http://bleacherreport.com/articles/26508...on/page/20

Pretty, pretty high praise for a Rice player. For the people who don't want to scroll through the entire article, Marcus was ranked as the #2 scorer at shooting guard in the entire NCAA. Also, they seem to have actually done some research, being that they note Max graduated and that Chad redshirted last year and should be a contributor this year.

Agree with the high praise, especially since another publication listed him as only an "honorable mention" Sophomore, not included in their Top 25 Sophs.

Having said that, I though Evans was more likely to start at point guard, with the "other" Marcus (Jackson) as the #2 shooting guard? I suspect Lott or Cashaw will be the point guard for the second unit.

I think the two will be sort of a hybrid point/shooting guard combo with both guys alternating roles at each position. I also think we'll start Lott or perhaps the true freshman guard at times against smaller teams, or go bigger with Egor, and two bigger guys against larger teams. For that reason, I do think that Evans' numbers are bound to go down his sophomore season but that's perfectly fine if it means we're winning more games. I'd also like to see him emphasize defense more than offense at times this season

(07-15-2016 02:06 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I think the two will be sort of a hybrid point/shooting guard combo with both guys alternating roles at each position. I also think we'll start Lott or perhaps the true freshman guard at times against smaller teams, or go bigger with Egor, and two bigger guys against larger teams. For that reason, I do think that Evans' numbers are bound to go down his sophomore season but that's perfectly fine if it means we're winning more games. I'd also like to see him emphasize defense more than offense at times this season

I don't think there's any question we'll emphasize defense more this year. One of the problems last year was lack of depth, which meant players had to be very mindful of getting in foul trouble. That had to have an adverse impact on our defensive intensity. Also, I suspect with a full roster at last, Coach will deploy the press at least 25% - 33% of the time, which again should improve of our overall defensive numbers.

As for offense, Evan's number will almost assuredly got down, and most likely, by a significant margin. Not only will Jackson be returning, but I'm expecting improvement from both Quez and Cashaw, and Lott will also be an offensive force. Last year we had just Evans and Egor. Our options this year should quadruple, making it MUCH, much more difficult to defend us. Unlike last year, I suspect 50% of our points will be in transition and fast breaks, which is the style of play Coach Rhoades wants to see.

(07-15-2016 02:01 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Agree with the high praise, especially since another publication listed him as only an "honorable mention" Sophomore, not included in their Top 25 Sophs.

Having said that, I though Evans was more likely to start at point guard, with the "other" Marcus (Jackson) as the #2 shooting guard? I suspect Lott or Cashaw will be the point guard for the second unit.

I wouldn't expect to see Cashaw at point, probably at the 2 or 3 most of the year. Marcus Jackson would probably start at the 2 and Evans at the 1, which would leave either Cashaw or Chad starting at the 3. The other option would be if Rhoades wants to play bigger, he could put Drone at the 5, Quez at the 4, Egor at the 3, and then Marcus and Marcus.

How nice to finally be discussing a team at Rice where the "problem" is that we will have too many potential scoring options, or can't get all the good players out there at the same time because we might have too many good players!

(07-15-2016 02:14 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:06 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I think the two will be sort of a hybrid point/shooting guard combo with both guys alternating roles at each position. I also think we'll start Lott or perhaps the true freshman guard at times against smaller teams, or go bigger with Egor, and two bigger guys against larger teams. For that reason, I do think that Evans' numbers are bound to go down his sophomore season but that's perfectly fine if it means we're winning more games. I'd also like to see him emphasize defense more than offense at times this season

I don't think there's any question we'll emphasize defense more this year. One of the problems last year was lack of depth, which meant players had to be very mindful of getting in foul trouble. That had to have an adverse impact on our defensive intensity. Also, I suspect with a full roster at last, Coach will deploy the press at least 25% - 33% of the time, which again should improve of our overall defensive numbers.

As for offense, Evan's number will almost assuredly got down, and most likely, by a significant margin. Not only will Jackson be returning, but I'm expecting improvement from both Quez and Cashaw, and Lott will also be an offensive force. Last year we had just Evans and Egor. Our options this year should quadruple, making it MUCH, much more difficult to defend us. Unlike last year, I suspect 50% of our points will be in transition and fast breaks, which is the style of play Coach Rhoades wants to see.

High percentage AND exciting buckets. Really looking forward to this season.

(07-15-2016 02:18 PM)elw4796 Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:01 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Agree with the high praise, especially since another publication listed him as only an "honorable mention" Sophomore, not included in their Top 25 Sophs.

Having said that, I though Evans was more likely to start at point guard, with the "other" Marcus (Jackson) as the #2 shooting guard? I suspect Lott or Cashaw will be the point guard for the second unit.

I wouldn't expect to see Cashaw at point, probably at the 2 or 3 most of the year. Marcus Jackson would probably start at the 2 and Evans at the 1, which would leave either Cashaw or Chad starting at the 3. The other option would be if Rhoades wants to play bigger, he could put Drone at the 5, Quez at the 4, Egor at the 3, and then Marcus and Marcus.

Who knows how things go in pre-season practice, but given the two incoming Freshman bigs, both of whom are more talented than Drone, I'd be surprised if Drone is a starter (though I do expect him to see considerable playing time). Similarly, I'd be shocked if Evans, Jackson, Quez and Egor are not all in the season-opening starting lineup. As I said while watching him last year, if Quez continues to develop and adds some muscle, the sky is the limit to how good he can be. He has the potential to be every bit as good as Harris was and as dominant. Even last year, he took over a couple games-- at both ends of the floor.

This team has a world of talent; the only question is how quickly the coaching staff can instill their philosophy and the players mature as a team.

i could see both Mencey and Drone being mad dogs on the second team press defense.

This is going to be really, really fun to watch.

I don't think Mency is going to get many more than 5-10 minutes/game. If Adams performs like he should, Mency will be lost in the shuffle.

(07-15-2016 02:39 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I don't think Mency is going to get many more than 5-10 minutes/game. If Adams performs like he should, Mency will be lost in the shuffle.

While I agree Bishop's minutes will be dramatically reduced, he is one of our better defensive players, and I can see Rhoades using him in high-energy press situations.

(07-15-2016 02:39 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I don't think Mency is going to get many more than 5-10 minutes/game. If Adams performs like he should, Mency will be lost in the shuffle.

Yeah, Bishop was probably our best on ball defender last year. Plus he regained his shooting form as the year went on. He'll get some minutes. The best part of all this is we have no idea what we're going to get from the freshmen. If even one or two of them can have a cashaw/Quez from last year impact, we'll be in a real prime position.

(07-15-2016 02:28 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:18 PM)elw4796 Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:01 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Agree with the high praise, especially since another publication listed him as only an "honorable mention" Sophomore, not included in their Top 25 Sophs.

Having said that, I though Evans was more likely to start at point guard, with the "other" Marcus (Jackson) as the #2 shooting guard? I suspect Lott or Cashaw will be the point guard for the second unit.

I wouldn't expect to see Cashaw at point, probably at the 2 or 3 most of the year. Marcus Jackson would probably start at the 2 and Evans at the 1, which would leave either Cashaw or Chad starting at the 3. The other option would be if Rhoades wants to play bigger, he could put Drone at the 5, Quez at the 4, Egor at the 3, and then Marcus and Marcus.

Who knows how things go in pre-season practice, but given the two incoming Freshman bigs, both of whom are more talented than Drone, I'd be surprised if Drone is a starter (though I do expect him to see considerable playing time). Similarly, I'd be shocked if Evans, Jackson, Quez and Egor are not all in the season-opening starting lineup. As I said while watching him last year, if Quez continues to develop and adds some muscle, the sky is the limit to how good he can be. He has the potential to be every bit as good as Harris was and as dominant. Even last year, he took over a couple games-- at both ends of the floor.

This team has a world of talent; the only question is how quickly the coaching staff can instill their philosophy and the players mature as a team.

Agree with you on Quez. Like you, not sure about the amount of minutes Drone will get but I do know that the 2 freshman post will benefit from Drone's physicalness in practice and that will hopefully speed up the maturation process for those freshman. Austin Meyer is listed at 200 lbs but he is actually coming in at a solid 245 lbs. Makes me wonder if the coaches use that as a strategy to keep him listed at 200 lbs on the roster since the other conference coaches have no idea of his weight (until they watch pre-conference game film).

(07-15-2016 02:26 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:14 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-15-2016 02:06 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I think the two will be sort of a hybrid point/shooting guard combo with both guys alternating roles at each position. I also think we'll start Lott or perhaps the true freshman guard at times against smaller teams, or go bigger with Egor, and two bigger guys against larger teams. For that reason, I do think that Evans' numbers are bound to go down his sophomore season but that's perfectly fine if it means we're winning more games. I'd also like to see him emphasize defense more than offense at times this season

I don't think there's any question we'll emphasize defense more this year. One of the problems last year was lack of depth, which meant players had to be very mindful of getting in foul trouble. That had to have an adverse impact on our defensive intensity. Also, I suspect with a full roster at last, Coach will deploy the press at least 25% - 33% of the time, which again should improve of our overall defensive numbers.

As for offense, Evan's number will almost assuredly got down, and most likely, by a significant margin. Not only will Jackson be returning, but I'm expecting improvement from both Quez and Cashaw, and Lott will also be an offensive force. Last year we had just Evans and Egor. Our options this year should quadruple, making it MUCH, much more difficult to defend us. Unlike last year, I suspect 50% of our points will be in transition and fast breaks, which is the style of play Coach Rhoades wants to see.

High percentage AND exciting buckets. Really looking forward to this season.

I also think you can see Coach Rhoades' emphasis on getting up and down the floor with the big men he recruited. In addition to the height they all have the ability to get up and down the floor. No big bodies that slowly lumber up the court.