Morehead State

[PakMan]

Cobb obviously looked good last night. He seems to be a shooter (as in wants to shoot and not scared to shoot and has a nice, smooth shot) and fortunately his shots were falling. Early in the game he chucked up a bad, deep three and it hit the front of the rim and it lead to a fast-break the other way. Obviously you want your shooters to feel comfortable to shoot and if he continues to hit his shots I'll think he'll get that green light to do that, but he needs to be smarter about just chucking it up early in the clock. When the offense is flowing (even by our standards) and he gets passed the ball I am all for him taking the shot. For everybody wanting him to start, I just don't see it happening. He is our best option for running the point behind Caupain. Yes, they'll be on the floor together some but if they both start then Guyn or KJ become your back-up point guard. I don't think that's best for the team. Also I hope last night is a glimpse of things to come from him and not his one breakout game. He won't put up 24 every night but I sure hope that doesn't end up being his lone 20+ point game.

Another note, I've been Shaq's biggest critic but I do want to say I like his aggressiveness in calling for the ball and in trying to attack the rim. His execution still needs to be worked on, but I like that he isn't playing timid. It's a start at least. Also his one-on-one defense on the ball is really good. He's gotten his hands on some balls and created some turnovers. Believe it or not I really am hard on Shaq and critique him tough but I really root for him and want to see him reach his potential.

Good post. Cobb is definitely an off the bench kind of guy. He will not be as consistent as we would like for him to be, but will be a good sparkp plug.

Shaq actually played pretty well after he settled down in the 2nd half. His shot still sucks, he still can't contain his nervous energy, still doesn't know when to pull up and shoot short jumpers...but his defense was excellent, and passing was on point too. He had 3 straight assists to Cobb during one stretch.

And I wanna see KJ play with the starters in place of Guyn. He got stuck with all the young guys last night, and he's not ready for that.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Haven't seen the cats play this year yet, but I still believe the less Sanders and Guyn play the better for the team. The other guys are more talented and if they can steal playing time from the upperclassmen due to good play, the Bearcats will be a solid ballclub.

Sanders and Guyn will each have their moments, but neither start on a NCAA tourney team.

Gotta disagree with your take on Sanders. I don't mind him playing 20+ minutes one bit (as long as he isn't passing up shots). He shot 6 3s last night...I love that bc anytime he shoots 6, he will make at least 2 of them.

 

[Robert]

Good post. Cobb is definitely an off the bench kind of guy. He will not be as consistent as we would like for him to be, but will be a good sparkp plug.

Shaq actually played pretty well after he settled down in the 2nd half. His shot still sucks, he still can't contain his nervous energy, still doesn't know when to pull up and shoot short jumpers...but his defense was excellent, and passing was on point too. He had 3 straight assists to Cobb during one stretch.

And I wanna see KJ play with the starters in place of Guyn. He got stuck with all the young guys last night, and he's not ready for that.

Last night I was leaning towards Cobb as a starter, but I do like him off the bench. But if last night is any indication, he needs to play 20-25 minutes from here out. He reminds me a lot of Jason Terry -- a potential 6th man combo guard who is quick with the basketball and can really get on a roll from outside. I look forward to seeing him getting to the rim more and seeing if he can finish. Does anyone know what kind of vertical Cobb has?

 

[Ryno99]

From what I can gather from a couple of contacts close to the program, if they don't run a set offense Shaq would do well, but the problem is as soon as they run plays and he has to think about where he needs to be he just can't figure it out and doesn't flow because he thinks too much. He also let's his bad offense at times screw him up on defense which Mick won't stand for.

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

From what I can gather from a couple of contacts close to the program, if they don't run a set offense Shaq would do well, but the problem is as soon as they run plays and he has to think about where he needs to be he just can't figure it out and doesn't flow because he thinks too much. He also let's his bad offense at times screw him up on defense which Mick won't stand for.

That makes sense he looks lost sometimes. Very shocking going into his 4th year. You think he would understand what Mick runs by now

 

[CanadianBearcat]

That's one thing that I always noticed playing basketball, some people are able to pick up a play and see how it should be run after doing it just one time through, other people just have trouble understanding and seeing how an offense works. Shaq I would say is definitely the latter. He has to find his confidence to run the play but also make his move or cut whenever its appropriate within the offense. A set offense allows for variability within it's scheme. I think that Shaq is being more aggressive this year and as he gets a feel for his teammates and the offense I think we will see him start to settle into his role.

We all see the athleticism and the potential, but he isn't going to be that 14-16 pt scorer we all would like him to be, it just isn't his game. Shaq needs to get us 10 pts in transition and off rebounds, at least 6 boards and play great defense. He just isn't the alpha dog on this team and I'm fine with that, let Oct or Troy take that role and let Shaq settle into a nice role as mis-match on offense and solid defender instead of waiting for him to evolve as a scorer. I dream of having a Rashad Bishop again on the Cats and even tho Shaq won't have the shot Bishop did I would love if Shaq became nearly as valuable as he was.

 

[PakMan]

From what I can gather from a couple of contacts close to the program, if they don't run a set offense Shaq would do well, but the problem is as soon as they run plays and he has to think about where he needs to be he just can't figure it out and doesn't flow because he thinks too much. He also let's his bad offense at times screw him up on defense which Mick won't stand for.

The second part about his offense screwing up his defense makes sense.

The first part sounds like crap. They run a basic motion offense against a man and a very basic zone offense against zones...probably 80-90% of halfcourt plays. I've never watched Shaq thinking how lost he looks. Its always about him not finishing, no arch on his shot, shooting out of rhythm, fading away or just not being aggressive enough. Maybe his aggressiveness could be affected if he is confused on set plays, but that should only be a few plays a game. There's no way in hell he doesn't know where to go in the base offenses. If that is the case, that is a COMPLETE failure of the coaching staff.

 

[cincrulz11]

There's no way in hell he doesn't know where to go in the base offenses. If that is the case, that is a COMPLETE failure of the coaching staff.

I have no idea what Shaq knows, but if he doesn't know where to go that is a complete failure on the player. Some guys never understand basic things, that isn't coaching, that is the player.

 

[bearcat8290]

Don't forget, you guys that don't get the game on TV can buy tickets and head down to 5/3rd arena. I know some of you are out of town, but those close to Cincinnati can certainly do so.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Good post. Cobb is definitely an off the bench kind of guy. He will not be as consistent as we would like for him to be, but will be a good sparkp plug.

Shaq actually played pretty well after he settled down in the 2nd half. His shot still sucks, he still can't contain his nervous energy, still doesn't know when to pull up and shoot short jumpers...but his defense was excellent, and passing was on point too. He had 3 straight assists to Cobb during one stretch.

And I wanna see KJ play with the starters in place of Guyn. He got stuck with all the young guys last night, and he's not ready for that.

Pak Shaq has been terrible. Mick commented on the post game he is letting his lack of offense effect his defense.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I have no idea what Shaq knows, but if he doesn't know where to go that is a complete failure on the player. Some guys never understand basic things, that isn't coaching, that is the player.

This is his 4th year in program unfortunately some guys just don't turn the corner. I would have to say based on his play Shaq may be one who doesn't up to this point he hasn't.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Shaq in high school was able to jump over people and played with the ball in his hands as the number one option. He probably had a bunch of run outs and made some wow plays because of his athletism. He isn't able to play in a structured offense. Some players can't make that transition. It's like playong full court as opposed to half court. We all have played and seen a guy just dominate going one on one in half court games but when he ran full court you wondered where he went. Being able to play without the ball as part of a team is a completely different game. One Shaq has not picked up yet. Mick keeps running him out there hoping the light will come on. To this point it hasn't.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Shaq in high school was able to jump over people and played with the ball in his hands as the number one option. He probably had a bunch of run outs and made some wow plays because of his athletism. He isn't able to play in a structured offense. Some players can't make that transition. It's like playong full court as opposed to half court. We all have played and seen a guy just dominate going one on one in half court games but when he ran full court you wondered where he went. Being able to play without the ball as part of a team is a completely different game. One Shaq has not picked up yet. Mick keeps running him out there hoping the light will come on. To this point it hasn't.

I agree but I think with Shaq some of it is nervous energy that he is unable to control and it speeds him up and hinders him mentally. He has a hard time playing in the flow of a game. I thought in the second half the other night he did a better job not forcing shots but taking what was given and assisting. That's what he needs to get. You don't have to be a scorer to effect the game. He could be a big help by passing and as an offensive rebounder. If he'd start facilitating it would open his own offensive game and path to the offensive board.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree but I think with Shaq some of it is nervous energy that he is unable to control and it speeds him up and hinders him mentally. He has a hard time playing in the flow of a game. I thought in the second half the other night he did a better job not forcing shots but taking what was given and assisting. That's what he needs to get. You don't have to be a scorer to effect the game. He could be a big help by passing and as an offensive rebounder. If he'd start facilitating it would open his own offensive game and path to the offensive board.[/QUOTE I wish he would Jeff but it's hard to undue years of habits. By continually starting him mick is giving him every opportunity. Hope he and the team can cash in.

 

[Mcginnjw]

Shaq has a very good mid range jumper. He jumps extremely high on his pull up, which is why he developed a flat shot. The flat shot isn't reliable from 3 and creates long rebounds. Mick has continuously stated he wants him shooting normal mid range shots and not 3's or circus shots. Mick knows what he has and Shaq needs to learn that there is nothing wrong with mid range jumpers. He needs to forget about what NBA scouts want to see and just take good shots....

 

[BCM]

Something tells me we are right about to see beast mode Shaq. Call it a hunch.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Shaq in high school was able to jump over people and played with the ball in his hands as the number one option. He probably had a bunch of run outs and made some wow plays because of his athletism. He isn't able to play in a structured offense. Some players can't make that transition. It's like playong full court as opposed to half court. We all have played and seen a guy just dominate going one on one in half court games but when he ran full court you wondered where he went. Being able to play without the ball as part of a team is a completely different game. One Shaq has not picked up yet. Mick keeps running him out there hoping the light will come on. To this point it hasn't.

I agree but I think with Shaq some of it is nervous energy that he is unable to control and it speeds him up and hinders him mentally. He has a hard time playing in the flow of a game. I thought in the second half the other night he did a better job not forcing shots but taking what was given and assisting. That's what he needs to get. You don't have to be a scorer to effect the game. He could be a big help by passing and as an offensive rebounder. If he'd start facilitating it would open his own offensive game and path to the offensive board.

Waite I completely agree. I've always said Shaq needs to be on a run and gun team where defense gets lost and you don't have to run set plays and run defensive schemes. And Jeff I agree as well that nerves and his mental game is keeping him down. When he plays a team that doesn't play defense and pressure him when handling the ball then he can look like a stud. Unfortunately in the college world those teams are few and far between.

I think Shaq and his game would be better suited off the bench where there's less pressure to produce. Realistically with his fragile confidence (and I don't say that to demean him as I personally suffer from having a fragile confidence) can you bench him at this point and take away his starting role and hope he can produce? Would taking away his starting spot damage his confidence?

 

[PakMan]

Pak Shaq has been terrible. Mick commented on the post game he is letting his lack of offense effect his defense.

agreed, he was terrible 1st half of more head state. But 2nd half, he played pretty well.

He might benefit from coming off the bench, as someone said.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

agreed, he was terrible 1st half of more head state. But 2nd half, he played pretty well.

He might benefit from coming off the bench, as someone said.

hope he does but I have my comcerns