Our team still looks good

[Trueblue25]

If Marek improves his handle and adds muscle, he has the instincts to provide aspects of a point forward.

Thats assuming he makes a little bit of a sophomore leap.

A lot of his issues are related to decision making before he receives the ball. Needs to be decisive.

 

[kuethstheman]

Yes? I'm not sure what you mean.

Adding a better shooter to the court than Battle might help, and an improved Oshae and potentially Marek will help. But the concern is about how JB will run the offense. We won't have that point forward type now that can handle, pass and score from anywhere. Maybe Oshae expands his game, but he seems more slasher/shooter than all-around distributor. With Frank likely to handle 32-35 or more minutes per game pounding the ball into the hardwood for 20 seconds is still a strong possibility. Unless we see Carey take on a lot of the ball handling and offense, what is going to be so different from this year?

More weapons = more options, more flow, and more points.

 

[Jasoncuse]

The key to our offense is having threats within 18 feet that can open up Frank/Buddy/HW/Oshae for open threes. Frank and Oshae have good strokes that will improve with less forced shots.

I expect Marek, bourama, Elijah Hughes and Jalen Carey to be threats within the perimeter that can at the very least draw a defender when they have the ball.


What really limited our offense this year was Dolezaj not being able to pull the trigger on open 15 footers until the postseason. Whether this is on Dolezaj, JB or whoever is beyond me. Defenders were not even stepping up to guard him. It was just failure to seize what usually is a rare open look.

I don't think Marek not being willing to pull the trigger on a few 15 footers a game was a major limitation to our offensive success. The problem was the philosophy and dribbling aimless for 15-20 seconds every possession. There was no attack and no proactive sets to try to score earlier (if there was, it was a half-arsed effort). We let teams play defense unencumbered and then relied on Tyus/Frank/Oshae to try creating/scoring on their own with under 10 on the shot clock. You simply cannot win that way consistently without the talent, and nobody really has that in college hoops.

 

[Jasoncuse]

More weapons = more options, more flow, and more points.

We have what, 1 more potential weapon? We'll have Hughes/Carey at Guard opposite Frank and Buddy if he's able to produce right away, though only 2 of those guys will play at a time. Hughes will slide to forward from time to time, as of now. Hopefully, we'll have some improvement out of Oshae (finishing inside, better handle, consistent 3), Marek (strong, better handle, confidence with his shot) and PC/Sidibe (health, strength), but will that be enough to push JB to change the offensive philosophy? I think it's very questionable, especially if Hughes/Carey don't produce right away.

 

[Jasoncuse]

Frank doesn’t have to stand there and pound the ball unless JB decides we’re going to minimize possessions and play ISO ball. He didn’t play that way his first 2 years here nor his HS senior season at PG.

I'm not blaming Frank for doing that. That's 100% on JB. But Frank is pretty slow in bringing the ball up and never really impressed much in a fast break setting, so we may see JB lean on that grind again. His decision making there is very questionable and I don't think his handle/quickness allows him to simply blow by guys too often. He needs an angle to use his body for that.

But what makes anyone believe we won't play to minimize possessions and go Iso again?

 

[Trueblue25]

I don't think Marek not being willing to pull the trigger on a few 15 footers a game was a major limitation to our offensive success. The problem was the philosophy and dribbling aimless for 15-20 seconds every possession. There was no attack and no proactive sets to try to score earlier (if there was, it was a half-arsed effort). We let teams play defense unencumbered and then relied on Tyus/Frank/Oshae to try creating/scoring on their own with under 10 on the shot clock. You simply cannot win that way consistently without the talent, and nobody really has that in college hoops.

I disagree. I think his inability to pull the trigger took a 4th credible scoring option away from our offense. This allowed teams to double Frank or Tyus whenever they wanted to, as well as pick off Marek’s passes to chukwu in the post. A lot of turnovers in the second half of the season resulted from opponents allowing Marek to get an open shot 15-18 ft out and him electing to telegraph a pass downlow or him putting the ball on the floor and losing it.

It was a major issue in the flow of our offense.

 

[Eric15]

This is a 7-9 loss team. They really need to find another forward.

A 7-9 loss team overall or a 7-9 loss team in the ACC?

7-9 losses overall translates to very safely in the tourney which I would sign up for in a second.

 

[SoBeCuse]

I disagree. I think his inability to pull the trigger took a 4th credible scoring option away from our offense. This allowed teams to double Frank or Tyus whenever they wanted to, as well as pick off Marek’s passes to chukwu in the post. A lot of turnovers in the second half of the season resulted from opponents allowing Marek to get an open shot 15-18 ft out and him electing to telegraph a pass downlow or him putting the ball on the floor and losing it.

It was a major issue in the flow of our offense.

Frank’s reaction as well as the whole offense’s reaction to the doubles were pretty bad, though. Plenty of PGs also just go right around the hedger and head downhill or split it. He rarely was able to do either. There were also plenty of games where one defender kept him going east-west. It is what it is. He improved a lot but, IMO, is better equipped to be a playmaking SG who shouldn’t be handling the ball so much. In an already limited offense, lack of speed from the PG spot is a tough issue to overcome.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

I disagree. I think his inability to pull the trigger took a 4th credible scoring option away from our offense. This allowed teams to double Frank or Tyus whenever they wanted to, as well as pick off Marek’s passes to chukwu in the post. A lot of turnovers in the second half of the season resulted from opponents allowing Marek to get an open shot 15-18 ft out and him electing to telegraph a pass downlow or him putting the ball on the floor and losing it.

It was a major issue in the flow of our offense.

Absolutely. He passed up shots he absolutely had to take even if he missed it and it would be late in the shotclock and we'd turn it over and not get a shot off. But that all changed in the tournament when he played great and hit some shots. I think he earned himself the green light for next year. I don't think he'll be launching a lot of threes (can see him being like Lydon driving us crazy with too much pump fakes) but I also don't think he'll ever hesitate again to take an open mid range jumper or throw up a floater.

Hes also very good at finishing inside with some great post moves despite being skinny. Most of his scoring should come in the paint next year and he'll be more aggressive. Think hes gonna be a 9/10 point a game guy with almost none of them coming from behind the arc.

 

[dasher]

Frank’s reaction as well as the whole offense’s reaction to the doubles were pretty bad, though. Plenty of PGs also just go right around the hedger and head downhill or split it. He rarely was able to do either. There were also plenty of games where one defender kept him going east-west. It is what it is. He improved a lot but, IMO, is better equipped to be a playmaking SG who shouldn’t be handling the ball so much.

He has to improve still. having not been a fan before this season, and surprised by his improvement, I'm willing to see if he can.

 

[dasher]

Absolutely. He passed up shots he absolutely had to take even if he missed it and it would be late in the shotclock and we'd turn it over and not get a shot off. But that all changed in the tournament when he played great and hit some shots. I think he earned himself the green light for next year. I don't think he'll be launching a lot of threes (can see him being like Lydon driving us crazy with too much pump fakes) but I also don't think he'll ever hesitate again to take an open mid range jumper or throw up a floater.

Hes also very good at finishing inside with some great post moves despite being skinny. Most of his scoring should come in the paint next year and he'll be more aggressive. Think hes gonna be a 9/10 point a game guy with almost none of them coming from behind the arc.

I think he will be better than that. And I think some will come from behind the ark. I think Marek will be a good player for us. He got more confidence as the season went on and if he can improve his strength, he will get a lot more confidence. Strength almost always does that for almost anyone in almost anything. We will have an excellent front court.

 

[Trueblue25]

Frank’s reaction as well as the whole offense’s reaction to the doubles were pretty bad, though. Plenty of PGs also just go right around the hedger and head downhill or split it. He rarely was able to do either. There were also plenty of games where one defender kept him going east-west. It is what it is. He improved a lot but, IMO, is better equipped to be a playmaking SG who shouldn’t be handling the ball so much. In an already limited offense, lack of speed from the PG spot is a tough issue to overcome.

Well my point is Marek’s inability to step up for those shots hurt our offense and put our guard play at an even further disadvantage. Outside of HW, our staff hasnt landed a true point guard. I think Frank’s done great seeing as he was playing 3 on 5 for 40 mins for about 95% of the season. Harsh but true

 

[SoBeCuse]

Well my point is Marek’s inability to step up for those shots hurt our offense and put our guard play at an even further disadvantage. Outside of HW, our staff hasnt landed a true point guard. I think Frank’s done great seeing as he was playing 3 on 5 for 40 mins for about 95% of the season. Harsh but true

Agreed. Moyer basically not doing anything all year except for the Herculean performance against UConn also hurt. The staff probably was expecting more from Moyer than Marek, regardless. Marek’s going to be very good.

 

[Trueblue25]

Agreed. Moyer basically not doing anything all year except for the Herculean performance against UConn also hurt. The staff probably was expecting more from Moyer than Marek, regardless. Marek’s going to be very good.

I agree. He’s a freshman and will develop. I don’t like that SU and college basketball are at a point where we have these expectations for true freshman, but here we are.

 

[andyw715]

We need 10 more points per game (it would have given us 8+ wins this season)...that's what we need.
Tyus gave us 20, so we have a 30 point deficit coming into the new season.

Merek has confidence now, so we've seen his floor. Even a 3 player bench would be great.

 

[kcsu]

Frank doesn’t have to stand there and pound the ball unless JB decides we’re going to minimize possessions and play ISO ball. He didn’t play that way his first 2 years here nor his HS senior season at PG.

Good point. Plus in Carey Bud and Hughes he has three capable ball handlers to take the pressure off.

 

[tbonezone]

this was JB post jordan tucker...

"Let's not get too upset over a recruit or two,'' Boeheim said. "We've lost 50-60 recruits over the years. We'll continue to lose recruits.''

Boeheim pointed out that when Syracuse lost prized point guard Stephon Marbury to Georgia Tech, the Orange went to the Final Four the next year with fifth-year senior Lazarus Sims leading the way.

"Many times we lose key recruits, or supposedly, key recruits,'' Boeheim said. "It happens every day and, uh, geez, we're still here. It's not a disaster. There's no disasters that have happened."

 

[GooseMutt]

So depressing engaging in off season discussions in April with so many to come. sigh

 

[All4SU]

We have what, 1 more potential weapon? We'll have Hughes/Carey at Guard opposite Frank and Buddy if he's able to produce right away, though only 2 of those guys will play at a time. Hughes will slide to forward from time to time, as of now. Hopefully, we'll have some improvement out of Oshae (finishing inside, better handle, consistent 3), Marek (strong, better handle, confidence with his shot) and PC/Sidibe (health, strength), but will that be enough to push JB to change the offensive philosophy? I think it's very questionable, especially if Hughes/Carey don't produce right away.

The ability to change the offense rests on the ability to be a threat from 3-pt range. Need 2-3 consistent shooters from 3.

 

[20Plus]

Frank/Carey/Hughes
Hughes/Carey/Buddy
Brissett/Hughes/Buddy
Dolezaj/Brissett/Sidibe
Chukwu/Sidibe/Dolezaj

A lot hinges on Sidibe’s recovery, Hughe’s adjustment to ACC ball and how ready Carey is.


I stand by my prediction that Carey will be the more memorable SU player.

I still have little reason to believe Oshae’s leaving.

There you go now You have no reason

 

[CusefanATL]

If Marek improves his handle and adds muscle, he has the instincts to provide aspects of a point forward.

Thats assuming he makes a little bit of a sophomore leap.

A lot of his issues are related to decision making before he receives the ball. Needs to be decisive.

I strongly expect Marek and Oshae to be significantly better as sophomores...

 

[CusefanATL]

The ability to change the offense rests on the ability to be a threat from 3-pt range. Need 2-3 consistent shooters from 3.

Frank, Hughes, Brissett...

Carey/Buddy off the bench.

 

[CusefanATL]

We need 10 more points per game (it would have given us 8+ wins this season)...that's what we need.
Tyus gave us 20, so we have a 30 point deficit coming into the new season.

Merek has confidence now, so we've seen his floor. Even a 3 player bench would be great.

Oshae will give us 3 extra points, Marek an extra 6 points, Hughes/Carey an extra 17 points, Chukwu/Sidibe an extra 3 points... there is 29 pretty conservatively.

 

[All4SU]

Frank, Hughes, Brissett...

Carey/Buddy off the bench.

Hope you’re right. Frank still needs to improve his 3pt consistency. Brissett even more so. I’ve never seen Hughes. And counting on freshmen to hit open shots is a crap shoot. But you’re right. If SU has success, it will have to come from this guys hitting from outside.

 

[Trueblue25]

I have a lot of faith in this team. If Carey and hughes can be threats, and marek improves..


I bet Frank hits the perimeter at a 41% clip and all of a sudden our offense becomes dynamic.