Reserves played

[ATWizJr]

very well. 

Adamit it, were you as worried as I was when Lazar went out with two fouls in the first 5 minutes?  Hazel, Otule, Butler, Acker held the fort and arguably outplayed Cincy providing key defensive plays, boards, a blocked shot and some points.  butler looked much more relaxed on the flor, took a good shot when open (missed) and seemed very poised at the line.

And props for a great defensive effort to the entire team but especially to Burke and James!

Don't want to hyperventilate here, but the depth seems to be improving.

[lab_warrior]

Well, I was worried when Lazar went out, but then stopped worrying when Wes very smartly drove in and got Gates' 2nd foul, that completely wrecked any inside game he had going.  That was as much a factor as the reserves, IMO.  I think there are 3 guys who will be huge after watching this game--Acker, Butler, and OTule--if we can get consistent effort from them, basically we've got a decent 9 man rotation (starting 5, those 3, and Hazel.)  Don't forget, OTule's development may make it easier to play Hayward more outside at a small 4.

[Norm]

I agree that the bench played better this game, but I still thought Butler struggled. The guy he was guarding blew past him about 3 times for easy baskets. On offense, he still seems to have no confidence.

[nyg]

Is it me, or whenever Butler goes inside and puts a shot up, it seems to get blocked. 

[chapman]

I agree that the bench played better this game, but I still thought Butler struggled. The guy he was guarding blew past him about 3 times for easy baskets. On offense, he still seems to have no confidence.

I felt the same.  He gave up a few easy baskets when he came in for Hayward, and he doesn't look comfortable with the ball on offense.  He does seem to play better when he's at the 3 than the 4 though.  I just don't see him being able to play good defense at the 4 against some of the inside talent in the Big East.

Is it me, or whenever Butler goes inside and puts a shot up, it seems to get blocked. 

I've noticed it as well.  Most of his attempts just aren't high percentage.  He has a good chance to draw a foul on some, but others are either blocked or lobs at the basket.  I think it goes back to the confidence thing.

[MR.HAYWARD]

Is it me, or whenever Butler goes inside and puts a shot up, it seems to get blocked. 

well it is a two way street.  1st of all he does not get his shot block when he "goes inside" he is getting his shot blocked when he grabs an offensive rebound.  he is typically snaring the board amongst 6'8" and larger players and yes he is having alot of them blocked but what would you rather have? us not get the rebound?  now he has gotten fouled on a number of them and has literally shot all of his FT's this year from those situations.  so it would be nice if he had hops like fulce and could finish those for 3 point plays but a block and a foul ffolloewd by a 75% ft shooter is not bad.  granted some have been been blocked clean but that is part of the ball game.  He could kick a few out for inside out three attempts.  but as time goes by and he gains strentgh he will have less blockand finish more of them .  i will look it up but he has got to be our second leading offensive rebounder and that is never bad.

[MR.HAYWARD]

i just checked it Jimmy Butler is #2 on the team on offensive rebounds with 27.  Wesley is #3 at 24.  given the minutes played this is an absolutely huge number for Butler.  Additionally, he has 31 Ft attempts.  i am sure it has happened but i cannot recall butler going to the line when not fouled trying to finsh at the gaol and most often just like yeaseterday is is off an offensive rebound.  and if you can shoot 75% it is all good.  FWIW wes ley often gets rejected when going back up with those offensive rebounds,  he had a ton of them against Nova and Cincy where i dont think he scored one but drilled abou 10 ft's off it.  sometimes it's even better to get blocked/fouled as it racks up fouls on the opposing bigs 

[willie warrior]

Let's not forget, Butler is a guard, but he is usually playing the 3 or 4 when he comes in. That is going to take some time for him to adjust, especially if most of his past experience has been as a guard,

Because of our lack of bigs, he is forced to play out of position. His defense does need to improve, however.