now to really muddy the waters

[dasher]

I'm hearing that Howard looks really, really good.

 

[orangefog]

I'm hearing that Howard looks really, really good.

Not surprised at all. You could just tell during the NCAA tournament, things were starting to click with him. If he doesn't play much, then we are completely loaded. Any information on how his outside shot is looking?

 

[RF2044]

If you think about it, Lydon and Howard gained a TON of beneficial experience playing key minutes in the run to the final four. That experience will benefit both of them this upcoming season.

Glad to hear about Howard--he was my favorite member of that class. It is only a matter of time before things started to click offensively for him.

 

[MSOrange]

My gosh Golden State or Cleveland will be no match for us! But seriously, I really like Frank's potential.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I'm shocked... not.

My favorite player on next year's team. Can't believe people don't think he will get minutes.

He has what you cannot teach and that is vision.

 

[jr4750]

I'm hearing that Howard looks really, really good.

In the photo of him recently posted via twitter, he looks much "bigger," in his upper body. Kid could be a monster with a mid range game. Has a little S. Livingston to his game.

 

[Brooky03]

Not even a little surprised. I've found it odd that so many are convinced Gillon is going to get the start/more PT than Howard. Gillon can certainly shoot the ball better, but Howard does everything else just as good or better, and he's 6'5".

 

[Cusefan0307]

Getting Quade Green for 2017 might not be that important after all...

 

[RF2044]

Not even a little surprised. I've found it odd that so many are convinced Gillon is going to get the start/more PT than Howard. Gillon can certainly shoot the ball better, but Howard does everything else just as good or better, and he's 6'5".

I don't know about that. He IS taller, and hence on paper a superior zone defender [although I don't think that Howard was that good defensively last season, but I'd expect that to improve in year 2].

Otherwise, the bolded statement above isn't true--at all.

 

[kcsu]

He reminds me of triche

 

[Col. Bleep]

now to really muddy the waters...

 

[reedny]

Not even a little surprised. I've found it odd that so many are convinced Gillon is going to get the start/more PT than Howard. Gillon can certainly shoot the ball better, but Howard does everything else just as good or better, and he's 6'5".

This is legit... if you're talking about Howard's upside. Right now, he's 2-19 from 3. Obviously, we all have high hopes that he will be able to turn this around and become not only a talented distributor but, eventually, a 3d-4th scoring option. Given his experience during the FF run and his increasing confidence level ... I'm hoping he takes a sophomore leap this year and provides quality backup minutes while Gillon's out.

Note his assist numbers last year (per 40 minutes): 6.7 ... yowsa.
Franklin Howard

 

[Trueblue25]

Howard's looking good?

Not surprised.

 

[Trueblue25]

 

[Halfmooncuse]

I'm still just lookin at women but I'm ok if you guys want to look at boys (over18)!

 

[oli44]

He gone !

 

[UnderHisOwnPower]

 

[UnderHisOwnPower]

Not even a little surprised. I've found it odd that so many are convinced Gillon is going to get the start/more PT than Howard. Gillon can certainly shoot the ball better, but Howard does everything else just as good or better, and he's 6'5".

John Franklin Gillon Howard will give opponents nightmares. What a combination to unleash in the open floor. Can't wait to see the swarming Orange breaks they will lead, finishing from anywhere on the floor.

 

[jncuse]

40-0

 

[UelSU]

Just my opinion, but I'm not sure Frank's shoot was as bad as we all think. I do believe he was absolutely told not to shoot the ball ever last year. There were times he was wide open 5' from the goal and he wouldn't shoot.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

I hope he is able to get some run this year. SU is looking very good with AW3 now.

Some people have AW3 as a 2g, which would put FH in the dreaded 4th guard spot. I hope this is not the case.

 

[Brooky03]

I don't know about that. He IS taller, and hence on paper a superior zone defender [although I don't think that Howard was that good defensively last season, but I'd expect that to improve in year 2].

Otherwise, the bolded statement above isn't true--at all.

What's Gillon better at? The stats are tough to compare, given the disparity in their roles last season, but Gillon doesn't look to be any better of a distributor than Frank (I'd argue Frank is more naturally gifted in this regard). I think Gillon has the ballhandling edge, but it's not drastic. Maybe he's a better ballhandler than I've seen in the highlights, but he's no ankle-breaker, and Howard handled the ball well against pressure last season in his limited run (He was a Freshman after all). Defense is tricky to project because we don't know what Gillon will do in the zone. Howard wasn't good on D last year, which cost him PT along with his shooting, but I'm inclined to take the known quantity with the 6'5" guy over the unknown 6'2" guy in our zone.

I like both players. It just seems like Howard's talent gets undercut here a little too often and Gillon get pumped up too much. He's a short-ish guard who played very well at a mid-major. That certainly doesn't mean his stats aren't insightful (if you can shoot, you can shoot), but I think we need to temper our expectations a little bit.

 

[dasher]

I hope he is able to get some run this year. SU is looking very good with AW3 now.

Some people have AW3 as a 2g, which would put FH in the dreaded 4th guard spot. I hope this is not the case.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger but he may not be the 4th guard.

 

[Brooky03]

Just my opinion, but I'm not sure Frank's shoot was as bad as we all think. I do believe he was absolutely told not to shoot the ball ever last year. There were times he was wide open 5' from the goal and he wouldn't shoot.

Agreed. I don't think he'll ever be a great shooter, but his jumper form is far from broken. He doesn't have any hitches in the stroke and the ball comes out with good rotation and arc. Some confidence and not getting yelled at every time he puts one up might go a long way in helping his percentage.

 

[RF2044]

What's Gillon better at? The stats are tough to compare, given the disparity in their roles last season, but Gillon doesn't look to be any better of a distributor than Frank (I'd argue Frank is more naturally gifted in this regard). I think Gillon has the ballhandling edge, but it's not drastic. Maybe he's a better ballhandler than I've seen in the highlights, but he's no ankle-breaker, and Howard handled the ball well against pressure last season in his limited run (He was a Freshman after all). Defense is tricky to project because we don't know what Gillon will do in the zone. Howard wasn't good on D last year, which cost him PT along with his shooting, but I'm inclined to take the known quantity with the 6'5" guy over the unknown 6'2" guy in our zone.

I like both players. It just seems like Howard's talent gets undercut here a little too often and Gillon get pumped up too much. He's a short-ish guard who played very well at a mid-major. That certainly doesn't mean his stats aren't insightful (if you can shoot, you can shoot), but I think we need to temper our expectations a little bit.

Gillon is a much better ball handler. He's quicker / faster. He's a much better PROVEN scorer. He is a better shooter, with significantly deeper range than Howard. He is a better finisher on drives. He's a better mid range scorer, both on pull ups and taking it to the tin. He's better against the press.

There are many facets of his game beyond shooting where he is "better" than Howard.

Also, I'm not sure which highlights you saw where you didn't get the impression that he was an ankle breaking water bug--he is.

Your assessment in the last two sentences aren't on target. Yes, he played at a mid-major--doesn't mean he can't ball, or that our expectations should be shaped by where he played previously. Prepare to be surprised--he's a much better player than you give him credit for.

And the news that Howard has improved quite a bit from last year is great news, as well. A strong, versatile backcourt is a boon to our team's postsesason chances.