2016-2017 Season

[jacobkdoyle]

Cumberland reminds me a lot of Darnell Burton who I think was almost always used as the 6th man...but we were clearly subbing to strength with him.

It's good to have a spark off the bench and I think it might even be good to let KJ wear his man down a little before Cumberland comes in (on both ends of the court it might help). I could see an optimal scenario where KJ starts each half and Cumberland finishes them.

Of course I am not discounting Jenifer depending on the situation. He's really starting to enjoy himself out there and looks extremely confident right now. Watching him navigate an open full court is a real treat! I would prefer him eating into KJ minutes a little as well. KJ will get his 20+ but I am hoping for closer to 20 than 30 from him.

I enjoyed watching Evans at the top of the zone when he and Cumberland were in together. Pretty much means Cumberland won't ever be up there. That's a very good thing for everyone imo.

 

[waterhead]

I enjoyed watching Evans at the top of the zone when he and Cumberland were in together. Pretty much means Cumberland won't ever be up there. That's a very good thing for everyone imo.

If we have to hide him a little bit on D to get better offensive production I am on board. He's averaging 5.5 more points per 40 minutes...than KJ.

Beyond that he is averaging 2 more assists, 1 more block, one less turnover, and 3 more rebounds per 40 minutes. All of those things (in theory) either lead to less points for the opponent or more points for us (or best case both).

I am quite confident he's not giving up nearly that much on D right now...lol. Let the man play!

 

[#BearcatNation]

If we have to hide him a little bit on D to get better offensive production I am on board. He's averaging 5.5 more points per 40 minutes...than KJ.

Beyond that he is averaging 2 more assists, 1 more block, one less turnover, and 3 more rebounds per 40 minutes. All of those things (in theory) either lead to less points for the opponent or more points for us (or best case both).

I am quite confident he's not giving up nearly that much on D right now...lol. Let the man play!

While I agree that Cumberland deserves more minutes, keep in mind a lot of KJ's minutes have come against tougher competition. Cumberland has mostly played against our soft schedule. So it does make a lot of sense that JC has played better. But I do agree he has deserved more of a shot in bigger games. The more playing time he gets against these cupcakes, the more comfortable he'll get on the court, preparing him for tougher games.

 

[waterhead]

If we have to hide him a little bit on D to get better offensive production I am on board. He's averaging 5.5 more points per 40 minutes...than KJ.

Beyond that he is averaging 2 more assists, 1 more block, one less turnover, and 3 more rebounds per 40 minutes. All of those things (in theory) either lead to less points for the opponent or more points for us (or best case both).

I am quite confident he's not giving up nearly that much on D right now...lol. Let the man play!

Let's start with Cumberland averaging 5.5 points more per 40 minutes. Then let's assume each possession equals 1 point per possession for both teams.

He's plus 1 in steals/turnovers. Each of those are a 2 point swing...because either we are losing a possession and they are gaining one or we are gaining one and they are losing one. Add 2 points to the 5.5 points he already has on KJ. 7.5 points to the positive when added to his point production.

Assists, blocks, and rebounds are a little harder to figure. A block can be recovered by either team, a missed rebound could have been gathered by someone else on our team or theirs, and an assist we may have scored that possession in another way without the assist. Let's just say each of those equals 1 PPP. So 2 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 block more per 40 minutes equals 6 points. Now we are at 13.5 points above KJ per 40 minutes.

The only thing KJ can hang his hat on now is "on ball defense". Is it possible that he is making up for all of the other stuff (13.5 points) by simply playing great on ball D? Come on man! This is not intended to tear down KJ...just to build up Cumberland. I will root for KJ every minute he is in the game.

 

[waterhead]

While I agree that Cumberland deserves more minutes, keep in mind a lot of KJ's minutes have come against tougher competition. Cumberland has mostly played against our soft schedule. So it does make a lot of sense that JC has played better. But I do agree he has deserved more of a shot in bigger games. The more playing time he gets against these cupcakes, the more comfortable he'll get on the court, preparing him for tougher games.

I understand...but KJ's performance against the worst teams is not very good either. His performance is pretty much the same either way on offense...which is not good. The hard games are not really changing his stats much. It's not like they are dragging down his stats...they flat line pretty bad in almost all games. On the flip side Cumberland hasn't had a chance to get in a rhythm in the big games.

 

[justinhub2003]

Let's start with Cumberland averaging 5.5 points more per 40 minutes. Then let's assume each possession equals 1 point per possession for both teams.

He's plus 1 in steals/turnovers. Each of those are a 2 point swing...because either we are losing a possession and they are gaining one or we are gaining one and they are losing one. Add 2 points to the 5.5 points he already has on KJ. 7.5 points to the positive when added to his point production.

Assists, blocks, and rebounds are a little harder to figure. A block can be recovered by either team, a missed rebound could have been gathered by someone else on our team or theirs, and an assist we may have scored that possession in another way without the assist. Let's just say each of those equals 1 PPP. So 2 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 block more per 40 minutes equals 6 points. Now we are at 13.5 points above KJ per 40 minutes.

The only thing KJ can hang his hat on now is "on ball defense". Is it possible that he is making up for all of the other stuff (13.5 points) by simply playing great on ball D? Come on man! This is not intended to tear down KJ...just to build up Cumberland. I will root for KJ every minute he is in the game.

I'm a stats guy. But in the Iowa state game, it was KJ's on ball and off ball defense that made Monte Morris pass up the last shot and then denied him to come back to the ball.

Would I trust Cumberland to do that in a big game? No way.

That all said, Cumberland is going a long way in having his coaches be confident in him in big games. First he had to prove he CAN do it, now he has to prove he can do it in big games. I think at minimum JJ, Scott and Cumberland have earned the right to show what they can do in our next big game. However 11 games in as a freshman, you DONT earn the right to make big mistakes in huge games. By Game 22, after a few more road games under our belt, we can then see if Cumberland gets the confidence from Cronin that he can play in big games, make a mistake and not be benched for it. He will gradually be given more leash as the season progresses.

Fans would eat Cronin alive if we let Cumberland blow a huge game with a defensive mistake.

 

[waterhead]

While I agree that Cumberland deserves more minutes, keep in mind a lot of KJ's minutes have come against tougher competition. Cumberland has mostly played against our soft schedule. So it does make a lot of sense that JC has played better. But I do agree he has deserved more of a shot in bigger games. The more playing time he gets against these cupcakes, the more comfortable he'll get on the court, preparing him for tougher games.

If KJ hadn't played agains Butler, ISU, or Rhode Island...I am guessing he would be shooting around 42% from the field and maybe 25% from 3. As opposed to his actual stats of 39% and 22%. That's how much those games affect his stats.

 

[waterhead]

I'm a stats guy. But in the Iowa state game, it was KJ's on ball and off ball defense that made Monte Morris pass up the last shot and then denied him to come back to the ball.

Would I trust Cumberland to do that in a big game? No way.

That all said, Cumberland is going a long way in having his coaches be confident in him in big games. First he had to prove he CAN do it, now he has to prove he can do it in big games. I think at minimum JJ, Scott and Cumberland have earned the right to show what they can do in our next big game. However 11 games in as a freshman, you DONT earn the right to make big mistakes in huge games. By Game 22, after a few more road games under our belt, we can then see if Cumberland gets the confidence from Cronin that he can play in big games, make a mistake and not be benched for it. He will gradually be given more leash as the season progresses.

Fans would eat Cronin alive if we let Cumberland blow a huge game with a defensive mistake.

Would we have needed that play if Cumberland was playing more in that game? We can play this game all day...but the bottom line is...Cumberland is a lot more effective on offense and not quite as effective on D. I think he would more than make up for the difference if given the chance. Of course we can't really prove it...but...

 

[waterhead]

Would we have needed that play if Cumberland was playing more in that game? We can play this game all day...but the bottom line is...Cumberland is a lot more effective on offense and not quite as effective on D. I think he would more than make up for the difference if given the chance. Of course we can't really prove it...but...

KJ was 4-10 from the field and 1-5 from deep against ISU. If Cumberland went 5-10 and 2-5...we score 5 more points. Just sayin...

 

[coachpipe]

I'm a stats guy. But in the Iowa state game, it was KJ's on ball and off ball defense that made Monte Morris pass up the last shot and then denied him to come back to the ball.

Would I trust Cumberland to do that in a big game? No way.

That all said, Cumberland is going a long way in having his coaches be confident in him in big games. First he had to prove he CAN do it, now he has to prove he can do it in big games. I think at minimum JJ, Scott and Cumberland have earned the right to show what they can do in our next big game. However 11 games in as a freshman, you DONT earn the right to make big mistakes in huge games. By Game 22, after a few more road games under our belt, we can then see if Cumberland gets the confidence from Cronin that he can play in big games, make a mistake and not be benched for it. He will gradually be given more leash as the season progresses.

Fans would eat Cronin alive if we let Cumberland blow a huge game with a defensive mistake.

Kinda like how KJ left his man against Rhode Island to cover the post on the inbound and give up a wide open game winning 3. but do we give KJ a pass because hes a senior?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Look what is occurring is both players are playing better. The team is playing better. Cumberland is not being force fed or asked to do to much and he is responding. He also seems very comfortable when on the floor with JJ.

KJ is now benefiting from the team as a whole playing better and taking better shots. He is not getting put in a position to heave a shot with the clock running down or asked to create. The players have found their roles and are playing well. Game situations,of course dictate playing time and substitutions. Right now whatever the coach is doing has the performance needle pointing up for a bunch of our players. Will be most interesting to see if the trend continues when the competition gets a bit tougher.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I'm a stats guy. But in the Iowa state game, it was KJ's on ball and off ball defense that made Monte Morris pass up the last shot and then denied him to come back to the ball.

Would I trust Cumberland to do that in a big game? No way.

That all said, Cumberland is going a long way in having his coaches be confident in him in big games. First he had to prove he CAN do it, now he has to prove he can do it in big games. I think at minimum JJ, Scott and Cumberland have earned the right to show what they can do in our next big game. However 11 games in as a freshman, you DONT earn the right to make big mistakes in huge games. By Game 22, after a few more road games under our belt, we can then see if Cumberland gets the confidence from Cronin that he can play in big games, make a mistake and not be benched for it. He will gradually be given more leash as the season progresses.

Fans would eat Cronin alive if we let Cumberland blow a huge game with a defensive mistake.

Cumberland would never be in the position defensively to have to make the kind of play that requires him to deny someone of Morris's caliber. So saying Johnson can do it and Cumberland can't is kind of irrelevant. Johnson's minutes + Cumberland's don't have to = 40. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I think Coach is helping them by putting them in a position to know their role, and succeed in it. You're damn right Cronin would get eaten alive for forcing Cumberland to deny Monte Morris the ball in a huge defensive situation. It'd be a stupid thing to do. But it won't happen for a reason. And that's not Cumberland's fault that he won't be asked to do what he can't do.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Look what is occurring is both players are playing better. The team is playing better. Cumberland is not being force fed or asked to do to much and he is responding. He also seems very comfortable when on the floor with JJ.

KJ is now benefiting from the team as a whole playing better and taking better shots. He is not getting put in a position to heave a shot with the clock running down or asked to create. The players have found their roles and are playing well. Game situations,of course dictate playing time and substitutions. Right now whatever the coach is doing has the performance needle pointing up for a bunch of our players. Will be most interesting to see if the trend continues when the competition gets a bit tougher.

Yes Waite. I just responded with something very similar before reading your post. I agree.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Cumberland would never be in the position defensively to have to make the kind of play that requires him to deny someone of Morris's caliber. So saying Johnson can do it and Cumberland can't is kind of irrelevant. Johnson's minutes + Cumberland's don't have to = 40. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I think Coach is helping them by putting them in a position to know their role, and succeed in it. You're damn right Cronin would get eaten alive for forcing Cumberland to deny Monte Morris the ball in a huge defensive situation. It'd be a stupid thing to do. But it won't happen for a reason. And that's not Cumberland's fault that he won't be asked to do what he can't do.

jake agree with you. Coach is putting these guys in positions to succeed. Our change of pace unit is really making it tough on the opposition. Taem is running the offense and if a shot presents itself they are taking it. We are getting some run outs with our defense and the second unit is keeping everyone fresh and wearing down the opponents. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues when we get into league play.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Jake the other really good thing happening is with the depth we are developing it sends a message to everyone that if you want minutes you better not be taking plays off. Defense is effort. Let down and you'll hear the horn sound.

Guys another thing you have to consider is with how hard we ask our players to guard it only helps when we have the depth to spell them on occasion. I'll also perdict next year when you see Cumberland his physical conditioning will be much better. Look at Quadri and JJ after last off season.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Truth is, this "Johnson vs Cumberland" talk is purely fan driven (which is fine bc that's what us fans do). But it's actually a good thing imo that they have different skills. We can point out who is better at what and break down the numbers all we want, but they're both going to play a lot. I just personally hope Cumberland gets more minutes. And as someone pointed out earlier, those minutes don't all have to come from Johnson.

 

[rogerOH]

I say give Cumberland more time now and get him ready for the NCAA's. KJ's not going to forget how to play defense.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Jake the other really good thing happening is with the depth we are developing it sends a message to everyone that if you want minutes you better not be taking plays off. Defense is effort. Let down and you'll hear the horn sound.

Seems like the togetherness aspect of the team is very strong. As I just posted, us fans talk "Cumberland vs Johnson", but in reality, Johnson genuinely seems like he would do anything he can to help his younger teammates. Same position or not.

 

[waterhead]

Look what is occurring is both players are playing better. The team is playing better. Cumberland is not being force fed or asked to do to much and he is responding. He also seems very comfortable when on the floor with JJ.

KJ is now benefiting from the team as a whole playing better and taking better shots. He is not getting put in a position to heave a shot with the clock running down or asked to create. The players have found their roles and are playing well. Game situations,of course dictate playing time and substitutions. Right now whatever the coach is doing has the performance needle pointing up for a bunch of our players. Will be most interesting to see if the trend continues when the competition gets a bit tougher.

Waite. Before Farley Dickinson... kJ shot 15 percent from 3 in his previous 5 games. He's been good from 2 all year though. That is not really a trend from 3. I will say I am glad he made some 3s last game but don't expect a trend there. I am also glad he took it upon himself to go to the bucket in a few games when nobody else was. So in that regard I do think he has moved forward. Jury is still out from deep.

Cumberland, on the other hand, may have started something. Remember...once is a fluke, twice is coincidence, three times is a trend. One more good shooting night from Cumberland will go a long way.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Truth is, this "Johnson vs Cumberland" talk is purely fan driven (which is fine bc that's what us fans do). But it's actually a good thing imo that they have different skills. We can point out who is better at what and break down the numbers all we want, but they're both going to play a lot. I just personally hope Cumberland gets more minutes. And as someone pointed out earlier, those minutes don't all have to come from Johnson.

he also backs up Evans at the 3. Right now because of his lack of lateral quickness I really believe he is better suited as a 3 then a 2. Probably good he can play both spots.