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Post by Rock on Jan 2, 2014 10:04:32 GMT -5
OK, we've all spent the last several days identifying, complaining and arguing about the problems. How about we all aim a little higher than that and name a few potential solutions instead? And since you asked, I'll start:
- Run many (if not most) of our sets with Cotton off the ball. Use Henton, Fortune or even Teddy as much as humanly possible to run the top-of-the-key weave. We saw late in the SH game how much better Cotton is running the wings, coming off screens etc...Even after doing it for just a few possessions, once he went back to handling the ball at the top he was so much more productive.
- Work on improving our big-to-big passing game. The high/low passing between bigs is such an effective way to loosen defenses and gain better access to the rim. In years gone by under TW we had some really good big-to-big ball movement and scoring. It needs to be installed, worked-on and jammed home right now. I'd rather see a TO from DC to Batts than CD to Fortune.
- CD must be required to at least look to score. Early in the year I recall complaining that he was using a lane fall-away instead of a jump hook. Heck, now he doesn't even do that! If he's open at the FT line or elbow he has to make an offensive move to score. I can't believe he isn't capable of developing a jump hook, drop step or up & under. I'd rather have him swing & miss than not swing at all. This needs to be a serious point of emphasis.
- Teddy has to grab some of Fortune's minutes. 2, 5, 10...whatever. And Ed needs to accept the "mistakes" born of his limited talent. He pulled him after a mistake on the wing late in Tuesdays game and he can't do that as much. Live with it. It's going to happen. Any replacement (usually Josh) isn't any more likely to play mistake free.
- Run more out-of-bounds plays to get Fortune a look from 3. Often the easiest, most effective play a team can run is its out-of-bounds sets and this kid screams for that nursing right now. Plus it makes teams pay for their overplay of Cotton on these sets.
I'm sure I could think of more but in a practical sense a team can only work on a limited number of objectives in a short time frame. I'd love everyone's feedback and have it come absent the bashing of players if possible. I know the dangers and limits of the players and strategies I've identified here, no sheet...but something has to be attempted. We can't play for the lottery.
What say you?
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Post by pc1971 on Jan 2, 2014 10:14:17 GMT -5
Good topic Rock.
I will focus on CD here.He is [and was at Wake and of course in high school] as decent offensive player, with the ability to shoot the rock even from 3 point land.I am not saying that he should come down court and start jacking up 3s.But---he should be looking for his shot from the foul line on in.Gotta get him more involved offensively.His missed layup [what we all hoped would be a dunk] after the nifty pass from Cotton on 1/31 notwithstanding, taking advantage of his size inside is important.Enough of his hanging around 20 feet from the hoop trying to set picks for all of his time on the floor.Earlier in the year his pasing seemed much better than it has been of late also.
I believe that PC has not fully utilized this young man's abilities.
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Post by friarbroadcaster on Jan 2, 2014 10:23:16 GMT -5
Carson averaged 4 ppg in each of his two seasons at Wake Forest, '71. He can rebound and can block shots. I agree, though, that he needs to be utilized more especially if Kadeem does not want to return to form. I think Carson can get himself looks and, at this point, I think Ed should tell his guys to shoot the 3. Fortune, Henton, Harris, Cotton, and even Carson putting up a few shots. I think Carson is focused on being a team player and he has great vision and can pass from the top. I would watch him during his transfer year in practice and he would control the ball at the top of the key and can pass and find guys. He is our true 5. I like that. But I think you are correct that he can definitely do more.
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Post by dex on Jan 2, 2014 10:27:42 GMT -5
"he should be looking for his shot from the foul line on in"
I agree that he has to take some shots and also fake some shots and hopefully the defense reacts. Might untrack Batts also if he can get some easy garbage underneath. One other thing is that CD is a set-shot guy that likely needs to be a tad deeper which is ok because he does have range out to the arc. Not a good shooter foul line in from the little I have observed.
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Post by oaklawnbob on Jan 2, 2014 10:29:39 GMT -5
I just have to wonder why a 7' player just lays it in or tries to lay it in and misses. I'd love for him to take it up strong, finish the play with a jam and get fouled.
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Post by yankeefriar on Jan 2, 2014 10:38:09 GMT -5
I would like to see more plays run for Henton. Dump downs, clear outs for drives, screens etc.
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Post by thewalk on Jan 2, 2014 12:20:25 GMT -5
interesting stuff...be careful questioning the coaches....i believe my "warning" level went from 10 to 25 for doing that...
i'd love to see what any former referees would have on the solution side...
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mikemc
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,241
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Post by mikemc on Jan 2, 2014 12:44:25 GMT -5
I'm not a former referee but, I would like to see more players available....
On a serious note, everything already pointed out is great, but most of that could have been worked on all last year while Harris and CD were sitting out the year. I really don't see any solutions other than Batts, Fortune and CD to start providing more positive impacts within the current system.
Fortune will score 5 points within the first 10 minutes of a game and then he dissappears for the next 30. Batts is missing open looks and CD is hesitant to shoot when he has an open shot.
These 3 have been playing DI bball for sometime now and need to step up and start producing..
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Post by johnnypc on Jan 2, 2014 13:13:31 GMT -5
Fortune plays like he is afraid of failure. Not aggressive at all. Solution-push the action a little try to make things happen. Drive to the basket. Take the shot when open.. Stop being afraid of screwing up. At least if he screws up, he is trying to make something happen. If we get little product out of him, I guess you play Brancoft. He gives you a little more on d. We need more production out of our 2 Guard. On occasion go big and play Harris at the 2.
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Post by friarbroadcaster on Jan 2, 2014 13:19:43 GMT -5
Fortune plays like he is afraid of failure. Not aggressive at all. This comes to a point I made about Kadeem Batts - PLAY WITHOUT FEAR! Just go out there and play basketball. Cooley has gone on record saying how improved Fortune looked over the summer and how he can be special. Well, then go play! Fortune should be one of our main 3-pt shooters. Go out and shoot them. He should have some confidence going into an arena where he went 5-6 from beyond the arc. Just square up and shoot. He can come off screens well. He is not a point guard. He should not touch the ball for long periods of time. He needs to get the feed, put it up, or quick pass. The longer the ball is in his hands, the more his eyes wander and the more the pass is telegraphed and steals and turnovers come. Just shoot the ball and let the big guys bring down the boards.
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Post by johnnypc on Jan 2, 2014 13:27:08 GMT -5
I agree on Batts. He has to figure out his own strengths and weaknesses. In fairness because of his lack of athleticism and his inability to jump, he really needs someone to get him the ball when and where he likes it. Since that is not happening take the short j,box out rebound your butt off and your points will come.
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Solutions
Jan 2, 2014 13:27:42 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Grant Siff on Jan 2, 2014 13:27:42 GMT -5
Batts plays without FEAR! This is why he's one of the top players for PC. Last year, I was watching the WORLD WIDE LEADER some of you may know it as ESPN. Batts dominated Louisville which WON the NATIONAL TITLE. Pretty fearless if you ask me. Ask Rick Pitino if he thinks Batts plays with FEAR.
We all know what FEAR stands for
FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL
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Post by pistol44 on Jan 2, 2014 13:59:49 GMT -5
Rock,
Those are all good basketball points.
Cotton off the ball occasionally as dictated in slower games is a must.
As to Batts, he looks like he is pulling the string a bit on his shots, almost as if he is holding onto it a bit longer, maybe Kentucky did spook him. Bancroft should get more minutes, with no depth in the backcourt we have to admit to ourselves we need bodies for league season, who cares if he was a walk-on. During the Hall game it seemed to me like his confidence level was growing.
I agree on Henton being a bigger part of the offense. Henton is the difference between us being a 500 team and a bottom 3 team. He is now our third scoring option after Cotton and Harris....
We should play more zone with Harris at the top, gives us a better chance to protect players and maximizes our length.
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peeps
Signed LOI
Posts: 224
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Post by peeps on Jan 2, 2014 14:20:24 GMT -5
1. Find Doc Brown 2. Rebuild DeLorean time machine 3. Travel either forward to next year or backward to stop Austin and Bullock
That is pretty much all.
This will be a LONG year.
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Post by friarbroadcaster on Jan 2, 2014 14:24:08 GMT -5
1. Find Doc Brown 2. Rebuild DeLorean time machine 3. Travel either forward to next year or backward to stop Austin and Bullock That is pretty much all. ...Or this.
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