Even though we came up short last night against Buffalo, props off to our inside players, specifically Luke Knapke and Willie Jackson for their toughness over the 3 Tournament Games in Cleveland. While both players need to work on finishing plays around the rim during the upcoming off season, their interior defense and rebounding were outstanding for the most part. For the 3 Games combined, Knapke totaled 28 points and 30 rebounds while Jackson totaled 37 points and 24 boards. I give these 2 players a lot of credit for battling inside and overcoming major obstacles, i.e. Knapke's lack of strength and Jackson's lack of height. While it was only 3 games, let's hope this is a springboard to an effective inside game both offensively and defensively going into next season.

Both opponents were solid interior teams. I do attribute some of our improvement to better vertical passing. Knapke himself partially responsible for it, when he was on the perimeter.

I mostly see need for depth at the point guard. I think the team has the talent already on hand to supply it. I think what we DO NOT need to do, is replace Fletcher. We could use a Fr or transfer big (meat) to give Knapke more time on the perimeter. Adway maybe another ten pounds. Stay to the balance we saw in the last games. Get Navigato his shots, he wasn't well into catch and shoot position. Something needs work there. That puts a a 6'4" 6'8" and 6'11" out with a reliable 3pt shots, as well as MJ.


Not sure what role this year's lesser minute players will take.

Coach K brags about the culture and work ethic of the Rocket players. Next year? Fletcher is a huge loss but K says Spencer Littleson is likely the best shooter on the team. That's saying something for this team. Look for major progress from both Jackson's and Knapke over the summer. In the next 2 years Knapke could become a monster in the post on offense and defense

https://twitter.com/JordanStrack/status/...4041809926

(03-11-2018 03:22 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  Coach K brags about the culture and work ethic of the Rocket players. Next year? Fletcher is a huge loss but K says Spencer Littleson is likely the best shooter on the team. That's saying something for this team. Look for major progress from both Jackson's and Knapke over the summer. In the next 2 years Knapke could become a monster in the post on offense and defense

https://twitter.com/JordanStrack/status/...4041809926

Since we weren’t able to land any of “true low post” freshmen targets this class, I’d like to see us get a JUCO transfer (6’8” with some muscle) who’s a bit older & experienced playing against size. Someone who can give Knapke some help in the paint and split minutes with Adway. Doesn’t have to be a star. IMO a guy like Moses from Ball State or De La Rosa from Kent State would have been very helpful here this season. But, to do this would mean someone else has to leave to open a scholly. Sigh.

Wouldn't it be a nice surprise if Rotroff saw what Littleson sees and we'd have that true low post. Do we have a reason for that Duquene transfer?

Knapke definitely showed a tough streak I hadn’t seen before. I think he and Thompson genuinely disliked each other, but I wonder whether Mr. Fletcher might have been in Luke’s ear a bit before the EMU game.

Luke's improvement was great to see, especially in Cleveland. Good take, H2O, on a possible Fletcher inspirational chat. What ever it was, it worked. Hoping the progress continues for LK. Thought Willie had some moments of good play in Cleveland as well. I see him continuing to improve. Like his attitude and grit. Time will tell...still need some beef IMO.

(03-12-2018 11:47 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  Luke's improvement was great to see, especially in Cleveland. Good take, H2O, on a possible Fletcher inspirational chat. What ever it was, it worked. Hoping the progress continues for LK. Thought Willie had some moments of good play in Cleveland as well. I see him continuing to improve. Like his attitude and grit. Time will tell...still need some beef IMO.

Willie does have a big upside, but unless he grows another inch or two, I think he will continue to struggle underneath. By comparison, Tino Valencia was shorter, but was wider, stronger and used his body better to rebound and take the ball to the hole. You could tell he was trying too hard to out-muscle bigger, taller defenders vs being smarter. In the last game he forced up a number of shots vs. bigger guys and he lost the handle quite a few times. He will fill in some of Fletcher's minutes next year, but is not as good of a ball handler.

(03-12-2018 11:59 AM)emanoh Wrote:  

(03-12-2018 11:47 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  Luke's improvement was great to see, especially in Cleveland. Good take, H2O, on a possible Fletcher inspirational chat. What ever it was, it worked. Hoping the progress continues for LK. Thought Willie had some moments of good play in Cleveland as well. I see him continuing to improve. Like his attitude and grit. Time will tell...still need some beef IMO.

Willie does have a big upside, but unless he grows another inch or two, I think he will continue to struggle underneath. By comparison, Tino Valencia was shorter, but was wider, stronger and used his body better to rebound and take the ball to the hole. You could tell he was trying too hard to out-muscle bigger, taller defenders vs being smarter. In the last game he forced up a number of shots vs. bigger guys and he lost he handle quite a few times. He will fill in some of Fletcher's minutes next year, but is not as good of a ball handler.

W Jackson is a bit like Weatherspoon Lite on offense although there’s no comparison on defense since Jackson seems to understand that defense is part of the game. If he works on a mid-range game and free throws he’ll be very good, if undersized. He’ll get fouled a lot because he’s so active.

Two things I think we're missing:

1) A true low-post presence as has been discussed here & elsewhere; again, doesn't have to be all-MAC type of player (although I wouldn't protest)

2) More athletes across the board (i.e., more than 1 or 2 guys who can make plays with their quickness, strength, jumping ability, etc...)

The young man from Canada intrigues me as a possible plus for #2--hopefully we keep him committed & he signs his LOI. I don't think that the other verbal commit will really address #1, and wouldn't be surprised to see him redshirt. If R/S Logan Hill had a bigger frame? But I really see him being more in the mold of Willie Jackson.

As things stand now, I think we will get a stern test from both EMU and Ball State in the West next season. I could see us finishing anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the Division. That's based on current returnees for all 3 teams as well as announced & expected new additions for all 3 programs. Addressing 1 & 2 above would be very helpful, I would guess.

(03-12-2018 12:07 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-12-2018 11:59 AM)emanoh Wrote:  

(03-12-2018 11:47 AM)rocket 51 Wrote:  Luke's improvement was great to see, especially in Cleveland. Good take, H2O, on a possible Fletcher inspirational chat. What ever it was, it worked. Hoping the progress continues for LK. Thought Willie had some moments of good play in Cleveland as well. I see him continuing to improve. Like his attitude and grit. Time will tell...still need some beef IMO.

Willie does have a big upside, but unless he grows another inch or two, I think he will continue to struggle underneath. By comparison, Tino Valencia was shorter, but was wider, stronger and used his body better to rebound and take the ball to the hole. You could tell he was trying too hard to out-muscle bigger, taller defenders vs being smarter. In the last game he forced up a number of shots vs. bigger guys and he lost he handle quite a few times. He will fill in some of Fletcher's minutes next year, but is not as good of a ball handler.

W Jackson is a bit like Weathrtspoon Lite on offense although there’s no comparison on defense dice Jackson seems to understand that defense is part of the game. If he works on a mid-range game and free throws he’ll be very good, if undersized. He’ll get fouled a lot because he’s so active.

Yes, he needs to be able to score in the paint, but maybe not right under the basket. Like with most of our big guys, they all need to be locked in the weight room and fed raw beef. In HS I bet Jackson could out-athlete everyone, but in college it's a different story, especially at 6'6".