Starting Lineup 2016/2017

[MU82]

The 2009-10 Warriors, with Lazar, Jimmy, DJO, Acker, Cooby and Buycks, ranked 200th or worse in total rebounds, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds, and we naturally were outrebounded on the season. Opponents also made 50% of their 2-point FGs against our lads. But we were 4th nationally in 3-point shooting (.413), making 101 more 3s than our opponents, which was huge. We also were in the top-40 in fewest turnovers, steals, assists and FT%.

So a team can be small and get outrebounded and still do well in a great conference. (And the BE was a killer conference back then.)

Now all we have to do is have a couple of these guys become True Warriors like Jimmy, Lazar and DJO!

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I remember Ners making this argument back in the day.....ARE YOU NERS?!??!? Did you play high school basketball and dunk on someone once??? ANSWER ME!!!!

No, he isn't...but think UTEP.

[mu03eng]

No, he isn't...but think UTEP.

OH, well that's less fun

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Duane Wilson is the guy of everyone who I think better improve his game a lot, or else he's going to get passed over for minutes.  He's not very big, he's not a PG, his decision making is often poor, and he's a streaky shooter.

Duane is pretty decent 3PT shooter and is fearless when the game is on the line.  However, I agree his decision making is poor and most importantly last year his defense was non-existent.  A guy with his quickness shouldn't have been unable to keep anyone in front of him.

[Herman Cain]

I remember Ners making this argument back in the day.....ARE YOU NERS?!??!? Did you play high school basketball and dunk on someone once??? ANSWER ME!!!!

NERS was right on many things. Yes he made this comment many times and I agree with it.

[mu03eng]

NERS was right on many things. Yes he made this comment many times and I agree with it.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Elementary. We know the weaknesses of the returning players. The new guys haven't missed a shot or turned it over yet. Midway through the season we'll be salivating over the 2017 recruits.

+1 I think there is a lot of truth to this. Die hard fans always remember the misses before the remember the makes

[rocky_warrior]

As for Duane, I'm not sure what to think. I understand the views of those who say he has the most to lose with all these newbies, and it was frustrating to watch him at times last season. Still, he was the guy who stepped up in the clutch in several games. He has "onions," as Raftery says. And he will be a third-year player who will be in his fourth year around the team. It's hard to replace that kind of experience -- not just in age and years but in a guy who has been willing to take big shots and sometimes able to make them.

Duane is pretty decent 3PT shooter and is fearless when the game is on the line.  However, I agree his decision making is poor and most importantly last year his defense was non-existent.  A guy with his quickness shouldn't have been unable to keep anyone in front of him.

Not widely advertised, but folks should know (remember?) that Duane was not necessarily 100% healthy a good part of last season.  He *should* do better next year.

[brewcity77]

The 2009-10 Warriors, with Lazar, Jimmy, DJO, Acker, Cooby and Buycks, ranked 200th or worse in total rebounds, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds, and we naturally were outrebounded on the season. Opponents also made 50% of their 2-point FGs against our lads. But we were 4th nationally in 3-point shooting (.413), making 101 more 3s than our opponents, which was huge. We also were in the top-40 in fewest turnovers, steals, assists and FT%.

eFG% is still king, and if we are a lights out shooting team that will fix a lot of our other problems. Last year, 14 of the top 23 adjusted eFG% teams made the tourney and another four would have been in if not for probation (SMU) or conference tourney upsets (Belmont, North Florida, St. Mary's).

But even that team had two pretty good rebounders in Hayward and Butler, while Fulce helped out off the bench. Even our 6'11" big man hasn't proven as reliable on the defensive glass as any of those three.

[mu03eng]

But even that team had two pretty good rebounders in Hayward and Butler, while Fulce helped out off the bench. Even our 6'11" big man hasn't proven as reliable on the defensive glass as any of those three.

Some is on Luke, but some is on how teams played us/we played defense. Luke was on the perimeter a far amount because of pick and rolls so not in a position to get a board or was helping off on weakside defense when the other team reversed the ball too quickly for the weakside defense.

He's fundamentally capable of getting the rebounds, just a question of putting him in a position to be successful.

[mu03eng]

Not widely advertised, but folks should know (remember?) that Duane was not necessarily 100% healthy a good part of last season.  He *should* do better next year.

I thought that was essentially healed up by the 2nd half of the conference season?

[PGsHeroes32]

eFG% is still king, and if we are a lights out shooting team that will fix a lot of our other problems. Last year, 14 of the top 23 adjusted eFG% teams made the tourney and another four would have been in if not for probation (SMU) or conference tourney upsets (Belmont, North Florida, St. Mary's).

But even that team had two pretty good rebounders in Hayward and Butler, while Fulce helped out off the bench. Even our 6'11" big man hasn't proven as reliable on the defensive glass as any of those three.

That's what I was gonna mention. Jimmy and Lazar were good enough on the glass. We definitely don't got anyone close on paper to those guys right now.

Maybe someone steps up and collects some boards though.

[rocky_warrior]

I thought that was essentially healed up by the 2nd half of the conference season?

I thought (perhaps wrongly) that we saw a tweet near the end of the season that he still wasn't 100%

But can't locate it right now.

[brewcity77]

I thought (perhaps wrongly) that we saw a tweet near the end of the season that he still wasn't 100%

But can't locate it right now.

I also heard Duane was never 100% healthy this year, and that was after the season.

[MarquetteDano]

Some is on Luke, but some is on how teams played us/we played defense. Luke was on the perimeter a far amount because of pick and rolls so not in a position to get a board or was helping off on weakside defense when the other team reversed the ball too quickly for the weakside defense.

He's fundamentally capable of getting the rebounds, just a question of putting him in a position to be successful.

On the defensive side,  Luke is pretty good at boxing out the opponent's big guy.  He just doesn't have a nose for the ball, quickness, or leaping ability to be a good defensive rebounder.  He needs a guy next to him who can take advantage of his box outs.  Henry did it this pass season.  Unless we add another big man, I fear we will not have that this upcoming season.

[willie warrior]

Duane is pretty decent 3PT shooter and is fearless when the game is on the line.  However, I agree his decision making is poor and most importantly last year his defense was non-existent.  A guy with his quickness shouldn't have been unable to keep anyone in front of him.

This is absolutely a subjective opinion. "defense non-existent". Just not accurate. I watched almost every game last season, and his defense was average, like lots of others on the team. Many rave that Cheatham is a great defender, but the same could be said of Cheatham, as well as decision making. If Wilson's defense was non-existent, then why would that all American defender Wojo play him? Unless you believe Wojo knows not what he is doing! C'mon man!

[jesmu84]

I would love a 4-out, 1-in offense. Plant 2 shooters in the corners (and flashing around the arc when someone is driving), 2 slashers/ball-handlers at the top/wing and 1 big down low. Iso the big down low, pick and pop on the outside, pick and roll with the big, etc. Slashers slash, shooters are there for the kick-out.