(11-11-2018 10:16 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I was at the game and have a few observations.

Sanford is definitely the leader. He can take over the game offensively anytime he wants.

Willie Jackson is a LOT better than last year. He is playing with extreme confidence and totally under control If this continues, he should get all conference consideration.

Edu has talent but does not yet have chemistry with the rest of the team. That will hopefully develop quickly.

Hill and Gordon are not in the rotation but both could help out at times. Hill can definitely leap (and dunk) while Gordon seems to play within his abilities.

Its a deep bench this year. Gordon seems to have a handle whenever he's in and brings some maturity, which is rare. If only he was 2-3 inches taller. Not sure if he gets many minutes at all this year? He's sticking it out. Seems to be a great team guy. Every team needs those guys. That attempted dunk last night was ugly.

Hill looks like he'll be a contributor down the road. Maybe take over Navigato's spot next year?

I really like Albertson. He doesn't put a lot of points on the board, but there is an intensity and a confidence about him I like. Same with Littleson and Darrington. The talent level doesn't drop drop off at the guard position.

Not sure I will survive the season if refs call every touch foul. It still boggles my mind that someone like Kanapke can be standing flat footed, arms straight in the air. The opposing player lowers a shoulder, initiates contact, slams into our guy to create seperation. But we get called for the foul. Or a player drives to the basket out of control, tosses up a prayer, slams into our guy with no intention of actually attempting a real shot and the whistle goes against us.



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(11-11-2018 10:16 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I was at the game and have a few observations.

Sanford is definitely the leader. He can take over the game offensively anytime he wants.

Willie Jackson is a LOT better than last year. He is playing with extreme confidence and totally under control If this continues, he should get all conference consideration.

Edu has talent but does not yet have chemistry with the rest of the team. That will hopefully develop quickly.

Hill and Gordon are not in the rotation but both could help out at times. Hill can definitely leap (and dunk) while Gordon seems to play within his abilities.

watching on tv I have similar observations. Edu is still a little lost out there but he's getting time which is good because we will need him. That said I'm hoping Hill can compete in the post for a few minutes when Knapke has foul trouble. He is only 6-6 but he's strong and can jump so if his position and technique is decent he should be OK. Sanford is gonna score a lot fo points this year. Really like our guard play off the bench. That is March level balance in the backcourt, just need Knapke to play 32 minutes a night or Edu to get more acclimated, and Navigato to lock in on defense so we aren't losing games in the frontcourt.

(11-11-2018 09:04 PM)pono Wrote:  

(11-11-2018 10:16 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  I was at the game and have a few observations.

Sanford is definitely the leader. He can take over the game offensively anytime he wants.

Willie Jackson is a LOT better than last year. He is playing with extreme confidence and totally under control If this continues, he should get all conference consideration.

Edu has talent but does not yet have chemistry with the rest of the team. That will hopefully develop quickly.

Hill and Gordon are not in the rotation but both could help out at times. Hill can definitely leap (and dunk) while Gordon seems to play within his abilities.

watching on tv I have similar observations. Edu is still a little lost out there but he's getting time which is good because we will need him. That said I'm hoping Hill can compete in the post for a few minutes when Knapke has foul trouble. He is only 6-6 but he's strong and can jump so if his position and technique is decent he should be OK. Sanford is gonna score a lot fo points this year. Really like our guard play off the bench. That is March level balance in the backcourt, just need Knapke to play 32 minutes a night or Edu to get more acclimated, and Navigato to lock in on defense so we aren't losing games in the frontcourt.

If Hill fills in in the post for any minutes I fear we’re in big trouble. Gordon is a more likely candidate, IMO. Slightly shorter but bull strong and he had a couple games last year where he guarded the opposing post and did a credible job, IIRC.

Alderson has spent some serious time in the weight room, He looks a whole lot stronger this year.

During his post game interview, Willie Jackson said his goal is to lead the nation in offensive rebounding. That would sure help the team if he does.

Also, in his post game interview, Coach K state that Toledo could lead the nation in free throw percentage if Edu and Willie Jackson shoot a high percentage from the line.

Overall, the coaching staff and the players have a lot of confidence right now. The next home game is November 28th. If the team proves to be solid on the road, it could be a delightful season.

(11-12-2018 08:20 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  Alderson has spent some serious time in the weight room, He looks a whole lot stronger this year.

During his post game interview, Willie Jackson said his goal is to lead the nation in offensive rebounding. That would sure help the team if he does.

Also, in his post game interview, Coach K state that Toledo could lead the nation in free throw percentage if Edu and Willie Jackson shoot a high percentage from the line.

Overall, the coaching staff and the players have a lot of confidence right now. The next home game is November 28th. If the team proves to be solid on the road, it could be a delightful season.

Alderson looked pretty muscular last year for a Frosh. Better this year. Apart from Steve Taylor we haven’t had burly guys on the roster much. I guess Gordon qualifies, but I can’t think of others under Kowalczyk. Seems like he likes muscular nut slender guys like Jackson, Sanford, Pearson and Fletcher.

(11-12-2018 08:20 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  During his post game interview, Willie Jackson said his goal is to lead the nation in offensive rebounding. That would sure help the team if he does.
.

It could be a very bad sign if he does. Offensive rebounds are missed shots. If the shooting percentage goes as expected, he should have no chance at leading even the league in O RBs.

(11-12-2018 11:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 08:20 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  During his post game interview, Willie Jackson said his goal is to lead the nation in offensive rebounding. That would sure help the team if he does.
.

It could be a very bad sign if he does. Offensive rebounds are missed shots. If the shooting percentage goes as expected, he should have no chance at leading even the league in O RBs.

Why? Villanova, reigning NCAA champs, shot 50% (one of only five teams to shoot 50% or better) from the floor last year. Wouldn't you a guy on your team that wants to get the rebound on the 50% that don't go in?

(11-12-2018 01:51 PM)toledobrad Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 11:07 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(11-12-2018 08:20 AM)Rocket75 Wrote:  During his post game interview, Willie Jackson said his goal is to lead the nation in offensive rebounding. That would sure help the team if he does.
.

It could be a very bad sign if he does. Offensive rebounds are missed shots. If the shooting percentage goes as expected, he should have no chance at leading even the league in O RBs.

Why? Villanova, reigning NCAA champs, shot 50% (one of only five teams to shoot 50% or better) from the floor last year. Wouldn't you a guy on your team that wants to get the rebound on the 50% that don't go in?

1) We're not Villinova.
2) Yes it would be nice if the other team would just hang back and give our guy first shot at the rebound.

However, they won't. Which means our guy is much more likely to lead the league in offensive rebounding if we're shooting 40% than if we're shooting 60%. More rebounds to get. I'd rather that not happen. If we can manage both that high shooting percentage and our guy leads the world in offensive rebounding, great! Put-backs might go to that high shooting percentage.