So we're 18-1, 6-0 and somewhere in the neighborhood of the halfway point so I figure it's a nice chance to hand out some individual grades again. A disclaimer before we get going: A "bad" grade doesn't mean I don't like a player, it simply means there's either a lot of room for improvement or that he's met some basic criteria but hasn't shown a ton of improvement, etc. And yes, these are wholly, thoroughly and completely subjective.
MCW -- A-
I had MCW at A+ when I did this exercise after 12 games and I don't htink I'm alone in suggesting that a bit of the sheen that was there has worn a bit. But having said that, anyone who thinks MCW isn't the single biggest reason we're 18-1 right now is crazy. In a bizarro world somewhere, MCW would come back next year as a stronger, more in control player with a better shot, but we all know that won't happen. What can happen, however, is that we may very well see him grow before our eyes. There is always an adjustment for young players in BE play and the good ones get better within the season. I know there were 8 TOs vs. L'ville, but since the Temple disaster, MCW is quietly shooting a respectable .375 from 3 (largely due to shot selection) and he played a solid second half vs. L'ville and a pretty strong game vs. Cincy -- two of the tougher defenses we'll see. He's growing and he's already very good.
Fair -- A-
I love Fair's game. Whatever game you want to count as his worst game this year -- it's between Canisius, Wagner, Colgate and E. Michigan -- it was a meaningless one that we won by 25+. We could've used a bit more vs. Detroit, but ultimately this is a kid who plays well against the toughest competition we face. His tip-in vs. Cincy is classic Fair -- the play wasn't designed for him but he was in the right spot at the right time and made a play that, while not terribly exciting, was huge for us. He makes free throws, he rebounds, he plays solid defense (he's blocked 14 shots in six BE games), he can hit jumpers but he doesn't fall in love with the jumper. Just a really good all-around player who's been great in BE play (15.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 85% from the line)
Triche -- B+
I've been critical of Triche at times and I'm sure some will say that a B+ is a slap in the face. To those folks, I'll say this: I've loved BT the past two games and feel he is unquestionably trending in the right direction. I feel like he's using his big frame so much more effectively and continues to be much more decisive with the ball. Love it and think (hope) it will continue. He's had a nice year and I expect he'll be in the A range soon, I just want to see him do it for a few more games before put him at the same level as the other two guys on this list.
Grant -- B+
Maybe this is my own bias, but I didn't expect Grant to do much this season simply b/c he had good players in front of him. For him to average like 9 ppg and 6 rpg when pressed into duty for Southerland is ridiculous. My favorite Grant attribute: Confidence. Loved his drive down the lane at the end of the cincy game -- gutsy and the right thing to do, IMO, there. Also directly leads to CJ's game-winning tip-in. Smart, confident, talented player.
Keita -- B
I won't give Keita quite as much love as I gave him earlier in the season. Since the Temple game, he's attempted just over 1 field goal per contest and he had a pretty brutal USF-Provy-Nova stretch in there as well. But he played well in the L'ville win and was decent against Cincy. I have a hard time giving him anything lower than a B b/c he's a guy who accepts his role and even embraces it. Very valuable. And while he's not overly talented, guys like Ovcina, Bill Celuk marvel at what he doesn on the court. Compared to Jeremy McNeil, Baye looks like he's got Jerry Rice's hands. And he's a better finisher than Forth. The kid is a valuable piece for this program.
Christmas -- C-
What can you say about Christmas? He's had some high points (15 and 8 vs. Provy) and plays good defense. And he doesn't need to be a huge scoring threat, but he's notched 2 points in three BE games, 4 points in two others and his minutes dipped significantly vs. L'ville and Cincy -- our two toughest league games to date. Doesn't bode well. I like the guy and still have faith in him, but it's been a tough year.
Coleman -- C+
I give him a little bit of a bump over Xmas since he's a frosh and since he used his left to finish a play at least once this season. Thank you Dajuan. Otherwise, while I wasn't expecting too much, he has a hard time staying on the floor right now vs. good opponents. He'll be fine but I'd be pretty surprised if we end up seeing much of DC this season.
Cooney -- C+
I think he's trending in the right direction and really hasn't been bad. I doubt we'll be real excited every time he's on the floor, but he's up to around 30% from three and he had four steals vs. cincy. I'm still holding out hope he can be a meaningful option as a third guard. I think he's fairly close.
Southerland -- D
Maybe harsh, but the dude missed the most important stretch of the season and we don't know if he'll return. I'm not going to hammer him for (allegedly) buying a paper -- I know a lot of folks who did this and saved themselves a lot of work. But it's still at least something I hope he doesn't get caught for. Regardless, if he's playing he's really valuable. If not ...
MCW -- A-
I had MCW at A+ when I did this exercise after 12 games and I don't htink I'm alone in suggesting that a bit of the sheen that was there has worn a bit. But having said that, anyone who thinks MCW isn't the single biggest reason we're 18-1 right now is crazy. In a bizarro world somewhere, MCW would come back next year as a stronger, more in control player with a better shot, but we all know that won't happen. What can happen, however, is that we may very well see him grow before our eyes. There is always an adjustment for young players in BE play and the good ones get better within the season. I know there were 8 TOs vs. L'ville, but since the Temple disaster, MCW is quietly shooting a respectable .375 from 3 (largely due to shot selection) and he played a solid second half vs. L'ville and a pretty strong game vs. Cincy -- two of the tougher defenses we'll see. He's growing and he's already very good.
Fair -- A-
I love Fair's game. Whatever game you want to count as his worst game this year -- it's between Canisius, Wagner, Colgate and E. Michigan -- it was a meaningless one that we won by 25+. We could've used a bit more vs. Detroit, but ultimately this is a kid who plays well against the toughest competition we face. His tip-in vs. Cincy is classic Fair -- the play wasn't designed for him but he was in the right spot at the right time and made a play that, while not terribly exciting, was huge for us. He makes free throws, he rebounds, he plays solid defense (he's blocked 14 shots in six BE games), he can hit jumpers but he doesn't fall in love with the jumper. Just a really good all-around player who's been great in BE play (15.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 85% from the line)
Triche -- B+
I've been critical of Triche at times and I'm sure some will say that a B+ is a slap in the face. To those folks, I'll say this: I've loved BT the past two games and feel he is unquestionably trending in the right direction. I feel like he's using his big frame so much more effectively and continues to be much more decisive with the ball. Love it and think (hope) it will continue. He's had a nice year and I expect he'll be in the A range soon, I just want to see him do it for a few more games before put him at the same level as the other two guys on this list.
Grant -- B+
Maybe this is my own bias, but I didn't expect Grant to do much this season simply b/c he had good players in front of him. For him to average like 9 ppg and 6 rpg when pressed into duty for Southerland is ridiculous. My favorite Grant attribute: Confidence. Loved his drive down the lane at the end of the cincy game -- gutsy and the right thing to do, IMO, there. Also directly leads to CJ's game-winning tip-in. Smart, confident, talented player.
Keita -- B
I won't give Keita quite as much love as I gave him earlier in the season. Since the Temple game, he's attempted just over 1 field goal per contest and he had a pretty brutal USF-Provy-Nova stretch in there as well. But he played well in the L'ville win and was decent against Cincy. I have a hard time giving him anything lower than a B b/c he's a guy who accepts his role and even embraces it. Very valuable. And while he's not overly talented, guys like Ovcina, Bill Celuk marvel at what he doesn on the court. Compared to Jeremy McNeil, Baye looks like he's got Jerry Rice's hands. And he's a better finisher than Forth. The kid is a valuable piece for this program.
Christmas -- C-
What can you say about Christmas? He's had some high points (15 and 8 vs. Provy) and plays good defense. And he doesn't need to be a huge scoring threat, but he's notched 2 points in three BE games, 4 points in two others and his minutes dipped significantly vs. L'ville and Cincy -- our two toughest league games to date. Doesn't bode well. I like the guy and still have faith in him, but it's been a tough year.
Coleman -- C+
I give him a little bit of a bump over Xmas since he's a frosh and since he used his left to finish a play at least once this season. Thank you Dajuan. Otherwise, while I wasn't expecting too much, he has a hard time staying on the floor right now vs. good opponents. He'll be fine but I'd be pretty surprised if we end up seeing much of DC this season.
Cooney -- C+
I think he's trending in the right direction and really hasn't been bad. I doubt we'll be real excited every time he's on the floor, but he's up to around 30% from three and he had four steals vs. cincy. I'm still holding out hope he can be a meaningful option as a third guard. I think he's fairly close.
Southerland -- D
Maybe harsh, but the dude missed the most important stretch of the season and we don't know if he'll return. I'm not going to hammer him for (allegedly) buying a paper -- I know a lot of folks who did this and saved themselves a lot of work. But it's still at least something I hope he doesn't get caught for. Regardless, if he's playing he's really valuable. If not ...
