plenty of high level experience -- plays maturely, seems as comfortable as any frosh could be.

If you are looking for in-season improvement from Ennis, you are going to be disappointed. Not being negative -- he is savvy and smart already.

 

[moqui]

Ennis was good playing the point for Canada U19, he was good playing in our first four exhibitions in Canada, he has been good in our games so far. He has had plenty of high level experience -- plays maturely, seems as comfortable as any frosh could be.

If you are looking for in-season improvement from Ennis, you are going to be disappointed. Not being negative -- he is savvy and smart already.

I am sure his defense will get better; I am hopeful that his shooting percentage will, too.

 

[orangefan13]

I think Ennis will start shooting and creating later in the shot clock(once he starts making them). That will take alot of pressure off Fair. As time goes on Ennis and I hope Fair will start getting high screens.
Hes Light years ahead of cooney last year, in shooting potential and doing other things on the court, but he won't surpass cooney this year imo I think Cooney is in for a huge season. I give him a 90% chance to get his shooting going sometime this year, last year I gave Cooney about a 30% chance by midseason.


Theres alot of keys to this team right now. I can name atleast a dozen that involve guys who didn't do these things more then 3 games last year. And half of them the guys are ready to the rest theres a good chance they will find it.

Then there is a whole seperate list of more things that you could add as possible suprises as the season goes on chances are we won't see more then 1-2 of those though like Roberson cracking the rotation every game, BJ shooting outside against zones, Ennis knocking down 3 outside shots a game, Gbinije becoming a 10ppg scorer.