PG Next Year

[avid1010]

Not writing this season off by any means...but Markus isn't a PG and struggles to get anything for anyone else despite the ridiculous attention that gets placed on him.  Think they try and find a way to get him off the ball next year?

[Johnny B]

Idk maybe he should attempt to evolve into one if he wants any shot in the league. Not gonna be a 5"10 SG in the NBA. Work on dribbling and passing.

[goldeneagle91114]

Even letting Greg bring the ball up the floor should help

[Pakuni]

I think we'll see the same starting 5, but Markus off the ball more often because I believe McEwen will be a big upgrade from Chartouny.

[avid1010]

I have no clue what Greg is capable of...but I said yesterday if you sub Markus for a pg like Diener this team could do serious damage as o think college bball is down. 

We've now watched this all year.  When Markus shoots a decent percentage we are tough to beat...when he doesn't it is difficult to overcome because he takes so many shots.  Any other player in the starting five can have an off night and still help the team...Markus is unable to do this.  Don't think that will change much next year.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I have no clue what Greg is capable of...but I said yesterday if you sub Markus for a pg like Diener this team could do serious damage as o think college bball is down. 

We've now watched this all year.  When Markus shoots a decent percentage we are tough to beat...when he doesn't it is difficult to overcome because he takes so many shots.  Any other player in the starting five can have an off night and still help the team...Markus is unable to do this.  Don't think that will change much next year.

Kobe is a Top 50 recruit.  He is a combo guard like Wojo loves (and Hank did too). Currently, only Markus can create so Kobe and Greg will be big additions. Both will control the ball alternatively.  In addition, Kobe will put McKnight on his ass.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Dribble penetration is lacking on this year's team.  Not enough players that can create their own shot, breakdown a defense,  and generate open shoys.

McEwen and Elliott will add some ball handling.  Less time for Markus dribbling and getting beat up.  Elliott adds an element of speed MU lacks.  McEwen, hopefully,  can score at all three levels and give MU an effective combo guard both next to Markus and when Markus goes to the bench.

The additional drivers will help, especially generating open shots for the Hausers.

If Torrence reclassifies,  he adds another option.  Anim could play more at the 3 when one of the Hausers goes to the bench.

The added depth at guard is the X-factor for next year.  That could be the difference between a good year and a great year.

[brewcity77]

Having McEwen and Elliott will be a positive if only to share duties with Markus. I feel Howard is a better point than we give him credit for. He seems to turn it over a lot because the ball is always in his hands, but his actual turnover rate this year is lower than any season by Derrick Wilson (whose low turnovers were lauded) or Junior & he's 5th in league play for assist rate.

We gripe because his turnovers stand out as the ball is always in his hands & his propensity to attack downhill increases his turnover numbers through charges. It's an eye test problem. His turnover rate is acceptable, his assist rate is above average, but because he's a high volume point guard that calls his own number often (because he's really good) we overexaggerate the negatives.

I looked at the top-20 players in the country in terms of usage. Howard is 12th in turnover rate, so slightly below average (and better than Ja Morant). I think this is just the price of having a ball dominant point guard with the ability to go for 40+ on any given night.

[willie warrior]

Yes, absolutely. There is always next year.

[Cheeks]

Yes, absolutely. There is always next year.

Don't worry, you will get your chance to bitch in the 4 or 5 losses we have....all to your hearts content.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yes, absolutely. There is always next year.

There is. But we also have this year still.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Dribble penetration is lacking on this year's team.  Not enough players that can create their own shot, breakdown a defense,  and generate open shoys.

This is the problem I see as well. For as much kvetching over Markus as a PG, I actually think a score first PG at Markus' level could easily head up a top 10 team. I think the bigger issue we have is no one who can reliably penetrate and finish at the rim. When Sacar is on, we are a top 10 team. He's not consistent enough to rely on for that role.

If Koby (or Greg) is the rim attacker that we hope he is, that could mean great things for us. The idea of trading Matt/Joe for Koby/Greg is an exciting prospect. Plus, we have one more scholarship that could be used for a late addition.

This is an old video, but to give an idea of Koby's game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZOZPDHoe5Y

[Nukem2]

Kobe is a Top 50 recruit.  He is a combo guard like Wojo loves (and Hank did too). Currently, only Markus can create so Kobe and Greg will be big additions. Both will control the ball alternatively.  In addition, Kobe will put McKnight on his ass.

Its Koby.....

[Dr. Blackheart]

Its Koby.....

Thanks. Apple could use you.

[wadesworld]

Markus will be our point guard 30 minutes/game. And he should be. Koby for 10 and then a lot at the 2 guard with Elliott and Anim.

Or does Mannion get 10 at the PG...

[tower912]

Koby was described as a PG when he transferred.   Off the top of my head, a 15/5/3 PG over his two years.     And 6'3.5, 205.  Hopefully, nobody has to play 35 mpg next year.   

[Jockey]

Koby was described as a PG when he transferred.   Off the top of my head, a 15/5/3 PG over his two years.     And 6'3.5, 205.  Hopefully, nobody has to play 35 mpg next year.

I look for Howard to be used more like Curry next year. Curry is the nominal PG, but Durrant, Thompson, and Green each take turns initiating the offense.

[Nukem2]

I look for Howard to be used more like Curry next year. Curry is the nominal PG, but Durrant, Thompson, and Green each take turns initiating the offense.

Agreed.

[tower912]

I look for Howard to be used more like Curry next year. Curry is the nominal PG, but Durrant, Thompson, and Green each take turns initiating the offense.

And I am OK with that.   

[THRILLHO]

Having McEwen and Elliott will be a positive if only to share duties with Markus. I feel Howard is a better point than we give him credit for. He seems to turn it over a lot because the ball is always in his hands, but his actual turnover rate this year is lower than any season by Derrick Wilson (whose low turnovers were lauded) or Junior & he's 5th in league play for assist rate.

We gripe because his turnovers stand out as the ball is always in his hands & his propensity to attack downhill increases his turnover numbers through charges. It's an eye test problem. His turnover rate is acceptable, his assist rate is above average, but because he's a high volume point guard that calls his own number often (because he's really good) we overexaggerate the negatives.

I looked at the top-20 players in the country in terms of usage. Howard is 12th in turnover rate, so slightly below average (and better than Ja Morant). I think this is just the price of having a ball dominant point guard with the ability to go for 40+ on any given night.

This is definitely true (his high counting stats for turnovers look worse because of his high usage rate) but it also seems like he has one or two head-scratchers per game, like just throwing the ball out of bounds or making a weak pass in the first two possessions of the game. To me it the easier path to improvement is probably reducing those head-scratching turnovers rather than that he will evolve elite NBA-level PG vision.

[brewcity77]

To me it the easier path to improvement is probably reducing those head-scratching turnovers rather than that he will evolve elite NBA-level PG vision.

I'm with you here. If he can stop the unforced throws out of bounds, that's probably 25% of his turnovers.

[1SE]

Koby was described as a PG when he transferred.   Off the top of my head, a 15/5/3 PG over his two years.     And 6'3.5, 205.  Hopefully, nobody has to play 35 mpg next year.

More than anything else this. I think so much of this late season slow down is due to being banged up via too much usage, especially Markus, the small RB analogy someone used in the other thread is perfect.

I think the key to a really phenomenal season next year is Markus and Sam averaging less than 30 mpg next year.

[WarriorHal]

In addition to PG, who replaces Matt as 3rd string center. Unless Theo & Ed can stay out of foul trouble, which they rarely did this season, there is a need for another big man.

Ike Eke has the size to fill that role, but he's missed two years after back surgery. If he can't play, what are the options for finding a replacement before next season? JUCO? Grad transfer?

[MUMountin]

I think the bigger issue we have is no one who can reliably penetrate and finish at the rim. When Sacar is on, we are a top 10 team. He's not consistent enough to rely on for that role.

If Koby (or Greg) is the rim attacker that we hope he is, that could mean great things for us. The idea of trading Matt/Joe for Koby/Greg is an exciting prospect. Plus, we have one more scholarship that could be used for a late addition.

This is all I could think about after Sacar was ejected last night.  You knew that the refs were going to call some fouls on Seton Hall if we were aggressive.  But, without Sacar (and with Markus more timid due to injury), there wasn't really anyone else to attack the rim (until Markus finally started driving the ball a bit too late in the half). 

Chartouney sadly just has not panned out.  I think the addition of both Greg and Koby as additional slashers will be the missing element that will force defenses to be far more honest than they currently are, which in turn should help open our shooters a bit more.

[BCHoopster]

It would nice to get a grad transfer that can play above the rim

[1SE]

In addition to PG, who replaces Matt as 3rd string center. Unless Theo & Ed can stay out of foul trouble, which they rarely did this season, there is a need for another big man.

Ike Eke has the size to fill that role, but he's missed two years after back surgery. If he can't play, what are the options for finding a replacement before next season? JUCO? Grad transfer?

Could envision some lineups where Joey could put in 5 minutes at the 5. (Koby, Markus, Sacar, Sam/BB, Joey). Not ideal, but I think Joey would do as good a job as Heldt is doing (plus could extend the floor - he'd demand attention beyond the arc, whereas Matt's touches out there have his defender sagging halfway to the basket).

[BCHoopster]

If Wojo takes a page out of the Bucks playbook, Joey would work out great in that system. Otherwise wasting that potential lineup.

[1SE]

Would be nice to have a few different offensive looks in case we need a change up....

For the life of me I still can't figure out why we didn't see a minute of a Theo (5) Ed (4) lineup. The obvious argument is fouls, but maybe having them both in would protect each other (they wouldn't need to contest as much on D because there is another big there. Seems like it would have been worth a shot in a few games anyway. 

[Cheeks]

Would be nice to have a few different offensive looks in case we need a change up....

For the life of me I still can't figure out why we didn't see a minute of a Theo (5) Ed (4) lineup. The obvious argument is fouls, but maybe having them both in would protect each other (they wouldn't need to contest as much on D because there is another big there. Seems like it would have been worth a shot in a few games anyway.

This was discussed ad nauseous a few days ago why it is such a bad idea

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Having McEwen and Elliott will be a positive if only to share duties with Markus. I feel Howard is a better point than we give him credit for. He seems to turn it over a lot because the ball is always in his hands, but his actual turnover rate this year is lower than any season by Derrick Wilson (whose low turnovers were lauded) or Junior & he's 5th in league play for assist rate.

We gripe because his turnovers stand out as the ball is always in his hands & his propensity to attack downhill increases his turnover numbers through charges. It's an eye test problem. His turnover rate is acceptable, his assist rate is above average, but because he's a high volume point guard that calls his own number often (because he's really good) we overexaggerate the negatives.

I looked at the top-20 players in the country in terms of usage. Howard is 12th in turnover rate, so slightly below average (and better than Ja Morant). I think this is just the price of having a ball dominant point guard with the ability to go for 40+ on any given night.

Disagree how many times does he just lose his dribble off his foot or out of bounds?  How many times does he not pass fake n just throw it into the arms of an opposing defender?.  In general i hear what u are saying but hes still not good.  And looking beyond the turnovers his court vision is horrible.  So many open teammates and he has his head down pounding the dribble trying to free himself. Or they run a set and someone is wide open at the rim n the pass rarely comes.

[CTWarrior]

In addition to PG, who replaces Matt as 3rd string center. Unless Theo & Ed can stay out of foul trouble, which they rarely did this season, there is a need for another big man.

Ike Eke has the size to fill that role, but he's missed two years after back surgery. If he can't play, what are the options for finding a replacement before next season? JUCO? Grad transfer?

Joey could give you 5 minutes a game at C, and how often are we going to need more than that?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Would be nice to have a few different offensive looks in case we need a change up....

For the life of me I still can't figure out why we didn't see a minute of a Theo (5) Ed (4) lineup. The obvious argument is fouls, but maybe having them both in would protect each other (they wouldn't need to contest as much on D because there is another big there. Seems like it would have been worth a shot in a few games anyway.

In today's game,  you can only have one guy on the floor whose offensive range doesn't extend beyond 5 feet

[tower912]

Would be nice to have a few different offensive looks in case we need a change up....

For the life of me I still can't figure out why we didn't see a minute of a Theo (5) Ed (4) lineup. The obvious argument is fouls, but maybe having them both in would protect each other (they wouldn't need to contest as much on D because there is another big there. Seems like it would have been worth a shot in a few games anyway.

Did you see Ed's jumper attempt?