Player breakdown, thus far.

[TheLivingLegend]

Rashad - One of the teams top defenders. As of late his offense has dropped off, which has been a slight concern. Consistent free throw shooting.

Larry - An unexpected spark. Has really become his own this year. His shots back, his swagger is back. But most importantly his defense has been a complete 360 over the years.

Sean - Has days where he can straight score the ball at will. If the consistency improves, which it will, he will be a great great Bearcat. Defense needs to improve. Very excited to have SK around for a few more years.

Yancy - This is a tough one. Yancy is the love/hate player. You look at games like X, and you just say wow. Then you look at games where he is not a force. Yancys jumper has been improved greatly. He has added some clear range. Id love to him back someone down in the post.

Dion - IMO the best player on this team this year. His time in the gym has shown. Offensively hes the team leading scorer. He defends well and is hands down our best rebounding guard. His senior year could be alot of fun to watch.

Justin - Has a little bit of the rodman in him. (they run the same way, creepy). When was the last time a bearcat dove 2 rows into the stands for a ball impossible to get!? The energy he brings awesome. As he continues to learn the game hes going to get better and better.

Darnell - This year darnell has eliminated alot of the mental errors. He adds length and athletic ability. He shot has been a disappointment this year.

Cash - Cash has had an up and down year imo. He is defiantly a PG who can score. I think people placed unrealistic expectations on him coming in, hes only a so. This team runs better when hes playing well.

Parker - Where has he been!? I really expected him to form as very solid PG.

Biggie - Has been a slight surprise. Has come in in certain situations and has been effective. When hes in he clearly effects shots in the paint.

Thomas - Has had a tough year. Has completely lost all confidence in his shot. Coming into UC he was supposed to be a good 3pt shooter, that has not happened just yet. Hopefully this will change. That would be a nice element. Imo his help defense is very solid, as long as he keeps his hands straight up. He is the teams second leading rebounder (this team wins when we rebound)


Thoughts?

 

[nparker1]

Jackson - i love his ability to leap quickly, and actually contest jump shots...he seems to have some Martin/Hicks abilities in him...with his energy, he could be the next great Bearcat

Cash - he is a true point guard...i think confidence makes or breaks his play...besides SJU, he assist to TO ratio is good for a 'sophomore' in the BEast...i think he continues to get better

Parker - never really saw the potential that a lot of people did...he has zero tempo when he runs the point and looks to shoot first...

Davis - I have been his biggest critic, but damn has be brought some energy and big shots this year

Dixon - can get to the basket almost anytime he wants...his continuous growth has me very excited for his future with this team

Killa - kid is a straight scorer...he like Dixon, can penetrate at will...still young on defense, but seems to have the work ethic to get better

Gates - considering he is the only 'true' big man on this team, he has stepped up his game a bit this year...i think when he realizes that he can be unstoppable due to his body and shooting touch, he will be just that

Thomas - small forward in a 7 footer's body (mentally and physically)...from the words of some of the players and media, he seems to be a good locker-room guy, a veteran leader, and for that he deserves a lot of credit

Bishop - seems to come up with a shot every now and then, but also seems to take some poorly timed shots as well...his defense has been what he is known for, but this year he does not seem to be the 'lock down' defender he seemed to be in the past

I really like this team overall due to their heart and efforts...this year has been very entertaining and a definite step in the right direction for the program...this team should make everyone feel proud to be a Bearcat fan.

Go Bearcats!

 

[Thegreatone]

Rashad - One of the teams top defenders. As of late his offense has dropped off, which has been a slight concern. Consistent free throw shooting.

Larry - An unexpected spark. Has really become his own this year. His shots back, his swagger is back. But most importantly his defense has been a complete 360 over the years.

Sean - Has days where he can straight score the ball at will. If the consistency improves, which it will, he will be a great great Bearcat. Defense needs to improve. Very excited to have SK around for a few more years.

Yancy - This is a tough one. Yancy is the love/hate player. You look at games like X, and you just say wow. Then you look at games where he is not a force. Yancys jumper has been improved greatly. He has added some clear range. Id love to him back someone down in the post.

Dion - IMO the best player on this team this year. His time in the gym has shown. Offensively hes the team leading scorer. He defends well and is hands down our best rebounding guard. His senior year could be alot of fun to watch.

Justin - Has a little bit of the rodman in him. (they run the same way, creepy). When was the last time a bearcat dove 2 rows into the stands for a ball impossible to get!? The energy he brings awesome. As he continues to learn the game hes going to get better and better.

Darnell - This year darnell has eliminated alot of the mental errors. He adds length and athletic ability. He shot has been a disappointment this year.

Cash - Cash has had an up and down year imo. He is defiantly a PG who can score. I think people placed unrealistic expectations on him coming in, hes only a so. This team runs better when hes playing well.

Parker - Where has he been!? I really expected him to form as very solid PG.

Biggie - Has been a slight surprise. Has come in in certain situations and has been effective. When hes in he clearly effects shots in the paint.

Thomas - Has had a tough year. Has completely lost all confidence in his shot. Coming into UC he was supposed to be a good 3pt shooter, that has not happened just yet. Hopefully this will change. That would be a nice element. Imo his help defense is very solid, as long as he keeps his hands straight up. He is the teams second leading rebounder (this team wins when we rebound)


Thoughts?

This is way to reasonable of a post to be LL. I agree with everything in general.

I really thought Wilks would continue to improve off his very good Beast tournament last year.

We need Yancy back. He is a player that you can love and a player that I will scream to get out. He has a much improved jump shot.

Killer and Justin will be good players in the future.

 

[AAABearcat]

Thomas- sr-I think his main problem is his court awareness is subpar, just doesn't look like he knows where he should be at times. I think this hurts his offensive game, too much thinking and not decisive.

Wright-so-You can win with him at point guard, appears to get fustrated at times and forces/makes bad decisions.

Kilpatrick- fr-like his energy, but is not a good enough defensive player to put on the court for too many minutes-has a definite upside.

Dixon -jr- the best player on the team this year.

Jackson-fr- really like his game, has the potential to be 1st team All-Big East

Wilks- sr-My only complaint with him is his shooting has been off.

Parker- so-has been somewhat of a disappointment, has to improve his game.

Davis-sr-Has played much better this year, has been a plus off the bench

McClain-sr- Has been a disappointment, has never improved enough to be considered an asset.

Gaines -fr- redshirt

Gates -jr- Has been the biggest disapointment, IMHO, could be a great player, but takes too many plays off, lets the rebounds come to him , instead of going after the ball, doesn't block out on too many occasions, doesn't get good position inside on offense so they can throw him the ball, gets frustrated too easily. Production is there, but could be so much more. Gates should be our go to player, like the last play in the Johnny;s game. I might be off on him, because I expected more out of him, just not enough sustained intensity,

 

[bearcat jeff]

Thomas - Needs to slllooooowwww down! Needs to learn to channel his energy and let the game come to him. Think he is best suited as a reserve.

Wright - He also needs to learn to operate within the flow of the game. He is out of control too often when penetrating but adds something to the team when he is in. I think he will be a solid pg with another year of strength training.

Kilpatrick - He is a BEast player. Needs to take more pride in his defense. Good BB iq and I look forward to at least 2 more years of him. Gonna be a very good player.

Dixon - Best all around player and MVP of this team. Most consistent as well. Great off season work and dedication to come back so improved.

Jackson - Along with Cash and Killa, he will be the foundation of the team the nest 2-3 years. He is a throw back to old Bearcats. Has to learn to shoot better at the ft line.

Wilks - Could be a huge offensive weapon if he'd develop a mid-range game and use his athleticism close to the basket.

Parker - He was never a pg, but is a combo guard. Because he's not a true pg it's hard to find him minutes with Cash, Killa, Dixon and Davis in front of him.

Davis -Glad to see him playing well and I love his attitude. Sometimes he forgets his mid-range, pull up game. Love the D this season.

McClain - Arguably the best big over the past 4 games in limited minutes. Injuries derailed his development.

Gaines - Gonna be a very good low post defender.

Gates - Drives me nuts. Has tools to be a nightly double-double guy. Needs to pick it up or he'll play in Europe or the developmental league. Could be a superstar.

 

[BearcatAlum1]

Thomas - Needs to slllooooowwww down! Needs to learn to channel his energy and let the game come to him. Think he is best suited as a reserve.

Wright - He also needs to learn to operate within the flow of the game. He is out of control too often when penetrating but adds something to the team when he is in. I think he will be a solid pg with another year of strength training.

Kilpatrick - He is a BEast player. Needs to take more pride in his defense. Good BB iq and I look forward to at least 2 more years of him. Gonna be a very good player.

Dixon - Best all around player and MVP of this team. Most consistent as well. Great off season work and dedication to come back so improved.

Jackson - Along with Cash and Killa, he will be the foundation of the team the nest 2-3 years. He is a throw back to old Bearcats. Has to learn to shoot better at the ft line.

Wilks - Could be a huge offensive weapon if he'd develop a mid-range game and use his athleticism close to the basket.

Parker - He was never a pg, but is a combo guard. Because he's not a true pg it's hard to find him minutes with Cash, Killa, Dixon and Davis in front of him.

Davis -Glad to see him playing well and I love his attitude. Sometimes he forgets his mid-range, pull up game. Love the D this season.

McClain - Arguably the best big over the past 4 games in limited minutes. Injuries derailed his development.

Gaines - Gonna be a very good low post defender.

Gates - Drives me nuts. Has tools to be a nightly double-double guy. Needs to pick it up or he'll play in Europe or the developmental league. Could be a superstar.

Spot on, for the most part.

 

[ucswais]

Bishop - seems to come up with a shot every now and then, but also seems to take some poorly timed shots as well...his defense has been what he is known for, but this year he does not seem to be the 'lock down' defender he seemed to be in the past

Go Bearcats!

I'm with you on Bishop. I really like the guy and he has been big for us in certain games, but I really question his ability to see the floor even as a senior. There have been so many times where he gets a decent look at a 3 and just fires it while the defense is rotating to him and teammates are wide open for the extra pass. He's a solid passer that can make that pass, he just doesn't see it IMO. On defense, its the same thing. He's one of our better on the ball defenders, but if he is away from the ball and someone gets beat, he is always the last to notice it and try to help.

With all that said, I still feel pretty comfortable with the ball in his hands and with him on the court in these big games. He's a reliable ball handler and can create his own shot sometimes when our halfcourt O breaks down.

 

[bearcat jeff]

It was said by one of the announcers earlier in the year that BEast coaches love Rashad Bishop. Rashad is a glue guy. He guards the opponents best player most of the time and takes pressure off the guards. I think he could be much better offensively if he'd be less tentative. He thinks about every shot before he takes it. Hesitation kills you when shooting. It needs to be fluid. I'm glad we have Rashad. Every team needs a guy like him.

 

[ME80]

It was said by one of the announcers earlier in the year that BEast coaches love Rashad Bishop. Rashad is a glue guy. He guards the opponents best player most of the time and takes pressure off the guards. I think he could be much better offensively if he'd be less tentative. He thinks about every shot before he takes it. Hesitation kills you when shooting. It needs to be fluid. I'm glad we have Rashad. Every team needs a guy like him.

I think Bishop would be looked at a lot more positively if there were others that scored more consistantly. I think Rashad does a lot of the dirty work on defense and fully agree with your point on taking the pressure off the guards. In fact Saturday he seemed like he was the only one who could bring the ball up court against SJ's press without picking up his dribble.

With as well as he shoots free throws I would love to see him attack the rim more!

 

[JasonS]

I think Bishop would be looked at a lot more positively if there were others that scored more consistantly. I think Rashad does a lot of the dirty work on defense and fully agree with your point on taking the pressure off the guards. In fact Saturday he seemed like he was the only one who could bring the ball up court against SJ's press without picking up his dribble.

With as well as he shoots free throws I would love to see him attack the rim more!

My only issue with Rashad is that he seems too deliberate with the ball in his hands. His pump fakes rarely seem to work because they are too deliberate. He just doesn't seem to have the explosion or quicks to make a fast move. I don't know what it is but it seems really easy to defend him. If he worked on his quickness a bit more, I think his offensive game would be a bit better.

 

[ME80]

My only issue with Rashad is that he seems too deliberate with the ball in his hands. His pump fakes rarely seem to work because they are too deliberate. He just doesn't seem to have the explosion or quicks to make a fast move. I don't know what it is but it seems really easy to defend him. If he worked on his quickness a bit more, I think his offensive game would be a bit better.

I think you can be dliberate and still draw a lot of fouls. I think has the problems that others have, avoiding contact all together.

 

[JasonS]

I think you can be dliberate and still draw a lot of fouls. I think has the problems that others have, avoiding contact all together.

I agree that he seems to avoid contact. My point on him being deliberate is that it has a major effect on his ability to get open looks and good shots off. It really hinders his game IMO.