I'm seeing 86 but regardless that's awesome. He may wind up in the 60-70 range with the way he's been playing (from what I hear at least).
I'm seeing 86 but regardless that's awesome. He may wind up in the 60-70 range with the way he's been playing (from what I hear at least).
So much for him peaking too early. He's one of my favorite commits of the Cronin era because we have not had anyone with his passing ability. Mick has definitely seen a need for guards that can not only find the open man, but create easy scoring opportunities, and addressed it with Caupain and Jenifer.
#86 is really good considering his size. It's obvious some scouts were impressed with his game, specifically his passing and ball handling. However, I don't see him moving up significantly in the rankings unless he hits a growth spurt.
So much for him peaking too early. He's one of my favorite commits of the Cronin era because we have not had anyone with his passing ability. Mick has definitely seen a need for guards that can not only find the open man, but create easy scoring opportunities, and addressed it with Caupain and Jenifer.
what is also interesting is that Cronin probably knows that this kid will "likely" be "somewhat" of a defensive liability (at least early on) and nabbed him anyway. That tells me his philosophy might be changing slightly (at least at PG). Caupain is not a defensive stopper either. He has addressed that with guys like Johnson and Mormon though. We can put one of those two on the other teams best guard.
I think Caupain is an average defender right now, and will develop into a pretty good defender by his junior year. I don't think he's any better or worse than Cash on the defensive end at the same point in his career, for what it's worth. I'm sure Jenifer will be fine as well. Like Caupain, he is a high IQ guy with average athleticism, which should be more than enough to play solid help defense and keep his man in front of him. Although neither are blindingly fast, they are both quick with the ball and make good decisions -- which is more important IMO.
Mick won't be changing his Philosophy. He was the freaking coach of the year. He was being mentioned in the National coach of year talks. His system works. Ask Pitino or Huggins. If you don't guard you don't play. I love that! What Mick needs is a few more players that do both. As his recruiting continues to improve so will the quality of player he lands. It is moving forward every class. Please don't buy into the he needs to change how he coaches BS. He needs better players. There aren't many coaches out there who get more out of their talent. One thing I am certain of is Mick can coach. If he gets the talent he will win. Getting the more talented players is the real challenge for him. If he can accomplish that he will win big.what is also interesting is that Cronin probably knows that this kid will "likely" be "somewhat" of a defensive liability (at least early on) and nabbed him anyway. That tells me his philosophy might be changing slightly (at least at PG). Caupain is not a defensive stopper either. He has addressed that with guys like Johnson and Mormon though. We can put one of those two on the other teams best guard.
I'm seeing 86 but regardless that's awesome. He may wind up in the 60-70 range with the way he's been playing (from what I hear at least).
His national ranking says 88
I think it's been flip-flopping. It does say 88 now, but for me last night it said 86 and 16th best PG. Weird.
If it's just his size that you think is preventing his ranking from moving up later, remember Devan Downey was a top 50 recruit (I believe somewhere in the 35-40 range).
I think it's been flip-flopping. It does say 88 now, but for me last night it said 86 and 16th best PG. Weird.
Downey also nearly averaged 40ppg and was lightening fast. Downey was just a beast in high school which is why he was ranked that high. If Downey had been about 6'1, he would have a top 10 prospect. So, yes size does play a part in the rankings.
Mick won't be changing his Philosophy. He was the freaking coach of the year. He was being mentioned in the National coach of year talks. His system works. Ask Pitino or Huggins. If you don't guard you don't play. I love that! What Mick needs is a few more players that do both. As his recruiting continues to improve so will the quality of player he lands. It is moving forward every class. Please don't buy into the he needs to change how he coaches BS. He needs better players. There aren't many coaches out there who get more out of their talent. One thing I am certain of is Mick can coach. If he gets the talent he will win. Getting the more talented players is the real challenge for him. If he can accomplish that he will win big.
I didn't say he needs to change how he coaches...you must have assumed something you shouldn't have.
Guard or don't play huh?
So Thomas plays good D? Caupain isn't a step slow? GG is a system guard...very athletic and can defend...but he is/was not gifted offensively. Caupain played because he ran the offense better...not because he played defense better. I think Mick is focusing just a bit more lately on offensive minded players or players with higher BB IQ.
As far as not changing or not being willing to change...that's just short sighted and stubborn. If you aren't changing you aren't getting better...if you aren't getting better you are getting passed up. Don't you think Mick is ever evaluating his own strengths and weaknesses as a coach or in building a successful team?
I think we can focus on offensive minded players as we get higher caliber recruits. Those guys are highly rated bc theyre superior athletes, we can turn those guys into adequate defenders over their time here. I don't think the overall system will change much, but the focus on type of players recruited might.
What you implied was that because Jennifer was short Mick may not have the same standard as he had defensively previously and was willing to go for more Offense and less Defense.Thomas lack of defense is a huge result of his lack of playing time. Nothing would get you pulled quicker in a Huggins coached team or Pitino team then not guarding. It happened to Thomas often. GG played as much as TC because he guarded better. TC is a freshman and hopefully will improve his defense which will get him more minutes. I didn't say Mick wouldn't change I said he didn't need to. He'll never change his stance concerning guard or sit and he shouldn't. Holding players accountable is a good thing. Defense is effort and if your not willing to give it on the defensive end of the floor you won't be out there long.If you score two and give up two we gain nothing. He demands effort on both ends of the floor. The fact he recruited Jennifer is not in anyway indicative that he is changing his approach or that he should.If Jennifer is a liability on defense his minutes will be impacted as well. Hope I explained myself better.Sorry if we misunderstood each other.I didn't say he needs to change how he coaches...you must have assumed something you shouldn't have.
Guard or don't play huh?
So Thomas plays good D? Caupain isn't a step slow? GG is a system guard...very athletic and can defend...but he is/was not gifted offensively. Caupain played because he ran the offense better...not because he played defense better. I think Mick is focusing just a bit more lately on offensive minded players or players with higher BB IQ.
As far as not changing or not being willing to change...that's just short sighted and stubborn. If you aren't changing you aren't getting better...if you aren't getting better you are getting passed up. Don't you think Mick is ever evaluating his own strengths and weaknesses as a coach or in building a successful team?
what is also interesting is that Cronin probably knows that this kid will "likely" be "somewhat" of a defensive liability (at least early on) and nabbed him anyway. That tells me his philosophy might be changing slightly (at least at PG). Caupain is not a defensive stopper either. He has addressed that with guys like Johnson and Mormon though. We can put one of those two on the other teams best guard.
