Central Florida (Thurs Jan 23rd)

[#BearcatNation]

If JJ plays like he did last night against UL, we are going to get destroyed inside. There were several times Blair drove around him. There were also several times Sykes drove in pulled JJ out and then passed to low block for layup/dunk.

I agree to an extent. I think the reason his D looked very poor at times is he was very worried about fouling. I'm sure Mick has been on him lately about not giving up fouls early in the game. To do that, his defense has to suffer a little. Can't just slide over and run into a guy trying to go around him. They'll call that a blocking foul every time.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I agree to an extent. I think the reason his D looked very poor at times is he was very worried about fouling. I'm sure Mick has been on him lately about not giving up fouls early in the game. To do that, his defense has to suffer a little. Can't just slide over and run into a guy trying to go around him. They'll call that a blocking foul every time.

I saw him talking to a referee in the second half and the ref showed him that he slid over and ran into him exactly as you are describing. If he is worried about fouling then he needs to get rid of the gimme's, the illegal screens are horrible, foul and turnover.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Guys I might point out that we out rebounded them 36-31. JJ did tie his career high in Blocks. My point is while JJ didn't lite up the board rebounding others did. Blocking shots at the rate he does sometimes can leave him out of position but if he is going to cover for there mistakes defensively by swatting away shots at the rim them crashing the boards isn't out of the question. As a team we boarded well.

Agreed, rebounding overall was pretty good. Then again, it didn't seem like UCF took many outside shots and those are the hardest to rebound. But, as for JJ's blocks, a lot of his blocks come from having to cover from his own mistakes. He had at least 3 of those last night, maybe more. Don't get me wrong, he has been great covering for others but I'd still prefer him to play good on the ball defense first, and then rely on the block if/when needed.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Shouldn't be playing the 4? Hell, for the first three years everyone here thought he should be a 3. He hasn't been playing out of position lately, he just hasn't been playing as good as he is capable of playing.

And GG thinks he is a gunslinger. You could tell every time on offense he was just itching to get a 3 point shot off. You'd think with his percentages and the fact that he isn't even close on half of them that he'd stop and realize that maybe he should act like a PG.

I said he should play the four. But necessity drives what we have and the team is making the most of it.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I said he should play the four. But necessity drives what we have and the team is making the most of it.

My fault, misread you.

 

[Not Guilty]

I said he should play the four. But necessity drives what we have and the team is making the most of it.

I disagree. Justin is a 5 in the system we want to run. And he has been great at it. We should have made him one earlier. We could have really used this version of Justin last year.

 

[TheLongHaul]

I disagree. Justin is a 5 in the system we want to run. And he has been great at it. We should have made him one earlier. We could have really used this version of Justin last year.

He should be on the low block or in the high post. Whether that means at a 4 or 5 doesn't really matter. Last year too much of his time was spent around the arc dribbling the ball and that is where he fails.

 

[ralph1950]

JJ, star of the game!

 

[Patrick Bateman]

He should be on the low block or in the high post. Whether that means at a 4 or 5 doesn't really matter. Last year too much of his time was spent around the arc dribbling the ball and that is where he fails.

That was the system that Cronin had in place last year, the 4 out 1 in. Wanted JJ to be a wing player.

 

[Not Guilty]

He should be on the low block or in the high post. Whether that means at a 4 or 5 doesn't really matter. Last year too much of his time was spent around the arc dribbling the ball and that is where he fails.

Agreed. And defensively, even though he is undersized, he protects the rim about as well as any big man in the country and uses his quickness to often deflect or steal balls from bigs that are trying to post him up.

I'm not sure there is a better combination of defensive big men in the country than Justin Jackson and Titus Rubles. Both can block shots (Titus' 4.3% block rate is solid. Justin's 14.6% block rate is absurd). Both create a lot of steals. And both have the lateral quickness to switch out on perimeter players if necessary, making it extremely difficult to run the pick and roll against us.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Agreed. And defensively, even though he is undersized, he protects the rim about as well as any big man in the country and uses his quickness to often deflect or steal balls from bigs that are trying to post him up.

I'm not sure there is a better combination of defensive big men in the country than Justin Jackson and Titus Rubles. Both can block shots (Titus' 4.3% block rate is solid. Justin's 14.6% block rate is absurd). Both create a lot of steals. And both have the lateral quickness to switch out on perimeter players if necessary, making it extremely difficult to run the pick and roll against us.

Small sample Kirk and Bairstow outplayed JJ and TR at NM, though they have played on a different level since then. The jury is out now but many questions will be answered on how they do against Louisville inside.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I disagree. Justin is a 5 in the system we want to run. And he has been great at it. We should have made him one earlier. We could have really used this version of Justin last year.

Never said he wasn't good...never said he didn't fit his role very well. Simply said standardly he is a 4.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Agreed, rebounding overall was pretty good. Then again, it didn't seem like UCF took many outside shots and those are the hardest to rebound. But, as for JJ's blocks, a lot of his blocks come from having to cover from his own mistakes. He had at least 3 of those last night, maybe more. Don't get me wrong, he has been great covering for others but I'd still prefer him to play good on the ball defense first, and then rely on the block if/when needed.

Just a thought but JJ's less then aggressive defense could be the product of our lack of depth espescially with JL sidelined. We can not have Rubles and JJ sitting out major minutes and expect to beat good competition. I'm certain MC has told them don't take any risk early. If you have to give up a hoop to avoid a foul better to give up two points then sit for the half. I know you watch the games but are level of defensive intensity has gone down since JL has been sidelined. That was the second half of our game at Memphis. Our level of competition has allowed us to get by but heading into the toughest part of the schedule we will be challenged tremendously. If our seniors lose minutes to fouls against Louisvile they will run us out of the building.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Small sample Kirk and Bairstow outplayed JJ and TR at NM, though they have played on a different level since then. The jury is out now but many questions will be answered on how they do against Louisville inside.

Patrick a more telling sign against Louisville in my opinion will be how well our guards can stop the louisville guards from penetrating the lane. That will be the key to the game. Smith is a beat either finishing,drawing fouls or kicking it out to open shooters.

 

[TheLongHaul]

That was the system that Cronin had in place last year, the 4 out 1 in. Wanted JJ to be a wing player.

Yea, I'm aware of that, wasn't saying it was necessarily JJ's fault.

Just a thought but JJ's less then aggressive defense could be the product of our lack of depth espescially with JL sidelined. We can not have Rubles and JJ sitting out major minutes and expect to beat good competition. I'm certain MC has told them don't take any risk early. If you have to give up a hoop to avoid a foul better to give up two points then sit for the half. I know you watch the games but are level of defensive intensity has gone down since JL has been sidelined. That was the second half of our game at Memphis. Our level of competition has allowed us to get by but heading into the toughest part of the schedule we will be challenged tremendously. If our seniors lose minutes to fouls against Louisvile they will run us out of the building.

It's possible, but I think he has still been overly aggressive in going for blocks which is where most of the fouls occur. Moving your feet and keep the guy in front of you leads to less fouls. But I definitely do agree that the lack of depth has affected him to some degree. I don't think JJ has ever been great at playing with foul trouble. He is so aggressive it just doesn't suit him well.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Patrick a more telling sign against Louisville in my opinion will be how well our guards can stop the louisville guards from penetrating the lane. That will be the key to the game. Smith is a beat either finishing,drawing fouls or kicking it out to open shooters.

I agree. Can we slow down Smith, Rozier, Hancock, Blackshear and company?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yea, I'm aware of that, wasn't saying it was necessarily JJ's fault.



It's possible, but I think he has still been overly aggressive in going for blocks which is where most of the fouls occur. Moving your feet and keep the guy in front of you leads to less fouls. But I definitely do agree that the lack of depth has affected him to some degree. I don't think JJ has ever been great at playing with foul trouble. He is so aggressive it just doesn't suit him well.

I don't mind a foul at the rim it is the one 30 ft from the hoop coupled with the moving pick I can't stand. He can't give away twofouls like that.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I agree. Can we slow down Smith, Rozier, Hancock, Blackshear and company?

Harrell vs Jackson is going to be a fun match-up. I am very worried about Sunday though.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Lousville shoots almost 38% from three and 1/3 of their shots are from there. They've shot nearly 100 more 3s than the Bearcats. They've shot 511 fts compared to UC's 462 but Cincinnati hits them at a higher rate. UC should be able to attack the rim though. Nobody has more than 28 blocks for Louisville. Bearcats can't stand and launch 3s.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Harrell vs Jackson is going to be a fun match-up. I am very worried about Sunday though.

NTS, I worry all the time. I wonder if Rubles will take on Harrell freeing up JJ to roam and defend the lane.