2016-2017 Season

[TheLongHaul]

KJ doesn't lose his man on switches and double teams. Your job as an offense is to find a mismatch, find an open man, etc. When KJ is in there the team defense is much better. Last year Cobb started and KJ came off the bench. The combo of troy/cobb/Shaq led to a lot of open threes by our opponents. When KJ is in there he runs the defense, his job is to make sure no one gets open. He does an amazing job at that. Sure he gets beat here and there or commits a dumb foul. But possession in and possession out, KJ is the glue to the defense. That's why Mick says he's hands down the best defender and why he'll continue to start. Mick runs a complicated defense and KJ works it to perfection. There's no stats other than opponent team score that will reflect the difference of KJ being in and being out. Steals/blocks/rebounds are great and needed but that's not KJ's primary role. He runs the defense. KJ probably isn't our best on the ball defender, but we never play straight man to man and never will.

As far as Blueitt the other day, wasn't anybody going to stop him. Use to you could get away with grabbing and holding a guy to keep him from getting the ball. Nowadays you cant. Once the ball was in his hands you can't bear hug a guy to keep him from shooting. Half his threes his feet weren't set and he had a hand in his face. Kid was just on fire. I will credit Evans for disrupting him better once he got put on him. He saw the little stutter step dribble he would take and just got in his face when he did it to keep him from getting his shot up. Forced him to drive and forced several turnovers.

Mick stopped running a complicated defense half way through the Marshall game. Ever since it's either been a man to man while switching on screens or straight up man to man.

Again, I don't think KJ sucks at defense, I just don't think he's a great defender and not good enough to overcome his other liabilities. And he definitely isn't a defensive stopper. It's no coincidence that UC has been playing it's best since JC has been getting more PT and playing better. The more and more he eats away at KJ's minutes the better this team will be and the higher their potential is. Prior to JC coming on, UC's only weakness was it's SG spot.

 

[Bcatfollower]

Mick stopped running a complicated defense half way through the Marshall game. Ever since it's either been a man to man while switching on screens or straight up man to man.

Again, I don't think KJ sucks at defense, I just don't think he's a great defender and not good enough to overcome his other liabilities. And he definitely isn't a defensive stopper. It's no coincidence that UC has been playing it's best since JC has been getting more PT and playing better. The more and more he eats away at KJ's minutes the better this team will be and the higher their potential is. Prior to JC coming on, UC's only weakness was it's SG spot.

Agreed. Also if kj was the best defender why was Evans tasked with shutting down bluiet in the second half of the x game.

 

[justinhub2003]

Agreed. Also if kj was the best defender why was Evans tasked with shutting down bluiet in the second half of the x game.

Evans is longer and can bother blueitt more. And KJ is better at guarding guys who penetrate. That's not blueitts game. Putting Evans on blueitt leaves KJ to guard sumner.

The hate for KJ is kinda insane to me. We're playing absolutely great basketball and yet we have people whining about our local senior SG....

 

[GoCats88]

Evans is longer and can bother blueitt more. And KJ is better at guarding guys who penetrate. That's not blueitts game. Putting Evans on blueitt leaves KJ to guard sumner.

The hate for KJ is kinda insane to me. We're playing absolutely great basketball and yet we have people whining about our local senior SG....

Mind blowing isn't it. Cumberland has been huge for us, that's obvious. And he is gonna probably keep eating into KJs minutes a little bit. But to tear down KJ just to bring him up is beyond me. KJ can start the rest of the season, if Cumberland keeps having the success he is off the bench why change it, so far thing have gone pretty well.

 

[waterhead]

Evans is longer and can bother blueitt more. And KJ is better at guarding guys who penetrate. That's not blueitts game. Putting Evans on blueitt leaves KJ to guard sumner.

The hate for KJ is kinda insane to me. We're playing absolutely great basketball and yet we have people whining about our local senior SG....

I have seen some opinions on KJ but certainly not even close to bordering on hate...at least not in this discussion.

There is nothing wrong with the opinion that Cumberland see more minutes or that KJ should continue to start. I don't get why people get so worked up when someone thinks another player would be a better starter. Especially when you can see a drastic difference in their abilities. Of course they are both very good on different sides of the court.

Pick your poison...offense or defense

 

[waterhead]

Mick stopped running a complicated defense half way through the Marshall game. Ever since it's either been a man to man while switching on screens or straight up man to man.

Again, I don't think KJ sucks at defense, I just don't think he's a great defender and not good enough to overcome his other liabilities. And he definitely isn't a defensive stopper. It's no coincidence that UC has been playing it's best since JC has been getting more PT and playing better. The more and more he eats away at KJ's minutes the better this team will be and the higher their potential is. Prior to JC coming on, UC's only weakness was it's SG spot.

The interesting thing is that people keep insinuating that Cumberland is eating into KJ's minutes slowly but surely. However, KJ is averaging 28.2 minutes PG on the season and 28.6 in conference. Cumberland has been getting more minutes but not really at the detriment of KJ's minutes.

If Cumberland played D like KJ, Evans, or Clark...he would likely be in line for 30+ minutes right now. Cumberland is 2nd only to Washington in PPG in conference per 40 minutes and obviously he is trending up after his last two performances. Hopefully they aren't a fluke. We know he has big games in him...but will he be consistent?

Time will tell...but for now I would like to see him play well for a few more games...especially on the road in conference. If he stays aggressive and continues to drive...I think he will prove to be a consistent threat. If he falls in love with the 3...then probably will be up and down.

 

[justinhub2003]

Keep in mind too that not all players adjust to starting the way they do off the bench.

Perfect example: JP macura

That dude was huge off the bench for a very good X team last year. He was an offensive spark who took risks. Now he is a starter and turns the ball over and gets beat on D all the time.

Plus if KJ is guarding that teams best guard from tip, it doesn't let them get into a rythem at all. Much easier for Cumberland to guard a guy who might be a little gun shy.

Do I think Cumberland is a better player than KJ? Absolutely. Do I think he should start when team chemistry is so high right now? No way. You don't change what's not broken.

 

[waterhead]

One thing I love about watching Cumberland are his entry passes. Quick, decisive, accurate, on time, and he puts some zip on them. It's not just about his scoring. He keeps the ball moving whether with passes or creating on his own.

It's really cool to watch what happens when the ball doesn't get stuck on the wing. The offense flows so much better.

 

[waterhead]

Keep in mind too that not all players adjust to starting the way they do off the bench.

Perfect example: JP macura

That dude was huge off the bench for a very good X team last year. He was an offensive spark who took risks. Now he is a starter and turns the ball over and gets beat on D all the time.

Plus if KJ is guarding that teams best guard from tip, it doesn't let them get into a rythem at all. Much easier for Cumberland to guard a guy who might be a little gun shy.

Do I think Cumberland is a better player than KJ? Absolutely. Do I think he should start when team chemistry is so high right now? No way. You don't change what's not broken.

I agree with a lot of what you have said here. However, there is another old adage that "if you are not changing to get better...you are getting passed up by someone else". It's not as simple as "if it ain't broke don't fix it". You always want to be getting better. I am not really making the argument it would definitely get better...just pointing out another philosophy.

 

[HoosierCat]

I like having the offensive fire power coming off the bench with Cumberland.

 

[justinhub2003]

FYI guys:
Jarron has been great at home but he is absolutely not the same away from home

Jarron's averages away from home: 2.75ppg (games in double figure: 0)
KJ's averages away from home: 6.87ppg (games in double figures: 3)

This is where jarron has to prove himself. Playing great away from home. I think his career high away from home is 6, KJ's is 14.

That's the difference between a freshman with more talent and a senior with more experience. Taking your game on the road.

2-15 from 3 in away games for Cumberland.

Does anyone have any legs to stand on to say that jarron should start over KJ tonight? I cant find any in road games.


I know jarron will be a star and he has plenty of time to do it.

 

[waterhead]

FYI guys:
Jarron has been great at home but he is absolutely not the same away from home

Jarron's averages away from home: 2.75ppg (games in double figure: 0)
KJ's averages away from home: 6.87ppg (games in double figures: 3)

This is where jarron has to prove himself. Playing great away from home. I think his career high away from home is 6, KJ's is 14.

That's the difference between a freshman with more talent and a senior with more experience. Taking your game on the road.

2-15 from 3 in away games for Cumberland.

Does anyone have any legs to stand on to say that jarron should start over KJ tonight? I cant find any in road games.


I know jarron will be a star and he has plenty of time to do it.

KJ shooting 28% on the road. Cumberland 30%. Both miserable but you get the point. PPG doesn't tell the whole story. He's just shooting more.

I think KJ should start if or until Cumberland proves he can play like the last couple of games consistently and better on the road.

 

[GarradJ21]

KJ shooting 28% on the road. Cumberland 30%. Both miserable but you get the point. PPG doesn't tell the whole story. He's just shooting more.

I think KJ should start if or until Cumberland proves he can play like the last couple of games consistently and better on the road.

I disagree. You leave it how it is and I don't think Cronin would switch it now with 10 games left of the regular season in one of his best seasons he has ever coached. You would only switch it if you truly didn't want to play KJ anymore and stick with Cumberland for all 40 minutes. Benching KJ to a freshman in his senior year ruins the kids confidence in every which way. I think people get too hung up on starters anyways. It's whose finishing games and I like to rotation we get between KJ and Cumberland down the stretch for offense and defense. Starting has not been a trouble for us at all this year, unlike last year.

 

[waterhead]

I disagree. You leave it how it is and I don't think Cronin would switch it now with 10 games left of the regular season in one of his best seasons he has ever coached. You would only switch it if you truly didn't want to play KJ anymore and stick with Cumberland for all 40 minutes. Benching KJ to a freshman in his senior year ruins the kids confidence in every which way. I think people get too hung up on starters anyways. It's whose finishing games and I like to rotation we get between KJ and Cumberland down the stretch for offense and defense. Starting has not been a trouble for us at all this year, unlike last year.

I can agree with this. It could potentially backfire with KJ. However, we need to start getting him more minutes if he keeps up his recent play.

 

[justinhub2003]

KJ shooting 28% on the road. Cumberland 30%. Both miserable but you get the point. PPG doesn't tell the whole story. He's just shooting more.

I think KJ should start if or until Cumberland proves he can play like the last couple of games consistently and better on the road.

I think this proves my point even more. If both players suck on the road, but one plays better D that always travels.. you play KJ.

And I don't think you have two different lineups for home and away. You make your lineup based on the toughest games and who shows out.

That all said. I really really want jarron to show up big on the road. It could be the difference in a game like tonight or @SMU.

 

[justinhub2003]

I disagree. You leave it how it is and I don't think Cronin would switch it now with 10 games left of the regular season in one of his best seasons he has ever coached. You would only switch it if you truly didn't want to play KJ anymore and stick with Cumberland for all 40 minutes. Benching KJ to a freshman in his senior year ruins the kids confidence in every which way. I think people get too hung up on starters anyways. It's whose finishing games and I like to rotation we get between KJ and Cumberland down the stretch for offense and defense. Starting has not been a trouble for us at all this year, unlike last year.

This actually brings up another good point.


Mick Cronin has done an absolutely amazing job of subbing in the last 3 minutes of tight games. Washington and jarron in for offense, then brooks and KJ in for D and we do that 5x in the last minute.

Cronin has been a pretty damn good in game coach this year.

 

[waterhead]

I think this proves my point even more. If both players suck on the road, but one plays better D that always travels.. you play KJ.

And I don't think you have two different lineups for home and away. You make your lineup based on the toughest games and who shows out.

That all said. I really really want jarron to show up big on the road. It could be the difference in a game like tonight or @SMU.

What? How can you give a PPG stat which shows how much more KJ is scoring on the road...and then I give one that shows that he actually shoots it worse...and then you say it proves your point even more? SMH

I have been saying I would start KJ anyway...at this point in the season...he's going to continue starting. The only thing to really debate is the minutes each one plays and when the first substitution comes.

 

[waterhead]

This actually brings up another good point.


Mick Cronin has done an absolutely amazing job of subbing in the last 3 minutes of tight games. Washington and jarron in for offense, then brooks and KJ in for D and we do that 5x in the last minute.

Cronin has been a pretty damn good in game coach this year.

I would agree about his end of game sub patterns. He's giving us the best chance on each end when he can

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

9 games left in the regular season. We have 5 at home and 4 away. 8-1 gets us at least a share of the title. If the loss is to anyone but SMU we win the title outright by virtue of our head to head record against them. How does everyone see the Cats finishing?

 

[#BearcatNation]

9 games left in the regular season. We have 5 at home and 4 away. 8-1 gets us at least a share of the title. If the loss is to anyone but SMU we win the title outright by virtue of our head to head record against them. How does everyone see the Cats finishing?

Best-case is obviously finishing 9-0. I think 6-3 would be worst-case. I think we for sure win our 5 remaining home games + @ USF.

My only concerns are @ SMU, @ UCF, and @ UConn.
- UCF isn't a *big* worry, but I think we'll struggle there. Probably a slugfest, considering their defense is Top 25. Just gonna have to pull it out, like @ Tulsa.
- UConn will be bumpin' on senior day. They'll have atmosphere on their side.
- @ SMU is easily our toughest remaining game. Likely an L.

I think 7-2 or 8-1 is most likely. So 28-3 or 27-4 before the conference tourney.