Our Four Centers

[OrangeDW]

The young centers arent sophisticated defensively enough to man the middle in the zone.

But I think they could play man and just face gaurd the opponents' center...with reasonable results.

Might be the only way to get a center on the court...might be the necessary option for the team.

Griffin has no idea what’s going on in the zone, and he plays.

Marek knows what to do and gets overmatched.

I’d rather take our chances with the size and hold onto the hope that they will get better and sometimes will be effective just because they’re tall.

 

[OrangeDW]

I'd try something new - start them out in the corner, so they can defend against the three, and then have them try to get to the rim if the actions moves there, but then they should also be able to get back out to the corner if necessary.

Kinda like imagine Cooney running around on offense, but that's how I'd like them to play defense. Just run the baseline more or less.

Maybe that’s why no good centers want to come here. Who the hell wants to do all that? For what?

 

[chugg21]

If neither Edwards or JBA is capable of being on the court at all in year 2 then that's on the coach staff. They either did a terrible job of evaluating them and/or did a terrible job of developing them. It's 1 or the other or both.

 

[oTTo113445]

Sometimes I think the real killer is its harder to rebound without boxing out. Requires that 235 frame, or 7'0 height like Jesse. Sidibe started to get there 50% into the year at 6'10. Jr senior rick Jackson another great example. I would think Jr's or strong senior transfers would fit in great every year for us. Amazing how hard they are to find with over 300 division 1 schools and great academics.

 

[chugg21]

Sometimes I think the real killer is its harder to rebound without boxing out. Requires that 235 frame, or 7'0 height like Jesse. Sidibe started to get there 50% into the year at 6'10. Jr senior rick Jackson another great example. I would think Jr's or strong senior transfers would fit in great every year for us. Amazing how hard they are to find with over 300 division 1 schools and great academics.

Well it gets tougher when you have to select with the following filters on:
6-10 or above
7-3 wingspan or above
200 lbs or below
Born outside of the United States
Started playing basketball after the age of 16

 

[the villager]

Lose tonight and work on next year. Rotate the available big men with one being on the court the entire game.

 

[dollarbill44]

See the GIF above.

Everyone makes it seem like the "zone" is some mystical system that takes years of practice and meditation to have even a basic understanding, let alone become proficient. Based on the lack of an offensive system and no inbounds plays, the zone has to be the only thing they practice as a team. It just can't be that hard. I'm sorry, I don't buy it.
There have to be other reasons why none of our centers are deemed unworthy of even a whiff of playing time.
And if it truly is the case that we haven't been able to get any centers capable of manning the middle for the last 6 years, then maybe it's time to change to a defense we can actually run with the personnel we can recruit.

 

[chugg21]

Lose tonight and work on next year. Rotate the available big men with one being on the court the entire game.

Well we can all agree that is definitely not going to happen. Having a 76 year old coach means that only today is a priority. Will worry about next year, next year.

 

[pearl31]

If neither Edwards or JBA is capable of being on the court at all in year 2 then that's on the coach staff. They either did a terrible job of evaluating them and/or did a terrible job of developing them. It's 1 or the other or both.

sadly I agree

 

[LaggyJon]

It's funny, back when Marek was pushed into emergency center duty in 2017, I was thinking "oh no, hopefully this is a short stint and we can survive having a skinny 180lb center for a few games."

If you'd told me that, in the year of our Lord 2021, Marek Dolezaj would possibly (likely?) lead the team in center minutes with *four freaking scholarship centers on the roster* I'd probably have collapsed.

 

[LaggyJon]

And no shade to Marek at all - he's playing way out of position and giving a lot of effort, IMO. It's just wild that this is still a scenario we're in.

 

[tipphill]

There are many things to discuss with this team but for me the big thing is that we have 4 centers on the roster and none on the court. I decided to summarize the statistical contributions of Bourama Sidibe, Frank Anselem, Jesse Edwards and John Bol Ajak this season, 11 games, (445 minutes) in:

79 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks 3 missed field goals, 4 missed free throws, 5 turnovers and 14 fouls. That's -1 'net point'. We've had a center on the court less than 18% of the time.

I don't have the information to criticize any decision-making. I have no medical information or expertise. I don't attend practices. I'm not a Hall of Fame coach. I'll just say that with that contribution from our four centers, we aren't going to win many ACC games, and that's all we've got left on the schedule.

major statement about recruiting there. but we are playing the best people we have----geez

 

[NorSyr66]

If neither Edwards or JBA is capable of being on the court at all in year 2 then that's on the coach staff. They either did a terrible job of evaluating them and/or did a terrible job of developing them. It's 1 or the other or both.

This is exactly where I am at. Is there a possibility that JBA is also recovering from COVID? he was getting some court time early on and seemed to be aggressive and learning. Then NOTHING???

 

[Sherman20]

Arthritis, Plague, Famine, and "Not There Yet"

Lmfao!

 

[donniesyracuse]

Why is it so hard for people to realize that Frank is probably dealing with complications of Covid?

because Covid is not a danger to healthy young athletes