Ken Pom Loves the Ox

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8198679/duke-blue-devils-point-guard-quinn-cook-players-become-stars-expanded-roles-ncb

"2. Davante Gardner: In 19 minutes per game, the 6-foot-8 Gardner's sophomore stats were strikingly similar to [Deshaun] Thomas' freshman season. All but two of his field goal attempts were 2-pointers, and he made 57 percent of them. He got to the free throw line in droves and made 76 percent of his attempts while there. He's a solid rebounder on both offense and defense, and he takes good care of the ball.

Last season was the second in a row that Gardner put up stats showing he was deserving of more playing time. With Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom plying their trade professionally, there are shots (and minutes) to be had. Expect to hear more from Gardner."

[bilsu]

I do not see him as a solid rebounder. He is extremely good at rebounding his own misses and my impression is half of his rebounds come from him getting his missed shots. He does not rebound on the defensive boards.

[tower912]

Stay healthy, play defense, grab a defensive rebound, then start angling for more playing time. 

[Clam Crowder]

I don't think the verdict is out on Ox as a defensive rebounder. He was used alot as just an offensive sparkplug last year. We may not learn much this year either with Otule being the defensive presence yet again, and Ox being the offensive force he's been through 2 years.

[mu03eng]

Ox doesn't get a lot of defensive rebounds because he is typically pulled out on to the perimeter because he is so shaky on the pick and roll.  As odd as it sounds if he can get a lot of improvement on his hedging and lateral movement his defensive rebounds will go up because he'll actually be under the hoop.

[Sharpie]

He also puts the ball in the hole at a phenomenal rate. Hence his twitter handle, igetbuckets_54. Also, like the article said, he doesn't play that many minutes so what kind of numbers do you exactly expect of the kid? He's been doing a fine job in my opinion of adding instant offense and getting his body in better and better shape each year.

[strotty]

Ox doesn't get a lot of defensive rebounds because he is typically pulled out on to the perimeter because he is so shaky on the pick and roll.  As odd as it sounds if he can get a lot of improvement on his hedging and lateral movement his defensive rebounds will go up because he'll actually be under the hoop.

Not sure I agree with that. Yes, he's away from the basket on occasion but not a lot. Most of the time he just gets out-jumped. Not saying it's a problem, but he isn't a very good defensive rebounder.

[Nukem2]

Not sure I agree with that. Yes, he's away from the basket on occasion but not a lot. Most of the time he just gets out-jumped. Not saying it's a problem, but he isn't a very good defensive rebounder.

Actually, he was getting some nice rebounds before he was hurt at Nova when he used his body to get position.  I think he'll do fine.

[Les Nessman]

I love Ox.

[NersEllenson]

Gardner showed last year before the knee injury he could go 25-30 minutes per game.  His pick and roll defense wasn't as bad as some would like to exaggerate it to be.  He was rapidly improving in that department.

Otule and Gardner provide a nice contrast, but Gardner will get the majority of minutes at center this year.  Book it.  Otule may start, but Gardner will play significantly more minutes overall.  

This year's team, particularly if Mayo is not back, will struggle to score points in the half court.  I'm not sold on Cadougan, Blue, or Jamil Wilson scoring much in the half court game.  Don't know enough about Lockett.  Team will absolutely need Gardner's scoring punch.

[GGGG]

I agree with ya Ners.  I think the only way he doesn't get more minutes than Otule is if MU gets plenty of scoring punch elsewhere.

[robmufan]

With Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom plying their trade professionally, there are shots (and minutes) to be had. Expect to hear more from Gardner."

I am not sure this will help him, he didn't play DJOs position, and I am not sure he will play PF (depending who they put at C).  The play of him v otule is what will help him.  Outplay Chris, get more minuets.  I don't see many, if ANY, times Chris will bout out there with Ox. 

[strotty]

Actually, he was getting some nice rebounds before he was hurt at Nova when he used his body to get position.  I think he'll do fine.

1 game is fine to look at, but overall he leaves plenty to be desired as a D-rebounder.

[Benny B]

Ox isn't a rebound guy on either end of the court.  All of those "offensive" rebounds... it's just part of his put-back move.  Think of those sportscenter dunks where one guy banks it off the backboard for his teammate who slams it home.  Same thing here, except Ox plays both roles.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

To use a coaching term, I don't think he rebounds well "outside of his area". Part of that is size/agility, part of that is effort.

I remember Buzz getting on De De for limping on a defensive possession, but then on offense, suddenly the limp was gone and he had some spring in his step.

Translation: Gardner LOVES offense and is willing to do whatever it takes to score. On defense, I don't know if he has learned to play with max effort every possession (something Jae was awesome at), which isn't uncommon for a young player, especially one of his size.

He's a really nice player. Very Robert Jackson-esque. Nice hands, good scoring touch, good low post footwork, creates space with his strength.

Needs to play harder on defense, cover more ground (pick and roll) and rebound out of his area.

Maybe 13 and 7 this year? Otule goes 8 and 6? That's nice efficient production from Center in split minutes.

[mu03eng]

Gardner showed last year before the knee injury he could go 25-30 minutes per game.  His pick and roll defense wasn't as bad as some would like to exaggerate it to be.  He was rapidly improving in that department.

I'm gonna disagree.  When Ox hedges he gets his center of gravity "leaned" out to the outside, forcing him to recover to center and then drop on his man.  If he eliminates that he will be fine, otherwise he will always be a step slow and teams will run the pick and roll both for scoring chances and to tire him out.

[bilsu]

I don not know if it bother you guys, but it drives me nuts when either Gardner or Otule are chasing guards instead of playing under the basket. Had Otule stayed under the basket he would not have hurt his knee going after a loose ball.

[GGGG]

I don not know if it bother you guys, but it drives me nuts when either Gardner or Otule are chasing guards instead of playing under the basket. Had Otule stayed under the basket he would not have hurt his knee going after a loose ball.

Well, hedging the screen to prevent penetration to the lane is the defense that Buzz plays...and is pretty common these days.  Otule's injury could have happened anywhere...it was a freak injury.

[Lennys Tap]

To use a coaching term, I don't think he rebounds well "outside of his area". Part of that is size/agility, part of that is effort.

I remember Buzz getting on De De for limping on a defensive possession, but then on offense, suddenly the limp was gone and he had some spring in his step.

Translation: Gardner LOVES offense and is willing to do whatever it takes to score. On defense, I don't know if he has learned to play with max effort every possession (something Jae was awesome at), which isn't uncommon for a young player, especially one of his size.

He's a really nice player. Very Robert Jackson-esque. Nice hands, good scoring touch, good low post footwork, creates space with his strength.

Needs to play harder on defense, cover more ground (pick and roll) and rebound out of his area.

Maybe 13 and 7 this year? Otule goes 8 and 6? That's nice efficient production from Center in split minutes.

Good observations. I actually think his upside (offensively) is higher than Jackson's. As for this year, 21 and 13 a game from our centers = seashells and balloons. Sign me up.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Good observations. I actually think his upside (offensively) is higher than Jackson's. As for this year, 21 and 13 a game from our centers = seashells and balloons. Sign me up.

As a senior, I think DG could be better than jackson, but I'd still like to see him a little thinner and healthy for a whole year (his junior year).

If he does that, he's on track to have a great senior year.

[Nukem2]

1 game is fine to look at, but overall he leaves plenty to be desired as a D-rebounder.

Talking about the series of games prior to Nova.  He had some critical defensive boards.  Talking quality, not quantity here.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Start Otule for the tip & defense, sub Ox in at the first media timeout for his offensive prowess & a completely different look for the opposing C, distribute the minutes 12-16/game for Chris, 24-28/game for Ox with the luxury of riding the hot hand.  Stay healthy.

Lather, rinse, repeat.  Top 4 Big East finish, top 5 NCAA seed guaranteed.

[karavotsos]

Big OReb that was not off his own miss.

http://tlorc.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/pittsburgh-allows-a-critical-offensive-rebound-late-against-marquette/#more-2045

[strotty]

Big OReb that was not off his own miss.

http://tlorc.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/pittsburgh-allows-a-critical-offensive-rebound-late-against-marquette/#more-2045

That play is almost the problem in itself. He didn't get more than 3 inches off the ground going for it.

[real chili 83]

Can anyone who saw him comment on how his vertical was in the pro-am?  Is it up to 6 inches?

Man, imagine what kind of damage this guy could jump.