A lot of information in that post and I would agree with a lot of it (so I shortened it). I would agree we need to go to Kyle and Gary early to see if we can establish inside scoring. But more and more teams are taking that away from us by doubling. If we can get the ball to Kyle and Gary one on one it doesn't matter who is running point but how often is this going to happen where a team lets us get away with that before they take it away if they don't start out taking it away?
So we can work the ball around and try to get it down low but if and when that doesn't happen we still need some guys who can make plays in the last 10 seconds of the clock.
Evans, Clark, and Cumberland are going to be on the floor for 35 minutes in a big game. If we can get Cane to 30+ or even 35 it would not matter if he is playing with the starters or the bench...because he is going to be in the game for most of it.
Houston pretty much showed anyone watching how to play us. Double the post if and when the ball gets there and guard the perimeter to keep us from getting into sets. At that point you need a player like Cane to do the one thing that most teams don't have a plan for and that is trying to account for a guard who is just hard to stay in front of or catch up to.
The problem with keeping him out for 5 minutes to start each half is you are limiting his minute potential to 30. Then if he makes a mistake when he does get in and you decide to pull him you are further reducing his minutes to 25 or 20. Everyone makes mistakes. Maybe Cane makes a few more in the long run but his +/- being the best on the team...you have to live with it for the most part if you want to give your team the best chance to win close games IMO.
I don't mind Cronin pulling him to point out specific mistakes...but I would prefer you then put him back in there as soon as you can. If he fouls a 3 point shooter...you don't even have to pull him...he knows what he did wrong. You pull him for things he is not aware of. Being out of position on D or improvising and taking shots before we try the preferred play etc.
