What has Benny done to deserve...

[dollarbill44]

Benny on the court is the only thing that gets me up for this team at this point.

This seems like a weird take. For me, it's cocaine.

 

[orangefog]

This seems like a weird take. For me, it's cocaine.

I am down with mango.

 

[dollarbill44]

I just want to know, is it impossible for us to get Benny a dunk or something?

We can't get the dude a fast break slam, or a baseline cut and stuff?

Hahaha. You said "fast break".

 

[Sherman20]

And I would argue that the defensive failings with the guards is the most important thing defensively. They're bad at identifying and spacing out to shooters. And they allow too much dribble penetration. Just watched Joe let an NC State player drive right along side him to the block to make a pass to a post player for an And 1 after Frank stepped up to help.

Why was our defense so much better in the second half against Wake Forest? A big reason was the tipped passes and correct positioning of the guards. It has always made a major difference in this defense.

All spot on. It’s not just the lack of athleticism and foot speed that’s killing the defense. Our guys do not know how to play the zone, and Jimmy might be the worst of all. I agree with Greenberg that we don’t put enough pressure on the ball. But most importantly, as he says, we don’t “fan out” and find the shooters when the ball goes inside. Instead ALL the guards and wings collapse onto one guy in the lane and 2-3 shooters are wide open on the 3-point line. Which is why we allow the most 3 point shots attempted per game. To go along with that, our rotations are terrible and we constantly have two players (usually a guard and wing) guarding one guy out on the perimeter or Jimmy collapses towards the lane to “help” with the player who has the ball (he’s not putting any real pressure on anybody), which leaves an open guy on the perimeter. How many times do we see Jimmy moving somewhere in the zone he shouldn’t be and causing the rest of defense to go into scramble mode? Joe, Buddy and Cole are also guilty of this, but not as bad as Jimmy. How have the coaches not gotten these core concepts through to the team? The thing is, against Wake in the second half, their activity and rotations were so much better, so they seem capable of it.

 

[dollarbill44]

All spot on. It’s not just the lack of athleticism and foot speed that’s killing the defense. Our guys do not know how to play the zone, and Jimmy might be the worst of all. I agree with Greenberg that we don’t put enough pressure on the ball. But most importantly, as he says, we don’t “fan out” and find the shooters when the ball goes inside. Instead ALL the guards and wings collapse onto one guy in the lane and 2-3 shooters are wide open on the 3-point line. Which is why we allow the most 3 point shots attempted per game. To go along with that, our rotations are terrible and we constantly have two players (usually a guard and wing) guarding one guy out on the perimeter or Jimmy collapses towards the lane to “help” with the player who has the ball (he’s not putting any real pressure on anybody), which leaves an open guy on the perimeter. How many times do we see Jimmy moving somewhere in the zone he shouldn’t be and causing the rest of defense to go into scramble mode? Joe, Buddy and Cole are also guilty of this, but not as bad as Jimmy. How have the coaches not gotten these core concepts through to the team? The thing is, against Wake in the second half, their activity and rotations were so much better, so they seem capable of it.

Agreed. We gave up way too many 3s Wednesday when the zone either "flattened " on inbounds plays or after an entry pass to the FT line led to everyone converging on him. At most, only one guy should collapse on him, certainly not everyone. There were multiple times when NCSt had 3 guys open for threes. That should never happen.

 

[SUbear]

Benny’s shot wasn’t flat last year. It is a sign that he is thinking way too much. Coke has been doing the same for most of the year. Benny has a decent shot. As he gets more comfortable, his shot will come around. He is thinking too much because he knows he will get the hook if he misses.

I know Benny does not shoot that flat shot in warm ups either, just another sign he is not ready for the big stage. You have a classic chicken or egg scenario, does he shoot badly because of game nerves or does he have that shot because of fear of being pulled if he misses, in the end the reason does not matter, he simply is not a prime contributer until he figures out how to use his talents in games effectively. He could help the team now by running the court and making himself available for fast break lay ups. So far he has not done this enough.

 

[orangefog]

I know Benny does not shoot that flat shot in warm ups either, just another sign he is not ready for the big stage. You have a classic chicken or egg scenario, does he shoot badly because of game nerves or does he have that shot because of fear of being pulled if he misses, in the end the reason does not matter, he simply is not a prime contributer until he figures out how to use his talents in games effectively. He could help the team now by running the court and making himself available for fast break lay ups. So far he has not done this enough.

I think getting a few easy baskets would be huge for his confidence. If I were the point guard, the first thing I would do when Benny gets in the game is try to get him a dunk.

 

[br801]

I think getting a few easy baskets would be huge for his confidence. If I were the point guard, the first thing I would do when Benny gets in the game is try to get him a dunk.

If getting someone a dunk is as easy as the point guard willing it, I'm all for doing it a whole lot more.

 

[orangefog]

If getting someone a dunk is as easy as the point guard willing it, I'm all for doing it a whole lot more.

It's easier for some guards than others, we don't have any guards that can do it. It isn't a given, but a good point guard knows how to draw a man's defender and get him the ball in a position to succeed.

 

[SUbear]

It's easier for some guards than others, we don't have any guards that can do it. It isn't a given, but a good point guard knows how to draw a man's defender and get him the ball in a position to succeed.

Also easier if he runs the court for break outs.

 

[orangefog]

Also easier if he runs the court for break outs.

Absolutely. If I were Benny, knowing that my time on the floor is limited, I would work my ass off on the defensive end (it appears that he is doing this), sprint to the offensive end hoping to get some of those easy baskets that Jimmy gets (only in a more spectacular way) and rebound like a madman.

 

[Newhouser]

He needs to mirror Jeremi - dunk everything. No turn around jumpers, no threes, attack the rim.

 

[kcsu]

He has zero offense (most attempts are elbow jumpers which never go in) and hasn’t shown anything that remotely suggests he’d be a plus factor in the second half of competitive games. If people say Benny should get more minutes In blowouts ok, but P5 basketball isn’t AYSO.
Jimmy III is unathletic and doesn’t rebound well but we’ve won some games because of him; games we wouldn’t have won with Benny getting his minutes.

I dont completely agree.
A block, a D stand, an O rebound.these are areas outside of shooting that with time and experience Benny would most likely be better than Jimmy. The kid doesnt need 25 a game but Jimmy can certainly sit an extra 4 or 5 per half and i believe we'd be a better team.

 

[Sherman20]

Agreed. We gave up way too many 3s Wednesday when the zone either "flattened " on inbounds plays or after an entry pass to the FT line led to everyone converging on him. At most, only one guy should collapse on him, certainly not everyone. There were multiple times when NCSt had 3 guys open for threes. That should never happen.

I have screenshots of the zone collapsing and guys out of position that will make your eyes burn.

 

[ar inj]

I have screenshots of the zone collapsing and guys out of position that will make your eyes burn.

Who needs screenshots?

 

[CousCuse]

Benny is the last piece of the puzzle for this team to really blow up. He just needs to have 1 good shooting game and he will take off, I think today is his day.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Benny—you look at him and see ‘athlete,’ but he has no twitch, no burst, no freaky-deaky. He telegraphs his moves, doesn’t win individual one on one battles enough to get free enough.

I thought it was going to ‘click’ for him this year at some point, but now I’m getting worried.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

I think it’s becoming more apparent with every game that Benny has a lot of work to do to deserve meaningful playing time. Anyone advocating for him to play clearly are blind to his performance to date.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think it’s becoming more apparent with every game that Benny has a lot of work to do to deserve meaningful playing time. Anyone advocating for him to play clearly are blind to his performance to date.

It is less about what Benny is now and more about what he could be relative to what else is on the roster.

Symir pretty much is what he is.

Frankie has moments but he's not going to be better than Jesse.

Benny is nowhere close to what it seems he can be.

The dude needs a sports psychologist and minutes.

 

[CousCuse]

It is less about what Benny is now and more about what he could be relative to what else is on the roster.

Symir pretty much is what he is.

Frankie has moments but he's not going to be better than Jesse.

Benny is nowhere close to what it seems he can be.

The dude needs a sports psychologist and minutes.

Boeheim is his sports psychologist and he is getting minutes.

 

[GreekFreak]

I think it’s becoming more apparent with every game that Benny has a lot of work to do to deserve meaningful playing time. Anyone advocating for him to play clearly are blind to his performance to date.

Good take. Seems like a good kid but just isn’t very good at this point. If he came in as a 3-start you wouldn’t hear crickets if he didn’t play.

 

[Willy75]

Frank and Symir have had exposure to the college game for a year and their development is coming along fairly nicely. I think those who keep arguing Benny should be force fit into more minutes sometimes forget he’s a year behind everyone else.

 

[gmoney44]

Benny is the last piece of the puzzle for this team to really blow up. He just needs to have 1 good shooting game and he will take off, I think today is his day.

I’m not sure what most are seeing with Benny. I haven’t seen anything yet that has me excited for his future in Orange. What am I missing that everyone else is seeing?

 

[tptcuse]

I’m not sure what most are seeing with Benny. I haven’t seen anything yet that has me excited for his future in Orange. What am I missing that everyone else is seeing?

He was touted as the best recruit in years. It is natural for people to want him to be better than he is. Some of us are holding out hope that he shows why he was a five star recruit.

 

[CousCuse]

I’m not sure what most are seeing with Benny. I haven’t seen anything yet that has me excited for his future in Orange. What am I missing that everyone else is seeing?

It is hard to argue with that.