Needs Moving Forward

[NCMUFan]

I'm pretty excited about what Ben can become. I'm surprised that's not a more common view.

My main concern about Ben is his defense, not offense.  I think he has the offensive skills if he has opportunities.  But defensive, that is my question mark.

[willie warrior]

1.  A 7 footer who can win every rebounding battle, great pick n roll instincts and 35%+ 3 point shooter
2.  A point guard with great court vision, great pick n roll instincts and a 40% 3 point shooter
3.  Multiple 6'5" to 6'9" guys who jump out of the gym, shoot high percent from 3, live for defense, and are great team players

or

everyone just gets better, like they did this year vs. last year.

Did they get better, or are you referring to UConn? AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT MU CANNOT IMPROVE LIKE UCONN.
I for one am tired of excuses offered up for this team. What they need:
~~A bruising big to bash under the boards
~~At least 2 wings that consistently shoot the 3. We have none coming back, except
Kam
~~Everybody here assumes that Oso and Tyler are gone. I have not seen that confirmed yet. Oso would be making a mistake. Tyler possibly. If Tyler does not come back MU needs two PGs that can dribble drive and shoot the 3. They will have none next year if Tyler does not come back.

The obsession some on this board have with Shakas strategy of not utilizing the transfer portal is lame. He needs to get off his ass and actively pursue that, because right now that is what as happening in college BB. Dont like it but you have to adapt.

[Uncle Rico]

Did they get better, or are you referring to UConn? AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT MU CANNOT IMPROVE LIKE UCONN.
I for one am tired of excuses offered up for this team. What they need:
~~A bruising big to bash under the boards
~~At least 2 wings that consistently shoot the 3. We have none coming back, except
Kam
~~Everybody here assumes that Oso and Tyler are gone. I have not seen that confirmed yet. Oso would be making a mistake. Tyler possibly. If Tyler does not come back MU needs two PGs that can dribble drive and shoot the 3. They will have none next year if Tyler does not come back.

The obsession some on this board have with Shakas strategy of not utilizing the transfer portal is lame. He needs to get off his ass and actively pursue that, because right now that is what as happening in college BB. Dont like it but you have to adapt.

Who are you taking scholarships from

[4everwarriors]

We need some bad ass mf'ers, aina?

[MuggsyB]

We need some bad ass mf'ers, aina?

I can't argue with that. 

[tower912]

Assuming TKo and Oso leave and everyone else stays, 12 scholarships accounted for.

I applaud your message board math.

[Don_Kojis]

Gold will have 3 fouls in the first 12 minutes if he starts next year.  Don't think Sean will be a good starter.  Believe he could be a change of pace for minutes at a time.

[Viper]

I wouldn't discount Ben.  The young man has a myriad of skills Papi.  And I believe he can put on some weight and be an extremely effective two way player in the next two years.

Ben occasionally hits an outside shot. Otherwise...?

[BCHoopster]

Ben occasionally hits an outside shot. Otherwise...?

Hope Hamilton can play so they 2 bigs, 
As Ben will have trouble staying on the court, as he is not quick enough and his foot speed is average at best

[MuggsyB]

Ben occasionally hits an outside shot. Otherwise...?

He's hit a number of timely shots.  He also has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor.  I wouldn't give up on the kid being an excellent player. 

[JakeBarnes]

Sure, but
A) He isn't playing 40 minutes a night
B) I don't want to put all my eggs in the "Ben makes a huge leap" basket

I'm more concerned about what  Dan Hurley said about him.

[MuggsyB]

How exactly did Alabama lose Quinerly in July and find a better PG?

[WarriorFan]

If Amadou and Hamilton have eyes they can see that Oso's role is open however that role works far better if the guy can shoot 3's.  Both of them need to be in the gym all summer bulking up and working on shooting.  They should also see Jop's slot as open because he's hit his ceiling and possibly their ceilings are higher.  This team could have 3 guys 6'9 and bigger who rotate effectively to get 15-20 points, 10-15 boards and 2-3 blocks per game.

[IrwinFletcher]

The talk that Shaka avoids the portal is amusing.

He hit the portal hard his first year and that led to the past two seasons.  He poked around the portal last year, knowing that he had very specific needs and couldn't fill it.

I have no doubt that he will be active this year looking for a PG.  Kam is best suited to be off the ball and a secondary ball handler.  Make him your PG, now you need a wing who can shoot.

[willie warrior]

If Kam stays, I don't really see the need for another PG. He can hold it down until Sean is back (which according to him will be late November or December).
We need some size.

Wrong. Kam will wear down too much playing point. He is better off the ball.

[willie warrior]

You want experienced size.

Gold, Joplin, Hamilton, Amadou, Parham, Owens is plenty of size.

4 of the guys you just mentioned have little or no experience playing at the level MU is competing against.

[The Sultan]

Wrong. Kam will wear down too much playing point. He is better off the ball.

Kam didn't wear down at all playing point in Tyler's absence. The ball movement wasn't as good however.

[willie warrior]

Kam didn't wear down at all playing point in Tyler's absence. The ball movement wasn't as good however.

The hell he didn't. He was gassed in some of those games. And playing point for 6 games is a whole Lotta difference than for say 20 games.

[The Sultan]

The hell he didn't. He was gassed in some of those games. And playing point for 6 games is a whole Lotta difference than for say 20 games.

He was gassed because the back up was a freshman who struggled at times. He will have more reliable back ups next year.

If they choose to put him at point. They may not.

[HutchwasClutch]

Kam didn't wear down at all playing point in Tyler's absence. The ball movement wasn't as good however.

Wrong. Kam will wear down too much playing point. He is better off the ball.

Kam did fine filling in as pg because he's just that talented.  But it isn't his natural or best position.  I agree with both of your points.  He's better off the ball and the ball didn't move as well with him running point.

[warriors141]

He was gassed because the back up was a freshman who struggled at times. He will have more reliable back ups next year.

If they choose to put him at point. They may not.

who are the more reliable backups?

[tower912]

4 of the guys you just mentioned have little or no experience playing at the level MU is competing against.

Hence me saying Pakuni wants experienced size.

[willie warrior]

Hence me saying Pakuni wants experienced size.

Does not compute Mr. Spock.

[Pakuni]

Kam did fine filling in as pg because he's just that talented.  But it isn't his natural or best position.  I agree with both of your points.  He's better off the ball and the ball didn't move as well with him running point.

Right. And no one is suggesting Kam as the full-time, season-long PG.
But if there's only one scholie to give, I'd
rather see him fill that role for the first month of the season and bring in some reliable size than add another point who may or may not have a significant role by the time conference play arrives.
Obviously this all depends on Sean's health and whether Shaka believes Gold can grow and Amadou is ready.
But given what I see from the outside, a guy who can play in (and more importantly, defend) the post is a bigger need than another ballhandler.

[tower912]

Does not compute Mr. Spock.

Computes completely.  Even the part about you not understanding it.