Move Koby off ball

[The Sultan]

Symir does one thing well.  Makes decisive passes so the ball moves when he's on the floor.  But he turns it over too much, and before yesterday hadn't made a basket in a month.  Furthermore he struggles on defense, though is getting better.

At this point Wojo isn't going to change things.  And that's fine.  But I think Symir is going to be good.

[MU82]

I've been trying to stay upbeat about Koby, a good defender who helped us greatly on offense in a few games. But when he struggles, he really struggles ... and last night was tough to watch.

[MUfan12]

I've been trying to stay upbeat about Koby, a good defender who helped us greatly on offense in a few games. But when he struggles, he really struggles ... and last night was tough to watch.

Some guys you can trust to play their way out of a funk. Koby get demonstrative and lets it get in his head.

There were a few times last night where I thought Wojo should have taken him out, if only for a quick mental reset.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Koby is a tough one to figure out.  I don't really want to bad mouth him, but I think its time he plays a little less. 

[BCHoopster]

It will be very interesting when they play St. Johns as they press the whole game.

[Skatastrophy]

I've been trying to stay upbeat about Koby, a good defender who helped us greatly on offense in a few games. But when he struggles, he really struggles ... and last night was tough to watch.

+1

He has all the skills. I think he just needs to work on his mental game. Once he gets tilted, which is easy to see, he starts making mistakes.

Edit: To add to this, when Koby gets tilted he has a very bad habit of lighting up his teammates. He needs to figure out how to "walk away" when he gets frustrated before he gets the rest of the team on tilt, too.

[Marcus92]

Last night may not have been Koby's best performance. But he still played a big role in beating Georgetown by 21 points.

Only two players -- seniors Markus Howard and Sacar Anim -- spent more time on the court. This despite the fact that Koby didn't score a single point, and only took 3 shots in all.

To me, that suggests Wojo values Koby for more than just scoring.

• Excellent on-ball defense
• 2nd on the team in rebounds per game (5.2 rpg)
• 3rd on the team in defensive rebounding (17.0 DR% per KenPom)
• 1st on the team in assists per game (3.3 apg)
• 2nd on the team in assist rate (21.4 ARate)
• 2nd on the team in free throw rate (55.5 FTRate)

The comparison to Joseph Chartouny isn't worth discussing. Yes, I'd like to see Koby shoot more consistently and cut down on the turnovers. But even on an off night offensively, Koby is still one of the most important contributors to this team.

[Marcus92]

Also consider: What if Koby's fiery outbursts on the court turn out to be a positive for this team instead of a negative? It seems clear he's a player who holds himself and his teammates to high standards. His visible frustration shows that he expects better. Can he harness that emotion to help Marquette elevate its play?

[Loose Cannon]

l

[Stretchdeltsig]

Koby's a veteran who should be playing better. Maybe the BE is too tough for him. Sy is a smooth passer and excellent shooter who will be a great leader at point guard next year.

[MU82]

Last night may not have been Koby's best performance. But he still played a big role in beating Georgetown by 21 points.

Only two players -- seniors Markus Howard and Sacar Anim -- spent more time on the court. This despite the fact that Koby didn't score a single point, and only took 3 shots in all.

To me, that suggests Wojo values Koby for more than just scoring.

• Excellent on-ball defense
• 2nd on the team in rebounds per game (5.2 rpg)
• 3rd on the team in defensive rebounding (17.0 DR% per KenPom)
• 1st on the team in assists per game (3.3 apg)
• 2nd on the team in assist rate (21.4 ARate)
• 2nd on the team in free throw rate (55.5 FTRate)

The comparison to Joseph Chartouny isn't worth discussing. Yes, I'd like to see Koby shoot more consistently and cut down on the turnovers. But even on an off night offensively, Koby is still one of the most important contributors to this team.

I appreciate all of this about Koby. Totally agree about comparisons with Cartoony - ridiculous. In addition to the positives you list above, I feel totally confident with Koby at the FT line when we're trying to protect a lead.

However, as the PG, he needs to take care of the ball better. Period. He does not have natural PG skills and probably shouldn't play the position -- I mean, what kind of PG drives into the middle of the lane and then abruptly stops, seemingly with absolutely no plan (and does this over and over again)? Unfortunately, he has proven to be a not very good shooter, so he's not ideal off the ball, either.

So it's an interesting conundrum for Wojo. Koby is one of our best defenders and has the other attributes you mentioned, but his negatives are glaring when Markus is being defended well and the others aren't hitting open shots.

[jesmu84]

I appreciate all of this about Koby. Totally agree about comparisons with Cartoony - ridiculous. In addition to the positives you list above, I feel totally confident with Koby at the FT line when we're trying to protect a lead.

However, as the PG, he needs to take care of the ball better. Period. He does not have natural PG skills and probably shouldn't play the position -- I mean, what kind of PG drives into the middle of the lane and then abruptly stops, seemingly with absolutely no plan (and does this over and over again)? Unfortunately, he has proven to be a not very good shooter, so he's not ideal off the ball, either.

So it's an interesting conundrum for Wojo. Koby is one of our best defenders and has the other attributes you mentioned, but his negatives are glaring when Markus is being defended well and the others aren't hitting open shots.

Perhaps next year he'll slide over to the Sacar role - off ball, defense, slashing, 3s

[21Jumpstreet]

Swap Koby and Sacar, I actually like when Sacar runs the point—can slash, shoot, is big, senior, leader.

[Litehouse]

Sacar is an efficient dribbler, he only dribbles to get from point A to point B.  Koby just does all kinds of unnecessary dribbling without moving, which leads to his turnovers and bogs down the offense.

[jsglow]

Also consider: What if Koby's fiery outbursts on the court turn out to be a positive for this team instead of a negative? It seems clear he's a player who holds himself and his teammates to high standards. His visible frustration shows that he expects better. Can he harness that emotion to help Marquette elevate its play?

I'm going with 'this'.  I remember the NMD game.  That's when Koby did the faux flop thing and Wojo went apesh*t on him quickly getting him to the bench.  He refocused and contributed significantly.  This is in his head.  His maturity and willingness to be coached over the summer will determine his role next year.  The talent is there.

[franklinjerry]

One of the rare topics we all seem to agree. I've thought of swapping Sacar and Koby as well. Sacar does not try to speed-up when breaking the press. He sees the floor much better and dribbles with a purpose unlike Koby.

Samir is the only viable PG option on the returning or incoming roster for next season. While I disagree that he's a great shooter, he gives you hope for ball distribution. Greg isn't the answer. At best I see Koby playing Sacars' role next year, with less minutes. He does defend and rebound and should be on the floor at the end of games due to his free throw ability.

[WarriorFan]

Koby has done a heck of a job on defense.  He's not shooting well and he's had one bad game in the PG role.  Moving him off the ball is good as a change up for a few minutes but he's the PG, and he's got the size and strength and skill to do it just fine. 

Over-reacting after one bad game is not a good idea. 

[franklinjerry]

It has not been ONE bad game.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Last night may not have been Koby's best performance. But he still played a big role in beating Georgetown by 21 points.

Only two players -- seniors Markus Howard and Sacar Anim -- spent more time on the court. This despite the fact that Koby didn't score a single point, and only took 3 shots in all.

To me, that suggests Wojo values Koby for more than just scoring.

• Excellent on-ball defense
• 2nd on the team in rebounds per game (5.2 rpg)
• 3rd on the team in defensive rebounding (17.0 DR% per KenPom)
• 1st on the team in assists per game (3.3 apg)
• 2nd on the team in assist rate (21.4 ARate)
• 2nd on the team in free throw rate (55.5 FTRate)

The comparison to Joseph Chartouny isn't worth discussing. Yes, I'd like to see Koby shoot more consistently and cut down on the turnovers. But even on an off night offensively, Koby is still one of the most important contributors to this team.

Ummmm koby was a +\- of a -9 in a game his team won by 21 points.  Which is remarkably hard to do!!  His teammates for the most part were all in +12 to +25 range

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I appreciate all of this about Koby. Totally agree about comparisons with Cartoony - ridiculous. In addition to the positives you list above, I feel totally confident with Koby at the FT line when we're trying to protect a lead.

However, as the PG, he needs to take care of the ball better. Period. He does not have natural PG skills and probably shouldn't play the position -- I mean, what kind of PG drives into the middle of the lane and then abruptly stops, seemingly with absolutely no plan (and does this over and over again)? Unfortunately, he has proven to be a not very good shooter, so he's not ideal off the ball, either.

So it's an interesting conundrum for Wojo. Koby is one of our best defenders and has the other attributes you mentioned, but his negatives are glaring when Markus is being defended well and the others aren't hitting open shots.

You put him in sacars spot next year at the 3.  3rd ball handler occasional shooter n driver.  His playing time is dependent based on his effectiveness to winning but the ballhandling n decision making is reduced significantly

Im not suggesting doing anything of the sort this year.  Sacar is ok initiating offense occasionally but his handle n decision making is a bad if not worse than kobys, we jyst see it in smaller doses.  This year its not perfect but it is what it is, sy, koby, markus at the pg

[BCHoopster]

Hopefully there's enough competition next year. That Koby either plays better or sees more pine time.  Do not see him playing SF next year as Garcia will play PF and Bailey, Cain or OSA at the SF.  I really believe that Mane is the key ingredient at guard next year, somebody with true quickness.

[PGsHeroes32]

Koby has done a heck of a job on defense.  He's not shooting well and he's had one bad game in the PG role.  Moving him off the ball is good as a change up for a few minutes but he's the PG, and he's got the size and strength and skill to do it just fine. 

Over-reacting after one bad game is not a good idea.

[franklinjerry]

Gosh his second bad game?

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Glad to see they moved him to the bench today

[muwarrior97]

Move Koby to the pines