Temple Part II

[skyblade]

It's hard to implement that run, trap, press style when you have a 6'0" two guard in DDJ and half the time another one to boot in MIke at PG. But if you throw MAW out there (for one more year) at point and DDJ happens to leave you can replace him with a portal guy with some scoring capability and some length. With the addition of Reed and Skillings as frosh and Newman as more of a defensive role player than a 30 minute guy, and a tallish/lengthy portal wing who can score a bit...we can run what Wes wants to run more effectively.

Having your best two offensive players (and high minute getters) as somewhat misfits in the system is not optimal. Having 1 is okay. I don't think JD is going anywhere...DDJ might opt to make some bucks. Although I would rather DDJ return as a PG I am resigned to being okay with him leaving if he remains a 2. Gotta look forward to B12 play and start playing your system next year IMO. I will be okay with 2 down years for long term gains.

I agree, I've said before I'd prefer that DDJ not come back (or to play PG if he does, but I believe he has said that he doesn't want to be a PG). It's not that I think he's a bad player (though I do think he's overrated by some), it's that he's a complete misfit for what Wes wants to run.

Wes's system appears to require guys who are tall, long and/or athletic at least at the 2-5. That's fine, Cronin's system pretty much had the same requirement (possibly even more so because of all the switching). The players that fit in Brannen's system don't in Miller's system and that means some pains and mismatches getting to the right sort of player.

JD is a misfit as well, but not as much so as DDJ. I think he can get by with energy, effort, toughness and some improved technique. Cumberland was similar in that he wasn't the ideal athlete, but he managed to get by. Davenport has had a couple games lately where he has been great on the boards, despite being undersized.

Saunders and Mason are also misfits, though Mason has really improved on defense lately and might be able to get by.

We also have quite a few backups playing out of position (at least based on what I think they should be playing). Mason should be playing SG (or transferring out depending on how well he can guard opposing guards), Hensley should be at PF, Lakhin should be a center. But due to the lack of SF's and depth at center they play out of position to get minutes.