Ok, we all know that EMU's basketball team is very talented! In fact, I would say this team ranks right up there with our past NCAA tournament teams. We all know that we typically struggle on offense but try to make our mark with a zone defense. It does frustrate some of us on here when a team figures out the zone defense and we make no adjustments. Question: How do you think Thompson will play on the wing in the zone? I love Thompson's athleticism, tenacity, and skill! Simply put, he's the best power forward or center in the conference, but can he play the wing?

At any rate, outside perspective by Duke on our defense has us rated #128.

https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/20...on-preview

Our defense is and has been very good. Unfortunately our defensive rebounding and lack of offensive motion is not. JT4 absolutely will not replace Tim Bond as a zone wing, he simply does not have the ability to intercept passes or make steals like Tim did. That being said, I doubt that Bowling Green will get those uncontested jumpers from the corner like they did last year. Shooting over JT4's outstretched arms is a whole lot tougher than Bond's.

Moreover we have the ability to drop back and change if the current lineup does not work. Putting JT4 back in the post and using Groce on the wing should still put fear in the MAC. Truthfully we have a wealth of riches.

(11-04-2018 08:17 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Our defense is and has been very good. Unfortunately our defensive rebounding and lack of offensive motion is not. JT4 absolutely will not replace Tim Bond as a zone wing, he simply does not have the ability to intercept passes or make steals like Tim did. That being said, I doubt that Bowling Green will get those uncontested jumpers from the corner like they did last year. Shooting over JT4's outstretched arms is a whole lot tougher than Bond's.

Moreover we have the ability to drop back and change if the current lineup does not work. Putting JT4 back in the post and using Groce on the wing should still put fear in the MAC. Truthfully we have a wealth of riches.

" Truthfully we have a wealth of riches."

Indeed, no need for bed wetting here.

Sit back and enjoy a fun season.

It really all depends on how Toure does in the middle of the zone. The 2-3 starts and ends with the man in the middle. If he can protect the paint and limit easy shots around the rim, then it makes life a lot easier on the wings. I keep going back to DaShonte Riley, the last defensive stalwart we had at center, who changed the whole dynamic of the zone. If he is that good, or even nearly as good, then we will be fine. Remember the year we won the MAC West with Riley in the middle? I think our starting wings on the zone were 6'9 Jamell Harris and 6'3 Antonio Green/Quinton Dailey. That was still effective because Riley swallowed up the paint. I'm guessing Murphy sees that in Toure.

Jerry hit the nail on the head in that I would imagine Thompson will be a more traditional 2-3 wing, protecting his "zone" and not cheating up as high. He's not fast enough to recover in time and then still stay in front of his man like Bond was so adept at, but he's athletic enough to frustrate opponents (especially in the MAC) with his length if he isn't up as high. We can be more aggressive with Groce in the game, but I wouldn't expect us to be near the top of the nation in steals again. However, we could very well have even better opposing PPG/FG% numbers this season, which would be impressive considering how good we were in 17/18.

So correct me if I'm wrong, but we should expect the starting 5 to look like this?:

1. Jackson
2. Groce
3. Minnie
4. Thompson
5. Toure

(11-05-2018 11:00 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  So correct me if I'm wrong, but we should expect the starting 5 to look like this?:

1. Jackson
2. Groce
3. Minnie
4. Thompson
5. Toure

I think either Parris or McAdoo starts at 2. Expect Groce to be the first guy off the bench, with the versatility to either at the top of the zone or on the wing.

(11-05-2018 11:09 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(11-05-2018 11:00 AM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  So correct me if I'm wrong, but we should expect the starting 5 to look like this?:

1. Jackson
2. Groce
3. Minnie
4. Thompson
5. Toure

I think either Parris or McAdoo starts at 2. Expect Groce to be the first guy off the bench, with the versatility to either at the top of the zone or on the wing.

Makes sense, Sam. Only have to wait about 30 more hours to find out!

My guess at our starting 5:

1. Jackson
2. Paris
3. Minnie
4. Thompson
5. Toure

Bench:

G will be McaDoo and Silver
F Groce and Rafus
C King

McaDoo is better than Paris, but we may depend on McaDoo, Groce and Rafus to provide scoring off the bench.

(11-05-2018 12:40 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  My guess at our starting 5:

1. Jackson
2. Paris
3. Minnie
4. Thompson
5. Toure

Bench:

G will be McaDoo and Silver
F Groce and Rafus
C King

McaDoo is better than Paris, but we may depend on McaDoo, Groce and Rafus to provide scoring off the bench.

I tend to agree. Don't know enough about Parris's game, but McAdoo finished really strong and I worry that our starters won't have enough outside shooting if Parris struggles. Hopefully Minnie and Jackson improve their percentages, or opponents will just pack the paint and dare us to jack up shots.

Well, hopefully the zone defense does a but better against Drexel than what it did against Rochester. Bond could make any defense look good with his length, agility, quickness and leaping ability. Boy I miss him but who will step into his role this season?