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Post by yankeefriar on Jan 2, 2014 14:38:26 GMT -5
As long as we are re-building the time machine, Tell Ryan Boatright, on 2nd thought we still have a spot for you.
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Post by dex on Jan 2, 2014 15:48:46 GMT -5
There's a real head-scratcher Yank
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Post by yankeefriar on Jan 3, 2014 7:19:40 GMT -5
Dex,
So many things have just played out poorly for the Friars the past few years. Heck, if Coleman stayed he would have been our starting 2G for 40+ games the last two years and he can't shoot, defend or dribble to his right.
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Post by 78friar on Jan 3, 2014 7:47:16 GMT -5
I think they have to work more for Ladontae in the half court offense.
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mikemc
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,241
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Post by mikemc on Jan 3, 2014 7:51:11 GMT -5
Dex, So many things have just played out poorly for the Friars the past few years. Heck, if Coleman stayed he would have been our starting 2G for 40+ games the last two years and he can't shoot, defend or dribble to his right. To think, he put up 30 against WVU (PC OT loss). He was unstoppable that game (so wasn't D. Bryant for WVU). Another game where our bench was outscored something like 10-0. Recurring theme, no bench!!
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Post by diehardfriar on Jan 3, 2014 10:52:15 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. I agree on getting CD more involved. Honestly I feel he isn't playing with the same confidence level that we saw earlier in the season. He always seemed upbeat and positive cheering on his teammates while knowing his role. I felt he was playing well but Cooley killed his confidence by not rewarding him with more well deserved minutes.(especially with Kadeem playing like crap). Unless something else went on behind the scenes but for some reason Carson looks more distant when I look at him the last couple games. He was a monster against La Salle with 7pts/6rebs/6blocks in 23 minutes......next night out Big Ed rewards him with 12 minutes against Maryland in a loss. IMO he's one of the only guys on the team this year along with Cotton, Henton, and Harris who have stepped up their game in high pressure situations(UK? BC?) and YET he's still getting squeezed out minutes wise. This type of inconsistent PT has to be tough on a 4th year junior who has done everything you have asked of him especially when the guy in front of him is playing terrible. Batts is literally bringing nothing to the table right now.(no scoring/boards/blocks) I really feel Cooley is not utilizing Carson in the right way. Spread the floor and run some iso's for him on the low block then let him hit Harris and Henton on quick cuts to the rim or make a baby hook in the lane. We are the worst offensive team in the league what's it gonna hurt? Ed you have a 7 footer who has a nice touch and can pass the ball.....USE HIM!! I think we will be a better offensive team with Carson involved in more plays. Also I'm pretty sure everyone who watched this team this year knows we are at our best when Carson is playing with confidence and is on the floor. Obviously he will never be a big scorer but I see a guy that could definitely get you 8-10 pts on 45-50% shooting most nights. Right now I think Ed should be thinking of ways to utilize his lone 7 footer better........we need an offensive identity
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Post by wtm97 on Jan 3, 2014 17:28:21 GMT -5
Finding a solution for this short-handed team has to be the focus of the coaching staff right now. If we continue “as-is” what happened vs. The Hall will continue to happen all season and probably not in OT let alone 2 OT’s. Making any solution work will be a daunting task and requires risk taking but why not?
We seem to be OK offensively in transition; woefully weak in the half-court. In bounds plays are a pathetically glaring weakness and unless Batts can rediscover effective offensive play, opponents know it will be either Cotton-Harris-Henton tossing the rock in a half-court set.
Josh Fortune either steps up or sits as a starter anyway. He has obvious deficiencies and also seems to disappear for long stretches during a game. Don’t think he is dogging it either – thinking he is, (at best),a marginal player at this level – and that is fine on a balanced team with depth, something we are not and don’t have…Give him that balance and back-up and he probably becomes a much more valuable team player.
With our very limited options, the roles of both transfer players become the focus – lots said here already on CD; do think he can help and as discussed repeatedly, changing Harris is the ‘other’ – hey maybe even teaching/having him pass the ball now and then could help(?)
Playing man on defense is fine but for the long stretches we presently do – why not try mixing in some zone looks and I do mean mix them up to keep the other team’s off-balance. Our interior D is limited – maybe not the infamous ‘matador’ D of the past but still – look at what both Yale and Maine did by going right to the basket.
All in all we have become too predictable given our limitations and as we move forward without any substantive changes, we will become that team to beat by doing this and that because the opponents will know…
Would rather see changes even risk taking to shake up our predictability because the reality is we are going nowhere but to a slow painful losing season by doing nothing.
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Post by mikey2 on Jan 3, 2014 18:17:54 GMT -5
What everyone is saying in this thread is that they want to see this coaching staff make some changes (at least try) before this team goes 0-5 or 1-4 in the BE.....because that's what I think is going to happen.
Hell, I watched Butler play several times this year. I'm watching two guards that look to be about 5'5" with shorts down around their ankles. I would think they'd get eaten alive on defense, but they never bite for ball fakes and just do a decent job of defending and they get their shot off on offense.
Carson is one player who needs to develop confidence by playing more and having plays run through him. Also, you can't just have Fortune running up and down the court contributing nothing for 30 minutes. You have to try to get something out of Bancroft because there is anyone else to turn to.
Yeah, it sucks that Dunn and Austin are out, but this staff needs to coach the players they have and we all should be able to see that on the court.
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Post by dex on Jan 3, 2014 20:21:13 GMT -5
Sometimes I wonder if CD has a stamina problem.
I will say this...CD is the last guy on the team who I would have thought would have pulled that boner of fouling the opposing Center taking a 3.
I am so disappointed in Fortune's development. So we say let's bring in Teddy and try something different. Umm...we did Saturday.
Not enough good players...2 1/2 scoring threats...limited defensive options due to fatigue
I am for trying different wrinkles but the reality won't change a lick. I am amazed we kept the last two games that close.
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peeps
Signed LOI
Posts: 224
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Post by peeps on Jan 4, 2014 2:14:46 GMT -5
we definitely have 3.5 scoring threats and it should be 4. cotton, harris, and henton are definite threats (although i cringe every time henton chucks up a 3... he needs to stop). batts has played like a fairy godmother this year. he needs to be a man. his pathetic play is a huge reason in the grand scheme of things on why they lost to seton hall. you can pick out singular plays elsewhere, but he was freakin useless.
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Solutions
Jan 4, 2014 8:00:23 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by yankeefriar on Jan 4, 2014 8:00:23 GMT -5
Who has the solution as to how this team will be any better next year? Sure we will have more bodies, but I don't see any of the incoming guys being Big East ready as Freshmen. Not to mention, there is no replacing "Superman".
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Post by oaklawnbob on Jan 4, 2014 9:09:49 GMT -5
You could be correct Yankee. Freshman always come in over hyped and don't usually live up to the hype the first year. That is why geting Austin back on campus is huge. Hopefully all of the practice he gets with the team and if he matures a bit, he might help out big next year.
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Post by thewalk on Jan 4, 2014 9:59:27 GMT -5
Outside shooting (again) and ball handling (again) would appear to be major issues next year...it's not unreasonable to figure pascal as a frosh will struggle to match batts as a 5th yr sr...Bentil and Lindsey are taking time from the two positions that will be nice for depth but don't fill any holes...its doubtful that Austin will replace cottons outside shooting and Dunn hasn't proven to be able to hit any jumpers....SO I hope we get this pg and guess were gonna press like hell next yr....
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Post by friarbroadcaster on Jan 4, 2014 10:34:31 GMT -5
Ed has set up next season's team - and future teams - to have athletic forwards who can step back behind the arc, yet still be able to be physical in the paint to score/defend/rebound. Bentil and Lindsey can shoot the 3, as can Harris and Henton (though I completely agree with Peeps about cringing when he shoots) and then you add in Fortune, who is a catch-and-shoot, off-the-bench guard. Dunn will focus on the assists, Austin will be our main scoring threat from the 1 and 2 positions. Chukwu does not need to be Batts. He needs to play D with Carson and give us two 7-foot big men who can pair up on the floor and lock down the paint.
I love the way next year is shaping up. I think this staff is working hard on finding one more guard to bring into the fold. I have been told they are looking for the "right" guy to bring in with this team. Not necessarily the most talented/heralded player. That changes if Austin leaves, however. Which is why the staff is looking at different guards with different attitudes and abilities.
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Post by wtm97 on Jan 4, 2014 11:07:31 GMT -5
Great point/question yankee…
The ‘problem’ was not there when the recruiting of next year’s class unfolded. We will have to reset and again have patience. With three ‘bigs’ in hand + combo guard Junior, the question looms – who or what else does this team need to be competitive next year?
Consider if Austin actually returns...looking at ‘avails’, are there scholies open? Thinking unless Kofane is encouraged to move on, our options are limited and if we do have a spot then is it a definite PG that we pursue? Maybe a PG with a shoot first look?
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