Orange Tipoff: Friday, October 13

[UpstateSM]

Cuffe made one more than both of them. He has a nice compact shot.

Bill Self may be a POS but their player development is pretty damn good. Far worse programs to spend two years in without touching the court.

 

[Cusefan0307]

So. My overall impression of this night is that I need cataract surgery. Bigly.

Yes, the dunk contest was a show but I think they always are. Most of the time the players embarrass themselves. Usually our stars don’t want to participate because there is more than a slight chance that they will look extremely foolish. So I was surprised when Judah participated and nailed it. Got all 10’s. He looked suaaaaave.

Judah looked every part the star. He looked comfortable. He has the “it” factor. Brown is big all over! He looked taller and heavier than last year (is that possible?) and he was quick as well. Judah is one of the smaller players on the team. I couldn’t get much of an impression of JJ. Cuffe looked really solid. (Or was that Westry? Still can’t figure out who Westry is. It’ll come.) I was quite impressed with Copeland. He not only went after it, he got it!

I liked Bell’s overall game. He took every 3 he could (wish he had made more) but he also went inside. He‘s another one who seems confident. Benny was great! Rebounded, looked bouncy on the floor. Didn’t see much from McLeod. Was that McLeod or was that me?

Someone on here said that if we can make our 3’s, look out! Well, the 3’s were disappointing tonight, IMO. There’s time, Peggy, there’s time. Relaaaaaaaax.

Our team looked like men. They were not skinny sticks. I still can’t get over Brown. Please, someone tell me if he looked like that last year! I feel good about this team. They looked happy to be out there together. I was happy to see them. Huzzah!

You know your hoops. I don’t disagree with anything. My dad recently got cataract surgery and his vision increased considerably.

 

[OrangeDW]

Outside of Jimmy Boeheim his one year here I don’t ever remember anyone shooting the ball well in this event. I think it’s a big adjustment going from a gym to an arena like the Melo center from a depth perception standpoint. I doubt they’ve been in there until today.

That’s an interesting point and a good one.

Makes me wonder if they should practice there more? I know the Melo Center has the offices, weights, plus multiple courts and extra baskets, but you’d think you’d want them practicing on the court they play games on for the reasons you stated?

Am I thinking too “high school” here? The “weird” gym always felt like a major advantage for the home team, not because they played 10 home games there but because they practiced there 50+ times a season.

 

[Cusefan0307]

That’s an interesting point and a good one.

Makes me wonder if they should practice there more? I know the Melo Center has the offices, weights, plus multiple courts and extra baskets, but you’d think you’d want them practicing on the court they play games on for the reasons you stated?

Am I thinking too “high school” here? The “weird” gym always felt like a major advantage for the home team, not because they played 10 home games there but because they practiced there 50+ times a season.

They do in the regular season, but we are still in the middle of football season so they typically haven’t started practicing there until just before the exhibition games. It will be interesting if Red try’s to change any of this going forward.

 

[OrangeDW]

He’s a freak. You wouldn’t think he could jump that high because he reminds you a bit of Kyle Lowry from a body composition standpoint.

With all due respect to Josh Wright, the local big recruit who jumped at the chance to stay home….I’ve been mad for 15+ years that Lowry has been one of the best PGs in college and NBA b-ball and could’ve easily been Orange.

If Cuffe can become replacement Lowry a decade and a half later….I’m all in for that.

 

[721Comstock]

He’s a freak. You wouldn’t think he could jump that high because he reminds you a bit of Kyle Lowry from a body composition standpoint.

He’s like Stevie, but stocky.

And can hit 3’s.

So - he’s literally nothing like a Stevie.

Except how he can sky at that height.

 

[Cusefan0307]

He’s like Stevie, but stocky.

And can hit 3’s.

So - he’s literally nothing like a Stevie.

Except how he can sky at that height.

I’m sad he didn’t join the dunk contest. No offense to Judah, but that would have been fun.

 

[Newhouser]

That’s a mistake by Donna. The blue team won. The shooting was rough. Here’s some observations I had. Apologies if it’s a bit long without a thorough proofread.

Mintz and Starling are the obvious 1A and 1B on this team. They are going to get to the rim easily. It would have been nice to see them make a few outside shots, but nothing that was an obvious problem in this scrimmage setting.

If JB was the coach he’d play Brown at center 30 mpg. From a skill level standpoint he’s the best option there, but McLeod is going to have to play against big teams. I’m sure Red is going to have a tough time figuring out what to do here because Brown can do a lot of the same things Marek did for us while being much stronger. McLeod like most bigs was pretty invisible in this scrimmage setting.

I know a lot of people are high on Westry, but I think next year is really his year. You can see from a skill standpoint he’s just a bit behind Judah and JJ. Cuffe is athletic and has a nice looking shot. To me he’s a year away as well and if I had to guess Westry would play the point and Cuffe would play off the ball if they were ever in together.

Overall I don’t see much separation out of Benny, Bell, Taylor, and Copeland. I think we all expect Benny to play big minutes and Bell to get the first shot at the 3, but I don’t think they’re that much better than the other two guys. The problem for both of them is their inability to handle the ball land they didn‘t look that great in this setting tonight.

Copeland played the best out of these guys in the scrimmage. Taylor bothered Benny with his physicality and made looked comfortable executing the pick and roll as a ball handler against him. The way he went up against Benny I could see him playing some 4 for us. Copeland could easily play the 3. You can sense those two know they have to fight for PT. They were going all out.

This has the potential to be a good team, but Red is going to have some decisions to make. You can see he wants to play 4 out and space the court with multiple pick and rolls. It may be easier to do that with some guys who will probably start on the bench. How the rotation shakes out will be interesting because outside of the top two guys I think everyone else should or could play based on matchups.

How do guys like Williams and Bell not improve their handle in the off-season?

 

[bballbeadle]

You know your hoops. I don’t disagree with anything. My dad recently got cataract surgery and his vision increased considerably.

I have to have surgery on something else first.

 

[OrangeDW]

How do guys like Williams and Bell not improve their handle in the off-season?

Guys who drastically improve their handle at this point seem to be the exception?

Wesley Johnson was one of the best players in the country(in what was really his 4th year), and he couldn’t really dribble. Never improved it in the NBA either.

For the most part I think you’ve pretty much gotta do it when you’re young. Good shooting form(on lower hoops when needed), and dribbling should be pretty much all youth basketball does. They don’t need to travel to another town to play pointless games against kids from other towns. Just dribble, shoot the right way, learn the game, and play games for fun against other kids in the…get this…..SAME town. “Travel” doesn’t mean squat but wasted time.

 

[grepal]

Someone's going to get stabbed streaming the event in their home?

So, you've met my wife.

 

[AZOrange]

He’s a freak. You wouldn’t think he could jump that high because he reminds you a bit of Kyle Lowry from a body composition standpoint.

Complete freak. Like Dion

 

[IthacaMatt]

Peter Carey will win the dunk contest. Book it.

Only guy who didn't play in the scrimmage. Too bad.

 

[clayman32]

You guys are looking at this all wrong. You gotta want it and you GOTTA SUPPORT THE TEAM.

If not charging gets more people in the building to SUPPORT THE TEAM, one little stabbing is really no big deal. Put a deck of cards in your shirt pocket if you’re that worried about it.

 

[kcsu]

He’s a freak. You wouldn’t think he could jump that high because he reminds you a bit of Kyle Lowry from a body composition standpoint.

Amazing athlete. He is going to open some eyes before he is finished at Cuse.

 

[Niastri]

From the quick highlight where he dunked in transition seems the hops are still good

This makes me happy... Two years of not playing because of leg injuries, and sometimes the athleticism is permanently gone.

 

[DanielA]

How do guys like Williams and Bell not improve their handle in the off-season?

Benny and bell’s handle looked fine not quite sure what he was talking about. I’d argue bell’s handle got significantly better and he made some nice moves to the basket which he never did last year

 

[Cusefan0307]

Benny and bell’s handle looked fine not quite sure what he was talking about. I’d argue bell’s handle got significantly better and he made some nice moves to the basket which he never did last year

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. I just don’t see it especially compared to the guys they were going up against. I think they’re mostly spot up shooters.

 

[BigNastyJon]

So, you've met my wife.

Came here for a scouting report, stayed for the complaints about psychotic wives.

 

[UpstateSM]

The only time Benny should be putting the ball on the floor with the guards on this roster is two straight line dribbles to the cup. Anything beyond that is inefficient.

 

[Orangezoo]

The only time Benny should be putting the ball on the floor with the guards on this roster is two straight line dribbles to the cup. Anything beyond that is inefficient.

Similarly- Bell with the two dribbles pull up attacking a closeout.

 

[NineOneSeven]

So. My overall impression of this night is that I need cataract surgery. Bigly.

Yes, the dunk contest was a show but I think they always are. Most of the time the players embarrass themselves. Usually our stars don’t want to participate because there is more than a slight chance that they will look extremely foolish. So I was surprised when Judah participated and nailed it. Got all 10’s. He looked suaaaaave.

Judah looked every part the star. He looked comfortable. He has the “it” factor. Brown is big all over! He looked taller and heavier than last year (is that possible?) and he was quick as well. Judah is one of the smaller players on the team. I couldn’t get much of an impression of JJ. Cuffe looked really solid. (Or was that Westry? Still can’t figure out who Westry is. It’ll come.) I was quite impressed with Copeland. He not only went after it, he got it!

I liked Bell’s overall game. He took every 3 he could (wish he had made more) but he also went inside. He‘s another one who seems confident. Benny was great! Rebounded, looked bouncy on the floor. Didn’t see much from McLeod. Was that McLeod or was that me?

Someone on here said that if we can make our 3’s, look out! Well, the 3’s were disappointing tonight, IMO. There’s time, Peggy, there’s time. Relaaaaaaaax.

Our team looked like men. They were not skinny sticks. I still can’t get over Brown. Please, someone tell me if he looked like that last year! I feel good about this team. They looked happy to be out there together. I was happy to see them. Huzzah!

All over huh?

 

[billsin01]

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. I just don’t see it especially compared to the guys they were going up against. I think they’re mostly spot up shooters.

I would guess you’re right not having seen it. But one quick note to no one in particular: can a 6’10” kid with nice quickness and hops, please, please, please not settle for being a spot-up shooter?!?!?!?!?!

To me, the only two things I care about with Benny are intensity and activity. If he hits some threes, great. Even if he has a better handle I’m not sure about him as a creator. But I will be thoroughly happy if he is cutting through the lane, running the floor, all over the place on defense, fighting for loose balls and rebounds, altering shots.

That might not be the Benny that he thought he would be at this level. I get it. Fans like us had bigger dreams too. But that Benny will help us win more games and may even get him a look at the next level.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Similarly- Bell with the two dribbles pull up attacking a closeout.

We will need Bell to be better at it this year though. 3s need to be able to handle the ball a bit.

 

[Cusefan0307]

We will need Bell to be better at it this year though. 3s need to be able to handle the ball a bit.

This is what I was getting at. Both of those guys are fine doing a two dribble pull up or straight line drive, but when I think of ball handling forwards I think of guys like Marek, Oshae, Kris Joseph or CJ Fair.