How concerned Are you About Haanif?

[Tugg Speedman]

Coming into the season I thought he would be our best player.  He has not been.  He has not been "bad" just not the best.

To be clear, I still have faith in him and when looking at the season this April, he could still be considered our best player.

Questions,

* Was it fair of me to think of him as our preseason pick for best player?

* How concerned are you about his progression from last year to this year?  Are you concerned?  (Recall that Buzz believes that players make their biggest jump from Freshman to Sophomore year.  I believe this to be correct.)

[🏀]

Not concerned.

[nyg]

In three BE games he has a total of 10 points on 3 for 19 from the field.  Sure just a little slump, but must come out for MU to win.  Lets see Weds.

[Henry Sugar]

Believe it or not, but Haanif has been more efficient this year (112 vs 101) on about the same usage (20%). It's not from a shooting perspective, but more because he's protecting the ball a lot better (14% vs 24%). Defensive rebounding is better this year too.

However, in three games of conference play, he has struggled significantly. I chalk that up to sample size and believe his struggles reflect recency bias more than anything.

[chapman]

Not concerned.

^ That

[Vander Blue Man Group]

He  needs to work on his right hand a lot this offseason.  I do think his offensive game, at least recently against stronger opponents, has become more predictable. 

He also seems to be forcing things about when going to the hoop.  He has a good shot but has passed up open mid-range shots which have led to some out of control drives. 

I'm not worried at all long-term but if we are going to have a shot at a bid this year he needs to turn it around. 

[KampusFoods]

Who?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I'm concerned you couldn't get his name correct.

[brewcity77]

About a 3 on a scale of 10. I think Buzz is wrong about that freshman to sophomore jump. Guys like Blue, Junior, and Jajuan saw their biggest improvements going into their junior years.

Last year, Cheatham exceeded expectations because the first three things on opponents scout sheets were Ellenson, Ellenson, and Ellenson and no one was worried about Wally. This year defenses have figured him out, but he's still contributing on the boards and defensively while making some nice passes and limiting turnovers.

Give him an offseason to diversify his game and I think he'll be fine.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

At the present time, I am a little worried.  Long term, I think he'll be fine.  But this team badly needs HC to hit an open shot, and to make layups - neither of which he has done in BE play.  I feel like he needs a good game against a creampuff to get him out of his funk.  Run the offense through him and let him score 25+...get some confidence back.  Hopefully we can let him do that on Saturday.   

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

About a 3 on a scale of 10. I think Buzz is wrong about that freshman to sophomore jump. Guys like Blue, Junior, and Jajuan saw their biggest improvements going into their junior years.

Last year, Cheatham exceeded expectations because the first three things on opponents scout sheets were Ellenson, Ellenson, and Ellenson and no one was worried about Wally. This year defenses have figured him out, but he's still contributing on the boards and defensively while making some nice passes and limiting turnovers.

I think the Frosh to Soph comment is valid on Defense but agree with you 100% on Offense.  So many guards that are really good but not NBA level elite seem to not really come on until Jr year. 

[tower912]

Who?   Now, if you mean Haanif, then on a scale of 1-10, I would say 2.    Shooting slump, other teams are taking away his best move.   He is still playing well defensively and not turning the ball over.    He made a 3 on Saturday.   One breakaway lay up and he can find his groove. 

[brewcity77]

I think the Frosh to Soph comment is valid on Defense but agree with you 100% on Offense.  So many guards that are really good but not NBA level elite seem to not really come on until Jr year.

I'll agree with you there. Defensively you have a good idea by sophomore year what a guy will be.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Believe it or not, but Haanif has been more efficient this year (112 vs 101) on about the same usage (20%). It's not from a shooting perspective, but more because he's protecting the ball a lot better (14% vs 24%). Defensive rebounding is better this year too.

However, in three games of conference play, he has struggled significantly. I chalk that up to sample size and believe his struggles reflect recency bias more than anything.

Again, Top 100 Orating:

This season:  87.8
Last season:  86.5

He is not in a slump per se, he has been scouted.  In the Nova game, their defenders were anticipating his next move before he made it (same to a degree with Luke and Jj).  The kid has the talent to dimensionalize his game.  All he needs is the realization to what he needs to do to adjust (like nailing that three pointer they were sagging on him the other night, pull up, pass out of the dribble drive, right hand).

Every action needs to be countered with a reaction.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Not concerned at all, his turnovers are way down and he is by far our best defender.  Haanif is the least of this teams problems

[jesmu84]

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=53058.msg886259#msg886259

[GoldenDieners32]

Not concerned but he isn't taking shots that he should be taking. A couple times against Nova he had a couple wide open shots and didn't shoot

[muwarrior97]

Coming into the season I thought he would be our best player.  He has not been.  He has not been "bad" just not the best.

To be clear, I still have faith in him and when looking at the season this April, he could still be considered our best player.

Questions,

* Was it fair of me to think of him as our preseason pick for best player?

* How concerned are you about his progression from last year to this year?  Are you concerned?  (Recall that Buzz believes that players make their biggest jump from Freshman to Sophomore year.  I believe this to be correct.)

Not concerned about Cheatham, he will be fine

Who is Buzz?

[mileskishnish72]

Moderately. Playing good D and I hadn't realized the improvement in TO%.

Offensively, needs to develop the right hand, and find a mid-rage game (floater or short J).

Still appears to be very much engaged, so here's hoping he works through it.

[Tugg Speedman]

Let me ask about my other question that no one has yet addressed ...

Do you think/expect him to be our best player, as the roster is currently configured. 

I understand "best" as a term that can mean different things to different people.

I think "best" means he is the most important player on the team.  So goes Haanif, so goes the team. (That is more than anyone else.)

Agree?

[Tugg Speedman]

Who?

He's friends with O'tule!

[Henry Sugar]

Again, Top 100 Orating:

This season:  87.8
Last season:  86.5

He is not in a slump per se, he has been scouted.  In the Nova game, their defenders were anticipating his next move before he made it (same to a degree with Luke and Jj).  The kid has the talent to dimensionalize his game.  All he needs is the realization to what he needs to do to adjust (like nailing that three pointer they were sagging on him the other night, pull up, pass out of the dribble drive, right hand).

Every action needs to be countered with a reaction.

A fair point that's he's been scouted, but I think this season's rating for A+B is being weighted down by the three conference games where he's shooting 18% eFG%.

[4everwarriors]

As long as Wojo recruits over his heine, it don't matta, hey?

[Folks,,,]

Let me ask about my other question that no one has yet addressed ...

Do you think/expect him to be our best most important player, as the roster is currently configured. 

I understand "best" as a term that can mean different things to different people.

I think "best" means he is the most important player on the team.  So goes Haanif, so goes the team. (That is more than anyone else.)

Agree?

I like the question but you don't need to redefine a word...just phrase the question appropriately.  The best and most important players on a team can be different.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Do you think/expect him to be our best player, as the roster is currently configured. 

I understand "best" as a term that can mean different things to different people.

I think "best" means he is the most important player on the team.  So goes Haanif, so goes the team. (That is more than anyone else.)

Agree?

Personally I never thought this. 

I believe it is possible he becomes a 'go-to' guy Jr or Sr year - but young Marcus is looking pretty darn tough to beat at this point.