Next year's scholarship situation

[Bearcat_NTS]

Jeff couldn't agree more on who our primary scorers will be next year.

Also agree that the loss of Dixion was huge. Not just for his slashing/finishing ability but when Cash was out of the game he handled the ball and was better than any back up we had this year.

Hope your right about Davis and Guyn. I don't see it though. Davis also neeeds to work on his handle.

Caulpin, Lawrence and Strickland will neeed to put up some points and play D.

I really like JDIII's game, good skill level and plays under control.

 

[nparker1]

I really like JDIII's game, good skill level and plays under control.

agreed...it is just my opinion, but in watching JDIII's play, his style/tempo reminds me so much of Chauncey Billups...would love to see JDIII develop into half the player that Billups was/is...regardless, i am really excited to see him get some minutes and experience

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I really like JDIII's game, good skill level and plays under control.

I hope your right. What little I saw of him his freshman year he lacked quickness, had difficulty guarding like most freshman. Bits and pieces I picked up about him was he needed to work on his handle as well. Particulary his left hand. The fact that he wasn't the back up to Cash his freshman year indicates they felt better about Guyn at PG then him. He does have a nice shot as evidenced by the big three he made against St, john's in the closing seconds that briefly gave us the lead. Really can't get to excited over a guy who barely played his freshman year and didn't play his sophmore year do to injury. Him not being a true PG and with SK,Thomas,Sanders and newcomers also playing the wing don't think he sees a lot of action.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

agreed...it is just my opinion, but in watching JDIII's play, his style/tempo reminds me so much of Chauncey Billups...would love to see JDIII develop into half the player that Billups was/is...regardless, i am really excited to see him get some minutes and experience

again hope you guys are right but I haven't seen anything that says he is a difference maker at the D1 level. Billups was a very good player. If JDIII is half as good as him i will be very happy.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I hope your right. What little I saw of him his freshman year he lacked quickness, had difficulty guarding like most freshman. Bits and pieces I picked up about him was he needed to work on his handle as well. Particulary his left hand. The fact that he wasn't the back up to Cash his freshman year indicates they felt better about Guyn at PG then him. He does have a nice shot as evidenced by the big three he made against St, john's in the closing seconds that briefly gave us the lead. Really can't get to excited over a guy who barely played his freshman year and didn't play his sophmore year do to injury. Him not being a true PG and with SK,Thomas,Sanders and newcomers also playing the wing don't think he sees a lot of action.

Never did I say he will be a great player and major contributor. I just said that I like his game, he places with good pace and usually makes the right pass. Also like that he is a bit bigger of a guard, has a similar body type to Chris Lofton who played at Tennessee.

 

[L-T]

You think Kenyon's and JJ's descriptions are similar? Not much offensive game? That's the biggest misconception of Martin. He wasn't a stud offensively but he wasn't nearly as raw as people suggest. In Martin's first real season he averaged 10 points and 9 rebounds a game. In Jackson's first three years he hasn't even averaged 6 points a game. His first year he averaged 2.5 points. There is very little correlation between KMart and JJ. KMart also had a very high bball IQ, even as a freshman. JJ has shown that his bball IQ is very low. That goes a long way in a players development. After 3 years don't expect the light to suddenly come on. By now he pretty much is what you see. Hopefully he improves some but expecting a lot of improvement isn't realistic.

Since 95% of what I said went right over your head, let me say it another way. My point was to not compare JJ to Kenyon, it was to illustrate how much a player can improve in one season. If Kenyon can go from 10 points and 6.9 rebounds to consensus national player of the year in one season, then it's certainly possible that JJ can go from his paltry stats (whatever they may be) to become a decent player and a solid starter. People want to declare him a role player or bench warmer, and as disappointed as I was in him this year, I still see enough talent there to believe he'll have a bigger impact than just being a role player.

Kenyon was an extreme example. Who would have ever imagined that Bobby Brannen could have become a 1st team all conference player. As a junior, he averaged 5 pts., 5 rebounds, .3 blocks, .7 steals, .7 assists. JJ averaged 4 pts., 5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 steals, 1.5 assists....yet we're declaring him a bench warmer, role player, ready for the scrap heap, etc. Brannen certainly improved in one offseason to turn those miniscule stats into a 1st team all conference player as a senior. JJ's stats are as good or better than Brannen's were as a junior.

I could find many examples of this type of improvement in one season if I wanted to. Again, Brannen went from averages of 2, 1, and 5 pts. a game to 1st team all conference. JJ is far more athletic and quick than Brannen was. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and not cast him off to the scrap heap just yet.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Never did I say he will be a great player and major contributor. I just said that I like his game, he places with good pace and usually makes the right pass. Also like that he is a bit bigger of a guard, has a similar body type to Chris Lofton who played at Tennessee.

You have obviously seen him more than me. If he turns out as well as Lofton i'll be happy. I'm not getting my hopes up. I think the newcomers will eat into his opportunities. I'm not sold on JDIII from anything i've seen.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Since 95% of what I said went right over your head, let me say it another way. My point was to not compare JJ to Kenyon, it was to illustrate how much a player can improve in one season. If Kenyon can go from 10 points and 6.9 rebounds to consensus national player of the year in one season, then it's certainly possible that JJ can go from his paltry stats (whatever they may be) to become a decent player and a solid starter. People want to declare him a role player or bench warmer, and as disappointed as I was in him this year, I still see enough talent there to believe he'll have a bigger impact than just being a role player.

Kenyon was an extreme example. Who would have ever imagined that Bobby Brannen could have become a 1st team all conference player. As a junior, he averaged 5 pts., 5 rebounds, .3 blocks, .7 steals, .7 assists. JJ averaged 4 pts., 5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 steals, 1.5 assists....yet we're declaring him a bench warmer, role player, ready for the scrap heap, etc. Brannen certainly improved in one offseason to turn those miniscule stats into a 1st team all conference player as a senior. JJ's stats are as good or better than Brannen's were as a junior.

I could find many examples of this type of improvement in one season if I wanted to. Again, Brannen went from averages of 2, 1, and 5 pts. a game to 1st team all conference. JJ is far more athletic and quick than Brannen was. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and not cast him off to the scrap heap just yet.

Let me put it a different way. JJ doesn't have near the ability to cultivate that Kenyon did.JJ is a role player and thats all. If he gives us good minutes off the bench i'll be estatic. Nothing he has shown me in 3 years tells me he is going to suddenly come into his own. Just my opinion and your certainly entitled to yours..

 

[L-T]

JD3 played in 4 games and averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 apg. He played 10.8 minutes per contest. I think we all agree our two primary scorers will be SK and Shaq, and we need 1 more consistent double digit scorer to step up.

The Sweet 16 team had four players average double figures (SK 14.3, Dion Dixon 13, Gates 12.2, Cash 10.9) and Parker came close at 9.4 ppg. After Parker it was JJ at 5.1 and the rest were 2.5 or below.

It was still a perimeter oriented team, but they had a big who was a threat and at times could take over, i.e. the Xavier and Georgetown (BEast tourny) games, and a team that accepted their roles. I keep telling people the loss of Dixon was as big as the loss of Gates because he gave you a finisher in the lane. If UC would have had bigs that could have just finished, even off of offensive rebounds, this team would have been a level above where it ended. It was compounded by the fact that none of the guards could penetrate and score.

JD3 has the body to score off contact, and he can hit the outside shot. In his only full season he hit nearly 39% from the 3 (12-31). At 6'3" if he gets his body fat down, and his conditioning up, he could be an X factor for UC with time on the court.

Personally, I think the initial plan is to look at transfer pgs for some experience, and JD3 will play 10-12 minutes at the 2 and spell the point as Dixon did. If the team stays as is, I think he'll be in the mix for the pg starting spot. My hope (emphasis hope) is GG can man the point. Playing behind Cash hasn't afforded him a ton of playing but he will get his chance to earn the starting spot. That enables you to use Davis as a combo guard, but primarily a 2, where I believe his skills are best suited.

Couple of key points about JD3. He came out of high school with the rep of being an outstanding passer. I watched some of his highlight reels from high school and his passing was amazing. A key component of a good point guard is the abililty to see the court, find the open man, and be a good passer. The inability of our team to pass the ball this year was a major weakness.

Secondly, I like some of the intangibles I see in him. I like the fact that he took, and made, the big 3 last year to tie the game with St. Johns in the last 10 seconds. I think he had another game where he hit a key shot as well. To me, he has some gritiness, some self confidence, that makes me feel like he will be good. Plus, he's always around the ball. He grabbing rebounds, making steals, making the good pass, making shots, etc. He's pretty complete to me. I do see a need to improve his quickness and his defense, but it sounds like he is doing that in his conditioning right now.

I think he will be big in our future.

 

[L-T]

Let me put it a different way. JJ doesn't have near the ability to cultivate that Kenyon did.JJ is a role player and thats all. If he gives us good minutes off the bench i'll be estatic. Nothing he has shown me in 3 years tells me he is going to suddenly come into his own. Just my opinion and your certainly entitled to yours..

But, he does have as much ability to cultivate as Brannen did. Plus, you need to have faith in your coach to coach him up. It sounds like Mick is already taking an active part in that process.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Couple of key points about JD3. He came out of high school with the rep of being an outstanding passer. I watched some of his highlight reels from high school and his passing was amazing. A key component of a good point guard is the abililty to see the court, find the open man, and be a good passer. The inability of our team to pass the ball this year was a major weakness.

Secondly, I like some of the intangibles I see in him. I like the fact that he took, and made, the big 3 last year to tie the game with St. Johns in the last 10 seconds. I think he had another game where he hit a key shot as well. To me, he has some gritiness, some self confidence, that makes me feel like he will be good. Plus, he's always around the ball. He grabbing rebounds, making steals, making the good pass, making shots, etc. He's pretty complete to me. I do see a need to improve his quickness and his defense, but it sounds like he is doing that in his conditioning right now.

I think he will be big in our future.

Again we are all just speculating but here is my thought. Coming out of High School word was his recruiting hit a wall and it went backwards. The fact he didn't play PG his freshman year tells me he lacked something or the coaching staff just missed. Can't argue with your point about lack of PG depth hurt us last year.As far you thinking him complete, without quickness and defense he is far from complate especially at PG. He'll be asked to guard the quickest player on the floor.

Did like the confidence he displayed taking and making the last shot against St. John's. Of course clock was winding down and he had to shoot. By the way it put us ahead in the game with seconds to go. As far as your other observations he hardly played. We seem to be putting a lot of stock in a guy who hasn't spent much time on the court in real games.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

But, he does have as much ability to cultivate as Brannen did. Plus, you need to have faith in your coach to coach him up. It sounds like Mick is already taking an active part in that process.

Bobby Brannen had much more game and Mick has tried to coach him up for three years. Don't think John Wooden can coach him up.After 3 years of coaching him up I'm afraid this is as good as it gets.

 

[L-T]

Bobby Brannen had much more game and Mick has tried to coach him up for three years. Don't think John Wooden can coach him up.After 3 years of coaching him up I'm afraid this is as good as it gets.

Check Brannen's stats. He obviously didn't have much more game. And don't throw in some subjective feeling about him. The stats don't lie. If anything, JJs are a little better thru 3 years. Also, Brannen had a lot more help around him. Obviously, if you're throwing in Brannen's 4th season, he had much more game, but that's not apples to apples.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Check Brannen's stats. He obviously didn't have much more game. And don't throw in some subjective feeling about him. The stats don't lie. If anything, JJs are a little better thru 3 years. Also, Brannen had a lot more help around him. Obviously, if you're throwing in Brannen's 4th season, he had much more game, but that's not apples to apples.

If Mick can turn JJ into Bobby Brennen's he should be coach of the year.

 

[JasonS]

I hope your right. What little I saw of him his freshman year he lacked quickness, had difficulty guarding like most freshman. Bits and pieces I picked up about him was he needed to work on his handle as well. Particulary his left hand. The fact that he wasn't the back up to Cash his freshman year indicates they felt better about Guyn at PG then him. He does have a nice shot as evidenced by the big three he made against St, john's in the closing seconds that briefly gave us the lead. Really can't get to excited over a guy who barely played his freshman year and didn't play his sophmore year do to injury. Him not being a true PG and with SK,Thomas,Sanders and newcomers also playing the wing don't think he sees a lot of action.

uh, if my memory serves me right, JDIII was our quickest guard. His biggest weakness IMO was that he was a bit out of control at times but when he got the ball he looked to push at every opportunity. Not sure where this "he lacks quickness" thing is coming from.

As for him being behind Guyn, that has everything to do with defense. Guyn played better defense and that gets you on the floor for Mick, especially as a freshman.

 

[L-T]

If Mick can turn JJ into Bobby Brennen's he should be coach of the year.

I don't need another Bobby Brannen. I just need a solid starter that provides 7-8 points a game on offense and creates havoc inside on defense, blocks a ton of shots, provides senior leadership and toughness, make some good passes, etc. If he gives us this, then that will be fine. Anything more is icing on the cake.. If he becomes Bobby Brannen...even better.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

uh, if my memory serves me right, JDIII was our quickest guard. His biggest weakness IMO was that he was a bit out of control at times but when he got the ball he looked to push at every opportunity. Not sure where this "he lacks quickness" thing is coming from.

As for him being behind Guyn, that has everything to do with defense. Guyn played better defense and that gets you on the floor for Mick, especially as a freshman.

You memory is alot different then mine. My eyes tell me he is nowhere near our quickest guard. Saying he is quicker than Parker or Sk isn't saying much.He wasn't quicker than Guyn or Cash. It should have everything to do with defense. If you cant guard the point you are in trouble.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I don't need another Bobby Brannen. I just need a solid starter that provides 7-8 points a game on offense and creates havoc inside on defense, blocks a ton of shots, provides senior leadership and toughness, make some good passes, etc. If he gives us this, then that will be fine. Anything more is icing on the cake.. If he becomes Bobby Brannen...even better.

That would be nice but in 3 years he has not delivered that with any consistency. Plus he will be playing the 5 more this year according to many on here and he isn't big enough or strong enough. JJ's ability to stay on the floor is a huge issue with him. Fouls 30 ft from the basket for a guy guarding the low post is silly at best. Every good play is followed with a bad play or foul. According to his Coach his work ethic is not strong enough as well. I'll bet you never had to question Bobby or Kenyon about effort. JJ is a sub on a good team that is it. If we are relying on him to be what you described we are in trouble.

 

[nparker1]

You memory is alot different then mine. My eyes tell me he is nowhere near our quickest guard. Saying he is quicker than Parker or Sk isn't saying much.He wasn't quicker than Guyn or Cash. It should have everything to do with defense. If you cant guard the point you are in trouble.

Guyn is definitely going to have to develop body control on defense...i love the pressure and intensity that he brings, but he is, and i hate saying this, too physical...he picks up quick hand fouls consistently...i would agree, that based upon what i have seen thus far in their time at UC, that Guyn is faster than JDIII...in my opinion, when compared to Guyn, what JDIII lacks in speed, he seems to make up in body control...one thing that concerns me about Guyn is his temper...he has had a couple of instances where he has let his temper get the best of him...would i want him to not be aggressive, no, but i dont want to see him struggling with foul trouble all year either...

i definitely had my doubts of Guyn heading into last year and even early on, but down the stretch, he did show progression and growth...with Guyn and JDIII on the team next year, i think the PG situation is in decent shape...i am comfortable/excited heading into next year

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Since we seem to be talking about next years team here is how I see it shaping up.

PG. competition Guyn and Caulpin. Guyn is the only person on the roster with any experience running the point in D1 college ball. It would be nice if newcomer overtakes GUYN

Wings. Bulk of playing time to Thomas,SK. Sanders and JDIII as subs. Thomas seems ready to take on a major role. His developement will be key.

PF or 4. Rubles,Lawrence and occasionally JJ. Lawrence will also see some time at wing. Rubles has shown flashes of being a good player. He needs to step up. Lawrence will be in the mix and will also play wing with his inside out game.

Center: Strickland,JJ when we can go small and Narsuk. I believe gaines graduates and moves on.

Johnson red shirts and Mormon competes for time at wing