Some interesting numbers

[billsin01]

At least IMO for this team:

Nearly 40% of Joseph's attempted field goals are 3-pointers
I love KJ, love him as a shooter but I think he spends a lot of time outside the arc when he could be deadly from 15 feet. Minor criticism, but I just think he could improve his offensive game a bit by not being so heavy weighted toward 3-pointers

Scoop is a pretty good PG
I know it's tough timing to argue against this given Scoop's last two games (19 assists, 2 TOs, one of which wasn't really his fault). But it's still worth mentioning that the teams on which Scoop has been the primary ball-handler are now 77-8. Wow. Not only that, but there are some that think he's a "shoot-first combo guard." I guess he may be a combo guard, though I'm not sure what the difference is since he's willing and capable passer and facilitator, but it's interesting to look at his numbers:

Scoop: .295 shots/min; 11.8 shots/40 mins/2.3 assist/TO
JHart (as a senior): .281 shots/min; 11.2 shots/40min/just under 2:1 assist/TO
Z Sims: .127 shots/min; 5.09 shots/40min; 2.28:1 assist/TO
Michael Lloyd: .308 shots/min; 12.33 shots/40; 23 made 3s; 1.7:1 assist/TO
Red Autry: .369 shots/min; 14.8 shots/40; under 45% from floor; 1.6 assist/TO

Not trying to comment on any of these guys b/c they all played within different frameworks and with different talent levels. I'm merely suggesting that Scoop's rep of being a turnover-prone ball-hog chucker is horribly misguided. Those among the more rational could certainly make the argument that he's shown lapses in judgment, but I love Scoop's game. I also think we've gotten out on the break faster and more consistently the last three years than at any time since the Douglas days (thought JHart particularly struggled in that area).

We are (gasp) taking care of the basketball
We haven't been under 12 turnovers per contest in any of the previous 10 seasons. WE've been north of 15 TOs per game in 6 seasons. We are currently turning it over just 11 times a contest right now. That is something not many have talked about but has been a huge help in overcoming our occasional struggles in the half-court.

 

[OttoMets]

I also think we've gotten out on the break faster and more consistently the last three years than at any time since the Douglas days (thought JHart particularly struggled in that area).

Good point. This is something that's difficult to quantify, but I've seen the same thing for the past three years and hope Carter-Williams is paying attention. We've benefitted from the easy buckets that Scoop has helped set up.

 

[billsin01]

Good point. This is something that's difficult to quantify, but I've seen the same thing for the past three years and hope Carter-Williams is paying attention. We've benefitted from the easy buckets that Scoop has helped set up.

I think Carter-Williams plays at the same tempo -- maybe even faster -- than Scoop already as a frosh. Not saying he's as good, but I do think it will continue, which is a huge advantage. Five easy buckets a game (just throwing a number out there) is worth the occasional turnover.

 

[orangehomer]

scoop has been great. starting early in the season i was having this feeling that scoop will undergo some sort of redemption with the fanbase. scoop is the leader, if the team makes a deep run he will get the credit, if they don't he will take the blame.

 

[billsin01]

scoop has been great. starting early in the season i was having this feeling that scoop will undergo some sort of redemption with the fanbase. scoop is the leader, if the team makes a deep run he will get the credit, if they don't he will take the blame.

Yeah, this is a big reason Z gets so much love here. Great point guard. I loved the guy, don't get me wrong. He even developed a halfway decent jumper/post up game in the second half of his senior year. But he's a guy that averaged 6 ppg on 43% shooting. It was fine for that team but I don't think we'd talk about him in such glowing terms if that team hadn't finished the season winning 15 of its last 18 and reaching the title game.

 

[AlaskaSU]

Scoop will be like President Reagan; he will look better after he is gone.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Nice post. Scoop is rounding into a nice PG. He dosn't have to do too much with so many weapons on the teams. Lately it's picking his spots, distributing really well, and timely shots. I'll take it.

Kris...absolutely agree. Why aren't we posting up him up more? He's good at those fadeaways so bring him in closer! He's just settling for too many jumpers. He also seems emotionally checked out of games lately, IMO. Maybe I'm off but perhaps he's trying to showcase too much for the scouts or the realization is setting in that he isn't going to be a high draft pick or a drafted player at all. I don't know but we need him to toughen up, rebound, and do what he can do.

 

[zeekay]

Kris...absolutely agree. Why aren't we posting up him up more? He's good at those fadeaways so bring him in closer! He's just settling for too many jumpers. He also seems emotionally checked out of games lately, IMO. Maybe I'm off but perhaps he's trying to showcase too much for the scouts or the realization is setting in that he isn't going to be a high draft pick or a drafted player at all. I don't know but we need him to toughen up, rebound, and do what he can do.

He hasn't been the same inside the arc since his injury. I think it's just a mental thing as he's afraid to get banged up again like he did.

 

[SoBristol]

Yeah, this is a big reason Z gets so much love here. Great point guard. I loved the guy, don't get me wrong. He even developed a halfway decent jumper/post up game in the second half of his senior year. But he's a guy that averaged 6 ppg on 43% shooting. It was fine for that team but I don't think we'd talk about him in such glowing terms if that team hadn't finished the season winning 15 of its last 18 and reaching the title game.

I get your point, but the principal reasons you talk about any team, and the leaders of any team, is how they end the season, whether they beat our hated rivals, and how far they go in the tournament. Of course, Sims had a lot of help in John Wallace, Otis Hill, Todd Burgan and others.

 

[billsin01]

I get your point, but the principal reasons you talk about any team, and the leaders of any team, is how they end the season, whether they beat our hated rivals, and how far they go in the tournament. Of course, Sims had a lot of help in John Wallace, Otis Hill, Todd Burgan and others.

I don't really disagree. My point was more that Z could have had a really credible season and put up nearly identical numbers, but if Cipolla misses that baseline jumper it could have significantly altered the perception of Z's senior season today. I'm not saying it's terribly unfair, per se, but simply that it sometimes leads to slightly misguided views of players (for better or for worse).

 

[LennX6]

Yeah, this is a big reason Z gets so much love here. Great point guard. I loved the guy, don't get me wrong. He even developed a halfway decent jumper/post up game in the second half of his senior year. But he's a guy that averaged 6 ppg on 43% shooting. It was fine for that team but I don't think we'd talk about him in such glowing terms if that team hadn't finished the season winning 15 of its last 18 and reaching the title game.

I may dispute that. Here was a 3 yr bench guy starting his Senior year. We did not expect much. What we got was WAY more than we thought even at 6ppg.

 

[themorey]

How about these stats:

3P: 22-60 (36.7%)
2P: 36-55 (65.5%)
Total: 58-115 (50.4%)

Those are the stats for Southerland. This guy is money from 15 ft and has been struggling from 3 lately. During the Pitt game I was screaming for him to play at the top of the key or the elbow when they went to zone. Why doesn't the TV listen to me?

 

[tbonezone]

I may dispute that. Here was a 3 yr bench guy starting his Senior year. We did not expect much. What we got was WAY more than we thought even at 6ppg.

marbury!!!

 

[billsin01]

I may dispute that. Here was a 3 yr bench guy starting his Senior year. We did not expect much. What we got was WAY more than we thought even at 6ppg.

Absolutely. Got way more than we expected, which is great. But my point is only that context and time passing colors -- sometimes inaccurately -- our perception of players in general. Z had a great senior season and, I would argue, was even a decent threat to score relatively efficiently by the end of the season. I wouldn't say a bad word about him as a leader and PG. I just mean that he clearly was a bit limited in terms of his ability to score and that he may have had some similar problems to Scoop last season (when the team desperately needed scoring). Is Scoop or Z a better player? I guess there is no definitive answer. I'm merely suggesting that those who felt we were better off without scoop or would at least unquestionably trade him for a JHart or Z or Autry, may be a bit misguided.