Orlando Brackets- MU vs. Georgia Tech

[bilsu]

I think we have to press to wear GT's big guys down and hopefully get some easy baskets. I do not particully like stalling, because it implies you are going to shoot with 5 seconds to go. That is not necessarily a good shot. We need to play under control, but take a good shot when available.

[NersEllenson]

We are in just as bad of a position in this tournament (see: pre-Fischer eligibility...I don't expect the guy to go for 20 and 10, but I do expect him to make an impact more outside of the box score just based on pure size and the lack of that on the rest of the roster) as any other team who graduated a lot (GT, MSU, Tenn).  We were really bad last year, and we graduated or lost our top 3 players from last year, to go along with 2 others starters, and every bit of our size.  As exciting as some of the potential is on the roster, to this point it is just that...potential.  I wouldn't count on any games against any opponents if we have to beat someone else first to get to them, especially before December 14.

As MU 82 said, half empty, but all true.  Losing Mayo was a blow to this team's ceiling potential.  Not to mention Davante and Jamil.  However, our lack of size goes both ways - Steve can shoot elbow jumpers with a high rate of success and even has the 3 in his game.  The oppositions center will be drawn away from the basket.  That's why losing Mayo was such a blow, because Todd had blow by ability, and a proven ability to get to the hoop.  You know I love Dawson's potential, yet don't see him being a great slasher.  Can Carlino, Duane and JJJ provide that?  If so, we'll be okay.  Burton will get to the basket on virtually any possession he wants - which is good. 

All this said, I think we will surprise people and our 3 guard offense with Burton at the 4 will cause match up problems for the opposition as well.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

While I do agree that it is problematic that Georgia Tech will have more bigs than Marquette, let's not pretend their bigs are going to set the world on fire.

Georgia Tech has exactly 5 players that are taller than Steve. Let's meet them:

Ben "Blammers" Lammers: 6-10, 220 lb, FR. Finished high school rated as a 2.7 star C. Potentially a diamond in the rough but most analysts seem to agree that he will not make much impact as a freshman.

Abdoulaye "A.D." Gueye: 6-10, 220 lb, FR. Finished high school rated as a 2 star PF. Don't really know anything about him.

Demarco Cox: 6-8, 272 lb, SR. Graduate transfer from Ole Miss. Stat line last season was 4.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.8 bpg, 0.5 spg, 0.6 tpg.

Robert Sampson: 6-8 210 lb, SR. Sat out last season after transferring from ECU. Stat line in 12-13 was 9.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 tpg. Could be really good but would expect his production to decline moving from CUSA to the ACC.

Quinton Stephens: 6-8 205 lb, SO. Was the 4th player off the bench during his freshman campaign. His stat line was 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.3 bpg, 0.3 spg, 0.6 tpg. Only three point threat of the group, going 15-48 last season.

They may have height, but only Cox outweighs Taylor, or Burton for that matter. I don't think their bigs are quality enough to tip the scales in their favor. Our guards should be able to run around, past, and through them.

This analysis of course comes without seeing a single minute of game play since Wojo took over  

[Galway Eagle]

While I do agree that it is problematic that Georgia Tech will have more bigs than Marquette, let's not pretend their bigs are going to set the world on fire.

Georgia Tech has exactly 5 players that are taller than Steve. Let's meet them:

Ben "Blammers" Lammers: 6-10, 220 lb, FR. Finished high school rated as a 2.7 star C. Potentially a diamond in the rough but most analysts seem to agree that he will not make much impact as a freshman.

Abdoulaye "A.D." Gueye: 6-10, 220 lb, FR. Finished high school rated as a 2 star PF. Don't really know anything about him.

Demarco Cox: 6-8, 272 lb, SR. Graduate transfer from Ole Miss. Stat line last season was 4.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.8 bpg, 0.5 spg, 0.6 tpg.

Robert Sampson: 6-8 210 lb, SR. Sat out last season after transferring from ECU. Stat line in 12-13 was 9.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.0 spg, 1.4 tpg. Could be really good but would expect his production to decline moving from CUSA to the ACC.

Quinton Stephens: 6-8 205 lb, SO. Was the 4th player off the bench during his freshman campaign. His stat line was 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.3 bpg, 0.3 spg, 0.6 tpg. Only three point threat of the group, going 15-48 last season.

They may have height, but only Cox outweighs Taylor, or Burton for that matter. I don't think their bigs are quality enough to tip the scales in their favor. Our guards should be able to run around, past, and through them.

This analysis of course comes without seeing a single minute of game play since Wojo took over  

In all fairness man LSU ended our undefeated streak in 11-12 with a giant team of unheralded giant players that weren't impressive.  

[JTBMU7]

so we have the non-con schedule set now. anyone know when the conference schedules get released? isnt it usually in august?

[Nukem2]

so we have the non-con schedule set now. anyone know when the conference schedules get released? isnt it usually in august?

There will probably be one more game as Mike Broeker noted in a tweet back in July.   A TV game probably.

[Skatastrophy]

There will probably be one more game as Mike Broeker noted in a tweet back in July.   A TV game probably.

Hopefully against UNC. The battle of the Baby Blues.

[Stronghold]

Well, at least this scribe knows his chit or at least reads this board, aina?

Do you ever not finish a post with a question?

[MU82]

We will literally have to stall and slow the game down just to rest these guys on the court and that isn't a winning formula for a guard oriented team without a lot of great shooters.

I actually think our best chance will be to do the opposite of this - run and gun and press and try to wear out our bigger, slower opponents - kind of what we did in the past in a few of our excellent wins over bigger, slower Wisconsin and ND teams. So I hope our boyz are in tip-top physical shape and ready to rock 'n' roll!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Do you ever not finish a post with a question?

I don't know, does he? 

[tower912]

I actually think our best chance will be to do the opposite of this - run and gun and press and try to wear out our bigger, slower opponents - kind of what we did in the past in a few of our excellent wins over bigger, slower Wisconsin and ND teams. So I hope our boyz are in tip-top physical shape and ready to rock 'n' roll!

With what depth?

[The Lens]

There will probably be one more game as Mike Broeker noted in a tweet back in July.   A TV game probably.

I would like to play a big game in the conf season over a conf bye week, similar to what we did with Wake in 2003.  Those are harder to schedule but can be a fun change of pace.  Beyond that, we're going to be better in Feb than we are in Nov for two reasons:

1) Tom Crean is not coaching this team
2) We will have Luke Fisher

[Nukem2]

I would like to play a big game in the conf season over a conf bye week, similar to what we did with Wake in 2003.  Those are harder to schedule but can be a fun change of pace.  Beyond that, we're going to be better in Feb than we are in Nov for two reasons:

1) Tom Crean is not coaching this team
2) We will have Luke Fisher

Having Fischer with a few games under his belt would be a desirable outcome for this potential game.

[NotAnAlum]

The problem is not just depth but depth at the 4 and 5 positions.  Its not all that unusual for a team's top guards to pay 30-35 minutes.  Last year the kid from Providence basically played the whole game for most of their games.  The problem is asking Steve Taylor to do that.  Its just harder to get that big body up and down the court.  And if Steve wears out the only guy to spell him is Juan.  We had Lazar guard the 5 in his last year but Lazar was much stronger than Juan.  Also Juan really needs to provide a rest for Burton.  I fully expect Burton to be one of our primary scorers and if you asking him to do all that you you have to give him some rest.  
I'm not saying its a good idea to play slow.  I'm saying you may have no other choice.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The problem is not just depth but depth at the 4 and 5 positions.  Its not all that unusual for a team's top guards to pay 30-35 minutes.  Last year the kid from Providence basically played the whole game for most of their games.  The problem is asking Steve Taylor to do that.  Its just harder to get that big body up and down the court.  And if Steve wears out the only guy to spell him is Juan.  We had Lazar guard the 5 in his last year but Lazar was much stronger than Juan.  Also Juan really needs to provide a rest for Burton.  I fully expect Burton to be one of our primary scorers and if you asking him to do all that you you have to give him some rest.  
I'm not saying its a good idea to play slow.  I'm saying you may have no other choice.

I think we counter this with utilizing a four guard lineup whenever possible. We might even see a midget lineup with Johnson or Burton at the 5.

[MUchamp22]

I bet we play a lot like Iowa State does every year. They have never had that much size and play with all 5 players out of the paint most of the time. With a stretch 4 like Taylor being our center, for half the year, we will have to play a fast paced, 5-out, European style of play to win any games

[Dawson Rental]

So, when will Orlando make his final decision between us and Georgia Tech?

[Aughnanure]

So, when will Orlando make his final decision between us and Georgia Tech?

You win.

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

So, when will Orlando make his final decision between us and Georgia Tech?

I heard he is also considering Virginia Tech

[MU82]

With what depth?

This is a good point. It's why I said our guys will have to be in incredible shape.

I coach middle-school girls basketball and we press from the opening tip to the final horn. I had only 9 girls on the team and none of them ever passed out. Obviously, the level of competition is a tad different - ha! - but also the men get a 2-3 minute TV timeout after every 4 minutes of game action, a long halftime and a dozen timeouts (between the two teams). Bobby Knight used to say there was no excuse for a college basketball player to ever get tired during a game and that practices are much more taxing.

Now, the foul situation is a whole different story. Teams that press do tend to commit more fouls and that's trouble for a team with not as much depth.

[We R Final Four]

We might even see a midget lineup with Johnson or Burton at the 5.

I am quite confident that we will never see JJJ playing the 5.

[GGGG]

I coach middle-school girls basketball and we press from the opening tip to the final horn.

In middle school?

Cmon....

[bilsu]

I am quite confident that we will never see JJJ playing the 5.

What happens when Taylor, Burton and Juan foul out and Fischer is not eligible?

[GGGG]

What happens when Taylor, Burton and Juan foul out and Fischer is not eligible?

"When?"  I think that is a pretty remote possibility.

[We R Final Four]

What happens when Taylor, Burton and Juan foul out and Fischer is not eligible?

We lose.......with JJJ as the SG on the losing team.