Why Bras and Woody are so important

[DoctorBombay]

I like both of them and wish they played more. However, many of us were saying the same thing last year with Jalen and Brycen.

Goodine has scored 18 points all year. And this is a Providence team this has been missing their starting PG.

Jalen started out the year starting for URI; but 5 of the last 6 games he’s played less than 10 minutes while scoring a TOTAL of 3pts in those 6 games.

BJ Johnson was a loss, but usually when guys leave they don’t shine somewhere else. JB rarely lets talented guys get no run.

And here comes the inevitable vicious cycle. No PT = rustiness= anxiousness= short hook= less time= frustration= transfer. And what does it say about our recruiting and player development if we keep bringing in players who can't contribute, at all, year after year after year? See; SU Basketball, Center position: 5 years and counting.
I submit we never glimpse Woody and to some extent Khadary, if Buddy Boeheim was healthy to start the season. But because he wasn't, we got a chance to see that Woody was a pleasant surprise & KR a revelation. And finally JB, whether he liked it or not, was dragged kicking and screaming to have to change his methodology on lineups.
And after Woody and/or Bras transfer...it'll be rinse and repeat: "Well, he had his chances, and never performed once he got in...for 3 minutes...every 4th game". Its ludicrous, but it keeps happening.

 

[Red Holzman]

I submit we never glimpse Woody and to some extent Khadary, if Buddy Boeheim was healthy to start the season. But because he wasn't, we got a chance to see that Woody was a pleasant surprise & KR a revelation. And finally JB, whether he liked it or not, was dragged kicking and screaming to have to change his methodology on lineups.

I submit that you nailed it.

 

[CousCuse]

This is year 3 for Braswell if he isn’t getting in the rotation now it should send the message to the fanbase.

James Southerland as a Junior was getting 16 MPG on a 30-1 team.

Robert Braswell is getting 8MPG with 3 DNP-CDs.

The coach doesn’t think he is part of the rotation.

Woody Newton I am not going to even bother. These kids aren’t going to just wait their turn on a medicore team that could use energy.

Losing Sidibe you would think would get the forward reserves More minutes.
However we don’t slide Griffin to the SG position.
We don’t slide Newton to the SG position.

It’s a joke. Braswell I don’t blame if he leaves when he graduates.
Newton isn’t gone but we don’t know how patient he will be.
Especially since we have Williams coming in.

The HC doesn’t care what fans say though. He makes sure to say that.

Regarding JS's playing time. Isn't easier to play subs when you're blowing teams out?

 

[Alsacs]

Regarding JS's playing time. Isn't easier to play subs when you're blowing teams out?

I take it you forget those teams.
Southerland was part of the pressing second unit:
JB would Press in the first half 2012 to speed up the opponent it was tremendous.

 

[CousCuse]

I take it you forget those teams.
Southerland was part of the pressing second unit:
JB would Press in the first half 2012 to speed up the opponent it was tremendous.

Old age sets in.

 

[oTTo113445]

Woody and Brass weighing in at 205 200 atm. They need to put on another 20 and pound it inside some. Is Ajax really that raw at the 4 atm? He's almost Guerriers weight. We need him against the stronger taller teams like asap.

 

[jdubs30]

And here comes the inevitable vicious cycle. No PT = rustiness= anxiousness= short hook= less time= frustration= transfer. And what does it say about our recruiting and player development if we keep bringing in players who can't contribute, at all, year after year after year? See; SU Basketball, Center position: 5 years and counting.
I submit we never glimpse Woody and to some extent Khadary, if Buddy Boeheim was healthy to start the season. But because he wasn't, we got a chance to see that Woody was a pleasant surprise & KR a revelation. And finally JB, whether he liked it or not, was dragged kicking and screaming to have to change his methodology on lineups.
And after Woody and/or Bras transfer...it'll be rinse and repeat: "Well, he had his chances, and never performed once he got in...for 3 minutes...every 4th game". Its ludicrous, but it keeps happening.

I agree with everything you said. My point more was that Jalen and Goodine are irrelevant this year; both were consensus top 75 kids. Yes, that’s a talent evaluation/development issue. But the fact that both of them have had their minutes disappear this almost proves that they weren’t ready to contribute last year either.

That’s why I brought up BJ Johnson. Has anyone in the last decade that left Syracuse ended up being really good elsewhere? If JB doesn’t see anything from these 2 in practice, I get why he doesn’t play them. When AG has struggled snd Q was invisible for stretches, JB still isn’t putting Woody/Bras in. When JB was vocal about how bad Alan was on defense, and how his shot selection was poor - he was still playing him. When Joe struggles, JB has no problem putting in Kadary. Sidibe could barely jump against Clemson and still played; I do think JB would like an 8 man rotation but he doesn’t see 8 playable guys.

I do think Woody has something going on - whether it’s Covid or whatever.

All I know is there’s very few times JB has let someone walk out the door that ended up being a stud elsewhere. I know Goodine leaving was a surprise to the staff.

But I agree with your overall point - this is a recruiting/player development problem.

 

[jdubs30]

We are playing short rotations to be a medicore bubble team year after eventually you have to develop these players or it just continues.

I am sorry but Braswell and Newton can play.
They don’t get a chance.
Buddy and Joe aren’t significantly better than them.

If it was Triche and Jardine I get it those guys were better all around.

We don’t play the bench and are 11-6. What will happen next year that will make the bench play?

I like both of them - and they both have showed flashes.

But JB has seen these guys play basketball 100x more than we have. He’s at every practice, sees the pick up games, the drills, etc. I just don’t think he would refuse to play someone if they practice well.

“They don’t have a chance” - not in the game ... but with the 2hr practices the team has I would think JB knows what he sees.

Now with that being said - if the other assistants think that those guys deserve minutes and JB is stubborn that’s one thing. But I don’t believe that JB is purposely not playing guys who don’t deserve it

 

[Scott11]

I like both of them - and they both have showed flashes.

But JB has seen these guys play basketball 100x more than we have. He’s at every practice, sees the pick up games, the drills, etc. I just don’t think he would refuse to play someone if they practice well.

“They don’t have a chance” - not in the game ... but with the 2hr practices the team has I would think JB knows what he sees.

Now with that being said - if the other assistants think that those guys deserve minutes and JB is stubborn that’s one thing. But I don’t believe that JB is purposely not playing guys who don’t deserve it

Agreed JB has seen those guys in practice more than we have but how does Braswell get no run versus Clemson in a blowout but then important minutes at NC State? Were his 3 practices in between those games that incredible? There seems to be no rhyme or reason to who plays, never mind a rotation.

Hell Jesse Edwards has been buried since he played well versus Miami.

 

[jdubs30]

Agreed JB has seen those guys in practice more than we have but how does Braswell get no run versus Clemson in a blowout but then important minutes at NC State? Were his 3 practices in between those games that incredible? There seems to be no rhyme or reason to who plays, never mind a rotation.

Hell Jesse Edwards has been buried since he played well versus Miami.

I can’t answer that. When Q was in foul trouble, JB had no choice. With NC State playing the 2 bigs together he probably didn’t want Buddy at the 3.

but maybe practice is the answer. If Bras had a bad week of practice with energy/effort, maybe that’s why. JB does often discuss practice in post game pressers

 

[Scott11]

I can’t answer that. When Q was in foul trouble, JB had no choice. With NC State playing the 2 bigs together he probably didn’t want Buddy at the 3.

but maybe practice is the answer. If Bras had a bad week of practice with energy/effort, maybe that’s why. JB does often discuss practice in post game pressers

I hear you I just find it odd that JG3.has never had a bad practice. I have questioned his effort during games.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

I was surprised that Woody was a contributor so early in his freshman year. I didn't think he'd even get on the court until later. I'm very disappointed to not have seen him lately. I don't know the details of his Covid recovery, but i find it hard to trust JB's assertion while watching how he treated Buddy and Joe. Yes, the covid affects different people differently, but so does the coach...

I haven't been as high on Braswell as so many of y'all. He's got a quick trigger, and can make a few from long range, but that seems to be it on offense. He's a catch and shoot guy and seems limited to that, but he's not banging them at a high enough rate to enthuse me. At least Buddy will try to drive and take mid-range shots. It looks like Braswell's play is still affected by the shin/leg issues. Even when he's just running, but i assume it affects rebounding, as well. Which is unfortunate.

We have kind of a mess in the roster. 'Legacy' players who don't really deserve cemented-in status. New guys who have more talent, versatility, athleticism, and play better defense, but who are running into nothing but excuses for why they're not playing, as well as an imbalance in criticism... All on a mediocre team. It's easier to 'sit and learn' when the players 'above' you are people you can learn from and who clearly demonstrate the abilities that lead to successes. But, we don't really have that.

I would not be surprised to see 1, 2, or 3 transfers.

With Goodine and Jaylen, it's kinda odd to basically see them being ripped for not being good enough, yet it was our staff that recruited them, invested time and roster spots on them, and then failed to develop them into useful pieces. If they were undevelopable, well, that's on the staff, and the blame starts at the top. But, i don't accept that the players they are now are necessarily who they actually were when we had them. The psyches have to be damaged. Confidence is important. Neither were actually cultivated with us, and if those players continued to spiral downward afterward, it's not validation of the staff.

 

[OmahaCuse]

Watched BG last game. Came in fired a terrible pass at the ankles of a big which ricocheted past half court. He did not hustle after ball let the other team pick it up and then fouled. Was pulled Cooley would not look at him and Brycen never cam back in. He seemed apathetic prior to the poor play. Could see him ending up at Umass next.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Right now I am furious in Boeheim and have no confidence in him because of the stupidity of not playing these two and bringing Kadary off the bench.

It completley inexcusable.

I think those 3 and any 2 centers would be the starting guards. They'd blow them out with one of Quincy or Marek.

 

[the villager]

There are two reasons people leave where they are, #1 unhappy where they are #2 or they see some place better to go. Woody Newton may have both.

 

[Sherman20]

I wish Axe had pointed out that Carmelo, John Wallace, Wes Johnson, Dion Waiters and lots of other former Cuse stars didn’t play 40mpg. Carmelo didn’t even play 40mpg during the title run. JB used to run more of a bench, and the evidence is out there. And if JB says that Josh Pace, Edelin, Kris Joseph, CJ and Southerland were better than Bras and Woody are right now, you can counter with, well, Buddy, Griffin and Q are no Melo, Hak, Wallace or Johnson. So they can stand to sit their butt on the bench for a few minutes and get some rest.

 

[OrangeDW]

I like both of them and wish they played more. However, many of us were saying the same thing last year with Jalen and Brycen.

Goodine has scored 18 points all year. And this is a Providence team this has been missing their starting PG.

Jalen started out the year starting for URI; but 5 of the last 6 games he’s played less than 10 minutes while scoring a TOTAL of 3pts in those 6 games.

BJ Johnson was a loss, but usually when guys leave they don’t shine somewhere else. JB rarely lets talented guys get no run.

Let the record show that I was NOT one of them. I was on the “Jalen and Brycen stink and coach is trying to win” side last year.

This year, I feel differently. Woody doesn’t stink. And Bras could be a useful role player. I get where it would be hard to get solid time for both of them, but I don’t get how neither one gets any consistent time.

 

[Alsacs]

Let the record show that I was NOT one of them. I was on the “Jalen and Brycen stink and coach is trying to win” side last year.

This year, I feel differently. Woody doesn’t stink. And Bras could be a useful role player. I get where it would be hard to get solid time for both of them, but I don’t get how neither one gets any consistent time.

Our starters aren’t good enough that these bench guys shouldn’t get rotation minutes.

Kids will sit if the team is winning and be patient. They aren’t going to be patient in 2021 if the team is just medicore.

I wouldn’t leave if I were Newton but I wouldn’t blame him if he found a team that would actually give him 10-15 as an under classmen up to to 25 MPG as an upperclassman.

I think we all know as soon as Braswell graduates he will grad transfer out.

I like Quincy but he shouldn’t be a 35+ MPG guy if he is struggling in individual games.

If Sidibe doesn’t play then Marek will be a 40 MPG unless Edwards gets Minutes.

The backcourt it’s been a dead horse I will just leave it alone except Kadary should get the most minutes at PG.

 

[dan7800]

I've always thought of Braswell as a BJ Johnson type of player. Someone who is very thin & raw, but will progressively become very good once they fill out.

Is Newton hurt?

 

[OrangeDW]

I've always thought of Braswell as a BJ Johnson type of player. Someone who is very thin & raw, but will progressively become very good once they fill out.

Is Newton hurt?

Maybe. I haven’t seen any evidence that he can dribble, or do anything else on offense but shoot the 3 - and he’s been spotty there.

But if he’s shooting the 3 well, that’s enough to be a solid role player because he’s good on defense.

 

[kcsu]

I've always thought of Braswell as a BJ Johnson type of player. Someone who is very thin & raw, but will progressively become very good once they fill out.

Is Newton hurt?

Jim hurt his feelings.

 

[MSOrange]

Maybe. I haven’t seen any evidence that he can dribble, or do anything else on offense but shoot the 3 - and he’s been spotty there.

But if he’s shooting the 3 well, that’s enough to be a solid role player because he’s good on defense.

Agree. I'm not sure I really see the BJ comparison. BJ was a bit smoother player in my eyes. That being said,, yes I'd love to see either Braswell or Newton get more minutes.

 

[SoBristol]

In the SF role, Griffin is head and shoulders better than Braswell. Braswell seems to want to be a perimeter shooter -- and not much else on offense. He is scrappy on defense.

In the PF role, Quincy is the one player we have with ACC toughness. He might struggle to finish against taller defenders. His shooting has improved, but he might never be an elite shooter. Neither of the forward reserves can come close to matching him on the boards or inside play. With what we have at center, you want Quincy on the floor. Seriously, you want to weaken what we have Inside by subbing Woody or Braswell at PF?

Woody might well be a contributor next year, with added muscle and a year of work. The potential is there for him to make a big year-over-year leap, as other SU forwards have done from frosh year to soph. It is difficult to judge how much improvement he has made this season -- haven't seen him enough.

 

[Alsacs]

In the SF role, Griffin is head and shoulders better than Braswell. Braswell seems to want to be a perimeter shooter -- and not much else on offense. He is scrappy on defense.

In the PF role, Quincy is the one player we have with ACC toughness. He might struggle to finish against taller defenders. His shooting has improved, but he might never be an elite shooter. Neither of the forward reserves can come close to matching him on the boards or inside play. With what we have at center, you want Quincy on the floor. Seriously, you want to weaken what we have Inside by subbing Woody or Braswell at PF?

Woody might well be a contributor next year, with added muscle and a year of work. The potential is there for him to make a big year-over-year leap, as other SU forwards have done from frosh year to soph. It is difficult to judge how much improvement he has made this season -- haven't seen him enough.

There is no such thing as a PF in our system.
They play the same defense as the SF.

On offense who cares who plays where.

It’s amazing how our medicore team can’t play a bench. God forbid we actually play the long game for once.

I don’t care to continue being medicore and Woody could play SG.

It’s amazing how nobody but Buddy, Kadary or Joe can learn to play the top of the zone.
Our defense is so hard nobody else can learn it over months.

 

[Sherman20]

Let the record show that I was NOT one of them. I was on the “Jalen and Brycen stink and coach is trying to win” side last year.

This year, I feel differently. Woody doesn’t stink. And Bras could be a useful role player. I get where it would be hard to get solid time for both of them, but I don’t get how neither one gets any consistent time.

I think this is where Hopkins’ voice in the basketball offices and the respect JB had for him went a long way. He could make the case more effectively and persuasively than our current assistant coaches that underclassmen like Southerland, Pace, CJ, Grant, Christmas, etc. deserved playing time based on what they were doing in practice, especially over the long haul of a season.