My gut is Mali is gone.

[dasher]

MCW was a great player, but he was more a distributor than a go to guy. Triche and Fair were the leading scorers and took the most shots on that team. Both of them were a lot more efficient from the field than MCW, just none of them were great 3pt shooters outside of Southerland.

I just worry that next year Howard/battle wouldn't be great from the three point line and we would see a lot of sagging defenses.

A Howard Battle full time back court would be a real problem for us. In today's game you have to have deep threats.

 

[skurey]

Howard will be perfectly acceptable from 3 next season

 

[orangefan13]

A Howard Battle full time back court would be a real problem for us. In today's game you have to have deep threats.

great point.

 

[br801]

Howard will be perfectly acceptable from 3 next season

I've seen nothing that would make me believe that. He would need to be surrounded by capable 3-point shooters for this to even be a possibility, and that's not going to happen, with only Lydon and Richardson looking like threats. This year's offense was built around the 3-point shot; next season's offense will look very different and will likely struggle to score many nights. Fortunately, it should be stronger defensively right out of the gate, and may ultimately rival some of SU's elite defensive teams of the past.

 

[skurey]

I've seen nothing that would make me believe that. He would need to be surrounded by capable 3-point shooters for this to even be a possibility, and that's not going to happen, with only Lydon and Richardson looking like threats. This year's offense was built around the 3-point shot; next season's offense will look very different and will likely struggle to score many nights. Fortunately, it should be stronger defensively right out of the gate, and may ultimately rival some of SU's elite defensive teams of the past.

I see for those who cannot.

 

[HOFCeluck]

I've seen nothing that would make me believe that. He would need to be surrounded by capable 3-point shooters for this to even be a possibility, and that's not going to happen, with only Lydon and Richardson looking like threats. This year's offense was built around the 3-point shot; next season's offense will look very different and will likely struggle to score many nights. Fortunately, it should be stronger defensively right out of the gate, and may ultimately rival some of SU's elite defensive teams of the past.

I'm not worried about the offense... If mal comes back

 

[jdubs30]

I've seen nothing that would make me believe that. He would need to be surrounded by capable 3-point shooters for this to even be a possibility, and that's not going to happen, with only Lydon and Richardson looking like threats. This year's offense was built around the 3-point shot; next season's offense will look very different and will likely struggle to score many nights. Fortunately, it should be stronger defensively right out of the gate, and may ultimately rival some of SU's elite defensive teams of the past.

Ironically, I think it's the opposite.

Do you think our offense was consistent last year? Sure, when we hit our 3s we looked great, but on the nights our shooting was off, we couldn't bucket. Only G was consistent all year at getting to the basket and converting (Mali improved a lot in that regard) and Lydon was very quiet offensively for a large stretch of the year. DC, Robey and Howard gave us nothing offensively.

Next year, I expect an improved low post game from DC and I think Robey will be more of a threat to score. Lydon is over his passiveness (normal for a freshman) so I expect him to be a big time scorer. Throw in Battle who was born to score. Honestly I was impressed with Howard when he drove, you can tell he has a nice paint game for a guard -- I expect the reigns to be off for him a la MCW. Moyer has a nice little mid range game I've heard. Mali obviously will put this team ona different level.

The most consistent scoring teams do so int he paint. Last year we were 100% reliant on the 3 and next year we will be more reliant on the mid-range game/around the paint -- to me this means more consistency. Outside of G, we struggled BIG time last year to score during the middle part of the season. Mali, Lydon and Cooney could never really put it together at once. I think the scoring will be more balanced and more consistent next year.

If you have to completely rely on 3's to win games, that is not a great sign.

 

[br801]

Ironically, I think it's the opposite.

Do you think our offense was consistent last year? Sure, when we hit our 3s we looked great, but on the nights our shooting was off, we couldn't bucket. Only G was consistent all year at getting to the basket and converting (Mali improved a lot in that regard) and Lydon was very quiet offensively for a large stretch of the year. DC, Robey and Howard gave us nothing offensively.

Next year, I expect an improved low post game from DC and I think Robey will be more of a threat to score. Lydon is over his passiveness (normal for a freshman) so I expect him to be a big time scorer. Throw in Battle who was born to score. Honestly I was impressed with Howard when he drove, you can tell he has a nice paint game for a guard -- I expect the reigns to be off for him a la MCW. Moyer has a nice little mid range game I've heard. Mali obviously will put this team ona different level.

The most consistent scoring teams do so int he paint. Last year we were 100% reliant on the 3 and next year we will be more reliant on the mid-range game/around the paint -- to me this means more consistency. Outside of G, we struggled BIG time last year to score during the middle part of the season. Mali, Lydon and Cooney could never really put it together at once. I think the scoring will be more balanced and more consistent next year.

If you have to completely rely on 3's to win games, that is not a great sign.

Next year's team will not be putting up 75-80 points a night, but the hope is they will be able to score more easily and often in transition as a result of their defense and the presence of open court talents like Battle, Richardson and Howard.

 

[Cusefan69]

I think Lydon will see a fair amount of the offense run though him next year...being a 3 point threat, dribble shoot threat(will work that in more over summer) and pass threat...that will help guys like Howard, Battle, Moyer and Roberson as defenses provide support for Lydons defender...if the others can stroke the 10-14 footers...and if Battle/Howard can give the team 3/8 or 4/11 plus whatever Lydon gives beyond the arch we should be fine...definitely think Lydon can be hub for our offense next year though no matter what...strong mix of IQ and skills there and others on court will benefit...throw in 5th year who can stroke it from 3 all the better...we will survive like we always do if Mali makes the call to move on...if he stays..all the better...not losing sleep over it...

 

[OttoMets]

I've seen nothing that would make me believe that. He would need to be surrounded by capable 3-point shooters for this to even be a possibility, and that's not going to happen, with only Lydon and Richardson looking like threats. This year's offense was built around the 3-point shot; next season's offense will look very different and will likely struggle to score many nights. Fortunately, it should be stronger defensively right out of the gate, and may ultimately rival some of SU's elite defensive teams of the past.

Howard needs to be surrounded by three-point shooters for there to "even be a possibility" of being an "acceptable" shooter? And you're convinced that he won't be surrounded with shooters. So you're predicting in April that there's no possibility that Frank Howard will even be an acceptable three-point shooter.

That's one of the stranger basketball opinions I've read on this board, especially considering the lack of evidence offered in support.

 

[br801]

Howard needs to be surrounded by three-point shooters for there to "even be a possibility" of being an "acceptable" shooter? And you're convinced that he won't be surrounded with shooters. So you're predicting in April that there's no possibility that Frank Howard will even be an acceptable three-point shooter.

That's one of the stranger basketball opinions I've read on this board, especially considering the lack of evidence offered in support.

I said he won't be a factor as a 3-point shooter next season. Do you really envision him having the green light from deep? Lydon and Richardson will be taking most of the threes for this team next year, unless they bring in a shooter like that kid from Columbia. Howard needs to develop his midrange game (as those shots should be readily available to him) and continue to get to the basket and set up his teammates. If he starts launching threes, I suspect he'll be doing a lot of sitting.

 

[gmoney44]

Howard will be perfectly acceptable from 3 next season

That seems like a blind leap of faith there. I'll be happy if he values the ball next year. That in my opinion will make or break him next year.

 

[Jeremy L.]

I feel that the longer that we go without hearing any news the better. That's just me.

 

[Scotch]

Howard will be perfectly acceptable from 3 next season

His form is fine. I could see him being "Ennis-like" from 3, eventually.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Chad Ford's top 100 has been updated.

Lydon is 38 * Returning to school.
Malachi is 54.

 

[OttoMets]

I said he won't be a factor as a 3-point shooter next season. Do you really envision him having the green light from deep? Lydon and Richardson will be taking most of the threes for this team next year, unless they bring in a shooter like that kid from Columbia. Howard needs to develop his midrange game (as those shots should be readily available to him) and continue to get to the basket and set up his teammates. If he starts launching threes, I suspect he'll be doing a lot of sitting.

Agree that the midrange game and (especially) distribution should be priorities, but if Howard gets the minutes off the bench that I believe he will (20-25), he'll probably take 80 to 100 threes. Someone's got to take perimeter shots, and when he's in the backcourt with Battle, he'll get his looks.

 

[OttoMets]

His form is fine. I could see him being "Ennis-like" from 3, eventually.

Agree. It's common for young guys to come in, take a tiny number of threes with a bad percentage, and have the fanbase jump all over them for being bad shooters. Most of them improved startlingly, if not as sophomores, at some point during their careers.

Player A: 5-18 as a freshman. Never shot below 35% from three after that.
Player B: 5-15 as a freshman, never below 39% in last three years.
Player C: 5-19 as a freshman, 34% as a sophomore.
Player D: 2-23 in first two seasons, 35% and 36% in last two.

Further, Kris Joseph, Kueth Duany, and Dave Johnson are players who began with similarly bad percentages on small samples, crept up a little as sophomores, then shot 35+% when their minutes became more regular as upperclassmen.

Frank's mechanics are fine; if he doesn't develop DeShaun's shot selection, that 2-19 will jump to at least 33%, just like most of the guys who came before him. Wouldn't be surprised if it happens next winter.

 

[jgeorge322]

so back to the original topic, the longer this drags out the better? mali essentially has 12 days to decide if he will declare. april 24th is the deadline correct? my gut is at this stage, since he has not declared, he will at most declare and not hire an agent, although who knows whats happening behind the scenes.

 

[RF2044]

so back to the original topic, the longer this drags out the better? when does mali have to declare his intentions by?

5/25, I believe. And I would agree that yes, the longer this drags out without him declaring / hiring an agent, the better for us.

 

[jgeorge322]

5/25, I believe. And I would agree that yes, the longer this drags out without him declaring / hiring an agent, the better for us.

rf, was editing my post, I looked it up and it appears 4/24 may be the deadline to declare? once you declare, 5/25 is the withdrawal date. I could be wrong, so whoever knows please chime in.

 

[RF2044]

rf, was editing my post, I looked it up and it appears 4/24 may be the deadline to declare? once you declare, 5/25 is the withdrawal date. I could be wrong, so whoever knows please chime in.

Okay, misread what you were asking. 5/25 is the drop dead "are you in or are you out" date. That's the important one. We also need him to avoid hiring an agent.

I fully expect him to participate in the process, to get the results of his evaluation from the NBA committee, etc.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Okay, misread what you were asking. 5/25 is the drop dead "are you in or are you out" date. That's the important one. We also need him to avoid hiring an agent.

I fully expect him to participate in the process, to get the results of his evaluation from the NBA committee, etc.

4/24 is the the last day he can declare for the draft.

If he declares, 5/25 is the last day he can return to college.

 

[SUFan44]

Okay, misread what you were asking. 5/25 is the drop dead "are you in or are you out" date. That's the important one. We also need him to avoid hiring an agent.

I fully expect him to participate in the process, to get the results of his evaluation from the NBA committee, etc.

4/24 is the more important one right now.