The Glaring Difference Between This Year and Last

[The2-3PWN]

I have watched all 8 games this year and the most glaring difference between this year and last is our defense at the top of the zone. This, along with team free throw shooting are the biggest flaws thus far.

The difference in size and the lack of experience Of Cooney and Ennis working together up top with the slides are concerning. Can the front line of Cj Roc Grant cheat the wings enough to contest to make up for the inexperience and lack of size/lateral quickness?

I think they can and I think Roc is better than last year on the wing from what I have seen this year. He even made a Hak block in the corner last game. So if fouls are a factor I feel good running baye out there in the middle with Roc on a wing-(if nec). The only big who can't play the wing is Dajuan. Even Baye could play the wing IMO.

The days of holding opponents to under 60 for us are over with these new rules. 3 point defense, free throw shooting and depth (foul trouble) will be the main factors with this years team. Cj and Jerami must drive the ball even more this year. So far it has been automatic fouls called once a driver gets to the lane. Jerami must convert at the line. He will be there a lot.

Let's Go Orange!

 

[pearl31]

give it some time, son. it's november.

 

[The2-3PWN]

give it some time, son. it's november.

I'm with you. Colgate bombs away from downtown. They crushed Wake Forest from downtown. Let's see how we close out Saturday.

 

[The2-3PWN]

BTW, The Colgate/Wake game is on the watch app. I just fired it up. Insomniac.

The local kid Cavanaugh is on Wake. Colgate picked 8th in Patriot League is a joke.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I knew what you were referring to before I opened the thread. As of right now, Ennis is definitely a step slow.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

give it some time, son. it's november.

That will not change the lack of height with the guards when Trevor and Ennis are up top.

We also lack a shot blocker.

Historically, our defenses are solid when we have big guards or a shot blocking threat...and its great with both.

We have neither this year.

We are going to have to score.

 

[Flacusian]

Rak had a memorable block vs. Fordham. Do people think he does not constitute a shot blocker? Or are you only referring to having a shot blocker at the top of the zone? I think the deficiencies spelled out here are greatly exaggerated. With time this is going to be a fine defensive squad.

 

[The2-3PWN]

Rak had a memorable block vs. Fordham. Do people think he does not constitute a shot blocker? Or are you only referring to having a shot blocker at the top of the zone? I think the deficiencies spelled out here are greatly exaggerated. With time this is going to be a fine defensive squad.

The lack of size and lateral quickness up top puts a lot of pressure on the forwards to cheat and gamble a lot. We couldn't close out on Cornell or Fordham. Colgate led Wake for 33 minutes. They have 2 bigs who can shoot the 3. The whole team can shoot them 3. Watch the Wake/Colgate game. It's on the watch app.

Saturday will have the 6-7 bearded lefty and 6-10 big bombing over Ennis' side all day. They move the ball well and make the extra pass. They won't stop us obviously, but they play stall ball and frustrate the crap out of us.

CUSE 82 Colgate 69

 

[jdubs30]

I don't think it's the lack of size/quickness that's the problem, it's the experience. Obviously no one will be MCW, but the zone takes time and I think they'll be fine up top.

 

[pfister1]

I don't think it's the lack of size/quickness that's the problem, it's the experience. Obviously no one will be MCW, but the zone takes time and I think they'll be fine up top.

Agreed MCW was inexperienced at this time last season and our defense didn't come into its own until later in the season or post season in my view.

The question now shouldn't be how does the defense look. It is, what is the defense's potential to develop over the course of the season. If we are too slow or too small to play it well, that is something that can't be overcome. If we just haven't figured out the rotations and assignments yet, well that is something I would expect to come along as the season progresses.

 

[RF2044]

Inexperience is an issue with our guards--no way of sidestepping that.

But college sports are all about attrition. Every team, every year loses key players. So I wouldn't waste time wringing hands over it. I'm quite confident that Ennis is going to excel on both ends of the floor. It's up to his backcourt running mates to step up and hold up their end of the bargain.

Also, I'm a lot less worried about the 2's size--Cooney demonstrated last year that he can be an above average zone defender, Gbinije is 6-7, and Patterson has that freakish wingspan--I'm more concerned about how the backcourt is going to rebound. Last year's guards provided important contributions on the glass.

In time, I think the zone is really going to come together for this squad--the wing talent at forward is really going to make us versatile defensively. Give the guards a bit of time to gel, acclimate, and learn their responsibilities and we'll be fine.

 

[pearl31]

Good post, RF. Sure we lose a little size up top from last year - but I'm confident that by Feb/March the guards will have it figured out pretty well.
Both MCW and BT had some pretty lackluster games last year at the top of the zone before they put it together for the March run.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think this is why Gbinije will certainly play a lot, and Patterson and BJ have a chance for spot minutes up top too.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

The top of the zone will be fine. Through two games Ennis and Cooney each have 6 steals. Through the first two games of last season Carter-Williams had 8 steals and Triche had 3.

 

[rrlbees]

The top of the zone will be fine. Through two games Ennis and Cooney each have 6 steals. Through the first two games of last season Carter-Williams had 8 steals and Triche had 3.

Steals aren't always the best indicator of great defense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[timkay99]

Let's play Indiana and see where the zone stands then...

Cornell's lowest score after us was 79 (they played an OT game as well). They scored 60 on us.

Fordham scored 87 their first game and that game was so done at halftime, it isn't weird to see the defense come out flat in the 2nd half.

Nothing about the zone is that concerning to me. The backline with Fair, Keita/Roc and Grant may be the most athletic we have run out there in awhile. And Roc averaged 2 blocks a game last year, not sure how he isn't a shot blocker in the back of the zone...

Guards will be fine. Ennis has shown he will mix it up rebounding the ball. Both guards have shown they will be physical. They can cover enough of the passing lanes with requisite quickness.

I think this defense holds at least 2 ACC teams under 60 and possibly more then that. I mean, Miami might score 20 in the game against us!

 

[RF2044]

Steals aren't always the best indicator of great defense.

Ditto shot blocking.

 

[rrlbees]

Ditto shot blocking.

Yep


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jordoo]

Shot blocking:
The only guy I see who will play a lot on the frontline and not block shots is DC2. Rak and Baye may not be dominating shot blockers but they are both good at it. CJ and Jerami have shown they are above average shot blockers for forwards and TylerR blocked lots of shots in High School. Even BJ has been blocking a few and coming close to others. MikeG will get some time at the 3 and has also blocked a couple so far. I don't see a dominating shot blocker but I see a group of pretty good ones.

Defense out top may be an issue. Other than our inexperience which disappears the more they play the rules are different and drivers are protected. We need to be able to cut off driving lanes without fouling. That is the biggest hurdle I see for this group in the backcourt. I don't worry about size our guards are above average size for college players. We cannot expect to see these guys defend like MCW and Brandon did late last year. MCW was a freak of size, length and anticipation which we may not see again. Brandon was a 4 year starter with good size that was pretty good in the zone from day one and excellent by his senior season. This group can be good but they won't reach that level.

 

[billsin01]

Rak had a memorable block vs. Fordham. Do people think he does not constitute a shot blocker? Or are you only referring to having a shot blocker at the top of the zone? I think the deficiencies spelled out here are greatly exaggerated. With time this is going to be a fine defensive squad.

Is Rak a shot-blocker? I don't know. He had 36 in 22 BE games last year (BET included) so I suppose you could give him that label. But, regardless, what Rak has to prove is that he can be a consistently effective presence. Last year was a roller-coaster which included some stretches (or games at least) where Rak struggled to stay on the floor (9 times in 22 BE contests).

When he did play, last season, the most complimentary way to describe his play would be to say that he 'showed flashes'. But ultimately he did very little in terms of stats and I'd say even less (anecdotally of course) in terms of intangibles/hustle play/positioning type measures.

If you look at his year from the St. John's game on Feb. 10 of last year, he played in 18 games (BET and NCAAs included). He failed to reach 20 mins 10 times, while he'll never be a scorer he failed to score more than 3 points 11 times, grabbed 3 or fewer rebounds 9 times and blocked 1 or zero shots 14 times.

So what does that all mean? Not that much. I mean he had an inconsistent year, which isn't that unusual for a sophomore big man. But I'd only suggest that looking at Rak and counting on him for big things this year is a pretty dicey proposition, IMO. Though it appears he's off to a good start.

 

[billsin01]

Inexperience is an issue with our guards--no way of sidestepping that.

But college sports are all about attrition. Every team, every year loses key players. So I wouldn't waste time wringing hands over it. I'm quite confident that Ennis is going to excel on both ends of the floor. It's up to his backcourt running mates to step up and hold up their end of the bargain.

Also, I'm a lot less worried about the 2's size--Cooney demonstrated last year that he can be an above average zone defender, Gbinije is 6-7, and Patterson has that freakish wingspan--I'm more concerned about how the backcourt is going to rebound. Last year's guards provided important contributions on the glass.

In time, I think the zone is really going to come together for this squad--the wing talent at forward is really going to make us versatile defensively. Give the guards a bit of time to gel, acclimate, and learn their responsibilities and we'll be fine.

This in particular is an excellent point. By virtue of playing exclusively zone and generally being long and lean as opposed to more physical teams like MSU or teams that may have an edge in athleticism like l'ville, Syracuse is often, obviously, a team that struggles in the rebounding department. The only teams that have truly bucked that trend are the teams like the title team with Anthony that had three huge bodies and two really, really talented players/rebounders across the front (Melo and Hak) or teams that get solid team rebounding with contributions from the guards. last season is a good example.

 

[orangefan13]

We don't know what we have from this team yet. Not even a idea.

This team is taller on the wings then any team has been in the last 12 years in Rak and Grant, with a defensive center like Baye Keita. I don't know about you guys but I am not worried about shot blocking with that. And we have a ton of experience in the backline, and will be very solid rebounding.

As far as guard defense I feel Gbinije has the best body from a standstill but don't know if he will be able to stay infront of drivers well yet. He doesn't have to pressure to take the ball, but if he can stay settled like a rautins or a triche against good drivers that would be tremendous.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Yeah, not worried about the size. They need to move their feet better. We'll be ok here I hope.

I am still wanting to see MUCH better offense. We will need to score more this season. Easier ways to score and better ways to move the defense is imperative. This is on the coaches as well to help generate better offense. Constant one pass one shot without the ball getting to the other side of the floor isn't going to cut it against better teams.

 

[TBCuse11]

We cant expect to match last year. MCW was the best defensive guard we have ever had in the zone, just ask Boeheim. Its tough to lose a lottery pick stud (and a 4 yr starter) and replace them with a much shorter frosh and a slow white dude.

We will be fine though. Grant and CJ will destroy every team we play this year.

 

[RF2044]

We cant expect to match last year. MCW was the best defensive guard we have ever had in the zone, just ask Boeheim. Its tough to lose a lottery pick stud (and a 4 yr starter) and replace them with a much shorter frosh and a slow white dude.

We will be fine though. Grant and CJ will destroy every team we play this year.

Definitely some validity to that--at that size, MCW was probably the best top of the zone defender we've ever had. Andy was pretty good, as well. Ditto Kueth. And so was Triche. But Ennis not being able to replicate that isn't really a black mark on Ennis's capabilities--it is more a testimony to how exceptional a defensive system fit MCW was.

For the record, I think Ennis is going to be just fine defensively once he gets his sea legs. But it might take awhile for the entire backcourt to gel defensively--they lost a ton of experience, and playing our type of zone is not something that most players can be expected to excel at right away.


Edit: after reading Moqui's post [below], I have to comment on your characterization of Cooney's athleticism, which I think is absolute bunk. I have no idea what some of you are watching, but I saw everything I needed to see last year to suggest that Cooney is going to excel as a zone defender in our system. If you [or others] think otherwise, I'm honestly not sure what you were watching. Kid is explosive athletically--the stereotype doesn't apply.