Surgery for Jurkin - irrelevant this season, but will make or break his play, and very well the Bucs' play, the two seasons after. I hope a return to practice early next year means 2015 proper rather than the 2015-16 season. I WANT TO SEE THE OVERSTREET JURKIN SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL!

Bates, Overstreet, Banks - we need fire this year! With a little grease from Williams and Giplaye, too.

(10-01-2014 03:33 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Bartow discusses frontcourt - 10/01/14 JC Press article
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/...ew-heights

Neither Bartow nor the writer of this article even mentions the front court guys that I think are most likely to be productive for the Bucs this year: JUCO Tommy Williams variously listed at 6'5" or 6'6" and 215 or 220, and sophomore Isaac Banks 6'7" 215. Tommy was an all-Region JUCO averaging 12.5 points on .514 shooting and 9.9 rebounds and 69% from the free throw line. But what convinced me was watching a video of him scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds in a JUCO overtime win. He looked strong and smooth around the basket. Isaac showed little flashes in the very limited time available to him (0 minutes in 1/3 of the games; 5.7 minutes in the rest) indicating that he could score (.579 from the field and .700 from the free throw line) and rebound a bit (4.2 per 20 minutes), although he often looked lost on defense.

I'm sounding like a broken record here, and I don't mean to criticize guys who I hope will do well. But freshman Overstreet has a big adjustment to make, one which takes most big guys a year or two, and senior Bates just hasn't had a record of producing. Will they have the fire and drive to do more than the record indicates?

(10-02-2014 03:16 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2014 03:33 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Bartow discusses frontcourt - 10/01/14 JC Press article
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/...ew-heights

Neither Bartow nor the writer of this article even mentions the front court guys that I think are most likely to be productive for the Bucs this year: JUCO Tommy Williams variously listed at 6'5" or 6'6" and 215 or 220, and sophomore Isaac Banks 6'7" 215. Tommy was an all-Region JUCO averaging 12.5 points on .514 shooting and 9.9 rebounds and 69% from the free throw line. But what convinced me was watching a video of him scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds in a JUCO overtime win. He looked strong and smooth around the basket. Isaac showed little flashes in the very limited time available to him (0 minutes in 1/3 of the games; 5.7 minutes in the rest) indicating that he could score (.579 from the field and .700 from the free throw line) and rebound a bit (4.2 per 20 minutes), although he often looked lost on defense.

I'm sounding like a broken record here, and I don't mean to criticize guys who I hope will do well. But freshman Overstreet has a big adjustment to make, one which takes most big guys a year or two, and senior Bates just hasn't had a record of producing. Will they have the fire and drive to do more than the record indicates?

Fair points. Like you, I just don't think Overstreet will be ready based on Bartow's qualified remarks about his (Overstreet's) potential. Additionally, Bates alluded in this article that he came here because of the opportunity to "play a key part". I don't think Bartow would bring in a 5th year player and not use him in a significant way. Where does this, then, leave D. Harris, Isaac Banks, and Lester Wilson (for example) with Bartow's airtight 8-man rotation? This is speculative, but I think Bartow's top 8 will be Petey, Rashawn, AJ, Bates, Williams, Desonta, Jalen, T.Williams?

I'm dying to hear more about the new guys and the returners.

(10-02-2014 03:46 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  

(10-02-2014 03:16 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  

(10-01-2014 03:33 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Bartow discusses frontcourt - 10/01/14 JC Press article
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/...ew-heights

Neither Bartow nor the writer of this article even mentions the front court guys that I think are most likely to be productive for the Bucs this year: JUCO Tommy Williams variously listed at 6'5" or 6'6" and 215 or 220, and sophomore Isaac Banks 6'7" 215. Tommy was an all-Region JUCO averaging 12.5 points on .514 shooting and 9.9 rebounds and 69% from the free throw line. But what convinced me was watching a video of him scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds in a JUCO overtime win. He looked strong and smooth around the basket. Isaac showed little flashes in the very limited time available to him (0 minutes in 1/3 of the games; 5.7 minutes in the rest) indicating that he could score (.579 from the field and .700 from the free throw line) and rebound a bit (4.2 per 20 minutes), although he often looked lost on defense.

I'm sounding like a broken record here, and I don't mean to criticize guys who I hope will do well. But freshman Overstreet has a big adjustment to make, one which takes most big guys a year or two, and senior Bates just hasn't had a record of producing. Will they have the fire and drive to do more than the record indicates?

Fair points. Like you, I just don't think Overstreet will be ready based on Bartow's qualified remarks about his (Overstreet's) potential. Additionally, Bates alluded in this article that he came here because of the opportunity to "play a key part". I don't think Bartow would bring in a 5th year player and not use him in a significant way. Where does this, then, leave D. Harris, Isaac Banks, and Lester Wilson (for example) with Bartow's airtight 8-man rotation? This is speculative, but I think Bartow's top 8 will be Petey, Rashawn, AJ, Bates, Williams, Desonta, Jalen, T.Williams?

I'm dying to hear more about the new guys and the returners.

I think that, eventually, Bartow will come around to the right choice of big men - like he eventually did with Greg Hamlin and Isiah Brown. He'll just have to exhaust all the alternatives first.

It's like the probably apocryphal line attributed to Winston Churchill as a wry comment on American foreign policy, but more properly ascribed to Abba Eban as a general comment on the actions of nations: "You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing. After they've tried everything else."

Bates will get large time first half of the season. If it doesn't work for us, it will trail off, but Bartow feels that he's entitled. I think Williams will adjust more quickly, but he will find it harder, like most Juco's do, his first season in. I figure we'll see a lot of Bates and Williams up front, though, with some Banks. Same old crap we're used ti from experience - a front court with limited time together scoring primarily on rebounds - we know there is nit a system in place for the frontcourt, hardly one for the backcourt.


And maybe we'll see some screwy rotations with Giplaye, Overstreet coming in for meaningless minutes (because it will be cleanup, or 30 seconds to go down 20 type of Bartow fertilizer, I mean development.)

But I think we're getting back to what works for us in the past against midmajor to low midmajor ball - speed, athleticism, some length on the team. Lots of running around wild but putting the ball in the basket enough times, heck, maybe some defense.

Remarks from a coach and a returning player.

Overstreet has been the surprise. He is not timid, bangs with anyone, quick off the floor, good shooter 10 ft in, runs the floor.

Williams is 6'5 but his hands hang below his waist, very long, goes after the rebound, motor never quits.

Bates changes shots with his length, good rebounder, good touch around the basket, is left handed. He is better than Hunter Harris.

Banks has gained weight and has improved his shooting.

Bradford is a hustler, good ball handler, can rebound, good shooter, could be a top flight player.

The whole team is stronger and their shooting has improved.

These comments made me feel a lot better about the front court but of course action speaks louder then words.

Sorry I meant to say Williams hands hang below his knees

(10-02-2014 08:31 PM)bucgal Wrote:  Sorry I meant to say Williams hands hang below his knees

Good to know we're talking about hands here. Otherwise it would put this old-timey musician in mind of a song dating from the American Revolution praising the possibly mythical attributes of Continental soldiers.

But then the old fiddle tune "Soldier's Joy" was originally called "Women in the Barracks" according to my 89 year old picking buddy, Bill McCall. So you never know.

(10-02-2014 08:30 PM)bucgal Wrote:  Remarks from a coach and a returning player.

Overstreet has been the surprise. He is not timid, bangs with anyone, quick off the floor, good shooter 10 ft in, runs the floor.

Williams is 6'5 but his hands hang below his waist, very long, goes after the rebound, motor never quits.

Bates changes shots with his length, good rebounder, good touch around the basket, is left handed. He is better than Hunter Harris.

Banks has gained weight and has improved his shooting.

Bradford is a hustler, good ball handler, can rebound, good shooter, could be a top flight player.

The whole team is stronger and their shooting has improved.

These comments made me feel a lot better about the front court but of course action speaks louder then words.

Lots of interesting comments here - can't wait to see for myself if I'd agree.

The comment on Overstreet: "not timid, bangs with anyone" is great to hear - I feared weakness here, a la Lukas Poderis. I'd like to see evidence of it in games though.

Joking aside, the comment about Tommy Williams playing longer than 6'5" squares with my impression of him. It's why I'm betting on him.

The comment on Bates is nice to hear, but... better than Hunter Harris??? - I'll buy you a popcorn if that is true. One of my favorite rules of analysis is this - How do you tell if an elephant has been in your refrigerator? Look for tracks in the butter. No tracks, no elephant. Bates alleged abilities have left no tracks in the record to date.

If Banks has actually IMPROVED his shooting from .579 last year and .700 from the line - well, it confirms my impression that he will be one of the winners in the front court competition.

The comments on Desonta Bradford are great to hear - but makes the competition for playing time in the big guard/wing area even tougher.

The team is "stronger and their shooting has improved". Uh, the shooting was historically good last year. Only a very few Bucs teams have been better. If it's better this year, we'll win the SoCon.

I love the comments though, and again, can't wait to see for myself.

(10-02-2014 08:30 PM)bucgal Wrote:  Remarks from a coach and a returning player.

Overstreet has been the surprise. He is not timid, bangs with anyone, quick off the floor, good shooter 10 ft in, runs the floor.

Williams is 6'5 but his hands hang below his waist, very long, goes after the rebound, motor never quits.

Bates changes shots with his length, good rebounder, good touch around the basket, is left handed. He is better than Hunter Harris.

Banks has gained weight and has improved his shooting.

Bradford is a hustler, good ball handler, can rebound, good shooter, could be a top flight player.

The whole team is stronger and their shooting has improved.

These comments made me feel a lot better about the front court but of course action speaks louder then words.

Thanks for the intel, bucgirl. I've heard similar things about Bradford. He's got the raw materials to be special. I've also heard that Williams plays with effort and physicality. Williams and AJ might make for a nice rebounding tandem. The only point that I'm highly skeptical of is that Bates is better than Hunter Harris. We'll see.

These comments lead me to believe in one conclusion. Petey or Devin is going to be left out of the mix. If Bradford is a good ball handler, plays with energy, etc, plus Jalen playing the point a good amount of the time, then someone is going to have to be out of the shuffle.

I believe we have the talent this year to play a deep bench. Fresh legs and up tempo. However, we all know Bartow's rotation thought process.

There is no reason to have Jaylen playing point with two actual point guards on the team. That's a Tim Smith style of play that could be counterproductive to the other scorers.

This team will be special if depth is managed properly. Big IF. I would still expect a fair lack of teamwork on offense, per the norm, but it's made to sound like we have options everywhere, backcourt and frontcourt. Defensively, I am excited to see what will come.

We have pieces this year, many to be tested yet - the question for me, is do the coaches have a system and larger picture in mind?

This is a contract year for Bartow, correct? If he squanders things this year, could it finally be it for him?

We all know Bartow prefers a playmaker at point guard that can score...that's why I said I expect Jalen to take minutes from that spot again this year.

(10-03-2014 04:54 PM)BucMania Wrote:  We all know Bartow prefers a playmaker at point guard that can score...that's why I said I expect Jalen to take minutes from that spot again this year.

No foul in that comment - you're absolutely right. There's just no logical reason for a good coach to do that with what we have on the team.

I know no one wants to hear this, but the truth is the McClain needs to show he can score, especially in the half court game, so other teams can't play 5 on 4 defense on ETSU. Adam Sollazo had the same issue to correct and made progress before, and during, his Junior year.

The other thing no one wants to hear is that if Banks doesn't learn to play better defense than he played last year, we will be playing 4 on 5 on the offensive end when he is in the game.

Both can- and I hope have- improve(d).

Official start of practice:
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/...ew-heights

Our frontcourt passes the eyeball test:
http://instagram.com/p/tvRaGQqfLC/

(10-04-2014 09:30 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  Our frontcourt passes the eyeball test:
http://instagram.com/p/tvRaGQqfLC/

That they do. You can certainly see why Indiana coach Tom Crean was so high on Peter Jurkin ("he can be a difference maker nationally"). The young man definitely looks the part. 6'9" 235 Alex Bates is dwarfed by the other two.

So we match up nicely in the "All Airport" and "All Layup Line" competitions. But after the whistle blows...?

This year provides a good test of ETSU's historic preference for 6'6" athletes over traditional front court size. And the stats still tell me to bet on 6'5" 220 Tommy Williams and 6'7" 215 Isaac Banks to be more productive on the court, at least this year.

So my response to the picture is that of the spouse caught in a compromising situation: "Who are you gonna believe? Me, or your lying eyes?"