The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(11-30-2017 09:38 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 01:37 AM)UABfan1 Wrote:  

(11-30-2017 01:11 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  I just hope Ehsan is prepared to utilize big men, Makhtar Gueye and Thomas Smallwood, off of the bench, early, so that Cokley and Lee and Sullivan will not get into foul trouble in the first half. It just appears that our losses are a result of just seven players being delegated to carry the load, over the course of games, which has resulted in getting behind on the scoreboard especially towards the end of games and....has resulted in a three game losing streak. What I am saying is, midway through the second half, our starting big's are either all tuckered out or in foul trouble.

Interesting. I'm not sure I agree with you. I don't think either guy has proven they deserve minutes in a close game.

And remember, Gene didn't always go very deep. A lot of times, he kept it pretty tight at 7-8 except in rare instances.

Andersons style allows you to play more guys. But I'm not convinced its "better" just because we had some good seasons.

I think Rob is going to be reluctant to use either unless foul trouble necessitates. (In close games)

I think our top 3 are a lot better than the next 2.

And, without foul trouble, you can go 33,30 and 17 minutes.(80 total)

Foul trouble is a reality though.

Despite Gueyes two 3 pointers in one game, I'm not convinced he makes us better at the 3 or the 4.

He has lots of upside so he was a great signee. And we will absolutely need him this year.
Smallwood, I'm just not sure. Seems to be a great kid with a great attitude but I have not seen even a hint of Allen Ogg in him.

It is not all about offense. We are vulnerable in the paint (on the defensive end of the court). Winning games is all about "defense". Gueye and Smallwood are ideal tall's who could be placed in the middle of the lane on the defensive end of the court. There is no question in my mind that these two would be quite effective in altering and/or blocking shots in the lane. There is nothing I like seeing more than for opposing teams having problems scoring down low and for us to bring down one defensive rebound after the next to regain possession of the ball. I'm not saying do it all of the time. I am just saying utilize these two guys to specifically wreak havoc in the lane on the defensive end of the court even if it is for only several minutes at a time. "DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!".

I think Smallwood should play 15-20 minutes a night. The Fastest 40 wouldn't have been possible without Gabe Kennedy's defensive presence at the back of the trap, and Gabe was no speedster.

And we need to have a BIG set, to force mismatches for Cokley & Haha.

Smallwood,
Cokley or Sullivan
Haha or Gueye
Lavender
Bryant