John Brannen Expectations

[sedziobs]

I think Hardnett is the most unknown of a guy as I can remember. He's a guy who played PG in high school but can't shoot whatsoever.

Is that true? His shot certainly looked ok to me in warmups last year.

The 5 spot will likely be different than under Cronin. With the back to basket post game slowly evaporating from basketball, you don't always need size at that position. Brooks was very important in the Cronin system where rim protection and offensive rebounding were keystones. But you can definitely get away with smaller players with a different strategy. We can always bring in Sorolla if we need him for post defense against certain teams.

None of us know enough about Brannen or the new players to truly know what is best for this team. But my early opinion is that I would start Scott at the 5 with McNeal getting the bulk of PG duties. That's the kind of lineup that is typically on the floor in late game situations anyway. The post game practically disappears in the last minute in college basketball.

A McNeal, Cumberland x2, Williams, Scott lineup is 4 seniors and a junior. Our bench will be full of guys with varying skill sets that can play multiple positions. I would guess minutes will vary a lot game to game based on opponent. I could easily see most of our bench players getting 25 minutes one game and 5 the next.

Anyway, I think Brannen has built a solid roster. I'm not concerned about the 5 position. Sorolla is here to protect the rim when needed. Our offensive efficiency is not going to depend on post play this year.

 

[skyblade]

Is that true? His shot certainly looked ok to me in warmups last year.

The 5 spot will likely be different than under Cronin. With the back to basket post game slowly evaporating from basketball, you don't always need size at that position. Brooks was very important in the Cronin system where rim protection and offensive rebounding were keystones. But you can definitely get away with smaller players with a different strategy. We can always bring in Sorolla if we need him for post defense against certain teams.

None of us know enough about Brannen or the new players to truly know what is best for this team. But my early opinion is that I would start Scott at the 5 with McNeal getting the bulk of PG duties. That's the kind of lineup that is typically on the floor in late game situations anyway. The post game practically disappears in the last minute in college basketball.

A McNeal, Cumberland x2, Williams, Scott lineup is 4 seniors and a junior. Our bench will be full of guys with varying skill sets that can play multiple positions. I would guess minutes will vary a lot game to game based on opponent. I could easily see most of our bench players getting 25 minutes one game and 5 the next.

Anyway, I think Brannen has built a solid roster. I'm not concerned about the 5 position. Sorolla is here to protect the rim when needed. Our offensive efficiency is not going to depend on post play this year.

Yeah Hardnett's shot isn't terrible. He shot threes in HS, but not many and mostly only when he was wide open. His game was mostly about taking the ball to the basket. But his 3-point shooting should continue to improve. I expect he will shoot wide open 3's next year and make them at a reasonable rate.

Jarron would almost have to play the 4 in that lineup. He can do it, but it seems like we'd be taking a major hit in rebounding and Jarron would be getting beat up on defense. If McNeal is a very good player then it might be worth it, but if he is the player he was at New Mexico, I don't seem he getting major PG minutes.

 

[TheRealMick]

I think McNeal go be more important than Keith(not better)

 

[waterhead]

Chad filled in for mo today. He talked a lot about uc. Worth a listen. The link is on his twitter timeline. Sounds like brannen has some good recruits visiting. A lot to get excited about.

What I am excited about after listening to his latest presser was his opinion on recruiting. He said there wasn’t much left he could go after as a fit for the program that could make an impact. I think he’s licking his chops for 2020 and he said he likes the early signing period. When asked a question about how the UC brand helps with recruiting he mentioned a few things but basically said “that stuff doesn’t matter that much...we’re going to set em up and knock em down either way”

I think he’s going to end up doing very well recruiting

 

[TheRealMick]

I think Hardnett is the most unknown of a guy as I can remember. He's a guy who played PG in high school but can't shoot whatsovever. Now people are talking about him playing the 5? Does he have the handle to play like Ben Simmons?

Will be interesting to see how he is used in Brannen's system, and i guess we'll never know how Mick intended to use him.

Unless you're a 7ft post player, I think the goal is to have anybody get the ball and push the break

 

[TheRealMick]

With style of play coach wants to run, I wouldn't be surprised if no player plays over 30min a game besides jarron

 

[waterhead]

Something Brannen said on Mo Egger show is somewhat disappointing although understandable. Brannen said he would normally spend about 70% of time on skills development but because everyone is new to the system he will have to spend most of the time teaching that. He also said he chose to bring along NKU guys so he didn't have to coach the coaches on a new system (along with the players...not enough time).

I was really hoping to see what he could do with adding some skills to the players but we may have to wait a year on that. So I would expect to see a little heaver dose of the veterans who don't need as much development.

The younger kids are really going to have to hit the gym and work on things outside of practice to get better.

 

[cincyguy13]

Something Brannen said on Mo Egger show is somewhat disappointing although understandable. Brannen said he would normally spend about 70% of time on skills development but because everyone is new to the system he will have to spend most of the time teaching that. He also said he chose to bring along NKU guys so he didn't have to coach the coaches on a new system (along with the players...not enough time).

I was really hoping to see what he could do with adding some skills to the players but we may have to wait a year on that. So I would expect to see a little heaver dose of the veterans who don't need as much development.

The younger kids are really going to have to hit the gym and work on things outside of practice to get better.

I’m sure they find ways to work on everything. They can’t say that, but I’m sure they do.

 

[beeman7467]

Something Brannen said on Mo Egger show is somewhat disappointing although understandable. Brannen said he would normally spend about 70% of time on skills development but because everyone is new to the system he will have to spend most of the time teaching that. He also said he chose to bring along NKU guys so he didn't have to coach the coaches on a new system (along with the players...not enough time).

I was really hoping to see what he could do with adding some skills to the players but we may have to wait a year on that. So I would expect to see a little heaver dose of the veterans who don't need as much development.

The younger kids are really going to have to hit the gym and work on things outside of practice to get better.

Agree it disappointing, but pretty much expected. My hope is that the upperclassmen can pick it up and carry the rest of the team. They have enough skill players with experience to overcome some of the learning curve they all face. Might be a little rough in the early going, but I think it will look better as the season progresses. One thing for certain, with the quality of the league, whoever wins the title will have some conference losses.

 

[Emperor Snapper]

That's the thing with Jarron. He knows where to put his body. He doesn't just let you back him down to the block and he can create the space for a rebound by putting his ass end into you. Yes...that won't work every time...but it might be better than a guy who has no idea how to use his body but has 6" of reach on you. If Diara (or Hardnett) can't get position...what good does the height get you? It might be a wash...and if it is....the offense is the deciding factor.

PJ Tucker plays minutes at center in the NBA, and he is 6'6" and came into the league as a SG. Cumberland shares similarities with Tucker. It's not something you want to do 30 minutes a night, but I think Jarron can do spot duty there.

Also, this team might play more than a little zone when they go small.

 

[Cpaw]

This is more than expected to be the case. Any new coach will spend the first months instilling his personality, culture and methods into the team. I believe this is where Vogt will be important is helping in practices to aid the transition. I do believe our guys seem to have bought in, a hard working and hopefully will adapt quickly. I am excited for this transition and it seems the players are as well which is important.

 

[waterhead]

I’m sure they find ways to work on everything. They can’t say that, but I’m sure they do.

Yah...I think it's called..."Here is what I want you to work on outside of practice so you better go do that if you want to play". They only get 4 hours of scheduled practice a week in the summer so the players are going to have to take some initiative. They also get 4 hours of off court training.

 

[waterhead]

Could be a little bit of a bumpy start in OOC and even in conference. I don't expect a very low seed as a result which could hurt our chances in the dance to get out of the first weekend. But I think we will finally be playing our best ball at the end of the season (relative to the competition).

Gone IMO are the days of heading into the tourney having already played our best ball. Faster tempo, take advantage of breaks, better perimeter passing/ball movement, and FREEDOM to make plays over a micro managed situation.

Just make the dance! If we get off to a hot start...the sky is the limit...as that will mean Brannen has somewhat circumvented the "getting on the same page" stage.

 

[TheRealMick]

Could be a little bit of a bumpy start in OOC and even in conference. I don't expect a very low seed as a result which could hurt our chances in the dance to get out of the first weekend. But I think we will finally be playing our best ball at the end of the season (relative to the competition).

Gone IMO are the days of heading into the tourney having already played our best ball. Faster tempo, take advantage of breaks, better perimeter passing/ball movement, and FREEDOM to make plays over a micro managed situation.

Just make the dance! If we get off to a hot start...the sky is the limit...as that will mean Brannen has somewhat circumvented the "getting on the same page" stage.

I see a lot of blowouts with 100pt games to start off. I think we upgraded every position from last year team besides C, I'm calling PG a wash. If coach keeps his word on pro system I see us being best in years.

 

[Amberlycolonel]

I see a lot of blowouts with 100pt games to start off. I think we upgraded every position from last year team besides C, I'm calling PG a wash. If coach keeps his word on pro system I see us being best in years.

Spot on. Will not see any 20-14 halves this season

 

[UCats329]

This entire thread is pretty hilarious in retrospect.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I think McNeal go be more important than Keith(not better)

Whoops.

 

[cincyalum2014]

I think McNeal go be more important than Keith(not better)

Freezing cold take