Mick Cronin needs some help

[#BearcatNation]

Next year will be very interesting as far as bigs go. Replacing JJ and Rubles will be hard, but when you think that we will have Quadri, DeBerry, Strickland, Jermaine Lawrence, and Clark, we could possibly be better with all that depth or at least replace the production of JJ and Rubles. The guards will be interesting also, who will step up and help in replacing SK? I think that Morman and KJ will split minutes, along with Graham if we somehow snag him. Can Shaq finally make the big jump next year and become a consistent contributor? Will Caupain get more minutes next year, considering Guyn will still be around? It will be very interesting, I just thought I would bring it up, even though I know most of us (including myself) are very focused on this year right now. What do you guys think?

If we somehow land Graham, he will start at shooting guard, possibly from Day 1. He will already be a junior and is a load of talent on the offensive end, something we'll need.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I reall don't get the love affair with KJ. He is not ready at all. So far this season he is 6-7 on layups and 0fer everything else. Last night he airballed a 3 and missed a free throw. Last year people moaned every time that Titus shot a 3, KJ misses regularly, and badly, and gets love. Well this year they have made the same amouont of 3's, the only difference is Rubles is yet to shoot one this year. At this time last year Rubles was 1-9 from 3, Johnson is 0-10 this year. Sure he can run a pick and roll against a team that is going through its first year in D-1 and he can make a few layups. I have yet to see a scorer in him, the ball looks funny coming out of his hand. Everyone keeps saying his shot will fall....When?? And when it does I don't see him shooting over 30% from the floor.

Here is one post from early on when KJ was missing everything. I don't care to call anyone out...it's just an example of a bit of irrational impatience IMO. Not only that but I have heard at least one other fan praising how good his shot looks...rather than how funny it looks. Anyhow, he has shot over 30% since about 7 games in.

Not to mention even though KJ missed a FT in that early game his is now 83%...and he has made some nice mid range jumpers.

So you would take a pretty shot that went in 20% of the time over a line drive shot that goes in at 38%

 

[waterhead]

So you would take a pretty shot that went in 20% of the time over a line drive shot that goes in at 38%

I know I didn't say that. My point was...it was too early in the season to write him off as a chronic poor shooter (ala Rubles) when he was just 6-7 games into his college career and obviously experiencing jitters. He was completely missing the rim and clanging bricks early on but he's been much more accurate since. His misses on average are much closer and a better % are going in now. His jitters have been wearing off slowly but surely as I expected. His FT's are also going in at a high rate.

 

[waterhead]

Kj's first 6 games he made 0%. His next 6 games he made 28.5%. His next 7 games he made 37.5% from 3.

At some point the early season doubters have to spot a trend and say...I may have jumped the gun and over-reacted...and maybe it WAS just early season jitters for KJ.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I know I didn't say that. My point was...it was too early in the season to write him off as a chronic poor shooter (ala Rubles) when he was just 6-7 games into his college career and obviously experiencing jitters. He was completely missing the rim and clanging bricks early on but he's been much more accurate since. His misses on average are much closer and a better % are going in now. His jitters have been wearing off slowly but surely as I expected. His FT's are also going in at a high rate.

I agree that KJ has been steadily getting better and better throughout the season. I love his game and his potential. I just don't feel that he is a 3 pt. shooter, at least this year. From midrange and in, he is deadly and he is a great rebounder.

Someone on here posted he shot 23% his sr year and he is at 20 now. I want him to prove me wrong and be that knock down shooter that we need, I think he has the right attitude and ability to do it. He definitely was pressing at the beginning of the year and seems now to be coming into form.

I think that he would make a great sixth man next year. Speeds game up with intense defense and makes things happen on offense. Has JJ's disease when he was a frosh of fouling at a high rate, he needs to control that to stay on the court longer.

 

[waterhead]

At one point KJ was 1-4 through 10 games from the FT line. 25%.

Since then he has been 18-19...95%.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

At one point KJ was 1-4 through 10 games from the FT line. 25%.

Since then he has been 18-19...95%.

Yes I noticed that when I was looking at his stats, that is impressive and love that we have a future tandem TC/KJ that shoot FT's at a high rate. When was last time had two guards that shot 75%+ from the FT line

 

[waterhead]

I agree that KJ has been steadily getting better and better throughout the season. I love his game and his potential. I just don't feel that he is a 3 pt. shooter, at least this year. From midrange and in, he is deadly and he is a great rebounder.

Someone on here posted he shot 23% his sr year and he is at 20 now. I want him to prove me wrong and be that knock down shooter that we need, I think he has the right attitude and ability to do it. He definitely was pressing at the beginning of the year and seems now to be coming into form.

I think that he would make a great sixth man next year. Speeds game up with intense defense and makes things happen on offense. Has JJ's disease when he was a frosh of fouling at a high rate, he needs to control that to stay on the court longer.

That's a good question about the 6th man next year. I could see Johnson or Mormon or Clark in that role. There is a decent chance we will see Thomas and Sanders starting along with JL and TC and whoever is the center.

 

[waterhead]

Yes I noticed that when I was looking at his stats, that is impressive and love that we have a future tandem TC/KJ that shoot FT's at a high rate. When was last time had two guards that shot 75%+ from the FT line

I am probably getting way ahead of myself but I think these guys could both eventually be 85%+ FT shooters. They have started off doing really well and haven't backed down in crucial situations. If our starting guards can make that type of % we will be looking pretty damn good in the future at some point.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

That's a good question about the 6th man next year. I could see Johnson or Mormon or Clark in that role. There is a decent chance we will see Thomas and Sanders starting along with JL and TC and whoever is the center.

Unlikely. You will see Caupain, Johnson, Thomas, Lawrence and DeBerry/Strickland. First off the bench is Sanders, then Guyn and Morman. After that you'll see the true freshman. Wouldn't be surprised if one of them redshirted.

Now that is a young team oozing with talent/potential!!

 

[waterhead]

Unlikely. You will see Caupain, Johnson, Thomas, Lawrence and DeBerry/Strickland. First off the bench is Sanders, then Guyn and Morman. After that you'll see the true freshman. Wouldn't be surprised if one of them redshirted.

Now that is a young team oozing with talent/potential!!

I can't say that I disagree with who you are predicting as far as who I would like to have out there...but JS is getting solid minutes this year and Cronin is clearly favoring veterans. There is little reason to believe at this point he will change that up unless Johnson or Mormon outplay Sanders significantly. Heck TC has outplayed GG significantly but GG is still the starter.

I can see TC winning the PG position next year. I don't know who will win the C position. JL will have seniority at the 4. Thomas and Sanders will have seniority at the 3 and maybe 2. With the way JS is shooting right now and his veteran status I could see him starting the year at the 2 guard.

 

[waterhead]

Keep in mind this does not mean I think this will be how minutes played go down. Just starters.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Unlikely. You will see Caupain, Johnson, Thomas, Lawrence and DeBerry/Strickland. First off the bench is Sanders, then Guyn and Morman. After that you'll see the true freshman. Wouldn't be surprised if one of them redshirted.

Now that is a young team oozing with talent/potential!!

I think that if Mick decides to pocket a scholarship, one of the other two remaining recruits will be redshirted. I don't see DeBerry (JUCOs don't usually get redshirted), Strickland (already sat out this year), Quadri (he is probably our most skilled offensive big recruit), Clark (don't see it), or Lawrence (why would you?) getting redshirted. None of our current guards fit the redshirt build either-Guyn (nobody redshirts a senior), Sanders (refer back to Guyn), Morman (already redshirted), Caupain (nope), and KJ (outside shot, but I think it is highly unlikely). We should, barring the series of unfortunate events that plagued us this year, have lots of depth next season all around.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Don't sleep on Mormon and don't sleep on Gary Clark. This is going to be a young but very deep team. Possibly the deepest front line in a decade.

I will say:
Caupain/GG/Mormon
Johnson/Mormon
Thomas/Sanders/Clark
Lawrence/Clark/Moore
Deberry/Moore/Strickland

Add to that a guy like Graham? How could you not be excited?

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Don't sleep on Mormon and don't sleep on Gary Clark. This is going to be a young but very deep team. Possibly the deepest front line in a decade.

I will say:
Caupain/GG/Mormon
Johnson/Mormon
Thomas/Sanders/Clark
Lawrence/Clark/Moore
Deberry/Moore/Strickland

Add to that a guy like Graham? How could you not be excited?

Jeff, would really like to find that sharpshooter as well. MC has really put together a nice squad. For those clamoring for more offense this could be your team. As well as the shooter I would really like to have that back line defender. JJ's ability on offense will be easier to replace then his swating shots away consistently or Rubles D'ing up the opponents best front court player. Really haven't seen that ability in any of our returning players. MC may have to unchain the offense and out score some people next year. It looks like he will have the athletes to do it.

What is your view on this? I really haven't seen anybody in recent years who are as quick a leaper as is JJ. He has good vertical but he can jump and then jump again as fast as anyone I've seen at UC in quite sometime. If he doesn't pick up any cheap offensive fouls or reaching fouls 30 feet from the hoop as opposed to using them to guard the rim he is a force. On offense this year he has improved on shot selection and he is taking advantage of his quikness to beat other post players regularily. If he could hit FT's consistently he would raise his PPG average at least 3 points. MC would also utilize him more in closing minutes of close games. Right now in close games I cringe when he gets the ball because I have little confidence in his FT shooting and I know the opposition is just waiting to employ the hack a Shaq strategy. I almost died when in the closing minutes of the last game when we inbounded the ball to him instead of one of our better FT shooters when it was obvious they were going to foul immediately

 

[bearcat jeff]

Jeff, would really like to find that sharpshooter as well. MC has really put together a nice squad. For those clamoring for more offense this could be your team. As well as the shooter I would really like to have that back line defender. JJ's ability on offense will be easier to replace then his swating shots away consistently or Rubles D'ing up the opponents best front court player. Really haven't seen that ability in any of our returning players. MC may have to unchain the offense and out score some people next year. It looks like he will have the athletes to do it.

What is your view on this? I really haven't seen anybody in recent years who are as quick a leaper as is JJ. He has good vertical but he can jump and then jump again as fast as anyone I've seen at UC in quite sometime. If he doesn't pick up any cheap offensive fouls or reaching fouls 30 feet from the hoop as opposed to using them to guard the rim he is a force. On offense this year he has improved on shot selection and he is taking advantage of his quikness to beat other post players regularily. If he could hit FT's consistently he would raise his PPG average at least 3 points. MC would also utilize him more in closing minutes of close games. Right now in close games I cringe when he gets the ball because I have little confidence in his FT shooting and I know the opposition is just waiting to employ the hack a Shaq strategy. I almost died when in the closing minutes of the last game when we inbounded the ball to him instead of one of our better FT shooters when it was obvious they were going to foul immediately

All very good points. JJ is an athletic freak. It's what has frustrated me in his time here because he could have really been good the past two years if he had applied himself to more in certain areas like nutrition and strength. His defense is a product of this athleticism but he is also one of the rare breed that simply has that God given ability of timing. His athleticism enables him to block from nearly any angle and his body control allows him not to foul. You don't replace that.

What you can do is use size and strength to protect the rim and I believe with Clark, Moore, DeBerry, Strickland and Lawrence they will be a collective that will block their share of shots. But there will also be more bulk in the rim area to make it more difficult to get close to the basket.

Mick has already stated the defensive prowess of Mormon and Johnson. Add to that the length of next years team and an offseason for TC to trim body fat and work on lateral movement. He's also long and young with room to grow so him coming back 6'4" next season isn''t a stretch. Throw in GG and Shaq, Sanders and Clark and I think you'll have a really good defensive team to keep opponents guards pushed out and trap.

So to close I think next years team will be a very good defensive team by mid January 2015. There will be some missed assignments and stupid fouls early, but with their length and atleticism they have the potential to again be scary defensively.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

All very good points. JJ is an athletic freak. It's what has frustrated me in his time here because he could have really been good the past two years if he had applied himself to more in certain areas like nutrition and strength. His defense is a product of this athleticism but he is also one of the rare breed that simply has that God given ability of timing. His athleticism enables him to block from nearly any angle and his body control allows him not to foul. You don't replace that.

What you can do is use size and strength to protect the rim and I believe with Clark, Moore, DeBerry, Strickland and Lawrence they will be a collective that will block their share of shots. But there will also be more bulk in the rim area to make it more difficult to get close to the basket.

Mick has already stated the defensive prowess of Mormon and Johnson. Add to that the length of next years team and an offseason for TC to trim body fat and work on lateral movement. He's also long and young with room to grow so him coming back 6'4" next season isn''t a stretch. Throw in GG and Shaq, Sanders and Clark and I think you'll have a really good defensive team to keep opponents guards pushed out and trap.

So to close I think next years team will be a very good defensive team by mid January 2015. There will be some missed assignments and stupid fouls early, but with their length and atleticism they have the potential to again be scary defensively.

Thanks for the resonse. Even without Graham it will be a exciting year if he comitts it could be special.

 

[Ryno99]

How good would this team look with a shooter like Field Williams or Tony Bobbit? Makes you hope for a guy like Graham next year.

 

[Robert]

I am a little concerned about our depth in the back court next season if we don't land Graham. DeShaun Morman, by all accounts, should be a guy who comes in and contributes right away, but what if he doesn't? You can never count on a guy who's never played college basketball 100%.

This might be wishful thinking, but I would love it if Shaq worked on his ball handling and offensive awareness enough this off-season to be able to play the 2.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I am a little concerned about our depth in the back court next season if we don't land Graham. DeShaun Morman, by all accounts, should be a guy who comes in and contributes right away, but what if he doesn't? You can never count on a guy who's never played college basketball 100%.

This might be wishful thinking, but I would love it if Shaq worked on his ball handling and offensive awareness enough this off-season to be able to play the 2.

Awhile back Mick talked about the possibility of Shaq playing the two. Imagine a 6'3", 6'7", 6'5" (Sanders) or 6'7" (Clark), perimeter and that' if TC doesn't grow and he's just 18. He wanted Shaq to get lift on the ball from the outside. Something he still seems unable to do. Frankly I'm excited about Mormon on the wing. He's tough, hardnosed and athletic.