Scholarship table
It's not just a major part of his job, he has staked his career at Marquette in making sure that actually happens.
We were worried last year about where scoring was going to come from. And it worked out fine. Players and systems evolve. Shaka will eventually work out a rotation that will take advantage of this. IMO defense is going to be the larger issue this year. Kuath, Elliott and Morsell were all above average defenders and Justin was no slouch.
Was Elliott really an above-average defender? He had experience and some length as a guard but I certainly didn't feel like he was a net positive on the defensive side of the ball. And when his 3 point shot was not falling he did not seem to provide much value. Maybe I'm way off-base there.
Was Elliott really an above-average defender? He had experience and some length as a guard but I certainly didn't feel like he was a net positive on the defensive side of the ball. And when his 3 point shot was not falling he did not seem to provide much value. Maybe I'm way off-base there. No, you're not off base at all. Elliott was nowhere close to being an above average defender. Both on and off the ball. And you're also exactly right that he provided infinitesimal value when his 3-Ball went brick city. The only reason Kam arguably was a worse defender is because that was his first year of college hoops.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on September 19, 2022, 09:04:58 AMWas Elliott really an above-average defender? He had experience and some length as a guard but I certainly didn't feel like he was a net positive on the defensive side of the ball. And when his 3 point shot was not falling he did not seem to provide much value. Maybe I'm way off-base there. No, you're not off base at all. Elliott was nowhere close to being an above average defender. Both on and off the ball. And you're also exactly right that he provided infinitesimal value when his 3-Ball went brick city. The only reason Kam arguably was a worse defender is because that was his first year of college hoops. Greg was not bad off the ball at all.
So it’s not good to use actual stats from games but it’s fine to recall what he did in high school and AAU?Look I like his potential upside but really think he has a couple steps to take before he can be what you think he can.
Truth is that neither Joplin nor K. Jones showed much defensively last year. Plus, Joplin showed very little inclination to rebound. Whether either of them can improve defensively is yet to be seen, but they are going to have to. If you cannot defend reasonably well, you are simply not going to get big minutes in Shaka's system. Those who think K. Jones will be a starter this year must have a lot more faith in his defensive improvement than I do.Offensively, I share the concern that some have expressed. But, I have more faith that the offense will work itself out than the defense.
Elliott was an above average off ball defender. He knew the system that Shaka was running and almost always made the proper rotation. He had issues on ball due to his physical limitations.I believe that Kam will be better in the long-run. I don't know if he will get there this year.Regardless, my point is that I am way more worried about defense than offense right now. We will get our points.
That starting 5 may not have a player who can get there own shot. I think you need a little bit more O, so I would start Jones instead.. Can not defend the otherteams 2, pull him right away for Mitchell. Then take out Wrightsil and bring in Jop or Gold for some more O. Shaka has a lot of options this year.
If I were in charge and everybody had progressed equally and was healthy....I would start Kam over Stevie. He can provide early offense. Steve can come in and play either guard position and change the flow.Likewise, I would bring Joplin off the bench. Wrightsil and Omax can play either forward position. Bring in Joplin when Kam comes out. Because they can provide the same thing, but unless both have made significant strides, you really cannot play them together defensively.Barring injury and foul trouble, I think Oso goes 28 mpg most night.
What do you expect from Oso in 28 mins? He has a lot of skills. Maybe everything comes together and he becomes a standout BEast 5?
4 fouls
I expect there will be a set where the offense is initiated by giving him the ball just above the foul line and running motion off of that with him distributing the ball or taking the opposing 5 off the dribble. A hint of Loyola under Moser with a more mobile high post. I doubt that will be the primary set, but I definitely think it will be in the toolbox.