 MBB: What have we learned at this point in the season? 2/2/19
OK, what have we learned to this point in the season:
1. X/O goals on Defense:
- Seems to have two bases CPH wants to use:
- #1: A switch heavy man/zone hybrid that looks to neutralize P/R at the top at the cost of possibly giving up corner threes. Should be a better base defense if we can get more guard length (Lomax at 5'11", Harris at 5'8") to closeout.
- #2: A full court pressure trapping defense that seems to be a 2-2-1 trap. Probably a secondary base defense at 25% of the game unless team gets down and needs to turn up the heat.
- Verdict: Theory is sound, better recruiting will help, will be a defense that gives up 3s and layups at times, but should generate 12-16 TOs a game and get 15 pts easy +/- at least. I think this will work better in future. Bright future.
2. X/O goals on Offense:
- Seems to have one major goal which is a 1-4 low start, that has the 4/5 come high for a single P/R (1/big) or a double screen (1/ x2 big) to get to the mid lane with a head of steam surrounded by shooters at the corner and a pop out big
- This has some limitations as a base offense. Relies on the guard beating his man off a switch OR a success P/R.
- Limitations are crushing for the following reasons this year:
- A. The guard in the P/R has to be a player capable of finishing in the lane. Only 2 of our primary creators are able to finish at the cup (Martin / Brewton), the others (FR guards) can't finish. I'd expect ALo to get better at the cup, I expect very little improvement by Harris at the cup.
- B. The shooters (Harris and ????) are inconsistent canning 3s out of kick outs. Harris will probably improve his shooting greatly and he adds strength and experience. Still need more shooting.
- C. None of the screening bigs have true explosion as a Roll man and are uneven shooters from deep off pops (Davenport probably the best at both, all are limited), so the opposing big can cheat on the drive knowing the roll man is a lower priority option at the cup. This is the one thing that will improve greatly next year. The opposing big will GLUE to Wiseman at his mortal terror and that should GREATLY improve the P/R threat.
- Verdict: I am actually more cool on this long term. This is basically an NBA offense that is predicated on players being able to create for themselves with little ball movement. We have only a couple of players who can create for themselves (Martin, kind of Brewton, kind of Davenport) and few who can create for others (Martin, ALo). We need a couple more shooters, even counting for Harris improving, and we need a pick/pop big as well. One more creative ball handler will help as well.
3. Coaching, the good:
- We have an identity at least, the team consistently attempts the same things, just to varying results. So there is a level of practice repetition that is happening and is setting a tone. This is important.
- The team has no quit, and comes out to play hard regardless of up, down, whatever.
4. Coaching, the bad:
- The team comes out flat on the road. Historically flat in fact. It's odd that this is consistent. Some answers are due in this case, now. Road wins are not expected, but you're not supposed to consistently be down 12-20 in the first half.
- Rotations are not set, minutes are getting yanked. I do think this is excusable, because we need to find out what we have and we have a disjointed roster, but the players don't have consistent roles yet.
5. Press woofing:
- Good: It gets us fired up and is very on brand for Memphis, I love it.
- Bad: It gets other teams fired up and makes us a target, I hate it.
- I find this conflicting. I lean towards liking it, but we need to start winning.
6. Next years roster and how it projects:
A. Starting Level Players returning:
- SG: Jones: Projects as a 3-4th option on offense, can run point in a pinch, will be a key player moving forward.
B. Key Rotation Level Players returning:
- SG: Harris: Projects as instant offense, 20-25 minutes a night, key 2nd unit gunner
C. Deep Rotation Level Players returning:
- PG: Lomax: Projects as backup level PG, 18-20 minutes a night, energy in press, dogged defensive player, able to improve to starter level for junior / senior years.
- F/C: Maurice: Projects as 4th man in PF/C rotation, 15-18 minutes a game, some post offense, decent player
D. No role going forward:
- F/C: Enoh, he is not able to play on this team, hard to see him playing in a crowded front court. Good kid by all accounts.
E. Incomplete, with guesses, in order of usefulness:
- F: Lance Thomas: Hopefully useful, was a good player in HS / showed promise at 'Ville, in rotation
- SF: Wingett: 2nd unit corner shooter? Unclear as he hasn't played, not in rotation
- SG: Boyce: developmental wing? , not in rotation
- SG: Hardaway: unclear, not in rotation
7. Rotation as of now for next year with OPEN SPOT noting a need to improve.
C: Wiseman / Dandridge
PF: OPEN PF spot / Thomas / Maurice
SF: Jeffries / Open WING Spot
SG: Jones / Harris
PG: OPEN PG Spot / ALo
On scholarship, but not in rotation: Wingett, Boyce, Hardaway, Enoh
We need another shooter, another starting level PG, and another high quality big with range.
Watford would add the big with range
We need a guard who can handle, create, and shoot (Baugh? a 2020 reclassify of Green / Hampton?)
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Thoughts?
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MBB: What have we learned at this point in the season? 2/2/19
I don’t share the same view on that.
