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Penn State 74, Illinois 52 POSTGAME
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<blockquote data-quote="Obelix" data-source="post: 1374614" data-attributes="member: 7292"><p>Top-100 means little, Trevon Duval is a top-100 guard and so is Mark Smith. But as far as averages and performance throughout the entire season (not peaks and valleys) for a #90 ranked player, Mark Smith current performance fits those ranking expectations, especially in the presence of a guard teammate (during those valleys) who has seriously emerged as the major go-to guy independent of class on this team.</p><p></p><p>As far as the freshmen, the only true aberration from expectations according to rankings (not personal expectations based on other factors) is Trent Frazier who is seriously overplaying his ranking under Brad Underwood. Arguably the most talented freshman (as far as actual performance) we have had since the Dee/Deron era. The other freshmen are performing about where one should have expected based on their rankings. </p><p></p><p>Now as far as my opinion, BU's overall coaching performance (as I have said) has definitely not been anything to brag about, definitely not up to par this year. Yet, the major overall problem has not been Mark Smith, the overall talent is just not there, neither has it been since Dee/Augie left town (with the lone exception of 2010-11). </p><p></p><p>On Mark Smith, my personal opinion (and I had watched him in HS) is that his strength and poise are his biggest assets, and should improve, especially if he becomes a better passer (which he can), learn to use his strength more effectively (i.e., overpower guards closer to the basket), and learn to control tempo. But his biggest deficiency, specifically lack of lateral quickness, may limit his overall effectiveness. That deficiency will not be solved under any coach IMO, it is what it is, and is a limiting factor. That is actually why he often picks a few fouls by "reaching in", his latter quickness does not allow him to stay in front of driving guards on defense. On offense, his lack of lateral quickness limits him in shaking off defenders by going East-West.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Obelix, post: 1374614, member: 7292"] Top-100 means little, Trevon Duval is a top-100 guard and so is Mark Smith. But as far as averages and performance throughout the entire season (not peaks and valleys) for a #90 ranked player, Mark Smith current performance fits those ranking expectations, especially in the presence of a guard teammate (during those valleys) who has seriously emerged as the major go-to guy independent of class on this team. As far as the freshmen, the only true aberration from expectations according to rankings (not personal expectations based on other factors) is Trent Frazier who is seriously overplaying his ranking under Brad Underwood. Arguably the most talented freshman (as far as actual performance) we have had since the Dee/Deron era. The other freshmen are performing about where one should have expected based on their rankings. Now as far as my opinion, BU's overall coaching performance (as I have said) has definitely not been anything to brag about, definitely not up to par this year. Yet, the major overall problem has not been Mark Smith, the overall talent is just not there, neither has it been since Dee/Augie left town (with the lone exception of 2010-11). On Mark Smith, my personal opinion (and I had watched him in HS) is that his strength and poise are his biggest assets, and should improve, especially if he becomes a better passer (which he can), learn to use his strength more effectively (i.e., overpower guards closer to the basket), and learn to control tempo. But his biggest deficiency, specifically lack of lateral quickness, may limit his overall effectiveness. That deficiency will not be solved under any coach IMO, it is what it is, and is a limiting factor. That is actually why he often picks a few fouls by "reaching in", his latter quickness does not allow him to stay in front of driving guards on defense. On offense, his lack of lateral quickness limits him in shaking off defenders by going East-West. [/QUOTE]
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Penn State 74, Illinois 52 POSTGAME
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