One thing to remember about Saturday and moving forward

[JeremyCuse]

This team is going to have offensive games like Saturday when we really struggle to score. Jake mentioned very early in the season that this team had a chance to win a lot of game but was going to have some real clunkers on the offensive end especially in conference on the road. I think Cooney's white hot start this year has really masked some of this teams offensive deficiencies. If he is struggling and Grant is having an off game to were going to struggle to score and win especially against good teams.

Every team has flaws and to me this is ours, doesn't mean we aren't a great team and doesn't mean we cant make a deep run in the tourney but its something were going to have to work through.

A few things could help this situation:
1. Ennis has to look for his shot more. With teams all over Cooney, and slacking off of Grant, Tyler is going to get a lot of looks from deep. He has to take 3-4 threes a game. He finally took one late against Miami and even though he missed I loved the shot. He has to be a scorer for us, we just dont have the scoring depth for him to be mostly a distributor.

2. Development of some depth scoring. One of the very few things that has been a dissapointment this year is the lack of development of the Frosh outside of Ennis. Yes Roberson is showing some glimpses but its clear Patterson, BJ, and the big Center are no where near ready for prime time. We usually only play 8 guys anyway save for the 2011 Season when we were a legit 10 deep but with 4 of the 5 Frosh clearly not ready our scoring depth and really overall depth has been severely weakened. I think that was demonstrated Saturday when Grant and Trevor were struggling. There was really no one to go to, to give those guys a blow or provide some scoring off the bench. I am hopeful Roberson can continue to develop to maybe give us maybe 10 minutes a game and another scoring option to take some of the pressure of CJ and Grant if Cooney is having an off shooting night. In the bigger picture I think BJ's development will be something to keep an eye on. With Fair's graduation and Grant and Ennis being less then a lock to return next season were going to need him to be a player next year.

3. Lastly I think we need to get some more scoring consistency out of our big guys. Rak showed in the second half glimpses of what he is capable of . He needs to give us 6-10 pts a game, it would be a huge help for this team. Also getting a healthy DC back in the fold would be a huge boost. While inconsistent he can have a 12-15 pt game every know and then, trying to ask that of Keita just isnt going to happen.

 

[upperdeck]

I think the Fr might be playing off the bench if they could be relied on to play good Defense and take smart shots, its less talent and more playing smart keeping a couple of them off the floor.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I think the Fr might be playing off the bench if they could be relied on to play good Defense and take smart shots, its less talent and more playing smart keeping a couple of them off the floor.

I agree Upperdeck and I understand why outside of Roberson (in limited minutes) the other 3 frosh are riding the bench or redshirting. That being said I think in games where Syracuse is clearly going to win its going to be important to try and force feed Roberson, Patterson and BJ as many minutes as possible. Not only to potentially help us this year but to set us up for next year as well. As I noted in my original post we could potentially lose a lot next year to graduation and Grant and Tyler leaving early. Were going to need some of the frosh from this class to be big players next year if people are looking for us to continue this incredible run we have been on the past 4-5 years.

 

[NateW]

Good post. Especially agree with the sentiment regarding Ennis taking a few shots on those open looks he has been given game in and game out. If he misses fine but at least make the defender believe you'll be taking that shot.

 

[jordoo]

I think the Fr might be playing off the bench if they could be relied on to play good Defense and take smart shots, its less talent and more playing smart keeping a couple of them off the floor.

Agreed and Roberson is getting closer. He really needs a game we are in control of where he can get good run with the main rotation.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

I agree Upperdeck and I understand why outside of Roberson (in limited minutes) the other 3 frosh are riding the bench or redshirting. That being said I think in games where Syracuse is clearly going to win its going to be important to try and force feed Roberson, Patterson and BJ as many minutes as possible. Not only to potentially help us this year but to set us up for next year as well. As I noted in my original post we could potentially lose a lot next year to graduation and Grant and Tyler leaving early. Were going to need some of the frosh from this class to be big players next year if people are looking for us to continue this incredible run we have been on the past 4-5 years.

I don't think you are going to see the other frosh much. Looks like in-conference are of the "must win" variety and JB intends to play it that way. Miami was a 17 point dog and JB did not give them much run. Maybe Roberson can get some time if DC2 stays out but to me, that looks like it. And once DC2 comes back I see Roberson getting a lot less time, just like Grant's time last year dried up when JS came back. The frosh can still make huge improvements, we just won't get to see the development take place.

And to your OP, I do not think it is a good idea for TE to take 3-4 3 pt'ers a game. His 3 point shot is not a strength of his. His current % is bouyed by 2 banks and is headed down. It's not his strength and I wouldn't be surprised if JB told him after the St John's disaster to tone it down.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I don't think you are going to see the other frosh much. Looks like in-conference are of the "must win" variety and JB intends to play it that way. Miami was a 17 point dog and JB did not give them much run. Maybe Roberson can get some time if DC2 stays out but to me, that looks like it. And once DC2 comes back I see Roberson getting a lot less time, just like Grant's time last year dried up when JS came back. The frosh can still make huge improvements, we just won't get to see the development take place.

And to your OP, I do not think it is a good idea for TE to take 3-4 3 pt'ers a game. His 3 point shot is not a strength of his. His current % is bouyed by 2 banks and is headed down. It's not his strength and I wouldn't be surprised if JB told him after the St John's disaster to tone it down.

While I agree with your opinion on the Frosh I have to disagree big time on Tyler. When we are facing zones and Cooney is off he has to shoot to open things up, if not teams will keep packing it in and we will have more games in the 50's. This team lacks shooters big time outside of Cooney. Tyler has to shoot.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

While I agree with your opinion on the Frosh I have to disagree big time on Tyler. When we are facing zones and Cooney is off he has to shoot to open things up, if not teams will keep packing it in and we will have more games in the 50's. This team lacks shooters big time outside of Cooney. Tyler has to shoot.

I agree this team lacks shooters outside of Cooney.

But that does not mean that you have a non-shooter shoot. Tyler's missed shot against Miami did nothing for us. One of his misses against St John's bounced so far out it created a two-on-one the other way.

If Cooney is off, CJ should be the second option. CJ has a nice stroke and was at 46% last year.

 

[MSOrange]

I agree this team lacks shooters outside of Cooney.

But that does not mean that you have a non-shooter shoot. Tyler's missed shot against Miami did nothing for us. One of his misses against St John's bounced so far out it created a two-on-one the other way.

If Cooney is off, CJ should be the second option. CJ has a nice stroke and was at 46% last year.

I respectfully disagree Sarge. I agree that probably CJ is our next best option but Tyler is 10-26 on the year. Obviously a small sample size but I think he has shown enough potential where I tend to agree with Jeremy that I wouldn't mind him shooting more.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

I respectfully disagree Sarge. I agree that probably CJ is our next best option but Tyler is 10-26 on the year. Obviously a small sample size but I think he has shown enough potential where I tend to agree with Jeremy that I wouldn't mind him shooting more.

Tyler is 10-26 with at least 2 banks.

Jeremy is advocating 3-4 3ptrs per game. If you agree TE should be our 3rd 3pt option, that would have SU shooting a lot of 3's.

Not all teams will be playing us like Miami did. And even if they did they don't have the players to pull it off. No need for radical changes based on one close win.

 

[NateW]

Tyler is 10-26 with at least 2 banks.

Jeremy is advocating 3-4 3ptrs per game. If you agree TE should be our 3rd 3pt option, that would have SU shooting a lot of 3's.

Not all teams will be playing us like Miami did. And even if they did they don't have the players to pull it off. No need for radical changes based on one close win.

He should at least take the first open look that comes within the natural flow of the offense. Hit that first one and it will change the way his defender approaches defending him off the screen for the rest of the game which will only better allow him to play to his strengths the rest of the way. Missing those shots makes us no worse for the wear than a hurried iso for Fair with a dwindling shot clock.