Wichita State

[david aka the TYZ]

Justin stepped up big with points today. One of his threes was a bad shot but it went in. Hitting all four of the technicals was huge. Hard to knock 17 points, but I'm going to say this team is only going to be successful when justin can stay on the court and play well. The offense was still stagnant today and that ultimately falls on his shoulders. And when he goes to the bench the team D suffers. My point is while the 17 points is awesome, that's not what we should expect from him and hides the fact that the offense was still stagnant. Cumberland is going to carry us and that's great but you have to have ball movement and other options. Until the technicals and then fouls late to stop the clock we were trending around 50-55 points today and that doesnt cut it. We've been giving up 70 plus lately and while I think Mick will correct that, I dont see us holding teams to 50 too often. So, again, I think Justin has to be the one who steps up to keep the offense moving and the defense playing like we need it to.

 

[cincrulz11]

The second 3 he hit was massive. It also was a rare unassisted 3 off the dribble for him. I still can't believe how much his shooting improved this year. That may be the single biggest surprise of the year.

yeah and he's shooting more in conference play which is something i felt he needed to do for the team.

 

[Queens_NYC]

Missed the game live and surprisingly was able to find a full game replay on Youtube.

The defense and rebounding was stellar. On top of Cumberland's playmaking and Jenifer's shooting, Keith Williams made a lot of big buckets himself.

 

[justinhub2003]

Thank god for the double T. Cumberland did a good job of baiting there. Without that it was a last possession type game

We would have been up 7 at that point.

It helped, but we were breaking away even before the tech’s

 

[Emperor Snapper]

After starting the season 9 of 32, over the last 4 games Keith Williams is 6 for 11 from 3-point range. He hit 4 his entire freshman season in 27 tries. I am starting to get slightly worried about losing him early to the NBA.

UC currently ranks 38th in adjusted offense on KenPom, a better ranking than last year (although a slightly lower rating) and on pace for the 2nd-best ranking in Cronin's tenure (behind 2017). At the start of the year I didn't think this team was going to finish top 100 in adjusted offense. Williams, Jenifer, and Brooks have all turned out to be way more effective than I imagined.

Thank goodness, too, because the defense is on pace to be his worst since at least 2010. It is even possible, although unlikely, that the team could wind up the season ranked higher on O (currently 38) than D (currently 30). Even being within 10 spots is very, very un-Cronin like. The only time it has happened was 2009, when the offense was ranked 83rd and the defense 108th.

The past two seasons this team was decidedly decent on offense, which I generally attributed to getting an unusual concentration of offensive talent (Evans, Clark, Washington, Cumberland). 3 of those 4 guys are gone, they added no one who is comparable, and they have maintained their efficiency. It is possible that Cronin has actually fixed some things here.

 

[cincycpaw]

Just from what I’ve seen, not data so might be wrong,
It feels like the offense is not better by scheme. Just we are hitting 3’s (well Cumberland and Jenifer), Cumberland is able to get shots and points 1:1 better than clark, Evans...and Washington. And we have another player that will take the ball to the basket in Williams.

It seems individual 1:1 wins have lead to a better offense. Maybe not but it’s what I see.

 

[sedziobs]

Brooks has improved a ton on offense. His Torvic ORtg is up to 122 this season, after being below 97 his first two years. He takes a lot of heat here for being soft, but his finesse game has been pretty good, even if it is mostly limited to the sweeping hook. He's shooting 62% on 94 attempts, which is a lot more efficient than Washington was last year. I think one of our problems last year is Washington had the highest usage on the team, with one of the lowest efficiencies.

 

[cincrulz11]

Just from what I’ve seen, not data so might be wrong,
It feels like the offense is not better by scheme. Just we are hitting 3’s (well Cumberland and Jenifer), Cumberland is able to get shots and points 1:1 better than clark, Evans...and Washington. And we have another player that will take the ball to the basket in Williams.

It seems individual 1:1 wins have lead to a better offense. Maybe not but it’s what I see.

i think cumberland is definitely better suited to run our iso offense over evans. better scorer, better driver, better passer, draws more fouls.

 

[skyblade]

Brooks has improved a ton on offense. His Torvic ORtg is up to 122 this season, after being below 97 his first two years. He takes a lot of heat here for being soft, but his finesse game has been pretty good, even if it is mostly limited to the sweeping hook. He's shooting 62% on 94 attempts, which is a lot more efficient than Washington was last year. I think one of our problems last year is Washington had the highest usage on the team, with one of the lowest efficiencies.

I agree, I was a big critic of Washington last year and think he dragged the team down a bit. But I did not expect Brooks to improve so much or so quickly. By most measures Brooks has been a significantly better player then Washington was last year. Per 40 minutes he averages more offensive rebounds, more rebounds, more blocks, fewer TOs, a higher FG% and more assists, he also has a much higher ORtg, all on a lower usage rate.

He trails KW last year in a few areas. He averages fewer points per 40 minutes (though only 4 fewer) and also ironically has a quite a bit worse DRtg - which is an area I thought Brooks would be significantly better than Washington. The biggest key thing I see for Brooks to work on is fouls. He averages 5.6 per 40 minutes (2.5 more then KW's average per 40 last year). Would like to see him get that number under 5 this year and under 4 next year.

 

[cincrulz11]

He trails KW last year in a few areas. He averages fewer points per 40 minutes (though only 4 fewer) and also ironically has a worse DRtg - which is an area I thought Brooks would be significantly better than Washington. The biggest key thing I see for Brooks to work on is fouls. He averages 5.6 per 40 minutes (2.5 more then KW's average per 40 last year). Would like to see him get that number under 5 this year and under 4 next year.

brooks doesn't have the best defender of the cronin era by his side. clark made everybody better.

 

[MylesFoxMorrisey]

Just from what I’ve seen, not data so might be wrong,
It feels like the offense is not better by scheme. Just we are hitting 3’s (well Cumberland and Jenifer), Cumberland is able to get shots and points 1:1 better than clark, Evans...and Washington. And we have another player that will take the ball to the basket in Williams.

It seems individual 1:1 wins have lead to a better offense. Maybe not but it’s what I see.

I could definitely agree with this. Jarron is such a great creator and overall offensive player that the mere fact of him having the ball in his hands more has led to better rating.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

i think cumberland is definitely better suited to run our iso offense over evans. better scorer, better driver, better passer, draws more fouls.

He definitely is. Evans couldnt dribble through traffic. He had to stop and try to get you to bite on a crossover. He wasnt as strong, nor as willing to force offense. What we are missing with Evans is his defense.

EDIT: I probably didnt word that the best, by dribble through traffic, I mean he didn't just put his head down and drive like you pretty much have to. He would stop and try to dribble around you and that usually isnt successful and lets the defense adjust to you.

 

[waterhead]

i think cumberland is definitely better suited to run our iso offense over evans. better scorer, better driver, better passer, draws more fouls.

I think he's better at several things than Evans was...especially ISO. Cumberland is sitting at 30% usage. That is the highest in the Cronin era for any major contributor. Sk was at 28.8% his Sr year and he was awesome in that capacity as well as an All American. Vaughn was next at 27% and then Lance at 26%.

He is being asked to do more than any other player under Cronin. I think the supporting cast of SK his SR year was pretty bad on offense and I am sure Vaughn didn't have a lot of help either. I think Cumberland has a few guys who can help him so maybe we should back down the usage just a tad bit. Not much but a little.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I think he's better at several things than Evans was...especially ISO. Cumberland is sitting at 30% usage. That is the highest in the Cronin era for any major contributor. Sk was at 28.8% his Sr year and he was awesome in that capacity as well as an All American. Vaughn was next at 27% and then Lance at 26%.

He is being asked to do more than any other player under Cronin. I think the supporting cast of SK his SR year was pretty bad on offense and I am sure Vaughn didn't have a lot of help either. I think Cumberland has a few guys who can help him so maybe we should back down the usage just a tad bit. Not much but a little.

I agree, this team is abandoning running offense and just letting Cumberland carry them. It doesnt help that the defense has been giving up so many points that we have been playing from behind or even with teams lately. That and teams are being physical against us and Cumberland is the only one not soft outside of maybe jenifer but hes too small to play bully ball. If our defense can get right it will put less pressure on Cumberland to carry the load imo.

I'm worried about Cumberland wearing down. He was dragging against UConn by the end. He is being held, pushed, shoved and taking a pounding when trying to score. We need to be able to get him some breaks and to not have to take a pounding just to score.

 

[indydoug]

I agree, this team is abandoning running offense and just letting Cumberland carry them. It doesnt help that the defense has been giving up so many points that we have been playing from behind or even with teams lately. That and teams are being physical against us and Cumberland is the only one not soft outside of maybe jenifer but hes too small to play bully ball. If our defense can get right it will put less pressure on Cumberland to carry the load imo.

I'm worried about Cumberland wearing down. He was dragging against UConn by the end. He is being held, pushed, shoved and taking a pounding when trying to score. We need to be able to get him some breaks and to not have to take a pounding just to score.

Agreed. If ISO is our offense then more should be run for Williams and give Cumberland a break at times.

 

[cincyguy13]

Agreed. If ISO is our offense then more should be run for Williams and give Cumberland a break at times.

ISO has always been our offense. Even the last couple years, it was just in the post. Jarron is the best ISO/pick and roll guy we have had since sk. I do think Keith could be used a little more

 

[indydoug]

ISO has always been our offense. Even the last couple years, it was just in the post. Jarron is the best ISO/pick and roll guy we have had since sk. I do think Keith could be used a little more[/Q

Seems to be all offense these days in CBB.

 

[waterhead]

Agreed. If ISO is our offense then more should be run for Williams and give Cumberland a break at times.

I agree on Williams. I wish he would assist more but he has the ability to get a decent shot off almost any time he wants to. He may not be as efficient but he can get to the rack, make a step back J, and is now making 3's with more confidence. We can't rely on him at the usage rate Cumberland gets but we need Cumberland to take some breaks. The current way we get him breaks seems to be to just let the shot clock wind down to 10 and then let him make a play. That is certainly one way to do it but we are forgoing the chance to get an easy look for someone else early in the clock to use that strategy.

I would like to run something in the early clock and maybe let Cumberland stand around while defenders gravitate towards him and let Williams, Broome, or Jenifer see if they can get in the lane. Every time we wait until 10 seconds we are also giving the defense a rest.

 

[justinhub2003]

Agreed. If ISO is our offense then more should be run for Williams and give Cumberland a break at times.

Keith is the secondary ISO option.


They literally run the same Elbow plays for Keith that that they do for Jarron. The difference is the way they utilize them.


Cumberland is better when he is working around screens, and then either scoring or playmaking, whereas a lot of Keith's work also starts at the elbow. he just prefers the step back mid range shot (which he is getting pretty good at lately) and doesn't have to use a screen to get around his guy.

Keith is getting plenty of run as a Soph. Jarron is taking 31% of the shots, Keith is taking 25% of the shots. Its just jarron is on the floor more than keith. But when Keith is out there, he's being featured more than evans was as a JR, Jarron as a Soph and so on. He's getting a lot of run and making the most of it.


Keith is now shooting 35% from 3 on the season. He's 38% in conference play.


He and jarron are the 2 dudes who generally play the same on the road and at home.

 

[waterhead]

Keith is the secondary ISO option.


They literally run the same Elbow plays for Keith that that they do for Jarron. The difference is the way they utilize them.


Cumberland is better when he is working around screens, and then either scoring or playmaking, whereas a lot of Keith's work also starts at the elbow. he just prefers the step back mid range shot (which he is getting pretty good at lately) and doesn't have to use a screen to get around his guy.

Keith is getting plenty of run as a Soph. Jarron is taking 31% of the shots, Keith is taking 25% of the shots. Its just jarron is on the floor more than keith. But when Keith is out there, he's being featured more than evans was as a JR, Jarron as a Soph and so on. He's getting a lot of run and making the most of it.


Keith is now shooting 35% from 3 on the season. He's 38% in conference play.


He and jarron are the 2 dudes who generally play the same on the road and at home.

That is the part I like the most. Keith is a gamer and doesn't shrink in the moment. That deep 3 he hit with the shot clock running out was huge! With how close our games have been every nice play or shot that gets made gets magnified as a big play. It could be a block, a three, a FT, a steal...doesn't matter. Any play can change the momentum of a close game.

I just wish we didn't have to sweat them all out. My heart is getting a workout lately...LOL!