How Haanif actually improved his game last season

[Marcus92]

This is meant as a follow-up to one of Jay Bee's earlier posts. Glancing at Haanif's raw stats for his freshman and sophomore seasons, it's hard to imagine that he improved in any way as a player:

Playing time
29.5 mpg (2015-16) vs. 25.4 mpg (2016-17)

Field goal percentage
48.9% (2015-16) vs. 45.8% (2016-17)

Three-point percentage
38.7% (2015-16) vs. 32.5% (2016-17)

Free throw percentage
82.0% (2015-16) vs. 76.7% (2016-17)

Scoring
11.8 PPG (2015-16) vs. 8.7 PPG (2016-17)

Yet his offensive rating actually increased (from 101.1 his freshman year to 106.7 this past season). How is that possible?

For starters, effective field goal percentage is only one of the four factors in offensive efficiency. And while Haney's shooting numbers were down, the difference wasn't a big one.

Turnover rate
Where Haanif improved dramatically was in taking better care of the ball. His turnover rate as a freshman was 24.4% — in other words, for every 100 possessions, he turned the ball over 24.4 times. That was the 3rd worst TO% on a team that was an absolute turnover machine.

But during the 2016-17 season, Haanif cut his turnover rate to 18.5% — or 18.5 turnovers for every 100 possessions. That difference of 5.9 fewer turnovers per 100 possessions more than makes up for missing a handful of shots. A 24% reduction in TO% is huge. A turnover is a completely wasted possession. No shot attempt. No offensive rebound attempt. Worse, there's a good chance it's going the other way for an easy score by the opponent. Haney helped MU's offense by giving away far fewer possessions.

Offensive rebounding
The third factor in ORtg is offensive rebounding. Haanif showed a big improvement there, as well — more than doubling his offensive rebounding percentage from 1.6% to 3.4%. Not a big contributing factor, but a positive one nonetheless. BTW, as Jay Bee mentioned, Haanif improved his DR%, as well (from 10.8% to 14.5%).

Free throw rate
Finally, Haanif improved his FTRate — from 45.5% as a freshman to 50.7% as a sophomore (165th best in the country per KenPom). In fact, Haney led MU in free throw attempts and was second in makes last season. He knows how to get to the line.

Haanif's struggles during the conference season are a legitimate concern. But he has shown some clear positives that I think he can build on.

[CAGASS24]

Nice work - obvious he didn't become a go to offensive guy by any stretch but he did become a more reliable all around player - if anything his 'regression' was more a matter of perception as Sam Markus and rousey all started lighting up the backcourt and he doesn't really fit that mold -

[bilsu]

The decrease in turnover rate is partially, because he did not play any point as a sophomore.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Some good stuff there.  One other thing I'd point out is that the options around HC git better.  MU was the 95th best team per KP his first year.  They were 32nd (iirc)  the next year. His raw numbers went down because there were better options around him even through his advanced numbers mostly went up

[Marcus92]

Absolutely 100% yes to the points made above. Haanif was the team's best 3-point shooter before the addition of Markus, Andrew, Katin and Sam. Huge upgrade in shooting ability, likely opening driving lanes for Haney (his greatest strength on offense). The team also had much better ball handlers in Markus, Andrew and Katin.

[oldwarrior81]

the falloff in PT really accelerated the final stretch of this season

last 10 games of 2015-16
min   336
FG   48/95   50.5%
3PT  13/35   37.1%
FT   35/38   92.1%
REB   35     
AST   20     
TO    21
STL   10
PTS   147

last 10 games of 2016-17
min   164
FG   14/31   45.1%
3PT   2/ 7   28.6%
FT   15/17   88.2%
REB   26
AST    9     
TO    16
STL    4
PTS   45

[Marcus92]

The drop off is undeniable. But I think it's most valuable to compare an entire season in evaluating his play, rather than focus solely on less than 1/3 of the schedule.

[Lennys Tap]

Massage the stats anyway you want, but down the stretch (as we battled to get off the bubble) Haanif played himself into being the last scholarship player off of our bench. Markus, Rowsey, JJJ, Katin and Duane were all better options at the position(s) he plays - by a wide margin. Three of the guys he was behind are gone so he gets another chance and we're all rooting for him. But if he puts up his 3rd consecutive sub 100 Ortg in conference play he'll either be on the sidelines or the team will be in trouble.

[Marcus92]

I also give Wojo credit for adjusting the offense and rotation throughout the season to make the most of the players we had.

In 2015-16, Marquette averaged 76.3 points a game with a very inside-focused offense — including 690 made 2-pointers (54th in Division I), 194 made threes (279th) and 555 made free throws (65th).

Compare that to 2016-17. MU averaged 82.2 points a game with a much more perimeter-focused offense — including 583 made 2-pointers (201st), 336 made threes (14th) and 457 made free throws (208th). We made 10.5 threes a game, a 78% increase over 5.9 the year before. Total transformation. And we won 2 more conference games in a year the Big East sent 70% of its teams to the NCAA tournament. That's the stat I care most about.

It can't have been easy for a player like Haanif adjusting to a different role. Hopefully he's doing all he can in the offseason to further improve his game and help the team. We'll need him.

[Boozemon Barro]

Does he transfer before the season, mid-year, or after next season?

[jsglow]

Does he transfer before the season, mid-year, or after next season?

Or works hard to make himself a better player and contributor at Marquette.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Or works hard to make himself a better player and contributor at Marquette.

C'mon Glow! This is Scoop! Everyone is ALWAYS transferring!

[barfolomew]

Hanni needs to work on three things this summer:

1) His
2) Right
3) Hand

He's a smart kid and very self-aware, based on his comments during and after the season.
I agree with Marcus that he had to adjust to a new role as the season went on and that can be difficult.

I see his role next year being more like his freshman season. TO% may clip back up a bit because he'll be one of our few slashers from the guard position. But being able to finish with the right hand means he'll have more options once he hits the lane.

 

[Clam Crowder]

With Haanif so far I am reminded of Sandy's progression...Sandy showed some flashes of greatness in Non-Con (albeit not to Haanif's level of flashes) and then went invisible in Conference play.

Haanif has a chance to be a leader this year...If he can't do that I fully expect him to be relegated to a supporting role this year and transfer after the season.

Won't be a popular opinion but I see that as how this shakes out

[muwarrior69]

Hanni needs to work on three things this summer:

1) His
2) Right
3) Hand

He's a smart kid and very self-aware, based on his comments during and after the season.
I agree with Marcus that he had to adjust to a new role as the season went on and that can be difficult.

I see his role next year being more like his freshman season. TO% may clip back up a bit because he'll be one of our few slashers from the guard position. But being able to finish with the right hand means he'll have more options once he hits the lane.

...or mid-range jumper.

[Dawson Rental]

The short answer; he stopped playing the point.

This is meant as a follow-up to one of Jay Bee's earlier posts. Glancing at Haanif's raw stats for his freshman and sophomore seasons, it's hard to imagine that he improved in any way as a player:

Playing time
29.5 mpg (2015-16) vs. 25.4 mpg (2016-17)

Field goal percentage
48.9% (2015-16) vs. 45.8% (2016-17)

Three-point percentage
38.7% (2015-16) vs. 32.5% (2016-17)

Free throw percentage
82.0% (2015-16) vs. 76.7% (2016-17)

Scoring
11.8 PPG (2015-16) vs. 8.7 PPG (2016-17)

Yet his offensive rating actually increased (from 101.1 his freshman year to 106.7 this past season). How is that possible?

For starters, effective field goal percentage is only one of the four factors in offensive efficiency. And while Haney's shooting numbers were down, the difference wasn't a big one.

Turnover rate
Where Haanif improved dramatically was in taking better care of the ball. His turnover rate as a freshman was 24.4% — in other words, for every 100 possessions, he turned the ball over 24.4 times. That was the 3rd worst TO% on a team that was an absolute turnover machine.

But during the 2016-17 season, Haanif cut his turnover rate to 18.5% — or 18.5 turnovers for every 100 possessions. That difference of 5.9 fewer turnovers per 100 possessions more than makes up for missing a handful of shots. A 24% reduction in TO% is huge. A turnover is a completely wasted possession. No shot attempt. No offensive rebound attempt. Worse, there's a good chance it's going the other way for an easy score by the opponent. Haney helped MU's offense by giving away far fewer possessions.

Offensive rebounding
The third factor in ORtg is offensive rebounding. Haanif showed a big improvement there, as well — more than doubling his offensive rebounding percentage from 1.6% to 3.4%. Not a big contributing factor, but a positive one nonetheless. BTW, as Jay Bee mentioned, Haanif improved his DR%, as well (from 10.8% to 14.5%).

Free throw rate
Finally, Haanif improved his FTRate — from 45.5% as a freshman to 50.7% as a sophomore (165th best in the country per KenPom). In fact, Haney led MU in free throw attempts and was second in makes last season. He knows how to get to the line.

Haanif's struggles during the conference season are a legitimate concern. But he has shown some clear positives that I think he can build on.

[brewcity77]

...or mid-range jumper.

Or both.

I know his overall stats were better, but Cheatham was bad in conference play. His numbers were definitely bolstered by some of the cupcakes. He was over 100 ORtg in 8/8 games against sub-100 opponents per Pomeroy and 8/22 games against top-100. He had two top-100 games with fewer than 10 minutes so he wasn't rated.

Right hand, midrange jumper, and consistency.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Hanni needs to work on three things this summer:

1) His
2) Right
3) Hand

He's a smart kid and very self-aware, based on his comments during and after the season.
I agree with Marcus that he had to adjust to a new role as the season went on and that can be difficult.

I see his role next year being more like his freshman season. TO% may clip back up a bit because he'll be one of our few slashers from the guard position. But being able to finish with the right hand means he'll have more options once he hits the lane.

"Either do it, or gimme your right hand, that's what you said."

-Damien

"I can see now, ain't nothin' but trouble ahead."

-DMX

[Dr. Blackheart]

In conference play:

Player A:  Ortg of 96.8, eFG% of 42.7, DR rate of 11.9, TO rate of 21.7, FT rate of 36.0

Player B: Ortg of 93.8, eFG% of 43.3, DR rate of 14.3, TO rate of 25.0, FT rate of 65.2

Derrick Wilson meet Haanif Cheatham.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Does he transfer before the season, mid-year, or after next season?

I think the parade of talent has passed HC.  Unless he improves dramatically he is the last guy on the bench.

[tower912]

No.   That assumes Sacar has made a huge leap and all of the frosh are Big East ready.
I am optimistic about the freshmen, but that is simply too big a leap.  Haanif will get starter minutes early, even if he doesn't actually start.

[Jay Bee]

In conference play:

Player A:  Ortg of 96.8, eFG% of 42.7, DR rate of 11.9, TO rate of 21.7, FT rate of 36.0

Player B: Ortg of 93.8, eFG% of 43.3, DR rate of 14.3, TO rate of 25.0, FT rate of 65.2

Derrick Wilson meet Haanif Cheatham.

One was a senior, one a sophomore

Also, Derrick.. usage of 13.3%; %Shots 10.7%; his #'s were bolstered by a high assist rate (which no matta)

Hanni usage 19.0%, %Shots 17.0%

#BadComp

[Lennys Tap]

I am optimistic about the freshmen, but that is simply too big a leap.  Haanif will get starter minutes early, even if he doesn't actually start.

Agree.

[Dr. Blackheart]

One was a senior, one a sophomore

Also, Derrick.. usage of 13.3%; %Shots 10.7%; his #'s were bolstered by a high assist rate (which no matta)

Hanni usage 19.0%, %Shots 17.0%

#BadComp

Let's get back to conference and apples to apples as you compared Derrick's conference stats with Haani's all season stats filled with cupcake fluff.

Conference: Haani (who was a starter most of two years) 17.9% of usage and 13.7% of shots. Derrick is 13.3 and 10.7. Haani was getting the Derrick Wilson sag off treatment by conference foes by year's end. Shrinking violets.

This board was apoplectic over Derrick's numbers. Let's hope Haani diversifies his game. I will be cheering for him. Make no mistake, Elliott and Cain await his playing time.

[Jay Bee]

Conference: Haani 17.9% of usage and 13.7% of shots. Derrick is 13.3 and 10.7.

Dis are seeming different. #badcomp

[Jockey]

Hanni needs to work on three things this summer:

1) His
2) Right
3) Hand

Here are 3 more things.

1. His
2. mid-range
3. game

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Massage the stats anyway you want, but down the stretch (as we battled to get off the bubble) Haanif played himself into being the last scholarship player off of our bench. Markus, Rowsey, JJJ, Katin and Duane were all better options at the position(s) he plays - by a wide margin. Three of the guys he was behind are gone so he gets another chance and we're all rooting for him. But if he puts up his 3rd consecutive sub 100 Ortg in conference play he'll either be on the sidelines or the team will be in trouble.

Must agree with Lenny here.  Haanif was my favorite player his Freshman year, but there is no denying he fell off a cliff as this year progressed.  The stats show that he certainly improved in a number of areas, but there was a very good reason he found his minutes dwindling towards zero by the end of the season. 

The stats show that he did some things well, but based on his own tweets, he fully acknowledged that his year was not acceptable.  I am encouraged that he embraced the need to improve rather than pout or make excuses.  Now we'll just have to see if he can actually improve his skills enough to earn back some minutes.  Certainly the drive is there, let's hope the ability is as well.

[MU82]

See, I don't need advanced stats (or any stats, really) to tell me that Haani was quite bad in conference play. Wojo used his eyes, too. It took him a little while to glue Haani to the bench, but he realized he had to for the good of the team.

I enjoyed watching Haani play as a freshman. He seems like a nice young man, and I hope he finds his mojo - which will be accomplished by learning how to do a few things that have been well-chronicled here. If he doesn't improve significantly, regardless what any positive advanced stats from the 2016-17 season might suggest, he will be glued to the bench again. He simply was not good enough; anybody could see it.

[brewcity77]

See, I don't need advanced stats (or any stats, really) to tell me that Haani was quite bad in conference play.

You don't need them, but they support him being bad in conference play. ORtg down, eFG%, 2PFG%, & 3PFG% all down. Assist rate down, turnover percentage up, whether you used your eyes or advanced stats, his level of play declined.

[MU82]

You don't need them, but they support him being bad in conference play. ORtg down, eFG%, 2PFG%, & 3PFG% all down. Assist rate down, turnover percentage up, whether you used your eyes or advanced stats, his level of play declined.

Again, anybody with eyes and even a little basketball knowledge did not need statistical confirmation. We saw him struggle mightily.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Again, anybody with eyes and even a little basketball knowledge did not need statistical confirmation. We saw him struggle mightily.

JayBee sees things as no other!

#littlechris2nba

[bilsu]

I really thought that Haanif was going to transfer. He struggled, lost his starting job and I did not think he would stay around, if he was going to see a reduced role this coming season. He has not transferred and that can only mean one of two things. He either loves MU and Wojo enough to stay even with a diminished role or he expects to win his starting job back. I am assuming he expects to win his starting job back, which means he will take a step up in his game.

[Jay Bee]

JayBee sees things as no other!

#littlechris2nba

True

http://latenighthoops.com/ask-lnh-tyus-jones-overrated/#.WSbFPb08KEc

[muwarrior69]

Must agree with Lenny here.  Haanif was my favorite player his Freshman year, but there is no denying he fell off a cliff as this year progressed.  The stats show that he certainly improved in a number of areas, but there was a very good reason he found his minutes dwindling towards zero by the end of the season. 

The stats show that he did some things well, but based on his own tweets, he fully acknowledged that his year was not acceptable.  I am encouraged that he embraced the need to improve rather than pout or make excuses.  Now we'll just have to see if he can actually improve his skills enough to earn back some minutes.  Certainly the drive is there, let's hope the ability is as well.

I'm cheering the young man on. I am looking forward to both Haani and Sacar stepping up on the court. Good to see they are doing well in the class room too.

[MU82]

I really thought that Haanif was going to transfer. He struggled, lost his starting job and I did not think he would stay around, if he was going to see a reduced role this coming season. He has not transferred and that can only mean one of two things. He either loves MU and Wojo enough to stay even with a diminished role or he expects to win his starting job back. I am assuming he expects to win his starting job back, which means he will take a step up in his game.

It's one thing for him to think he will step up his game and another thing to do it. I hope he works on what he needs to, things that have been well-chronicled: mid-range game, right-handed finishes, right-hand ballhandling, etc. If he gets even good at those things (not even excellent), he can still be a very productive player who will not be easy to defend. Plus, his confidence will return; it was obvious he lost it last winter.

[Jockey]

Geez, what should I believe. The advanced stats or my eyes?

To say that Haanif was better last year illustrates why many coaches still ignore advanced stats.

How going from a go-to guy to the end of the bench means improvement is beyond silliness.

[Jay Bee]

Geez, what should I believe. The advanced stats or my eyes?

To say that Haanif was better last year illustrates why many coaches still ignore advanced stats.

How going from a go-to guy to the end of the bench means improvement is beyond silliness.

Nope. You should believe your eyes AND understand how to analyze the stats.

[brewcity77]

Nope. You should believe your eyes AND understand how to analyze the stats.

+1

Both have value.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

How going from a go-to guy to the end of the bench means improvement is beyond silliness.

Because he was a go to guy on a terrible team. He, for the season, was a role player on a very good team. Haanif didn't decline so much as the talent around him got better and passed him.

That being said, I'm looking at his stats for the whole season. It is true that both years he declined in conference play.

[GB Warrior]

Because he was a go to guy on a terrible team. He, for the season, was a role player on a very good team. Haanif didn't decline so much as the talent around him got better and passed him.

That being said, I'm looking at his stats for the whole season. It is true that both years he declined in conference play.

Which, given how terrible our OOC schedule was in '15, should be no surprise. '16 was better, but of course it's harder in conference.

We should all hope for improvement, but I think the lack of jump between year 1 and year 2 means we should temper expectations for this jump. It's unlikely he's developed a jump shot or to use his right hand going to the rim. We should expect reduction in mental lapses, turnovers and improved defense. Win in my book.

[Jockey]

Nope. You should believe your eyes AND understand how to analyze the stats.

I completely agree with you, JB. (I know - hard to believe and all).

If you look back at my criticisms of advanced stats - and I have been a fan of them since the early '80s - it is when people contend that they are the end-all and be-all of sports knowledge. 

In reality, at the pro level, any GM that does not use them to help build his team is negligent.

[Lennys Tap]

Because he was a go to guy on a terrible team.

I happen to agree that we were terrible in 2015-16, but this is the first time I've seen one of our wojophiles admit as much. When did you have your epiphany?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I happen to agree that we were terrible in 2015-16, but this is the first time I've seen one of our wojophiles admit as much. When did you have your epiphany?

? Never said that it was a good team. But it was a helluva lot better than the year before considering the age of the team and a great step in the right direction for the Wojo program.

[Lennys Tap]

? Never said that it was a good team. But it was a helluva lot better than the year before considering the age of the team and a great step in the right direction for the Wojo program.

Just pulling your chain a little. But while you may have never called that team "good" I don't think you ever called them "terrible", either. And the distance between good and terrible is HUGE!

[MU82]

Because he was a go to guy on a terrible team. He, for the season, was a role player on a very good team. Haanif didn't decline so much as the talent around him got better and passed him.

Hmmm. We usually agree, TAMU ... but Haani really, really sucked the last three months last season. Sorry. There's no kind way to say it.

[muwarrior69]

How do Wojo's stats compare to Haani's Frosh and Soph years? I ask in that Wojo said he wasn't the most gifted college player and may see a lot of himself in Haani. The question is will Haani respond in the same way, but what do I know.

[bilsu]

I posted before the season that Haanif would miss Ellenson, because Ellenson was the primary focus of the defense. The defense last year could focus more on Haanif's weaknesses. Now, it is up to Haanif to correct those weaknesses.

It will be interesting to see how the loss of JJJ and Reinhardt effect the returning players. Last year the defense knew that both JJJ and Reinhardt were more likely to shoot than any other MU player on the court. Sam and Markus will have more opportunity to shoot with them being gone, but maybe it makes Sam and Markus easier to defend. Wilson also left, so our ability to take the ball to the basket may of greatly diminished, which may allow the defense to focus more on the outside shooters.
JJJ was also a pretty good passer, when he got cut off on his drives.

[Marcus92]

I posted before the season that Haanif would miss Ellenson, because Ellenson was the primary focus of the defense. The defense last year could focus more on Haanif's weaknesses. Now, it is up to Haanif to correct those weaknesses.

It will be interesting to see how the loss of JJJ and Reinhardt effect the returning players. Last year the defense knew that both JJJ and Reinhardt were more likely to shoot than any other MU player on the court. Sam and Markus will have more opportunity to shoot with them being gone, but maybe it makes Sam and Markus easier to defend. Wilson also left, so our ability to take the ball to the basket may of greatly diminished, which may allow the defense to focus more on the outside shooters.
JJJ was also a pretty good passer, when he got cut off on his drives.

Unlike last year, I'm far less concerned about the point guard position, perimeter shooting and rebounding. Point guard, in particular, is huge. And from a pure talent standpoint, I think our newcomers represent an upgrade in quickness and athleticism.

Wojo has shown he can put together a winning team that runs an exciting, high-scoring offense. Our success this coming season will depend on the answers to a number of questions:

1) Has much will Matt's game develop in the offseason?
2) Can Harry Froling provide a strong inside presence alongside Matt?
3) How much will Theo John and Ike Eke contribute inside?
4) Can Jonathan Cain help fill the void at the wing left by the departures of JaJuan and Katin?
5) Will Haanif improve to become a more efficient scorer and playmaker?
6) Can Greg Elliott take over Duane's role in the offense?
7) Will Markus take the reins as the team leader?
8) What kind of leadership will Andrew provide as the team's only senior?
9) How quickly will the freshmen adjust to playing against Big East level competition?
10) Will this team improve defensively — on ball, inside and in help rotations?

Number 10 might just be the most important one of all.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

4) Can Jonathan Cain help fill the void at the wing left by the departures of JaJuan and Katin?

Probably won't provide anything. Jamal Cain, though, should provide at least something.

[Loose Cannon]

Probably won't provide anything. Jamal Cain, though, should provide at least something.

Neighborhood  Watch.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Neighborhood  Watch.

Maybe the original post meant, "Don't stop believing in Marquette as Jajuan and Katin go there separate ways."

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I posted before the season that Haanif would miss Ellenson, because Ellenson was the primary focus of the defense. The defense last year could focus more on Haanif's weaknesses. Now, it is up to Haanif to correct those weaknesses.

Given that Markus, Andrew, Senior JJJ, Hauser, and Katin were much more potent offensive threats than Haanif's teammates from freshman year, I don't think Henry's absence had anything to do Haanif's performance this season. Haanif was the second focus of the defense his freshmen year. He was like the 6th or 7th focus this past season.

Haanif didn't get worse. His teammates got much better and as a result he had a much less significant role.

[muwarrior69]

Unlike last year, I'm far less concerned about the point guard position, perimeter shooting and rebounding. Point guard, in particular, is huge. And from a pure talent standpoint, I think our newcomers represent an upgrade in quickness and athleticism.

Wojo has shown he can put together a winning team that runs an exciting, high-scoring offense. Our success this coming season will depend on the answers to a number of questions:

1) Has much will Matt's game develop in the offseason?
2) Can Harry Froling provide a strong inside presence alongside Matt?
3) How much will Theo John and Ike Eke contribute inside?
4) Can Jonathan Cain help fill the void at the wing left by the departures of JaJuan and Katin?
5) Will Haanif improve to become a more efficient scorer and playmaker?
6) Can Greg Elliott take over Duane's role in the offense?
7) Will Markus take the reins as the team leader?
8) What kind of leadership will Andrew provide as the team's only senior?
9) How quickly will the freshmen adjust to playing against Big East level competition?
10) Will this team improve defensively — on ball, inside and in help rotations?

Number 10 might just be the most important one of all.

11. Will the year off payoff for Sacar.

[Marcus92]

11. Will the year off payoff for Sacar.

Good point. Sacar's contribution is another X factor. I'm sure I missed others.

BTW, thanks for the above correction on Jamal Cain.

[MU82]

Haanif didn't get worse. His teammates got much better and as a result he had a much less significant role.

Again, we disagree.

He had trouble making layups. He was indecisive. Defenses knew to take away his left hand and he had nothing. He was one of our better defenders, maybe even our best, and we were starved for defense; nevertheless, Wojo couldn't play him down the stretch because his confidence was shot (as was his offensive game).

You really believe otherwise, TAMU?

[Anti-Dentite]

"Haanif didn't get worse. His teammates got much better and as a result he had a much less significant role."
                                                                                                                                                     Haanif did get worse and his teammates did get much better. You have this figured out minus the Haanif part.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Again, we disagree.

He had trouble making layups. He was indecisive. Defenses knew to take away his left hand and he had nothing. He was one of our better defenders, maybe even our best, and we were starved for defense; nevertheless, Wojo couldn't play him down the stretch because his confidence was shot (as was his offensive game).

You really believe otherwise, TAMU?

100%. But you might not realize where I'm coming from. I was one of the few people who said Haanif was overrated last season. Going into this season I said he was maybe our 5th best player. When Markus and Hauser were better than expected, he dropped to our 7th best player.

People overvalued Haanif last season. He put up numbers as freshman because there was simply no other guard willing to put up numbers until JJJ went off in the last 10 games or so...which is when Haanif's numbers just happened to fall of a cliff. The bolded above....all of that was true freshman year. But on top of that he was also a poor rebounder, worse defender, and a turnover machine. He fixed those issues this year while the others stayed the same. Thus, he was better overall.

Last year he was overvalued. This year he's being undervalued. He was a better player as a sophomore than he was as a freshman. The stats prove it. He was just surrounded by much better players so his role diminished.

[MU82]

100%. But you might not realize where I'm coming from. I was one of the few people who said Haanif was overrated last season. Going into this season I said he was maybe our 5th best player. When Markus and Hauser were better than expected, he dropped to our 7th best player.

People overvalued Haanif last season. He put up numbers as freshman because there was simply no other guard willing to put up numbers until JJJ went off in the last 10 games or so...which is when Haanif's numbers just happened to fall of a cliff. The bolded above....all of that was true freshman year. But on top of that he was also a poor rebounder, worse defender, and a turnover machine. He fixed those issues this year while the others stayed the same. Thus, he was better overall.

Last year he was overvalued. This year he's being undervalued. He was a better player as a sophomore than he was as a freshman. The stats prove it. He was just surrounded by much better players so his role diminished.

Hmmm. Sounds like a guy who is delusional because he's about to get hitched!

[Newsdreams]

Katin tweeting about Cheats
https://twitter.com/5swish/status/873394863462416385
Would seem he really enjoyed his time at MU