Rakeem christmas...

[orangefan13]

Curious if any of the the long time fans think he has a chance at getting more then 2 minutes at PF come march.

1. I would like to see him learn to help Melos offense game some. In particular a Screen play since Fair, Joseph and James aren't getting Melo one.

2. I would like to see him with CJ, Melo and Triche in the game.
It sounds crazy not having KJO out there, but honestly CJ has earned it.
It would be interesting seeing Rak move to KJO's side of the floor letting CJ stay at home on the side he is comfortable at. CJ has been stepping it up on rebounding the last few game.
I wonder how we would rebound in that lineup.
Rak hasn't been able to dribble with his right hand into the lane all year.

 

[PauliePeppas]

Should be the back up 5 not baye

 

[dollarbill44]

If we have a deep run in the tourney, I fully expect Fab to get into foul trouble at least once and we will need Rak to log some minutes to spell Keita.

 

[iommi]

I'd be shocked if he plays in the NCAA tourney more than 2 minutes, unless it is out of neccessity.

 

[dollarbill44]

Should be the back up 5 not baye

The stats don't bear this out. There was a thread last week that broke down SU's defensive efficiency by player and Rak had the worst number - well behind BMK.

 

[rosconey]

his time will come- his defense is improving , just not every game -

runs real good ,has decent hands-

when he figures out his scoring will come on rebounds not set plays he could be a monster-
imagine him on one side and cj on the other of the 2-3-

 

[RF2044]

Rak will have an opportunity to get some developmental playing time these next two games, against rutgirls and USF. After that, we'll see.

 

[PauliePeppas]

The stats don't bear this out. There was a thread last week that broke down SU's defensive efficiency by player and Rak had the worst number - well behind BMK.

Maybe but rak has played a lot less so those numbers are flawed, rak is bigger stronger more athletic, and a better threat to score...guy was huge against cincy when he got time

 

[dollarbill44]

Maybe but rak has played a lot less so those numbers are flawed, rak is bigger stronger more athletic, and a better threat to score...guy was huge against cincy when he got time

The statistic was how many points a player gives up per 100 minutes played, which, in theory, removes the disparity in minutes played.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Curious if any of the the long time fans think he has a chance at getting more then 2 minutes at PF come march.

.

Yeah, occasionally. Honestly, many of us expected CJ to start from Day 1 this year and it has just taken longer for it to happen. What does Rak bring to the 4 at this point in his career that CJ does not? It's not a big deal really.

Rak got his minutes earlier in the season but as we hit crunch time, JB is going to shorten the bench. There will be games when CJ and KJ play 36+ minutes and Rak and JS will ride major pine

There will be games when he gets a few more minutes and games when he'll get 2-3 minutes. Rak is really the de-facto 10th man and has been for some time even though he appears on the floor for the opening tap. Nothing wrong with it, it's just the pecking order on a very good team. The frosh have their minutes out ahead of them as their careers unfold.

 

[orange2win]

He is being used by JB this year similar to the way Melo was used last year. In his first 10 games last year, Melo averaged 12.7 mins. For his second 10 games he averaged 8.3 mins. For his third 10 games he averaged 5.5 mins. Then in the five post season games his playing time went back up to an average of 14 mins a game. Perhaps Rak will see a similar pattern.

 

[reedny]

Rak will have an opportunity to get some developmental playing time these next two games, against rutgirls and USF. After that, we'll see.

Cinci was his opportunity. After that game, he had a chance to turn the corner or go back to being a project and getting pulled after allowing the first 2 weakside layups/oop's. Unfortunately, he regressed and it's looking like mid-way through next year before he starts contributing.

Next year (post-Melo), as talented as DC2 is ... we're looking at a big drop-off in front line defense, especially with Rak struggling.

Hmmmm, I wonder where we could find a talented shot-blocker to shore up our frontline while Rak develops?

 

[dollarbill44]

Next year (post-Melo), as talented as DC2 is ... we're looking at a big drop-off in front line defense, especially with Rak struggling.

Why do you assume that no one else on the roster will improve from this year to next. People were pretty down on Melo last year, calling him a colossal bust.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Yes, JB typically likes to break freshman guys in for longer minutes during tourny games... he thinks its best to let them play through mistakes in the biggest games..

 

[reedny]

Why do you assume that no one else on the roster will improve from this year to next. People were pretty down on Melo last year, calling him a colossal bust.

As to Melo, I was not in the "bust" group. I posted many times that he would explode... the question was when. Fortunately, we're witnessing it right now, and it's great to see.

As to next year, yes I am very concerned. DC2 does bring bulk to the middle, and he's a talented offensive player in the Jared Sullinger mold. But at 280 pounds, he's not a leaper and will probably not be the eraser we all would like to see in the zone. Rak could be that kind of player some day, but he's on a slow curve.

This is why, IMO, you're seeing so much interest from the staff in NN. He WOULD be the eraser we need from day 1, and could be one of the best off the ball shot blockers SU has ever had. We would still be inexperienced with 2 new players, but DC2 and NN could be a dream frontline.

 

[Marsh01]

I'd be shocked if he plays in the NCAA tourney more than 2 minutes, unless it is out of neccessity.

I agree. He will comtinue to start and I dont see that changing but past that I dont see him getting many minutes when the NCAA's start (past the first round). It is what it is.

 

[EastCoast2]

Hmmmm, I wonder where we could find a talented shot-blocker to shore up our frontline while Rak develops?

Is it too late to get Sean Williams back?

 

[jekelish]

Once we get to the tournament, these are the only people you're going to see on the court for more than 5 minutes:

Scoop
Kris
Triche
Dion
CJ
Fab

BMK and Dirty might get 5-10, depending on the situation. Rak will get 2-3 minutes. MCW will likely be riding the pine for the duration of the tourney.

 

[dollarbill44]

As to Melo, I was not in the "bust" group. I posted many times that he would explode... the question was when. Fortunately, we're witnessing it right now, and it's great to see.

As to next year, yes I am very concerned. DC2 does bring bulk to the middle, and he's a talented offensive player in the Jared Sullinger mold. But at 280 pounds, he's not a leaper and will probably not be the eraser we all would like to see in the zone. Rak could be that kind of player some day, but he's on a slow curve.

This is why, IMO, you're seeing so much interest from the staff in NN. He WOULD be the eraser we need from day 1, and could be one of the best off the ball shot blockers SU has ever had. We would still be inexperienced with 2 new players, but DC2 and NN could be a dream frontline.

As for NN, you always try to recruit over your current roster and even other recruits. Sure, he can be that eraser from day one, based on his film against other HS players. I recall that Melo looked pretty damn good against HS players too - granted they are different types of players.

I haven't seen Rak's development curve. Is that available on SU All Access? Can you post a link to that?

 

[reedny]

As for NN, you always try to recruit over your current roster and even other recruits. Sure, he can be that eraser from day one, based on his film against other HS players. I recall that Melo looked pretty damn good against HS players too - granted they are different types of players.

I haven't seen Rak's development curve. Is that available on SU All Access? Can you post a link to that?

I'm referring to a learning process, obviously. But that process is evident from his stats. Rak has started every game, and had a nice outing at Cinci without Fab -- at backup center. At his starting position (the 4) in BE conference play, he gets pulled almost immediately for allowing weakside baskets. Overall, his numbers are standard for a freshman big (12 mpg/3 ppg/3 rbg). He just gets exposed gainst better teams, Marquette - 5 minutes, Nova - 8 minutes, Pitt - 7 minutes, and 7 minutes combined in GT, UConvict and the U of Colonel Sanders with zero points and zero rebounds in all three of those big games. http://stats.syracuse.com/cbk/players.asp?id=110466&team=553

Believe it or not, I'm a Rak fan. I think he's going to be a terrific player. But it probably won't be until (at least) half-way through next season or later that he really STARTS to contribute. Right now, he's just not ready for big minutes in-conference. There's nothing unexpected about that, but in the meantime, who's going to start and contribute at PF next year?

NN is an obvious choice that would fill a big hole. This would free up CJ and Dirty to trade minutes at the 3, and take the pressure off of Rak while he develops.

 

[RoysRunts]

Prediction a Team with a Football Type Center will get fab in Foul trouble, as with Miami this year and George Masons Tourney team. The zone will not stop the entry pass. Another prediction watch out for the Iona/Albany/George Mason/VCU/Vermont/Richmond types to bite again this year. So if I'm wrong :noidea:

 

[The General]

As for NN, you always try to recruit over your current roster and even other recruits. Sure, he can be that eraser from day one, based on his film against other HS players. I recall that Melo looked pretty damn good against HS players too - granted they are different types of players.

I haven't seen Rak's development curve. Is that available on SU All Access? Can you post a link to that?

Rak was generally regarded as one of the best shot blocking recruits in the nation last year. Really haven't seen him unleash that skill.

Noel is touted as the best shot blocking prospect since 'Zo per Dave Telep. If Noel comes. We will have two very good shot blockers. Plus a semi truck clogging the middle.

Having Noel and Rak on the floor at once would be a nightmare for teams. Long, athletic, and looking to block shots.

And think about how long we'll be up top with BT and MCW. We will have serious size next year.

 

[reedny]

Rak was generally regarded as one of the best shot blocking recruits in the nation last year. Really haven't seen him unleash that skill.

Noel is touted as the best shot blocking prospect since 'Zo per Dave Telep. If Noel comes. We will have two very good shot blockers. Plus a semi truck clogging the middle.

Having Noel and Rak on the floor at once would be a nightmare for teams. Long, athletic, and looking to block shots.

And think about how long we'll be up top with BT and MCW. We will have serious size next year.

No doubt, and we'll have all summer to spin out the possibilities. But for now, if we get NN, which is looking like a distinct possibility, we will be loaded with size and talent all over the court ... along with lots of inexperience and no backup PG. We loose Scoop/KJ/Melo and Dion (if the tea leaves are right) leaving us with (freshmen in green):

C - DC2/Keita
PF - NN/Rak
SF - CJ/JS/Grant
SG - BT/TC
PG - MCW

If Melo/Dion come back, we'll have 15 fouls to give in the middle, Dion will run the team, and ESPNU will be filming our practices.

 

[moqui]

Once we get to the tournament, these are the only people you're going to see on the court for more than 5 minutes:

Scoop
Kris
Triche
Dion
CJ
Fab

BMK and Dirty might get 5-10, depending on the situation. Rak will get 2-3 minutes. MCW will likely be riding the pine for the duration of the tourney.

I largely agree, except I would add a "blowout exception." There could still be several blowouts ahead in which the deep bench gets a bit more time.

 

[cytolliver]

Once we get to the tournament, these are the only people you're going to see on the court for more than 5 minutes:

Scoop
Kris
Triche
Dion
CJ
Fab

BMK and Dirty might get 5-10, depending on the situation. Rak will get 2-3 minutes. MCW will likely be riding the pine for the duration of the tourney.

mcw will play extended minutes in the first round, maybe even xmass. I think James can get the minutes he had against louisville monday in the tourney. And if his shooting is on, maybe more