Shaq article

[BEARCAT-4-LIFE]

found an article about Shaq needing to be the third scoring option coming into march.

Kid has the ability to start averging double figures in March.

http://www.ajc.com/feed/sports/college/wanted-consistency-from-shaq-thomas/fYTFk/

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

found an article about Shaq needing to be the third scoring option coming into march.

Kid has the ability to start averging double figures in March.

http://www.ajc.com/feed/sports/college/wanted-consistency-from-shaq-thomas/fYTFk/

Here is what the coach said about scoring options.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140226/SPT0101/302260142/Cronin-Everybody-s-a-scoring-option

Also found his comment concerning Thomas right on the money.

“When he attacks the basket, he’s got to score or get fouled or make an assist,” Cronin said. “Hanging in the air and taking double-pump shots and coming up empty, those aren’t points. We’ve got to get a foul or a basket.”

Thomas needs to figure out this is a big boys game. Being able to jump higher then everybody else won't cut it at D1 level. Toughen up and draw the contact and sink the FT's

 

[Bearcat22]

Here is what the coach said about scoring options.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140226/SPT0101/302260142/Cronin-Everybody-s-a-scoring-option

Also found his comment concerning Thomas right on the money.

“When he attacks the basket, he’s got to score or get fouled or make an assist,” Cronin said. “Hanging in the air and taking double-pump shots and coming up empty, those aren’t points. We’ve got to get a foul or a basket.”

Thomas needs to figure out this is a big boys game. Being able to jump higher then everybody else won't cut it at D1 level. Toughen up and draw the contact and sink the FT's

Another thing Mick has mentioned about Shaq is what a nice person he is and the desire for him to be more aggressive. I sometimes wonder if that plays out by him deferring to his teammates almost to a fault rather than taking over the game when the opportunity presents itself...just speculation on my part.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Been saying all season Shaq is the X factor for this team. If he would attack the rim finish or get foul, pull up for a 2-5 foot jumper he'd help take this team to s whole new level. He just lacks the confidence his team has in him.

 

[JasonS]

Been saying all season Shaq is the X factor for this team. If he would attack the rim finish or get foul, pull up for a 2-5 foot jumper he'd help take this team to s whole new level. He just lacks the confidence his team has in him.

I am confident the kid is going to get it. The only question is how soon? He stepped up big against Creighton in the tourney last year. It makes me think he has that ability to step his game up at big times. I just think he defers to SK and JJ too much. I would like to see him develop that killer instinct before next year and be the guy offensively. I think he has that ability. This is going to be a big off-season for Shaq Thomas but I think/hope he is up for the challenge.

 

[UCalum08]

I also think too he will get it. I would like to think he will really dedicate him self this offseason. He really needs to improve his dribbling and strength. He obviously needs to able to finish around the rim a lot better. His ball handling IMO is one of his biggest weaknesses. He needs to work out with some NBA guys or camps. He has the most NBA potential on the team. You would think with his family connections he has those contacts.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I also think too he will get it. I would like to think he will really dedicate him self this offseason. He really needs to improve his dribbling and strength. He obviously needs to able to finish around the rim a lot better. His ball handling IMO is one of his biggest weaknesses. He needs to work out with some NBA guys or camps. He has the most NBA potential on the team. You would think with his family connections he has those contacts.

I don't think it's his handles per say but rather he gets knocked off the ball easily and is often out of control. Strength and slowing down would help tremendously. Against Creighton he was under control.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Lawrence and Thomas are the x-factors this year, and those two will be relied upon as the leading scorers next year. I would like to see both of them put in the work this summer. Think about having Lawrence, Thomas, Clark and Morman in the court together...that is scary length.

 

[JasonS]

Lawrence and Thomas are the x-factors this year, and those two will be relied upon as the leading scorers next year. I would like to see both of them put in the work this summer. Think about having Lawrence, Thomas, Clark and Morman in the court together...that is scary length.

I think it is important to remember that Lawrence's wrist injury hurt him this past offseason. I think we will see a big improvement in his strength this upcoming year.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I think it is important to remember that Lawrence's wrist injury hurt him this past offseason. I think we will see a big improvement in his strength this upcoming year.

Jason hope your right. Both him and Shaq have good skills but lack the strength to take full advantage of them.

 

[anbuc88]

I think it is important to remember that Lawrence's wrist injury hurt him this past offseason. I think we will see a big improvement in his strength this upcoming year.

Cronin has said that Larwnece will eventually be the best player on the team. According to MC, not a question of 'if', but 'when'. With added strength and playing in his natural position as a stretch 4 next year, I look for him to have a breakthrough season. Add Shaq, Morman, KJ and Troy to the backcourt, and the future is SO bright!

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

I have been waiting on that "rebuilding" year, but year after year I am impressed with guys stepping up and doing what college basketball used to be about: depending on seniors to lead your team on tourney runs

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I have been waiting on that "rebuilding" year, but year after year I am impressed with guys stepping up and doing what college basketball used to be about: depending on seniors to lead your team on tourney runs

absolutely sir. As a parent of a former D-1 athlete the thing I'm most proud of is the piece of paper he received when he graduated. World doesn't need more entertainers. We need college graduates. Winning programs who graduate there kids get my utmost respect.

 

[Bearcat04]

I actually think Shaq has progressed nicely thus far. He's hitting the outside shot with more consistency and he's really improved from the FT line. Now he just needs to put it all together. I wouldn't be shocked if he's one of the better players in the league his Senior year. With added strength he's only going to get more confident and that's going to equal a lot of guys getting dunked on in the lane.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I actually think Shaq has progressed nicely thus far. He's hitting the outside shot with more consistency and he's really improved from the FT line. Now he just needs to put it all together. I wouldn't be shocked if he's one of the better players in the league his Senior year. With added strength he's only going to get more confident and that's going to equal a lot of guys getting dunked on in the lane.

its not confidence he lacks it's physical strength.

 

[JasonS]

its not confidence he lacks it's physical strength.

Confidence may be the wrong word. I think he defers to SK and JJ too much. It's not that he is not confident in his abilities, he just isn't always aggressive enough, especially offensively.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Confidence may be the wrong word. I think he defers to SK and JJ too much. It's not that he is not confident in his abilities, he just isn't always aggressive enough, especially offensively.

Jason as Mick points out you can't drive to the basket double pumping and making fakes. You have to either drive strong and draw contact creating fouls,pass to a open teamate after drawing the defense or score. Right now ST isn't doing any of these consistently. When he gets to the rim he needs to stop trying to avoid contact. This stuff probably worked in high school because he was such a better Athlete then many he played against. At this level that isn't happening. He needs to realize contact is part of the game.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

its not confidence he lacks it's physical strength.

Confidence may be the wrong word. I think he defers to SK and JJ too much. It's not that he is not confident in his abilities, he just isn't always aggressive enough, especially offensively.

I would say confidence is an appropriate word. Mick has said when he makes a mistake or gets turned over he hangs his head. I think he has confidence in his abitities, but can lack the confidence to use them if that makes sense. Part of that is him deferring to SK (and Cash and Parker last year) and part of it is not wanting to make a mistake. Plus as many have said he doesn't have the strength to get to the rim. His game is suited to getting to the rim, but in a half-court game you have to be strong. When he leaves his feet he will get moved away from rim. That makes it hard to finish. Right now, until he gains strength he needs to just use his pull up jumper to be effective. That or create position off the ball and have someone get him the ball in a position to score (that would require both moving without the ball and a competant pg, so I won't hold my breath). Instead he is trying to shake people with his dribble and keeps getting stripped. And people keep bringing up the Creighton game, I guess if an opponent stands around and watches on defense then that is another way he can score.

I've been harsh on Shaq some this year but like all I want to see him reach his potential. I think for the rest of this year he is what he is. He is not going to get stronger. I am fairly certain Mick ripped into him at some point this week following the Louisville game. He did all he could to not say his name in the post-game. SK and Jackson as well have urged him to be more aggressive. Maybe that will light a fire under him for the last month, but I won't hold my breath. One thing Shaq has done this year is improve his defense. This offseason I think he'll get stronger and work on how to use his body better. I don't think he'll ever be a brute and just run through defenders, but he can get stronger to where he doesn't get knocked out of rythym with the slightest contact. Good players learn to react to the contact and square themselves up after that to get in a position to score. SK is as good as they get at that for a guard. Shaq still tries to avoid contact. That simply is unrealistic in the college half-court game.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Shaq cannot score in the half court unless it is in an isolation. He will need to improve without the ball and hopefully next year Cincinnati will actually try to score off the opponent turnovers. Caupain seems like the perfect PG to make it happen...

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Shaq cannot score in the half court unless it is in an isolation. He will need to improve without the ball and hopefully next year Cincinnati will actually try to score off the opponent turnovers. Caupain seems like the perfect PG to make it happen...

I agree that Caupain will be the one to make it happen from the pg perspective. With that said, Shaq has to learn to move without the ball. If SK leaves just one part of his legacy behind it needs to be how well he moves without the ball.