NC Central

[LeftyRose]

Sanders keeps the defense honest. He forces his man to defend the three-point line, which opens the lane for guard penetration and post-entry. He's actually very efficient on offense, although his usage percentage is low, which indicates that he understands his limitations as a player.

Shaq can't shoot. It's probably not his fault. Genetically, some guys are less accurate, just like some baseball players can throw a ball 95 mph and others cannot. Unfortunately, this makes Shaq very easy to defend. It also hurts the entire offense, because his man can sag and help on guard penetration and post-entry.

To salvage his career, Shaq's going to have to put on more weight and develop into a post-4, a la Justin Jackson his senior year. Otherwise, he will continue to struggle. 22 year old men, who have played basketball their entire life, are very unlikely to improve shot accuracy.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

BTW, Jamaree Strickland has been suspended from the team per Mick.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

BTW, Jamaree Strickland has been suspended from the team per Mick.

WOW!

 

[Bearcatmatt]

BTW, Jamaree Strickland has been suspended from the team per Mick.

I had no idea. Did he say why?

 

[bearcat jeff]

You'd have to have your head in the sand not to understand why some people aren't happy with the performance. All those "good" things yet they struggle to beat a crap team by 9 and don't even score 60 points. They've played four cupcakes so far and in three of them they haven't even reached 60 points. I'm not writing off this team by any means, but if you aren't in the least bit concerned than you must be watching a different team.

I'm not concerned I expected this. I see flashes of what they can be and I see a confused group who are thinking and not just playing right now. It frustrates me, but I believe it'll get better and I've said a hundred times I could care less how much they score as long as they win.

 

[bearcat jeff]

10.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2 tpg....fyi

I do agree though, lots of room for growth and I'm still really high on him. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Thanks...I didn't include tonight.

 

[bearcat jeff]

He needs to be more aggressive offensively. It is the same problem Clark is having at the moment. Both need to just look at the rim sometimes!

I agree but I truly believe part of that is making the transition to being a leader. I actually get more frustrated at that than anything right now.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I had no idea. Did he say why?

"Conduct unbecoming of a Bearcat" is how I believe Mick put it.

 

[BearcatMick]

Mick has them playing better. It's a young team. They'll be on fire come January.

Don't expect this team to lose more than one game in conference

 

[bearcat jeff]

Interesting, I'm sure that sends a message to others in the locker room that there is a way to practice, play and behave on and off the court. I will say he does not allow anyone to mess his locker room up.

 

[L-T]

I'm hoping Shaq might need some kind of surgery to keep him out of action too...

This is an utterly classless comment about a young man who is representing our program. I sure hope his parents and potential recruits aren't reading crap like this.

 

[L-T]

I thought last night was a vast improvement over the previous game. I thought the offense looked much better. Unfortunately, the defense didn't look very good. I also liked how Mick handled the rotations and substitutions. Overall, I'd like to see a much bigger margin of victory against teams like this, but I still like this group of players and believe there's enough talent to have a good season and make the tournament. This next 30 days will go a long way toward determining just how good we'll be. We'll get some good tests this weekend and we'll know a lot more after those games. But, I think we did a little better job of passing the eye test last night.

 

[ME80]

The only thing with Caupain for me is just 2 free throw attempts last 2 games.

I'm sure it has something to do with it but Mick mentioned Troy has been fighting a tender ankle and was hoping he could give him as much rest as possible last night. I would think that this is keeping him from driving to hoop and drawing fouls.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Really saw some positives astnight. Clark is improving every game. DeBerry gave us good minutes subbing for Ellis. Sanders hits some shots off the bench. KJ and Cobb hit a few from the wing and ball movement was much better. The only downer was Shaq contiues to look lost. Really think Mick is going to have to sit him a bit so he can clear his head. Kid is definetly pressing. i have never been overly impressed with his game. But he has never looked this bad.

 

[waterhead]

Careful. There's a line and you're standing one foot on each side with that kind of remark.

Good game, 7/10.

Morman isn't in the doghouse per MC comments, he just couldn't get him any PT with the zone since he needed shooters on the floor. He is getting frustrated but he has to do it.

I would be frustrated too because Mick found 20 minutes for Thomas. Thomas is anything but a shooter and I dare say Morman might be a better slasher too...because he is decisive rather than passive.

I am guessing it's more than just "the zone D"...lol!! Guessing it's attitude related...and Thomas has a better attitude right now.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I would be frustrated too because Mick found 20 minutes for Thomas. Thomas is anything but a shooter and I dare say Morman might be a better slasher too...because he is decisive rather than passive.

I am guessing it's more than just "the zone D"...lol!! Guessing it's attitude related...and Thomas has a better attitude right now.

You maybe ready a bit much into it. Mick is trying to get Shaq started. He mentioned in one of his post games that he has to figure a way to get him started. Right now he looks lost. After lastnight KJ anf DeBerry seem to be moving in right direction. Mick knows he will need Shaq later on in year and is giving him every opportunity to get himself turned around. Kid is really struggling right now. Mick is trying everything to get him turned around.

 

[waterhead]

You maybe ready a bit much into it. Mick is trying to get Shaq started. He mentioned in one of his post games that he has to figure a way to get him started. Right now he looks lost. After lastnight KJ anf DeBerry seem to be moving in right direction. Mick knows he will need Shaq later on in year and is giving him every opportunity to get himself turned around. Kid is really struggling right now. Mick is trying everything to get him turned around.

You just basically agreed with me. It had NOTHING to do with a zone D. It was about something other than a zone D

But yes it's possible I am reading too much into the doghouse possibility...not sure

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

You just basically agreed with me. It had NOTHING to do with a zone D. It was about something other than a zone D

But yes it's possible I am reading too much into the doghouse possibility...not sure

oh I see says the blind man

 

[Bearcatmatt]

I think Ellis has been our most consistent player. He rebounds, blocks shots, and has the ability to score inside. Caupain has been very solid. Sanders hits big shots. Cobb had another game where he shot the 3. Clark finally showed his potential - he was blocking shots, rebounding, and scoring inside. Deberry looked pretty good last night.

Our biggest issue last night was a lack of defense, especially at the Guard position. That is where we miss Guyn, but I do agree defense is Mick's strong point. This team can rebound and does have talent, but they are young. My biggest concern, as it has been with UC, is their offense (which looked much better last night). Their D will come along.

 

[Hicks' Guns]

Does anyone think we should sit Shaq down from the starting lineup for a few games and start Sanders? Something like: "Hey Shaq, we're going to bring you off the bench. If you play assertively, you'll stay on the court. If not, you're going to sit back down."

It's now 2+ years that we've been waiting for him to be more assertive.

The part I can't get my head around is how much of the drop off is from Shaq to Sanders defensively. I do like Jermaine's leadership when he's out there which to me is a consideration.