Thought BU raved about his shooting ability last year when he first arrived. Played total of 37 mins (conference) but don't remember any pos or neg ball handling. My impression was he wasn't comfortable knowing where he should be or what he should be doing. Also not aggressive but may be due to previous statement. Also with him being #11 on the chart, how much scrimmage time did he get? Also don't know how good his English is and if he had trouble understanding instructions. Seems like if he has physical abilities a year could make a significant difference. Maybe my desire for another significant big is rationalizing my logic.
2018 Off Season Thread
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Thought BU raved about his shooting ability last year when he first arrived. Played total of 37 mins (conference) but don't remember any pos or neg ball handling. My impression was he wasn't comfortable knowing where he should be or what he should be doing. Also not aggressive but may be due to previous statement. Also with him being #11 on the chart, how much scrimmage time did he get? Also don't know how good his English is and if he had trouble understanding instructions. Seems like if he has physical abilities a year could make a significant difference. Maybe my desire for another significant big is rationalizing my logic.
I think BU "raves" in some instances for other reasons other than simply facts:
Mark Smith to build confidence (to cajole parents possibly)
Matic Vesel again confidence to build up a player in unfamiliar surroundings, possibly overwhelmed, feeling in over his head...who knows.
BU imo, doesn't just make statements such as they along these lines, to simply state a point, there are always motive behind. This is his MO and how he motivates guys.
The defense has to get a lot better! Yeah, not having a post presence made a big difference. Having said that the defense was still extraordinarily bad. Gave up 200 points to Iowa in 2 games! Iowa, was good on offense, but that's embarrassing.
I don't like Underwood's defense. High reward (turnovers), high risk (lay-ups and dunks). If they can win with it i'm in, but field goal percentages opposing teams shot against IL was record setting.
I was glad to see Lucas shoot the ball from 3 a few times the last game. He made a couple. He has got to be a threat on the court when on offense. I think he can shoot much better than he believes, which would make the offense that much better when he's in. He's got to be a threat out there.
I don't like Underwood's defense. High reward (turnovers), high risk (lay-ups and dunks). If they can win with it i'm in, but field goal percentages opposing teams shot against IL was record setting.
I was glad to see Lucas shoot the ball from 3 a few times the last game. He made a couple. He has got to be a threat on the court when on offense. I think he can shoot much better than he believes, which would make the offense that much better when he's in. He's got to be a threat out there.
I am not a huge fan of Underwood’s type of defense either but, think a shot blocker would make big difference trying to make that style work. When those layups and dunks are more contested the pressure will work a lot better.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I feel like BU's defense is a great way to get a slightly less talented team to be competitive with a stud team. Not a materially less talented team, as we all saw this year. But if you have talent (see WVU for a picture), then it works pretty well.
That said, WVU never actually makes it to the top of the mountain. So, to be dominant, you also need stud talent. At that point, I don't know if you need to play this high pressure defense or not. But, I'll gladly watch this until the talent catches up. At that point, it might be interesting to see if he sticks with the high risk / high reward style that you accurately describe.
I am hoping that longer athletes and more experience and a rim protector will make it viable. Do not agree that we have no athletes. TeJon is a terrific athlete by my stds. He is quick and he can jump. However he is not long and hasn't shown a confidence or ability to shoot. Believe we need "Flying Illini" type players to make BU's system work. Doesn't look like we are recruiting any players shorter than 6'3" and the 6'5" or taller with quickness are preferred. (Jones, Hinson type). The coming year will tell us a lot more as the team has had a year of experience and some added pcs.
While I understand the constant pressure, I’d rather see defenders keep their man in front of them 35 feet from the basket. It just doesn’t make sense to pressure that far out to be burned for easy basket after easy basket. JMHO.
If you've ever wondered how Beilein does it there's some great insight in this article:
Niyo: Beilein’s focus on basics set table for Michigan success
Niyo: Beilein’s focus on basics set table for Michigan success
Jon RothsteinVerified account @JonRothstein 13m13 minutes ago
Purdue's Carsen Edwards will enter the 2018 NBA Draft, but won't hire an agent, per release.
Purdue's Carsen Edwards will enter the 2018 NBA Draft, but won't hire an agent, per release.
If he goes plus the graduating 4 seniors. Wow!
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Haven't seen him on any mock drafts, so I would expect him to be back. I do think he's got a shot at the NBA at some point though. I see him as a Fred Van Vleet type at the next level.
He is a much much better version than Van Fleet, a way better scorer/penetrator that him PG might be even though.,
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Personally, I think AJ will be our MVP next year, regardless of how many points he scores. AJ will lead by example, working his tail off, and, I think, be a mentor and positive influence on all the returning and incoming players.
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Maybe those guys did figure it out but just couldn't do it.
Or maybe those guys just didn't want to be on the BU train anymore.
I'm not a fan of chaos or Creaning players. But how many times did BU say this team didn't turn it on when the lights were on? He said this was the first team he had to figure out how to motivate.
We never truly ran the BU offense, because I don't think there was enough buy in. I don't totally buy that we lacked the players for the offense.
When things got tougher in the BIG, our 3 top players were Black, Trent, and Kipper. So I don't know how much of it was BU and how much of it was a realization that certain players weren't going to give you 100 percent all the time.
We never truly ran the BU offense, because I don't think there was enough buy in. I don't totally buy that we lacked the players for the offense.
When things got tougher in the BIG, our 3 top players were Black, Trent, and Kipper. So I don't know how much of it was BU and how much of it was a realization that certain players weren't going to give you 100 percent all the time.
Feliz is the #1 JUCO PG in the country (I'm well aware JUCO talent is nowhere near the level it was before prep schools). He seems to be an offensive upgrade over Lucas (shoots 42% from 3), but I'd imagine would be a downgrade defensively. Staff must think he's an upgrade overall or else they wouldn't be nudging Lucas out the door.
I agree! Recruiting is not BUs strength. I fear his bull dog intensity and hard !!! demeanor are already wearing thin with players & prospective recruits. As losses continue to pile up and another season is lost, I worry that our program will fall even further behind and a BU rebuild will be nearly impossible.
I am baffled at the unconditional optimism of so many on this board. A massive roster rebuild at the end of March with very few serviceable players left to replace significant contributors of a competitive team that still finished near the bottom of the Big 10. Next year is pretty much lost. Can BU recruit his way out of this mess? I hope so but given BUs recruiting track record - Im not feeling it.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Would you consider the Loyola Chicago roster a "serious upgrade in talent"?
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I am VERY impressed with AJ. The road hasn't always been the smoothest or the easiest, but he just keeps working on his game. This guy really impresses me. Don't know what his major is, but if I had a job opening in his field, I would hire him in a second. He's all heart.
Why? I still do not understand the persistence on this board of getting rid of Kipper.
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