Loss of DC while not unexpected really puts the pressure on Rak

[cto]

Roberson hasn't looked good at all on the offensive end. I don't look for much help there unfortunately. I'm sure down the road, but outside of a dunk or two and a wide open 15 footer all he has done is rush shots with a hand in his face and look completely lost when he has the ball.

On a positive note, he seems to be a good free throw shooter.

Hey, that's important in close games.

 

[albanycuse]

Roberson hasnt had enough time to settle in and feel relaxed on the court. And we havent had the luxury to play him in the recent games we've had. I also feel he could help us overall more than DC at this point.

 

[iommi]

Roberson hasnt had enough time to settle in and feel relaxed on the court. And we havent had the luxury to play him in the recent games we've had. I also feel he could help us overall more than DC at this point.

He also did not have the benefit on the Canadian tour games and practices, to help him get acclimated. He was behind the 8 ball right away. The kid is very introverted too. In high school, he rarely showed a lot of emotion, even when he won games with late game heroics. My point is not that it may have taken him a while to get comfortable and confident because he doesn't play with an outward swagger.

Roberson can be an elite rebounder and he has a nose for the ball. You can't teach that. And no one can tell me that couldn't be helpful in a game down the road if our forwards get into foul difficulties. But if he doesn't play in games soon, he'll never gain the confidence to do it if we NEED him to do it at some point this year.

 

[Cuse_1999]

It's a big loss any way you cut it. I love how Rak is progressing, but now when he gets in foul trouble we have no choice but to go to BMK. Love BMK's heart, effort and defense, but when is in the game we are playing 4 on 5 on offense. That is not the case with DC. DC doesn't play D like BMK, but i just don't think we are good enough on O to beat great teams when playing 4 on 5 for long stretches on O.

There will be games when both Rak and BMK get in foul trouble. Think about if we get refs in the tourney like we had against OSU 2 years ago that call everything. The 15 fouls was a big advantage we had over most teams that we no longer have

I also think that DC could have been a real weapon against Duke and their weak inside D.

 

[jdubs30]

I like DC, but how can you call this a "big loss" right now? Even if he was healthy it's clear Rak is our best overall big man and JB prefers BMK over DC. DC was 5 fouls; he might be a little more useful vs. teams like Binghampton, but I can't see him helping all that much against ACC competition other than the fact he's another body with 5 fouls. I like his potential, but this wasn't his year.

 

[SUbear]

Jerami could slide over where? To the 5?? You lost me there. My biggest concern is the lack of scoring off the bench. Roberson could help in that regard.

I am pretty sure this would only be done in dire straights, but it might become necessary under some situations.

 

[SUbear]

I like DC, but how can you call this a "big loss" right now? Even if he was healthy it's clear Rak is our best overall big man and JB prefers BMK over DC. DC was 5 fouls; he might be a little more useful vs. teams like Binghampton, but I can't see him helping all that much against ACC competition other than the fact he's another body with 5 fouls. I like his potential, but this wasn't his year.

No arguments for short term, but to win a title having him available at the five in case of foul trouble or fatigue might be very important

 

[IthacaMatt]

The issue for me becomes if Rak has a bad game in the tourney or gets in foul trouble can Keita do it alone? If we catch both of them during an off game we could plug in DC and see what works, now obviously that option is gone. I thought Keita had a stretch very early in the year where he was sputtering badly so hopefully he has already had that stretch out of his system and he will continue his solid play. He usually steps his game up come tourney time so I think thats another positive. Just have to cross our fingers that both Rak and Keita stay healthy, any other injury or issue and were sunk.

I think that more playing time leads to more consistent performances. Sure, a player is still going to have up and down games, but if you know you're going to play significant minutes, it allows you to play through a few mistakes.

 

[Flacusian]

On an up beat, it's beginning to look like DC2 will now be a 4 year player for us. I still believe that given time, which apparently now will be available, it will begin to click for him and we are going to love the benefits which will be associated with him doing so.

It's been noted here quite often that it takes bigs much more time to develop. That seems to be the case with DC2 and that compounded by his knee problems for 2 consecutive seasons has put a damper on his development. Certainly it's easy to see his great attitude and commitment to the the team. I think we all just need to pull for him and hopefully he will feel encouraged to come back and begin to make contributions to the team that will help us in the next 2 seasons.

 

[Yamdat44]

It's not going to be too bad if Rak and Keita hold down the 5 spot and CJ and Grant are solid at the forwards with some relief from Roberson. Ennis is our MVP and we will go as he goes.

 

[Dave85]

Its hard to get anyone to feel sorry for you when your team is 18-0 and ranked #2 in the country but I think this is a bigger loss (in the long term) then many on this board will realize.

DC was probably our best rebounding and scoring center save for when Rak was playing lights out. While losing DC isnt the end of the world it puts enormous pressure on Rak to stay out of trouble, continue progressing as a scorer, and most important, to REBOUND.

To me rebounding now becomes a key, as much as I love Keita and what he brings to the table with his hustle and D, hes a bad rebounder and on most nights a black hole offensively. He does do a great job on the Offensive boards and gets some needed put backs that way but defensively he really really struggles to board. Its goign to be imperative that Rak stay out of foul trouble especially come Tourney time. A round of 48 or Sweet 16 matchup could become Bulter part 2 if Keita has to play 30+minutes.

I think with the extra playing time Rak and Baye are going to step up their games. I think Baye is much better player than he ever gets credit for. And I think Rak if finally showing some offensive ability.

 

[SWC75]

On an up beat, it's beginning to look like DC2 will now be a 4 year player for us. I still believe that given time, which apparently now will be available, it will begin to click for him and we are going to love the benefits which will be associated with him doing so.

It's been noted here quite often that it takes bigs much more time to develop. That seems to be the case with DC2 and that compounded by his knee problems for 2 consecutive seasons has put a damper on his development. Certainly it's easy to see his great attitude and commitment to the the team. I think we all just need to pull for him and hopefully he will feel encouraged to come back and begin to make contributions to the team that will help us in the next 2 seasons.

AO's first two years were not dissimilar.

 

[SUbear]

AO's first two years were not dissimilar.

Wish you had not mentioned that, remember how that ended. I was trying not to think about their similarities, re knee/leg problems.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Roberson hasn't looked good at all on the offensive end. I don't look for much help there unfortunately. I'm sure down the road, but outside of a dunk or two and a wide open 15 footer all he has done is rush shots with a hand in his face and look completely lost when he has the ball.

I thought he made one nice move this year with a shot fake and dribble drive. Got himself to the line I believe. Looked very natural and not rushed at all. He just needs more time on the floor and he'll be fine.

 

[Cowtown]

Honestly, if Rak and Keita get in foul trouble and such, we might have to just let Grant play the center of the zone, switch CJ to his wing, and bring in Gbinije for CJ's usual spot. We really don't lose any size when that happens. We would actually probably have better offense, and better transition offense. I mean, what other choice would we have? Actually doesn't sound that bad.

I'm willing to bet Boeheim has practiced that to some extent. Remember when Warrick put his famous, even iconic block on Lee in 2003, he came from the 5 spot where he was playing after Forth had fouled out.

 

[Cowtown]

Two points. First, anything that decreases options is not good. We're better with him than without him.

Second, Rak and BMK have to stop thinking they can block every shot, because that's what get 'em into trouble. Get a hand up, yes by all means, but stay straight up. You don't have to block every shot, you just want the shooter to change his shot. When you play like this, the blocks will come, if only because you can't block shots from the bench.

When you force the ref to make a decision, you're stuck with the decision he makes. It doesn't matter if you thought you got it cleanly, if he calls it a foul, it's a foul. Period. Here's hoping they come around to this idea. If it saves them each a foul a game, that's a net win.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Two points. First, anything that decreases options is not good. We're better with him than without him.

Second, Rak and BMK have to stop thinking they can block every shot, because that's what get 'em into trouble. Get a hand up, yes by all means, but stay straight up. You don't have to block every shot, you just want the shooter to change his shot. When you play like this, the blocks will come, if only because you can't block shots from the bench.

When you force the ref to make a decision, you're stuck with the decision he makes. It doesn't matter if you thought you got it cleanly, if he calls it a foul, it's a foul. Period. Here's hoping they come around to this idea. If it saves them each a foul a game, that's a net win.

Great points on staying on your feet. It also helps the same players stay in position to get more rebounds.

 

[Antiprodigy]

Great points on staying on your feet. It also helps the same players stay in position to get more rebounds.

I don't know, I saw on at least 3 occasions (Xmas twice & BMK once) stand still, with their hands straight up, only to have the Pitt player run into them and get to go to the line. 3 times in the second half. Apparently, these days it's a foul to stand still.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I don't know, I saw on at least 3 occasions (Xmas twice & BMK once) stand still, with their hands straight up, only to have the Pitt player run into them and get to go to the line. 3 times in the second half. Apparently, these days it's a foul to stand still.

Then they must have brought their arms down. Neither does a great job with keeping the arms straight up in the air, but now that I think of it, I do recall Rak doing exactly what he should have done and still get called for the foul.

 

[4evaOrange]

I think what Rak has done these past few games he has shown he is able to take command of the center spot. While having a 3rd center was very luxurious, Rak has proven he can score and provide the defense. I think Rak will be fine, he will have his What moments or whatever, but for the most part I think he will play fine. Just make an effort to get him involved early is my only real request.

 

[Dave85]

I think what Rak has done these past few games he has shown he is able to take command of the center spot. While having a 3rd center was very luxurious, Rak has proven he can score and provide the defense. I think Rak will be fine, he will have his What moments or whatever, but for the most part I think he will play fine. Just make an effort to get him involved early is my only real request.

It always takes me 10 minutes to read your post because my eyes always drift left to your avatar pic. Damn, that hurts!

 

[4evaOrange]

It always takes me 10 minutes to read your post because my eyes always drift left to your avatar pic. Damn, that hurts!

That's my girl!!!

I just watched pitch perfect last night too...damnnnnn

 

[Dave85]

That's my girl!!!

I just watched pitch perfect last night too...damnnnnn

I am trying to figure out who your girl is. Is it Alexis Knapp?

 

[Dave85]

I am trying to figure out who your girl is. Is it Alexis Knapp?

I figured it out: Anna Kendrick