Octavious Ellis (Signed)

[bearcat jeff]

I disagree about the depth issue. A) Hardly anybody has a true center anymore. So depth at the 5 is kinds over rated. You need guys that can defend and rebound that position and I believe you can go 3 deep there (Moog, Gaines, and rotating Gates over). At the 2 I also think UC is deep with Dixon, Parker, and Kilpatrick and Davis will play some 2 as well. The 3 is my major concern. I do believe UC will play 3 guards and Parker/Kilpatrick will rotate at the wing positions. The one thing I really like about this team is there are interchangeable parts. Depth at the 3 is one reason why I raised the question about Mick considering Ellis at the 3. He may not be physically ready for the 4 but can he play the 3?

 

[dp3113]

I disagree about the depth issue. A) Hardly anybody has a true center anymore. So depth at the 5 is kinds over rated. You need guys that can defend and rebound that position and I believe you can go 3 deep there (Moog, Gaines, and rotating Gates over). At the 2 I also think UC is deep with Dixon, Parker, and Kilpatrick and Davis will play some 2 as well. The 3 is my major concern. I do believe UC will play 3 guards and Parker/Kilpatrick will rotate at the wing positions. The one thing I really like about this team is there are interchangeable parts. Depth at the 3 is one reason why I raised the question about Mick considering Ellis at the 3. He may not be physically ready for the 4 but can he play the 3?

that is a good question. i guess the question is- when mick says via jon rothstein that ellis can "handle"- does that mean he has good ball handling skills in general- or good handle for a big man. big difference between the two obviously.

 

[Not Guilty]

that is a good question. i guess the question is- when mick says via jon rothstein that ellis can "handle"- does that mean he has good ball handling skills in general- or good handle for a big man. big difference between the two obviously.

My guess would be the latter. Fans tend to get too caught up in the idea of playing guys out of position to get big or small. We heard it all the time with the idea of Wilks playing the 3. But he never did.

My safe guess is that Ellis will play the same role as Wilks. Hopefully more effectively in the long run.

 

[dp3113]

My guess would be the latter. Fans tend to get too caught up in the idea of playing guys out of position to get big or small. We heard it all the time with the idea of Wilks playing the 3. But he never did.

My safe guess is that Ellis will play the same role as Wilks. Hopefully more effectively in the long run.

i do agree with you here on all points. i think its clear mick wants a face up 4 in his system ideally- someone loke mbodji will this year possibly. it remains to be seen if mbodji has that full set of skills- regardless, i think he wants a 4 that can face the basket, has a little range, can put it on the floor with some skill, and also has the length and decent strength to board.

 

[CPAW29]

Did Ellis get a medical redshirt?

 

[C I N C Y]

I don't think you can apply till the season is over. Mick said he should have no problem. Also noticed mick was not kidding when he said he grew. He is easily the tallest in the team. I would say he is pushing 6 "11 and came here pushing 6 "9

 

[CPAW29]

That helps to know he grew. Ellis or Gaines can step in next year for Gates and those guys can run the floor better than he can. We will see the uptempo we all want in this team.

 

[mplebanon]

I think it's going to be a different looking team next year. As much as I appreciated Gates, the other low post candidates are more athletic, and less wide body. Ellis, Gaines, and hopefully Obekpa represent a new kind of low post player at UC. More in the mold of K-Mart.