Barclays Center Classic

[Bearcat_NTS]

Game will be on channel 64 locally on Friday. Some things I saw tonight scared me a bit, particularly how weak Ellis has been in the post all season. If our guards don't make shots this is going to be a close game.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Game will be on channel 64 locally on Friday. Some things I saw tonight scared me a bit, particularly how weak Ellis has been in the post all season. If our guards don't make shots this is going to be a close game.

Agreed about Ellis, but the guards need to make a much better effort in getting the ball to the post. Mick has mentioned that it needs to be a priority but I haven't seen it yet. Granted, the big men need to do a better job sealing their defender but so far this season the guards refuse to throw the ball down low. Ellis has had good position numerous times per game and just hasn't gotten the ball.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

UC 77
Nebraska 58

I'm hoping Shields and White don't shoot well, and our guys bounce back. I like Evans vs man to man defense. He might end up 3rd or 4th on the team in scoring. We need to come out with a lot of energy. No reason we shouldn't win both games this weekend.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Predicting UC to be -11.

 

[cincrulz11]

Mick mentioned the team hadn't really practiced against man defense yet and he expected tonight to be a struggle. They'll probably be much more prepared Friday.

 

[waterhead]

Agreed about Ellis, but the guards need to make a much better effort in getting the ball to the post. Mick has mentioned that it needs to be a priority but I haven't seen it yet. Granted, the big men need to do a better job sealing their defender but so far this season the guards refuse to throw the ball down low. Ellis has had good position numerous times per game and just hasn't gotten the ball.

Yes I agree. I heard about his improved footwork but it's not really apparent so far. I also agree the guards are missing the opportunity to feed the post a lot. Evans has absolutely no problem getting it down there almost at will. Caupain is better at it from the wing. KJ and Cobb struggle with it. Thomas is not as good as he should be for his height. Jenifer is pretty good at getting in the lane and attracting people to dish to a big on the block...also pretty good with the lob over the defender.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

KJ actually made a post pass last night...but Moore was straight up and couldn't seal. I think we'll be working a lot on that.

As for Ellis...he doesn't have to finish right at the rim every single time he gets it in the post. He tries to force his way all the way in. He is tall enough that he can get his shot off over the top. I'd like to see him work from 10-12 feet more often.

 

[BC21]

I don't like the idea of depending on our bigs as first option. Just my personal opinion that we've got the results we've gotten by allowing our guards to play their games. My first priority would be getting Cobb going and once he gets going, watch the floor open up for our Bigs.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I would like to see more lineups with Shaq at the 4 spot. You could start Shaq at the three, if he's not going early you pull him for Evans and then bring Shaq in at the 4 to sub Clark (rather than bringing in Moore).

 

[waterhead]

I would like to see more lineups with Shaq at the 4 spot. You could start Shaq at the three, if he's not going early you pull him for Evans and then bring Shaq in at the 4 to sub Clark (rather than bringing in Moore).

I think I'm ready for Shaq to be the #2 backup plan for Clark after DeBerry. I really still don't see Moore being used in crucial games.

 

[jds513]

I would like to see more lineups with Shaq at the 4 spot. You could start Shaq at the three, if he's not going early you pull him for Evans and then bring Shaq in at the 4 to sub Clark (rather than bringing in Moore).

I've been thinking this all year. I'm not sure Moore can be a serious contributer if this team has final 4 aspirations. He isn't quite good enough. He's the weakest big man with the ball that I can remember during the Cronin era. He gets the ball swiped away so much and I don't think he really understands the concept of team basketball. He's selfish on the court. At least there seems to be an attitude improvement. I guess that's good. Also, Shaq has been much more aggressive on the glass recently and we have gone small with him before so it's nothing new.

 

[mdchick]

I think you'll see this weekend that we are 9 deep, deberry and Ellis will play together and I agree with you guys shaq can play the 4, but for a minimal amount of time ideally I would like Clark being in the game for at least 30 mins against good teams.

 

[jbreeds1]

I expect a big game out of Shaq and Farad. Both seniors who underperformed on Tuesday night. Time to step up and beat some credible teams. This is when the upperclassmen should start to show that they're ready for a deep run.

Who knows about Octavius? The talent and intensity is there, it just seems like something is off. No focus???

If this team is a top 10 team, like I think they are, they should win both Friday and Saturday by double digits. Regardless of the Saturday opponent.

 

[UCalum08]

I am interested to see if we are able to impose our new style of play against high major schools. We showed we can the first five games but its different when you're going against guys of similar talent and size.

 

[bearcat8290]

I think Evans is emerging as a guy that will get some serious time. He's very productive in that he passes well, good court vision, has good ball control, shoots well from long range too and plays adequate defense. I think he needs more work on the defensive side. He has also had some good rebounding games. He's going to get more and more playing time.

 

[Mcginnjw]

I expect a big game out of Shaq and Farad. Both seniors who underperformed on Tuesday night. Time to step up and beat some credible teams. This is when the upperclassmen should start to show that they're ready for a deep run.

Who knows about Octavius? The talent and intensity is there, it just seems like something is off. No focus???

If this team is a top 10 team, like I think they are, they should win both Friday and Saturday by double digits. Regardless of the Saturday opponent.

I think the difference this year with our bigs is that teams are collapsing and double some times triple teaming our guys. This really wasn't the case last year as Clark and Ellis didn't really command those type of defensive looks.

I expect the high major teams to try and face us one on one with the idea that they have the players to do so and not leave open shooters. I suspect our bigs ppg to go up and our guards ppg to go down as we get into better quality opponents. If our guards ppg and shooting % stay flat through better teams I think we will be extremely dangerous.

 

[Bulldog01]

Mick mentioned the team hadn't really practiced against man defense yet and he expected tonight to be a struggle. They'll probably be much more prepared Friday.

what type ish is that?

 

[jacobkdoyle]

what type ish is that?

So many games this early we haven't been practicing full on.

 

[Bulldog01]

So many games this early we haven't been practicing full on.

I'll take that. If nothing else our shooting has improved in zones

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I think the difference this year with our bigs is that teams are collapsing and double some times triple teaming our guys. This really wasn't the case last year as Clark and Ellis didn't really command those type of defensive looks.

I expect the high major teams to try and face us one on one with the idea that they have the players to do so and not leave open shooters. I suspect our bigs ppg to go up and our guards ppg to go down as we get into better quality opponents. If our guards ppg and shooting % stay flat through better teams I think we will be extremely dangerous.

Yes I agree. The only exception may be DeBerry. He really has a tough time passing out of double teams. Seems like he should be able to improve though since he doesn't have/need a bunch of post moves.