Morehead State

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TheLivingLegend said:
My lineup

Troy. Cobb. Sanders. Clark. Ellis.

Off bench. Kj. Moorman. Shaq. Moore.

Mick has to get his rotations at 9 or less. Basketball is a game built around flow.
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I agree - I hate the thought of starting Sanders but maybe Shaq will play better coming off the bench.
 
It will be very hard for Deberry or Strickland to see minutes against these small teams, that is why Ellis has been the biggest key to victory in the past two games. Eventually I think you'll see Johnson slide into the 2 guard spot over Guyn, Mick is going to want to keep Cobb off the bench for scoring if the starters struggle.
 
I'm not sure why some people are disappointed with Clark. He is everything I expected so far. He rebounds and plays great defense for a freshman. He finishes at the rim, even if he's not aggressive enough on offense. He only looks slow at times because he is thinking too much on offense. Also, keep in mind he put on a lot of muscle weight and is probably still adjusting to his new physique. He's a keeper for sure and will look much better by midseason IMO. 6 points, 7 boards, and 2 steals per game in 24 minutes so far is pretty solid for a frosh.
 
I know it's only two games, but Shaq's stat line is rather hilarious. 1.5 PPG on 11% field goals, 0% from three. 3.5 turnovers per game in 19.5 minutes per game. OUCH!
 
I think Gary has done fine so far as well. I'd like for him to get the ball more. Not sure if that's his fault for not calling for it/not being open, or his teammates aren't looking for him, but he'll get more touches. Even currently, he's 4th on the team in points averaging 6 PPG on 50% shooting to go with 7 boards per game. 2 steals per game as well. Stats don't mean a whole lot this early, but he is producing, and should only get better.
 
The real benefit to Cobb hitting some jumpers is that in order for the inside to open up we need a consistent threat on the wing. Shaq is not that and from the early going KJ hasn't found his stroke. Sanders and Guyn have not been lights out either. If you want to stop people from double the post you have to be able to swing the ball and hit a jumper.Cobb gave us that Wed. night.

Shaq's strength is as a open court player. He is terrible in a half court set. if we aren't pushing the ball his game is limited. As Mick said on post game if he takes his offensive troubles to the defensive end he can not help the team.
I think eventually mick will be forced to reduce his role.
 
Bearcat_NTS said:
It will be very hard for Deberry or Strickland to see minutes against these small teams, that is why Ellis has been the biggest key to victory in the past two games. Eventually I think you'll see Johnson slide into the 2 guard spot over Guyn, Mick is going to want to keep Cobb off the bench for scoring if the starters struggle.
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I was up in the nose bleeds last night so my view isn't good, but it looked like Morehead had some good size on their team? I know they had that big white dude and I thought I remember another big boy. If DeBerry can't see action against these teams when Ellis is in foul trouble, realistically who is he going to see action against? I can't imagine there are too many teams that have bigger, slower, big men than Morehead did. But again, they just looked that way at the game so maybe they were small than they appeared.
 
#BearcatNation said:
I think Gary has done fine so far as well. I'd like for him to get the ball more. Not sure if that's his fault for not calling for it/not being open, or his teammates aren't looking for him, but he'll get more touches. Even currently, he's 4th on the team in points averaging 6 PPG on 50% shooting to go with 7 boards per game. 2 steals per game as well. Stats don't mean a whole lot this early, but he is producing, and should only get better.
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Gary will be fine he is a young inexperienced player who will get better the more minutes he plays.
 
My biggest concern with our offense is the lack of playing time our big guys will see this year. The more DeBerry and Strickland don't get experience posting up early on the season it won't be any better when we start conference play. Last night, our offense was no different than it was last year.

Ellis was JJ and Cobb was SK. With no post presence it is so easy to defend us. Pack in the lane and force everything around the 3 point line. Thankfully we shot well last night but we all know that will not be there every game. In the 2nd half we were like 0-whatever from 2 FG's and our only buckets were 3's.

I hate to use Xavier as an example but they play us pretty well because their game plan is pack the paint not allow us to get to the hoop. They have a post guy in Stainbrook who would tear our guys up right now. I would kill for a post guy who knows how to use their body as a way to create space and post up. But we don't. Its extra frustrating this year because we are suppose to have big guys now but I honestly would be surprised if they are a factor in our offense.

Obviously time will tell but history tells me we will be without any post presence again and an unstructured offensive system.
 
UCalum08 said:
My biggest concern with our offense is the lack of playing time our big guys will see this year. The more DeBerry and Strickland don't get experience posting up early on the season it won't be any better when we start conference play. Last night, our offense was no different than it was last year.

Ellis was JJ and Cobb was SK. With no post presence it is so easy to defend us. Pack in the lane and force everything around the 3 point line. Thankfully we shot well last night but we all know that will not be there every game. In the 2nd half we were like 0-whatever from 2 FG's and our only buckets were 3's.

I hate to use Xavier as an example but they play us pretty well because their game plan is pack the paint not allow us to get to the hoop. They have a post guy in Stainbrook who would tear our guys up right now. I would kill for a post guy who knows how to use their body as a way to create space and post up. But we don't. Its extra frustrating this year because we are suppose to have big guys now but I honestly would be surprised if they are a factor in our offense.

Obviously time will tell but history tells me we will be without any post presence again and an unstructured offensive system.
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Ellis is 16-19 on free throws this year. That is better than JJ. Also you forgot Clark's line was like Rubles lol. Caupain got 31 minutes though and he is on his way to having a GREAT year imo. I agree with Jeff that we need someone to produce at the 3rd guard/3 spot. As Clark and Moore get adjusted, I think we'll start to see a better offensive flow. We might not average 70+ but I think we can be a pretty efficient offense by conference play.
 
Would we ever play a lineup of Caupain Cobb Clark Moore Ellis? If those 3 big guys are going to be good players and together for 2 seasons, I wouldn't mind trying that out. I mean even if Clark is uncomfortable shooting or spending time on the wing, is that really worse than having Shaq out there?
 
^ I don't mean that group as starters. It'd be a weaker defensive lineup. I just mean for a few minutes at a time to get out of a drought.
 
So, with Ellis being JJ, and Cobb being SK, and Clark being Rubles, does that mean were headed for another crappy 27-7 season , a share of the league championship, and a final ranking of 15 again?
 
L-T said:
So, with Ellis being JJ, and Cobb being SK, and Clark being Rubles, does that mean were headed for another crappy 27-7 season , a share of the league championship, and a final ranking of 15 again?
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Who broke into your account? Last I recall you were complaining about this.
 
Ideally I want KJ starting because I think he has the potential to be really good, but he is another that can't seem to make that mental leap at this point.

I would be fine with Sanders starting he at least is solid and I'll scream less not watching Shaq drive out of control and turn the ball over and shooting threes. If he would ever drive under control and pull up he'd be next to unstoppable.

I would like to see Deberry play some. We will need him against teams like X, Memphis and SMU. But he has to play consistently hard and get in shape.
 
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.
 
cincycpaw said:
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.
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Guyn did start on a NCAA tourney team. Sanders hit some big shots last year as well. Both will make contributions this year. If they are passed on depth chart that speaks very well for the talent on this team.
 
L-T said:
So, with Ellis being JJ, and Cobb being SK, and Clark being Rubles, does that mean were headed for another crappy 27-7 season , a share of the league championship, and a final ranking of 15 again?
Click to expand...

Touché my friend lol. I guess ultimately I am worried about the lack of post play within our offense. It makes us so one dimensional. All our great length and athleticism only goes so far when those guys won't be able to get to the basket bc defenses are clogging the lane.
 
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.
 

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