We seem to say this every year when the seniors leave but the underclassmen come through. They know it's their time to shine.

The way I see it we are likely to have more depth inside than outside for the first time I can remember. I think the incoming class along with Lawrence getting better will help our interior scoring (or at least make it a wash from losing JJ), but it remains to be seen how much we give up on the defensive end with that change. Shaq and Sanders are probably going to command the #4 spot at times as well when both on the floor. That is quite a few big bodies competing for minutes. Not sure how GG or KJ or TC will shake out the starting lineup, but bottom line is probably 3 guys each playing 2/3 of the game for the guard minutes.

Personally, I think we're going to replace the points easier than we're going to replace the defense/rebounding if you just look at the personnel, but if there is one thing Mick can do it is get guys to buy in and improve in those areas. Honestly, I think the culture is really good right now and I'm REALLY glad a solid freshman class TC/KJ/JL got to spend a year on the same team with these seniors. That has a chance to impact our team for 3 more years.

(03-10-2014 10:20 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  We seem to say this every year when the seniors leave but the underclassmen come through. They know it's their time to shine.

this.

When Yancy left we were worried how we'd ever survive with out his presence underneath

When Cash and Parker left we didnt know if we could replace their scoring and what what they brought to the table.

Mick has built quite a pipe line of young talent of players to come .Players have improved and stepped up when it was their time to lead. We will be just fine.

If all talent progresses and injuries stay to a minimum the group of Lawrence / Caupain / Johnson / Moore / Clark / Morman and others could be really special in 2-3 years

(03-11-2014 08:25 AM)uccheese Wrote:  The way I see it we are likely to have more depth inside than outside for the first time I can remember. I think the incoming class along with Lawrence getting better will help our interior scoring (or at least make it a wash from losing JJ), but it remains to be seen how much we give up on the defensive end with that change. Shaq and Sanders are probably going to command the #4 spot at times as well when both on the floor. That is quite a few big bodies competing for minutes. Not sure how GG or KJ or TC will shake out the starting lineup, but bottom line is probably 3 guys each playing 2/3 of the game for the guard minutes.

Personally, I think we're going to replace the points easier than we're going to replace the defense/rebounding if you just look at the personnel, but if there is one thing Mick can do it is get guys to buy in and improve in those areas. Honestly, I think the culture is really good right now and I'm REALLY glad a solid freshman class TC/KJ/JL got to spend a year on the same team with these seniors. That has a chance to impact our team for 3 more years.

This is an excellent point. There was great concern when Oscar Robertson graduated that UC basketball would fall into the abyss. They retooled and won national championships. Mick has now built a program; SK had demonstrated through his work ethic what it takes to be the best and I expect next year's team will build upon that foundation.

(03-11-2014 08:55 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote:  

(03-10-2014 10:20 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  We seem to say this every year when the seniors leave but the underclassmen come through. They know it's their time to shine.

this.

When Yancy left we were worried how we'd ever survive with out his presence underneath

When Cash and Parker left we didnt know if we could replace their scoring and what what they brought to the table.

Mick has built quite a pipe line of young talent of players to come .Players have improved and stepped up when it was their time to lead. We will be just fine.

If all talent progresses and injuries stay to a minimum the group of Lawrence / Caupain / Johnson / Moore / Clark / Morman and others could be really special in 2-3 years

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

i think we drop off on defense in that so much of our defense now is predicated on the versatility of our bigs being able to guard smaller players limiting penetration and forcing opponents to shoot more difficult, or at least longer range, shots. That luxury is probably eliminated next year. My projection of a two deep:

Guyn/Caupain
KJ/Moorman
Shaq/Sanders
Lawrence/Clark
Berry/Strickland/Moore

On offense, we need to be able to score in transition. Since Lawrence is a face up player, spacing and movement in the half court offense will be key. For those wondering why i perpetually see Guyn starting, it's because he's a superior defender and because i don't think our offense lends itself to a single ball handler running the offense. i think it will be about making good decisions in transition and creating space and moving the ball in the half court.

(03-11-2014 10:02 AM)eroc Wrote:  i think we drop off on defense in that so much of our defense now is predicated on the versatility of our bigs being able to guard smaller players limiting penetration and forcing opponents to shoot more difficult, or at least longer range, shots. That luxury is probably eliminated next year. My projection of a two deep:

Guyn/Caupain
KJ/Moorman
Shaq/Sanders
Lawrence/Clark
Berry/Strickland/Moore

On offense, we need to be able to score in transition. Since Lawrence is a face up player, spacing and movement in the half court offense will be key. For those wondering why i perpetually see Guyn starting, it's because he's a superior defender and because i don't think our offense lends itself to a single ball handler running the offense. i think it will be about making good decisions in transition and creating space and moving the ball in the half court.

Our defensive system is definitely going to change next year. We will still have the ability to switch with our 4's (although not like what Rubles is capable of) but we won't have that option with our 5's. Those guys will have to hedge and be able to recover to the post.

We probably won't have as good of a fg% defense but we will hopefully be better at defensive rebounding like we were when Yancy's years hopefully offsetting that hit in shooting to some degree.

I think Shaq takes a big step next season. I also think Lawrence will be unrecognizable with another off season to get stronger with the ball. I'm fully aware high school highlight reels don't predict D1 success but I would be shocked if Clark doesn't contribute early next season.

The defense will take a step back by default. This is the best defensive team in my memory, no option but to slide back a bit. That said, KJ has shown he may end up being a lock down defender in time, Caupain has a knack for getting into passing lanes, and Mick has gone on record saying Mormon will be the best defender of the bunch. Combine that with great size at the 4 and 5 spots and I think the defense will end up being very solid.

I would guess they will be a fringe tournament team at the start of February and will end up as a 6-8 seed.

With Clark, Moore, and Morman, our shooting percentage should rise too. I'm not incredibly worried about next year, in this conference, I figure we'll be a bubble team with a slightly above average team, which is what we'll have next year.

Next year will be an up and down season. I see no way to avoid it.

No freshman is prepared for NCAA level basketball, let alone the training and practice required, especially the big guys.

Juco players seldom shine until their senior year.

My hope is that next year's team lives up to its potential at some point in conference play.

Someone has to step forward and lead by example, and I think Troy has the potential to be that leader. He seems to have some SK in him. Hope he does.

Edit to include roster:

COREONTAE DeBERRY C 6 9 260
QUADRI MOORE C/F 6 9 230
JAMAREE STRICKLAND C 6 10 270
GARY CLARK PF 6 7 215
JERMAINE LAWRENCE PF 6 9 205
SHAQUILLE THOMAS SF 6 7 205
JERMAINE SANDERS SF 6 5 210
TROY CAUPAIN G 6 3 200
GE'LAWN GUYN G 6 2 185
KEVIN JOHNSON 2G 6 2 175
DESHAUN MORMAN 2G 6 3 190

(03-11-2014 08:57 AM)indycat Wrote:  

(03-11-2014 08:25 AM)uccheese Wrote:  The way I see it we are likely to have more depth inside than outside for the first time I can remember. I think the incoming class along with Lawrence getting better will help our interior scoring (or at least make it a wash from losing JJ), but it remains to be seen how much we give up on the defensive end with that change. Shaq and Sanders are probably going to command the #4 spot at times as well when both on the floor. That is quite a few big bodies competing for minutes. Not sure how GG or KJ or TC will shake out the starting lineup, but bottom line is probably 3 guys each playing 2/3 of the game for the guard minutes.

Personally, I think we're going to replace the points easier than we're going to replace the defense/rebounding if you just look at the personnel, but if there is one thing Mick can do it is get guys to buy in and improve in those areas. Honestly, I think the culture is really good right now and I'm REALLY glad a solid freshman class TC/KJ/JL got to spend a year on the same team with these seniors. That has a chance to impact our team for 3 more years.

This is an excellent point. There was great concern when Oscar Robertson graduated that UC basketball would fall into the abyss. They retooled and won national championships. Mick has now built a program; SK had demonstrated through his work ethic what it takes to be the best and I expect next year's team will build upon that foundation.

This is basically the main point that I'm taking away from this thread.