@BShark @Crimsonorblue22
We are playing REALLY good right now and that is even after the Harvard game. Typically that is a Sprint center loss and our guys still gutted out a 14 point win.
Juan - Absolutely must play as many mpg at the 1 as possible. He was a stud in the IU matchup after coach woke him up. If he could just see 1 three drop I think he starts to average 1-2 a game which just opens things up more for him. He must play the most minutes at the 1 every night. Bobby is not what they’ve billed so far.
Kevin - This is who’s changed this team. He’s an animal defensively just flat out taking the ball from guys even as they drive on a fastbreak. The difference and not sure if anyone noticed but his back injury was THE BEST for him. Here is why: MJ Rice got to get some confidence and score. This put just a little fire under Kevin and all of the sudden he is a WALKING DOUBLE DOUBLE. His stroke looks great and with him shooting it like that we have a 3 headed monster with JW, GD and KM.
Gradey - I’ve seen neenyo on 247 talk about him needing more touches and I agree. When a guy goes 8-12 in a game and 5-5 or 5-6 from 3 then he needs more shots until proven he isn’t on fire. He is okay at driving, having some layups under the basket, his pull up game and just any way he can get a shot up in deadly. Neenyo at 247 views the game similarly to me and is as negative but does enjoy a good debate as someone finally analyzed why JW has skills for the nba. I feel as he posts reason and people just say he sucks instead of debating him.
JW - Leader of the team but cooling off of late. He looks to drive but NEVER kicks opposite to Gradey (he does if KM is in the corner). He can mainly drive hard right but man he is GOOD doing it. Dude needs to look to penetrate and kick more but it’s difficult as a coach to say that without making him hesitant. JW needs to keep doing what he’s doing BUT when Gradey can’t miss get the guy more looks. JW and GD need to average the most shot attempts each game. I don’t like seeing 15-17 shots for JW and only 8-10 for Gradey especially when Gradey is so darn efficient.
KJ - Draymond JR is money analysis from Self (he must know a thing about basketball). KJ is becoming great at the pick and roll, he gets off the floor so quick that he’s rejecting 6-10/6-11 guys. Now that we trap stud bigs like TJD (IU game) it shows we are going to be just fine moving forward. KJ is the starter and I’m 100% on board. He needs to learn JW’s hard drive right because no big can guard him from the top of the key or elbow.
Bobby - Needs to penetrate WAY more and look to dish or finish those layups (as he did against IU but was back to average against Harvard). When he’s in the team just doesn’t run the same. The Juan & Bobby lineup I absolutely hate especially when Juan doesn’t look to score. Bobby needs to ATTACK and try a 3 one of these days and he will be okay. Curious how he does next year with some stud guards we have in.
Joe - He’s a good defender but I’m seeing what Bill probably has seen for 2 years now. He’s hit some 3’s in limited minutes so that’s all we can expect.
MJ - Needs more minutes but still lost out there at times. Bill has to let him learn in-game to grow through it. He’s a better athlete and defender (when he knows what he’s doing) than Joe and Bobby. He needs to be the 6th man and scorer off the bench as many have said. His interviews he’s saying all the right things.
Zuby/Udeh - Neither are where they need to be but getting better. Zuby should be 1st big as Self mentioned Udeh was “whipped” 1st defensive possession in the post against Harvard. They are the future though just need to be patient and give us good spot minutes for KJ.
Clemence - Not seeing it and will probably transfer this offseason if I had to guess
IU game was perfection, the guys played great and dominated. IU is a solid team but not as good as their ranking was. I’d love going at Tenn again to see how our adjustments work. When you double the ball you are daring guys to shoot wide open 3’s.
Our D is nasty with Juan & Kevin. Gradey is getting steals (had what 4-5 the other day) and JW pulls more boards than Barkley.
This team can get to a final 4 just need some breaks like last year. We can hang and beat any team in the country.
Ready for this big 12 slate to see how tough we are. Us dominating missery on the road was awesome and after watching them dominate ILL (who’s in a free fall but still) it shows these older guys + stud frosh in GD can get it done.
Self will dominate continuously with the portal. Get older guards like KM and then some good big here or there.
RCJH
