(06-29-2017 06:39 PM)cleveland Wrote: (06-29-2017 05:22 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote: With only two players 6-8 or taller, this has to be the shortest team in the MAC-maybe by a long way. They will have to run. I think Knapke can be quite a bit better. He is a good athlete who just needs more confidence. He and Adway need to be more aggressive around the basket.
NBA trickle down .... small ball is all the rage. Kent State turned its season around moving its 6-3 swingman to starting PF then winning 10 of their last 11 or something like that.
Like all sports ... monkey see, monkey do.
Mizzu transfer is really an undersized 4-man ... Colorado guy is a 3/4 Navigato a stretch 4 ... if they defend and rebound Rockets will contend just fine.
i agree with your comments
although small ball is a bit of a misnomer. it's really more about playing more skilled midsize guys who can really shoot or run and jump. it's about playing guys who are good even if they aren't the prototype for a certain position.
at first i wasn't really sure how the the last 2 recruits made this class come together. now, that i watch more of their tape and see how it adds up the 2021 class is mostly skilled 6-3 to 6-6 guys who are athletic mostly good shooters. willie jackson in the 2020 class ) can play that skilled 4 man role with Hill. alderson and hill are very aggressive offensive players. marreon jackson is a clever, quick lanky 6 foot pg. he could add some pace to the offense and allow sanford rest or some sg minutes.
regardless, I think it is a good possibility the new guys will fill several key roles pretty well. but the season will likely rest on 2 things
-how good fletcher is
-how much knapke improves and stays healthy
fletcher might have been the best player in practice last year. he was the highest ranked hs recruit among all the classes. he can play guard at 6-7. he's a grown man at 23. we will need him to not just look good out there but lead the team and establish an identity at both ends.
knapke is our only big. but with his skill set he could be a unique big guy for the mac. really good touch from all over. is he ready to be a legit 3 point threat at 6-11? has his post game kept improving?
these young guys are a promising group. hopefully, the vets have big years and it falls into place.