[Cracked Sidewalks] Using Oooze, part deaux

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Using Oooze, part deaux

A few weeks ago I offered a mildly hysterical perspective on Ousmane Barro's slow start to the season. That entry was prompted by a number of factors, namely: Barro's failure to start a game this season (he started 32 last year), the intimation that Oooze was foul prone, the precipitous decline in his production across the board, and the notion that the inimitable Dwight Burke emerged as the starter.

OK, so maybe I was hasty in rushing to judgment in asserting that Oooze should start and play more, and that Burke should sit and play less:


Dwight Burke, you've surprised the heck out of everybody this year. Where the heck have you been for the past two seasons? Your marvelous development as an upperclassman has to surprise even the most optimistic Golden Eagles fan. Bravo, man. Keep it up. But again, where did this come from?
Barro's supposed "proclivity for early foul trouble." I went to great lengths to demonstrate that last season, Barro didn't have this affliction -- in fact, he fouled about as often as Wes Matthews and less than Dan Fitzgerald. But, as one of my more sane co-conspirators pointed out, "look you simpleton, last year Barro was our only decent option at the '5'. A foul on him was a way bigger deal than a foul on one of our 600 guards." Bingo.

So, when Tom Crean discussed the new big man rotation in the latest bit from Todd Rosiak - - I guess I have no choice but to be converted:

We started the season bringing Ousmane (Barro) off the bench for no other reason than I didn't want him in early foul trouble because last year I felt we had too many games - go back to the Wisconsin game; the whole dynamic of the game changed when we had to sit Ousmane down - and we wanted to guard against that a little bit, he said. Still get him quality minutes but let the game get going before we get him in. Well, Dwight Burke's making it tough for me to change my mind. I look at those two as being contributors.
Bottom line: the rotation seems to be working.

I still can't get over the decline in Oooze's overall production this year after seeing such consistent improvement in him in each of the previous three seasons. However, the formula might just be better for the make-up of this team. After all, depth on the frontline was (is?) one of the primary weaknesses for this bunch......perhaps the two-headed monster can hold that line just enough to get this team over the top.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2007/12/using-oooze-part-deaux.html

[Doctor V]

burke was not good enough to play last year. he looked terrible every time in there. barro looks bad early, but he will be back and starting by 4-5 games in the BE season. you can quote this

[muwarrior87]

If Burke continues to play this well, you have to play him.  He's putting up the numbers he has in only 15-20 minutes.  Barro has come in and is averaging more minutes than Burke.  I say you have to keep going with what ya are if it is successful.

[Doctor V]

If Burke continues to play this well, you have to play him.  He's putting up the numbers he has in only 15-20 minutes.  Barro has come in and is averaging more minutes than Burke.  I say you have to keep going with what ya are if it is successful.

good point. i actually agree you have to keep burkes confidence up. lets see crean earn his salary

[Henry Sugar]

I put this comment up on the CS site, but wanted to share it here as well.

One of the interesting things is to treat the production of Barro/Burke as a combined view.  A single player called the "Five Position".

Last year Barro/Burke consumed 8.8% of total possessions (Ouse - 7.4% ; Burke 1.4%). This year they are at 9% (Ouse 5% ; Burke 4%), so their actual involvement in the offense is about the same as last year.

However, the two together are a lot more productive than last year. Last year they were getting about 1.1 Points Per Weighted Shot (PPWS). This year they are at 1.27 PPWS. That is a huge improvement. This year, the Five Position is the second most efficient "player" on the court (just behind LH at 1.29). As context, 1.30 is generally regarded as a very good player.

Against UW, the two players combined for 21 pts 7/10 on FGs, and 7/10 on FTs, with 13 TR (9 Offensive). Usage was 13% and they scored 1.42 PPWS. The Five Position was a S.T.U.D. against UW.

Remember when people were saying that one of the keys was improved production out of the inside game?  We're getting it so far.

[RJax55]

Good stuff, Henry. The bottom line is production, and this two-headed option at the 5 is working.

[Doctor V]

i like having this henry guy around. good work keep it coming

[bilsu]

I think Burke has earned the starting job. The first few games he was nervous and had trouble making his shots. I think he will continue to improve as he continues to play. I rather have Burke playing when we are not in the bonus and Barro playing when we are. Barro should be closing out each half.

[bma725]

I think Burke has earned the starting job. The first few games he was nervous and had trouble making his shots. I think he will continue to improve as he continues to play.

One of the things I've liked about Burke as the season has gone on, is that he goes up strong more and more.  Barro for his size has always been a bit of a finesse player.  Burke seems to be picking up on the fact that he's better off trying to overpower people in the Faisal Abraham/John  Harris mode, which Barro has never really done.  Now if we can just get him to stop shooting free throws in the Abraham/Harris mode we'll be set.