Roster Thoughts After Two Games

1,625 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Big Bear
CST Bear
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9:22a, 11/10/23
Great start...plenty to be excited and encouraged about!

JTT-Where do we start? Is he a viable starter? Is conditioning or rehab still in the process? I feel awful for him.

Dennis-Obviously if he cleans up turnovers...a very high ceiling. Saw some flashes of great defense and ability to get to hoop

Yves-Incredible upside. A big man that actually finishes at the rim! Flashes of brilliance on D too.

Nunn-Gonna be our best defender. Smart player. Good off the dribble too.

Bridges-Still love his shot selection and court savvy. Is he the leader in the huddle?

Langston-Room to grow defensively but maybe our top scorer off the bench. Love this kid.

Ja'Kobe-So much to be excited about. Seems to be team-oriented. Can score anywhere. Thrilled with what we have in him.

Josh-Hands and ability to finish at the rim must improve. Still a valuable asset to the team.

Caleb-I wanna see more. An effective rebounder. We know he can score...I suppose he and Josh will battle for significant minutes

Grimes-TBD. Haven't seen enough.

Miro-Seems tentative...even for a freshman. Excited to see him develop this year.

As a team: Defense needs to improve. Wanna see more motion (less iso ball) on offense, need to improve on scoring in transition...would love to see us have actual quality end of half possessions!
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datboiquadzilla
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10:56a, 11/10/23
I think JTT is much more productive coming off the bench but then again Scott Drew knows what he's doing
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DanaDane
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11:47a, 11/10/23
CST - You and I are aligned on all of them except Little.

I actually think Little is trying too hard instead of letting the flow come to him. He's always been more of a limelight player as a big fish in a small pond and on this team he is one of many good players. He realizes he only has a few moments to shine and show he belongs on a level with JaKobe and Yves, and I think that causes him to force it a little (no pun intended), which is what has led to his turnovers.

I think we'll see him settle into a rhythm soon and he'll become a good contributor. He doesn't have the natural athleticism as a lot of other players so he has to rely on a high basketball IQ gained during overseas competition. Once he gets back to that stage of comfortableness and relies on that IQ, I think we'll see him shine as a specific role player. He's still just adjusting at this point, which should be expected for a true frosh.
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Quinton
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12:13p, 11/10/23
I don't see Little as tentative. He's only been here for a very short time and I see a guy who is already taking a small leadership role in huddles and in communicating on the sideline. We all have different observations so nothing wrong with that but Little stood out immediately to me. Like this guy is already projecting confidence while being here such a short time.

On the court, I just see feeling it out and getting in where he needs to. Has played such limited minutes so nothing for me to assess. Reminds me of the flow of Darren Williams with that more upright style. I don't expect heavy contribution until later but hopeful he will develop well.
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CST Bear
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12:20p, 11/10/23
Maybe you guys are right about Little. I just saw hesitancy to shoot (more than anything). I met him this summer at Drew's camp and really liked him. Seemed very mature.

He'll get plenty of chances to show us what he can do on the floor during these next three games.
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BearRod8
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2:26p, 11/10/23
I think the thing about Basketball (moreso than other American sports) it's not about the 5 who start, but the 5 that get the most minutes and finish the game.

I think of Ginobli for the Spurs (Did not start, but played tons of minutes). Jason Terry for the Mavs- in their title run, he came off the bench for DeShawn Stevenson (who technically started). They just had Stevenson bulldog the other teams best player for 2-5 minutes, wear them out early, then bring JET in to score.

Again, look at the 5 who get the most minutes and who is on the court to finish. That's CSD's "Top 5".

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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Quinton • 7:13a, 11/11/23
I am a huge fan of Little and the cream will eventually rise to the top. He is just so talented.

On one sequence Lohner was cutting backdoor and I saw Little make an incredible pass from the wing. I don't remember if Lohner finished but that one play showcased Little's incredible court vision. 99% of players would not have even seen Lohner on that play, much less execute a perfect pass.

I see Little gradually earning more minutes as he continutes to acclimate, at the expense of Lohner and Grimes.

CSD has always liked multiple ball-handlers and facilitators on the court at all times.

CSD likes a short rotation.

Therefore I predict our 8 man rotation by conference play will be Dennis, Nunn, Little, Love, Walter, Bridges, Missi, and Josh O. Walter I actually see as our primary backup at small ball 4 when Bridges is not in the game. EJ and Lohner will play situationally but will not get consistent rotation minutes. Grimes will be emergency depth and injury insurance only.

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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 7:40a, 11/11/23
Your hatred of Lohner is weird… you take every chance you can to take a pot shot at him. He made a dunk on the Little pass
As far as the rotation. Unless Drew goes to a 5 guard rotation by conference making the total rotation 9 Little is likely the odd man out. He played 2 minutes against Auburn. Lohner I believe 13. Not sure how your figuring he will take Lohners minutes when they don't even play the same position
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 7:48a, 11/11/23
IowaBear said:
Your hatred of Lohner is weird… you take every chance you can to take a pot shot at him. He made a dunk on the Little pass
As far as the rotation. Unless Drew goes to a 5 guard rotation by conference making the total rotation 9 Little is likely the odd man out. He played 2 minutes against Auburn. Lohner I believe 13. Not sure how your figuring he will take Lohners minutes when they don't even play the same position
No hate on Lohner, I just think he is just the 10th or 11th best player on our loaded roster. Nothing personal against Lohner I just don't think he's very good at basketball. I do think think Drew will play a 5 guard rotation including Little. 200 total minutes available Little will earn his share.

I think when Bridges subs out we will go with 4 guard lineups with Jakobe at small ball 4. Still think we will need Bridges to play around 34 minutes so small ball we are talking 5 or 6 minutes at the most. Jakobe, Little, Love have great size for guards so I think we will be okay on the boards during those stretches.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 7:53a, 11/11/23
I get that's what you think. Nothing wrong with that. But Drew clearly thinks otherwise. At least so far
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 7:58a, 11/11/23
I actually like Lohner he brings energy, hustle, positive body language, etc. Nothing I posted was meant to be disrespectful to him as a person and if so I apologize. Our backcourt is just so loaded I think our coaches will find a way to get them minutes.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 8:02a, 11/11/23
The things you mentioned are exactly why he plays and will likely play all season. Little right now is fighting Grimes for the 5th guard spot. I do think he wins that battle ultimately m. But barring injuries I don't see him playing a ton once conference starts. Who knows maybe he works his way to 8 or so a game. I imagine will start to see Drew's finalized rotation once the December games vs SH, MSU and Duke are played. Maybe even as soon as the Thanksgiving tournament all though P5 those squads look weak imo although I haven't had a chance to watch Pitt yet
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 8:12a, 11/11/23
I think Little has surpassed Grimes, is clearly the more talented player. But at the same time I think you are right that Lohner will find a way to earn around 12-13 minutes. It's a great problem to have especially if someone gets hurt (knocks on wood).
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Big Bear
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In reply to CST Bear • 9:18a, 11/11/23
Quality post and very accurate analyst. Agree.
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