And Then Along Came Jones?

[Newsdreams]

4 fouls

He is no Theo

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think all of this is reasonable. I had Kam in for Stevie, though, but setting the tone defensively + having off the bench instant offense may push it to your lineup

Would love to see Sean Jones, Jop or Gold step up so much that they are a big part of the conversation ... just unsure as of yet

What you write is exactly why I think Stevie gets the starting role. I think Kam will play more minutes but I think Shaka will reward defense before offense and I think Kam can act like a microwave off the bench. I've also been led to believe that both Kolek and Mitchell have significantly improved their offense. We'll see if that actually translates

[Jockey]

Yup.  Remember Nevada Smith worked under Spoelstra.  I expect to see some of the actions Miami runs with Bam with us using Oso in that spot.

Bam has elite physical skills. Oso has decent physical skills.

Huge difference.

[MU82]

What you write is exactly why I think Stevie gets the starting role. I think Kam will play more minutes but I think Shaka will reward defense before offense and I think Kam can act like a microwave off the bench. I've also been led to believe that both Kolek and Mitchell have significantly improved their offense. We'll see if that actually translates

Why are you anti Marquette? You seem to be the most negative nellie on scoop.

[MuggsyB]

Why are you anti Marquette? You seem to be the most negative nellie on scoop.

Who is anti Marquette?

[tower912]

It is a response to something that was tossed at him.

[Lennys Tap]

Bam has elite physical skills. Oso has decent physical skills.

Huge difference.

Bam is playing in the NBA. Oso is playing in the Big East.

Huge difference.

[MuggsyB]

Bam is playing in the NBA. Oso is playing in the Big East.

Huge difference.

All Jockey wrote was "the same actions".  He's not comparing  them as players.

[Lennys Tap]

All Jockey wrote was "the same actions".  He's not comparing  them as players.

The "actions" run for Bam may require elite physical skills in the NBA because he is playing against other players with elite physical skills.

If your opponent has only decent physical skills (like most Big East post players)the same "actions" can be run for someone with decent physical skills.

[GoFastAndWin]

What makes you think gold will be a starter/main contributor?

Before he even takes the floor, he's the greatest D1 player ever from New Zealand.

[GoFastAndWin]

Before he even takes the floor, he's the greatest D1 player ever from New Zealand.

Oops I forgot about Kirk Penney 😞

[panda]

Oops I forgot about Kirk Penney 😞

Steven Adams !

[GoFastAndWin]

Steven Adams !

Doh 😖. PITT will benefit from a healthier Greg.

[JWags85]

Steven Adams !

Funny enough, Steven Adams never played for the Tall Blacks.  So the greatest Tall Black title is ripe for the taking

[rocky_warrior]

All Jockey JTJ3 wrote was "the same actions".  He's not comparing  them as players.

FIFY.  Just since it seems like some folks are confused who started this comparison.

[MuggsyB]

Steven Adams !

I believe Aron Baynes is a 🥝 as well.

[wadesworld]

I can remember 4 or 5 times last season where Oso initiated some sort of offensive set from the top of the key or high post last year. I remember 4 or 5 of those ending in turnovers.

I hope he's improved enough this offseason to warrant running some offense through him this year. I'm skeptical. And would be about most 6'10" college centers. There aren't many 6'10" guys with the ability to run an offense in college. The ones that are are usually lottery picks after a year of college basketball. Not a backup through two seasons.

[MU82]

Who is anti Marquette?

It was a (hilarious) inside-ish joke.

[panda]

Funny enough, Steven Adams never played for the Tall Blacks.  So the greatest Tall Black title is ripe for the taking

He knew Ben gold was comin

[DoctorV]

I can remember 4 or 5 times last season where Oso initiated some sort of offensive set from the top of the key or high post last year. I remember 4 or 5 of those ending in turnovers.

I hope he's improved enough this offseason to warrant running some offense through him this year. I'm skeptical. And would be about most 6'10" college centers. There aren't many 6'10" guys with the ability to run an offense in college. The ones that are are usually lottery picks after a year of college basketball. Not a backup through two seasons.

The main offensive set we need to see from Oso is the one where he dunks the ball through the hoop.

That's actually the main offensive set we need to see from anyone playing the 5.

The thing is, last years team was as Jekyll and Hyde as any MU team I've ever seen with it's offensive ability, and specifically it's P&R ability and bigs driving to the hoop for easy looks.
That squad, with no major injuries, managed to go from being one of the most offensively efficient teams in the BE to one of the least seemingly overnight.

They were figured out, and when they were figured out it wasn't pretty.
Koleks play in the second half of the conference season was a big part of that.
Which version will we see this season?
Hopefully Oso and the guards are on the same page, a page that gives him easy looks at and above the hoop, and if so he will thrive.
If not, we will be wondering why Shaka doesn't have a beefy big on the squad.

[Jay Bee]

That squad, with no major injuries, managed to go from being one of the most offensively efficient teams in the BE to one of the least seemingly overnight.

They were figured out, and when they were figured out it wasn't pretty.
Koleks play in the second half of the conference season was a big part of that.

I don't mean this in the wrong way, but...

Last 10 games of the regular season (pre-conf tourney): MU avg offensive ppp on a per game basis, 106.1. Previous 10 games to those: 104.9.

Same figures.. but for defense.. MU at the end... 104.4.. previous... 97.1

Kolek.. last 10.. 1.6 PRPG!, 97.4 Ortg, 47.1% eFG%, 23.8% TO rate

Kolek, previous 10... 1.3 PRPG!, 92.5 ORtg, 39.9% eFG%, 26.7% TO rate

Kur & Oso weren't going to be high usage guys no matter who they played with last season.

[tower912]

Didn't AE do a deep dive on MU's defensive deficiencies down the stretch?   Particularly transition defense?

[MuggsyB]

Kolek  must step-up and I expect he will get the job done.  We're talking much better shooting, FGP, dimes, and far fewer turns.  He's critical to our success this season.

[MuggsyB]

Again give me speed, handles, and creativity with the rock.  Hopefully S. Jones fills this void in due time.

[tower912]

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=63350.0

Found it.    The big change in MU down the stretch was transition defense.