(01-28-2019 07:55 PM)Screwball Wrote:  He had two nice games. I think that is about matchups more than things to expect.

He has actually had 3 straight nice games going back to the Ohio game. He had 16 points and 9 rebounds in that game prior to the two 20+ point games. Going back even further, he had 11 points, 7 rebounds against Miami and 10 points, 9 rebounds against WMU, so he has been on the upswing the last 5 games.

(01-28-2019 08:31 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  

(01-28-2019 07:55 PM)Screwball Wrote:  He had two nice games. I think that is about matchups more than things to expect.

He has actually had 3 straight nice games going back to the Ohio game. He had 16 points and 9 rebounds in that game prior to the two 20+ point games. Going back even further, he had 11 points, 7 rebounds against Miami and 10 points, 9 rebounds against WMU, so he has been on the upswing the last 5 games.

I’m eager to see how he does vs. EMU with a veteran post player who has given him trouble. Should be a good gauge of his improvement.

I want Luke on the floor, but he's not a legit 5. I think that disadvantage will be the difference this year.

But I'm from the camp that loves beef in the low post.

But if they keep swatting those shots around...

Luke is as legit a modern 5 as there is in the league. does a bit of everything and has added the ability to dribble drive under control. i think even more of the offense should run through him.

(01-30-2019 05:27 AM)pono Wrote:  Luke is as legit a modern 5 as there is in the league. does a bit of everything and has added the ability to dribble drive under control. i think even more of the offense should run through him.

I agree on both accounts. Luke and Edu provide good rim protection also that a plodding type center wouldn't. We do need a 6'6" or 6'7" 240/250 lb athletic rebounder and defensive stopper though

(01-30-2019 05:27 AM)pono Wrote:  Luke is as legit a modern 5 as there is in the league. does a bit of everything and has added the ability to dribble drive under control. i think even more of the offense should run through him.

That move and drive from the top of the key against Miami showed just what you’re saying, even though at full speed it appeared to be a slowmo replay. Drove the length of the lane and banked a runner from about five feet over some hapless defender. But again, he disappeared in the second half. Teams seem to be paying much more attention to him on D. Central was often getting backside help and dropping a guard down as well. Navi should have scored 100.

I see Luke as a guy who is more comfortable facing the basket. He needs to improve posting up down low and becoming a dormant scorer with his back to the basket. Moses of BS held him to 10 points (6 in the paint) and 5 boards, along with 3 fouls. Moses had 17. I'm not convinced he goes 245 either.

Does anyone actually put their back to the basket on college offense anymore? Thought hadn't occurred to me until I read it.

I really don't see a purpose in Knapke backing down anyone or even attempting against a 250lber. Passing out of the post can be a feature I suppose but I don't think any team anymore is desperate for a traditional post. The game is more passing the perimeter and driving into open spaces. If Knapke's game is naturally on the perimeter and outside the paint, use that difficult match-up. In the paint, Knapke will fair well against similarly leveraged guys, which are rare in this league but he's never going to win the push battle against a stocky 250lber so why play that guy's game? Make the 250lber play Knapke's game or sit lonely in the paint being non-functional.

The game has changed it seems, and I'm older than dirt. :-)

To me a true big guy it the guy you can feed inside and he will deliver time after time after time. I did find this article which is rather interesting; How to Post Up in Basketball (12 Tips to Dominate Inside)

A team that has that player has a rare diversity. The new normal I guess. Knapke would have to roid to get enough weight to back down Moses or others like him but the article does bring back a memory of how Jabbar dealt with that. Why not a jump hook? I don't know. Rules are different in college, you're not going to clear out the post but Knapke seems to have enough ball skills he might be able to shoot before off-side help arrives to grab the ball low. Be fun to see it just to see it.

The other day I was thinking, if I was playing today's game and was DI capable, I could see me going old school. Practicing different iconic moves just to put them in play in a game.

Navi has kind of developed a fade-away, but I don't see Luke with much of a hook. I think that would aid him greatly given his height.

Boothe and Steve Tayler were more of a post up type guys IMO.

I figure as long as Knapke is changing shots, he's doing ok on D. How he gets his points, I don't think it needs to be in the paint. But having that passing presence there is certainly a plus and that does require back to the net. I see your point. It would be a good role for the Fr to build that skill as he grows to see the floor and game.

he needs the ball to make plays. seems like the offense doesn't get him the ball in good places enough.

(01-30-2019 04:59 PM)pono Wrote:  he needs the ball to make plays. seems like the offense doesn't get him the ball in good places enough.

The last couple games follow a pattern-big Knapke first half, fewer touches/points in the second half. CMU clearly made some defensive adjustments but he should have gotten the ball more in half 2. Neither team had a guy big enough or good enough to defend him.