The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(12-20-2018 03:33 PM)okgc Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:23 PM)Nacho Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 01:34 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  It's a shame we have no backfill for when Dugan graduates, except an incoming freshman. What happened to all the talls we were recruiting the last 3-4 seasons? The cupboard is bare.

....it isnt like we are going to miss him.

When the guy in the middle averages a double double (or close)
He is tough to replace & probably the focal point of the opponents defense.
Then When Seth gets double teamed it certainly helps the other four Broncos on the floor.
Flowers doesn’t get 31 without Seth playing.

Agreed. Also believe 7' centers are extinct species these days with no position basketball the rage. Just watch Buffalo play

(12-21-2018 11:56 AM)fastbuicks Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 03:33 PM)okgc Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 02:23 PM)Nacho Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 01:34 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  It's a shame we have no backfill for when Dugan graduates, except an incoming freshman. What happened to all the talls we were recruiting the last 3-4 seasons? The cupboard is bare.

....it isnt like we are going to miss him.

When the guy in the middle averages a double double (or close)
He is tough to replace & probably the focal point of the opponents defense.
Then When Seth gets double teamed it certainly helps the other four Broncos on the floor.
Flowers doesn’t get 31 without Seth playing.

Agreed. Also believe 7' centers are extinct species these days with no position basketball the rage. Just watch Buffalo play

Idk. He seems to shut down anytime he matches up against someone of similar size and/or strength.

Simply looking at the roster and then having watched some games it’s clear Western will struggle against long, athletic and reasonably skilled front lines. Kids in the range of 6’7”- 6’-9” 210 to 230 lbs. There is no adequate match up.

That is why I would like to have the ball in Wilkens hands. He’s a play maker who can put it on the floor, distribute, can use his wide body to score inside and has some range out to the perimeter.

As his longer more athletic opposite number is a mismatch for him one on one inside he’s equally a mismatch who can take you outside then go inside then back out again. Forcing his opposite number to make adjustments. Kids normally don’t make adjustments well. Therefore the advantage.

It also allows Flowers to play off the ball some and not just simply be with the ball.

This allows those who are partnering with Flowers, like those screening for him or he screens for them to slip through or out as they focus on keeping the ball away from Michael.

This all makes others better or at least have better opportunities.

This still allows Flowers plenty of opportunity with the ball in his hands to do his thing.

It also allows Martin and Boyer-Richard the opportunity to get minutes playing at the one and defending. Of which both are better than Jared Printy. Michael Flowers then becomes the de facto 2. I think it puts WMU in a stronger position. When Jared hits the floor Western and he are less dependent upon his “lighting it up” to be successful.

Patrick Emillen is also the secondary beneficiary. As Jared is the second guy coming off the screen Patrick can now be that individual. His ability to play both inside and out also strains the oppositions defense. He’s a decent rebounder who as he gets physically stronger will be a very good defender with his length. But he has to learn that lesson now that his length isn’t enough. Better learn it now than next year.

(12-22-2018 11:15 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  That is why I would like to have the ball in Wilkens hands. He’s a play maker who can put it on the floor, distribute, can use his wide body to score inside and has some range out to the perimeter.

Tava-esque?

With a little range.

(12-22-2018 02:03 PM)ess Wrote:  

(12-22-2018 11:15 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  That is why I would like to have the ball in Wilkens hands. He’s a play maker who can put it on the floor, distribute, can use his wide body to score inside and has some range out to the perimeter.

Tava-esque?

With a little range.

Yes that comes to mind. Not sure Squeky is quite the passer but he certainly has better range. And is Stephen Bardo mentioned in the Michigan game, the color commentator, Wilkins uses his frame well.

And I’m not just referring to high-low against a zone. Squeaky is sneaky quick and with his handles would be more effective than Connor in space off the bounce. Add to that his range is it much more affective both personally and those around him.

At anytime you can put the ball back in Flowers hands. But if you simply keep it there expect the likes of Buffalo to pressure him unlike anything he’s experienced or trap him forcing him to get rid of the ball.

I’d rather intentionally take it out of his hands and allow him to receive it dictating the circumstances. He’s then catching it on the move usually a step ahead of the defender. Also while that movement is happening the ball should be dumped inside to Seth six out of every 10 times. I’ll take two out of six with three trips to the line with three fouls tacked on his defender.