What has Benny done to deserve...

[HoustonCuse]

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.

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

 

[tptcuse]

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

That's where I am.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

His defensive positioning is still better than Jimmy.

the rest I can’t argue with anymore

 

[br801]

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

Hey, he did hit the rim and had a nice assist.

 

[br801]

His defensive positioning is still better than Jimmy.

the rest I can’t argue with anymore

He could definitely give them something defensively. I'm puzzled by his rebounding, though. There's more there, for sure.

 

[phil77]

Today was a great win with a very disappointing showing from Benny. First time all season that I am worried about. Like today I don’t think he is a net negative on this team meaning I think he should still get 10 minutes a game or so but only because it will keep Jimmy and Cole fresh at the end. Like the first half he came in I think we were up 9 and he played bad and when he left the game we were up 10 so I think he should be used to give players rest but…………..I expect him to be much more than that which is why it’s a disappointment

 

[orangefog]

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.

Unless you saw him play last year. If you saw him play last year, you would know how good he should be. Right now his problems are in his head.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Boeheim is his sports psychologist and he is getting minutes.

Then his sports psychologist should be sued for malpractice.

 

[SUbear]

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?

People see some better athleticism, unfortunately his basketball skills are limited at best at this point. He was very overrated during recruiting. He has good potential, but whether that potential is realized will be up to Benny. He will not be the first freshman to not be ready for prime time.
For every Carmelo there are at least ten recruits that need seasoning and some never get to the level needed.

 

[SUbear]

Then his sports psychologist should be sued for malpractice.

Short memory, we have had numerous frosh who never played one minute but later became stars a couple even went pro. We also have had frosh who never got what it takes, some of whom transferred and still never got it.

 

[gmoney44]

People see some better athleticism, unfortunately his basketball skills are limited at best at this point. He was very overrated during recruiting. He has good potential, but whether that potential is realized will be up to Benny. He will not be the first freshman to not be ready for prime time.
For every Carmelo there are at least ten recruits that need seasoning and some never get to the level needed.

I’m hoping it is just a case of him not being comfortable out there yet. Maybe the switch will flip at some point in the future and he plays loose. Right now he is tighter than a drum.

 

[SUbear]

I’m hoping it is just a case of him not being comfortable out there yet. Maybe the switch will flip at some point in the future and he plays loose. Right now he is tighter than a drum.

I agree part of his play is nerves, especially his shot(flat). But that does not account for everything.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Short memory, we have had numerous frosh who never played one minute but later became stars a couple even went pro. We also have had frosh who never got what it takes, some of whom transferred and still never got it.

Yeah I don't really care.

 

[Alsacs]

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

Chino, Michael Williams, Devin McBride i can list a lot more less effective scholarship players and you take this shot at Benny.

Chino Okokoh was here 3 years and played 156 minutes total and scored 22 points total.

Benny this one season has played 261 minutes and scored 35 points.

No way anyone could say Benny was the least effective scholarship player of the last decade even.

 

[Alsacs]

Yes. Unfortunately the guy is possibly the least effective scholarship player I think I’ve ever seen. Whenever he gets into the game I watch him and him only the whole time. He spends a lot of time essentially hiding. If he gets the ball, he often tries to get rid of it as fast as possible - providing zero reason for the defense to react to his presence at all. On defense he makes errors of positioning constantly. Other than that, he fumbles rebounds, drops passes, is basically a walking disaster. Even to the point that sometimes it’s not even his fault, but if he is on the court and something negative happens, he’s right in the middle of it.

Assuming his HS ratings were not a giant conspiracy, this is all mental and it will be fascinating to see what the rest of his career looks like (either with us or elsewhere).

Is Benny even the least effective scholarship player on this year’s team.
Benny is more effective than Chaz Owens and Jon Bol Ajak.

I mean you can be down on this kid but calling him the least effective scholarship player you have seen is too rough.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Is Benny even the least effective scholarship player on this year’s team.
Benny is more effective than Chaz Owens and Jon Bol Ajak.

I mean you can be down on this kid but calling him the least effective scholarship player you have seen is too rough.

Does it help to add the assumed parenthetical “(relative to expectations)?”

 

[Alsacs]

Does it help to add the assumed parenthetical “(relative to expectations)?”

I mean that is fair.
If you put context but there wasn’t context it was stated least effective scholarship player.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I mean that is fair.
If you put context but there wasn’t context it was stated least effective scholarship player.

Yes, but I don’t think everyone posts with the critical seriousness of a senior thesis. It’s conversation. The most absolute and hyperbolic stuff should prolly be smiled/frowned at, not taken as an assertion of absolute fact.

 

[CousCuse]

Yes, but I don’t think everyone posts with the critical seriousness of a senior thesis. It’s conversation. The most absolute and hyperbolic stuff should prolly be smiled/frowned at, not taken as an assertion of absolute fact.

Hallelujah.

 

[Nicknack]

Short memory, we have had numerous frosh who never played one minute but later became stars a couple even went pro. We also have had frosh who never got what it takes, some of whom transferred and still never got it.

Of course we have, 3 and 4 star recruits. Who was the last 5 star that we've had who struggled like this? That's the huge difference here which is largely why many on this board want him to have more minutes so he can find his game (hopefully).

 

[Cusefan0307]

Of course we have, 3 and 4 star recruits. Who was the last 5 star that we've had who struggled like this? That's the huge difference here which is largely why many on this board want him to have more minutes so he can find his game (hopefully).

When we say it like this it’s like we are saying playing time should be decided based on high school rankings and not actual in game results.

 

[Nicknack]

When we say it like this it’s like we are saying playing time should be decided based on high school rankings and not actual in game results.

Not really. My point is that Benny isn't just a typical freshman who is struggling, like what was suggested. Again, who was the last high profile recruit we've had who has struggled like this? This is not a usual occurrence.

 

[mikemorg]

I've been in the #freeBenny camp -- JB III on Defense is just a horror show -- but it's hard to argue for him when we are winning and the offense is humming as it has been the past 3 games, and he looks so lost when he gets in.

It's easy for fans to give up on a season, and look forward to next season, wanting the team to play to develop for that next season. Not nearly as easy for the players and the coach(es), who still believe they can win every game they play (no matter how wishful that thinking is). As we all know, JB has always been of the mindset of winning tonight at all costs, regardless of long term ramifications. And Benny is just not giving him any reason to believe he is helping us win right now.

I hate to say it but if the lightbulb hasn't gone off yet for Benny, it probably won't for the rest of the season. There have barely been any flashes to think all of a sudden he turns it on this year (especially on offense). Fingers crossed that he makes the leap from year 1 to year 2 (and not the leap into the portal).

 

[Cusefan0307]

Not really. My point is that Benny isn't just a typical freshman who is struggling, like what was suggested. Again, who was the last high profile recruit we've had who has struggled like this? This is not a usual occurrence.

Agree with that, but I am seeing a lot of opinions where fans just want the guy to play because he’s 5 star.

It would be like giving someone a job just because they graduated from an ivy league school whether they meet the other qualifications or not.

 

[Nicknack]

Agree with that, but I am seeing a lot of opinions where fans just want the guy to play because he’s 5 star.

It would be like giving someone a job just because they graduated from an ivy league school whether they meet the other qualifications or not.

I also agree with your agree. Look how agreeable we are.

That said, I "agree" with your last point. My point was simply that it isn't very often that teams miss on a top 25 recruit like this, and I don't recall any other recruit we've had at this level where the struggles have been this much. I also attribute his struggles to how he's been utilized. I just hope the young man doesn't portal.