Elliott will help

[brewcity77]

A 6'3" guard with limited lateral quickness isn't replacing a 6'8" forward.

Joplin might be replacing him if he keeps playing like he has.

Maybe not, but the first substitution has typically been O-Max out for either Stevie or Kam. It might not be Greg if he can't defend the position, but I'm not sure Joplin is any better suited yet to be anything other than an occasional offensive sub. I do think if O-Max loses his starting spot, it's to a guard and not another forward.

[The Sultan]

I think Greg is taking minutes from Stevie and/or Kam more than anyone.  We will see.

[Uncle Rico]

I think Greg is taking minutes from Stevie and/or Kam more than anyone.  We will see.

I think given the style the Golden Eagles play, the more bodies, the better

[tower912]

Yup.

[Pakuni]

Not sure how GE will help?  He's abysmal on the defensive end, but can drain a corner 3 once in a while

Hope I'm wrong, but I don't see the boost from Greg.

Where's the "Elliot is abysmal on defense" narrative coming from?
Granted the recent teams have been bad defensively, but he's consistently been a team leader in steal rate and steals per 40, as well as defensive plus-minus. Last year he was a top 500 player in the KenPom steal rate.
I'm not suggesting he's elite or especially good, but he's not terrible either.

[jficke13]

I think given the style the Golden Eagles play, the more bodies, the better

Shaka said something like "ideally, we go 11 deep." I bet he uses the depth in creative ways. It's a good problem to have.

[Hards Alumni]

Where's the "Elliot is abysmal on defense" narrative coming from?
Granted the recent teams have been bad defensively, but he's consistently been a team leader in steal rate and steals per 40, as well as defensive plus-minus. Last year he was a top 500 player in the KenPom steal rate.
I'm not suggesting he's elite or especially good, but he's not terrible either.

Never understood it either, he was always good for a deflection or two per game.

[Uncle Rico]

Never understood it either, he was always good for a deflection or two per game.

I would think Greg's activity on defense will work quite well on a Shaka team. 

[JakeBarnes]

Where's the "Elliot is abysmal on defense" narrative coming from?
Granted the recent teams have been bad defensively, but he's consistently been a team leader in steal rate and steals per 40, as well as defensive plus-minus. Last year he was a top 500 player in the KenPom steal rate.
I'm not suggesting he's elite or especially good, but he's not terrible either.

Agreed. I think Greg is the epitome of a glue guy too. Plays with the fire that Shaka likes (it felt like when healthy, he always was good for a "we need a bucket" moment). I fully expect him to be a strong contributor to the team both on the ball handling and 3 side, as well as active defense.

[Miss Katie’s]

Agreed. I think Greg is the epitome of a glue guy too. Plays with the fire that Shaka likes (it felt like when healthy, he always was good for a "we need a bucket" moment). I fully expect him to be a strong contributor to the team both on the ball handling and 3 side, as well as active defense.

Agreed.  I have always considered him a glue guy as well.  I look forward to seeing what he adds to this exciting team. 

[The Sultan]

Agreed. I think Greg is the epitome of a glue guy too. Plays with the fire that Shaka likes (it felt like when healthy, he always was good for a "we need a bucket" moment). I fully expect him to be a strong contributor to the team both on the ball handling and 3 side, as well as active defense.

I mean, he is a career 5.2 ppg scorer.  Let's not exaggerate too much here.  I agree he can be a contributor and a senior leader, but I have never considered him anything like what you are suggesting.

[JakeBarnes]

I mean, he is a career 5.2 ppg scorer.  Let's not exaggerate too much here.  I agree he can be a contributor and a senior leader, but I have never considered him anything like what you are suggesting.

Perhaps not phrased appropriately--dude had a nose for a bucket when teh team couldn't find one. Not in quantity, but in "how to stop the 100-0 run" sense.

[VanderBlueFanClub]

But, does he fit this defense?

Yes, he has great length for deflections in the press. That is one of the main reasons I value Oso and OMP in the press.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Never understood it either, he was always good for a deflection or two per game.

Which is why Shaka wants to play 16-32 Greg Elliotts every game.

[avid1010]

I think he can replace Omax pretty easily.  Omax has all the athletic tools but is just never in the right spot on defense.

Shaka subbed Omax in multiple times at the end of last night's game for defensive purposes.  Surprised me as well...but I'll go with Shaka. 

[Pakuni]

I mean, he is a career 5.2 ppg scorer.  Let's not exaggerate too much here.  I agree he can be a contributor and a senior leader, but I have never considered him anything like what you are suggesting.

I think Greg's value becomes a little more apparent if you look beyond the traditional stats.
He was 4th on the team last year in points per 40, but only 7th in attempts per 40. Same with per 100 possessions. So he was productive in limited opportunities.
Among players in the rotation, his eFG% and TS% led the team. He had the highest offensive rating on the team and was second (to Garcia) in offensive win shares and win shares per 40.

He's not a star by any stretch, but he brings more value than his career PPG indicates.

[Herman Cain]

I think Greg's value becomes a little more apparent if you look beyond the traditional stats.
He was 4th on the team last year in points per 40, but only 7th in attempts per 40. Same with per 100 possessions. So he was productive in limited opportunities.
Among players in the rotation, his eFG% and TS% led the team. He had the highest offensive rating on the team and was second (to Garcia) in offensive win shares and win shares per 40.

He's not a star by any stretch, but he brings more value than his career PPG indicates.

One of the best games of Greg's career was freshman year against Villanova on the road . He put in 25 very good minutes against a very good Nova backcourt

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=400988565

[brewcity77]

Where's the "Elliot is abysmal on defense" narrative coming from?

Greg never seemed as quick after his injuries. I do think he can create deflections in this defense because he's long, but the athleticism isn't what it once was. And in Wojo's system, we've never seen much of anyone resemble great individual defenders.

[tower912]

His experience may be valuable as the freshmen fight through their first 'second-game-of-a-back-to-back'.    May see some front rim jumpers from the kids.   

[JakeBarnes]

His experience may be valuable as the freshmen fight through their first 'second-game-of-a-back-to-back'.    May see some front rim jumpers from the kids.

But not from tired legs.

[tower912]

You can say it now.   Shaka said it yesterday. 

[panda]

His experience may be valuable as the freshmen fight through their first 'second-game-of-a-back-to-back'.    May see some front rim jumpers from the kids.

It will be interesting to see how kids who grew up playing high level AAU basketball can handle playing two games in two days.

[tower912]

You would think.   Darn that Crean, and Buzz and now Shaka for bringing it up.     

One thing I think will help MU is sheer numbers.    Especially with Greg back.   5 guards.    Plus EE.   Osa, OMP and Joplin didn't play huge minutes.   

[panda]

You would think.   Darn that Crean, and Buzz and now Shaka for bringing it up.     

One thing I think will help MU is sheer numbers.    Especially with Greg back.   5 guards.    Plus EE.   Osa, OMP and Joplin didn't play huge minutes.   

And we have around two and a half hours more rest than WVU. Should be a huge advantage.

[BCHoopster]

Greg showed his rustiness, had 3 open looks and looked like a freshman!