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(01-10-2021 08:04 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Have to win the next two. I do see some progress but the are periods on the court where you wonder if there any coaching or leadership. I just not sure where the program finds it this year.

Sometimes Brannen just likes to watch basketball as much as we do.

something'll give

I don't see a stud at either end of the floor.

Brannen has recruited some decent players, but I don't see them as fundamentally better than a lot of other players on a lot of other teams. Cronin pointed out that success at the level that's expected at UC is all about recruiting NBA players. I don't see any on the roster. In fact, you can argue that nobody is the roster is even close; so no future G-league or high-level Euroleague players, either.

(01-10-2021 08:08 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 08:04 PM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Have to win the next two. I do see some progress but the are periods on the court where you wonder if there any coaching or leadership. I just not sure where the program finds it this year.

Sometimes Brannen just likes to watch basketball as much as we do.

its hard for underclassmen to be your team leaders - vogt and williams don't fill the bill, so you're going to have wild inconsistencies, with the young guys trying to figure it out / gel as a team - at times, i think this team could've been better if williams had left, but, since he's not a nba level player, i get why he came back. nothing against him as a person, just think he's really not a hard plus for this team.

(01-10-2021 07:00 PM)levydl Wrote:  After last year, fans were saying that it will be nice to move on from Jarron because he didn't really fit with what Brannen wanted to do. I guess Keith is up next.

Different situations IMO. Cumberland was always meant to be the centerpiece of a teams offense. I don't remember people saying that moving on from Jarron would be nice; but that Jarron being the centerpiece and not being a great athlete meant we had to run less than we thought Brannen wanted to.

KW is supposed to be a complimentary piece but on a decent team with no centerpieces he's completely miscast as the "go to" player. He needs to play with a creator because as other have mentioned when you put the ball in his hands and ask him to create if he can't get to the rim he will either turn it over or take a high degree of difficulty two point shot. I think less of KW would allow him to concentrate on his strengths; 25-30 min vs the 30+ he's been getting when he doesn't put himself in foul trouble with out of control drives and playing defense with his hands.

Brannen said all November and December that Williams is the best player on the team and one of the best in the AAC. Something has happened. It’s a short list so it’s probably just easier to list the players who take a step forward under Brannen than the ones that don’t.

(01-10-2021 10:33 PM)Lush Wrote:  something'll give

One can hope.

(01-10-2021 07:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 07:18 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 07:02 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 06:54 PM)levydl Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 06:23 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  This team is just not nearly as good as the sum of its parts. Turns the ball over too much, fouls too much, can't shoot, and gives up too many easy baskets. I know this team has enough talent to look better than they do. This season's failures is on the coaching staff. I've been patient in not piling on Brannen, but he's earning a failing grade this season for sure.

This is well put.

Go look at uc's 2009 team. . Had good parts but they were young (other than Williams / Vaughn). They made all kinds of mistakes. They were learning. The young core would get them to a sweet 16 a couple years later. Vaughn and Williams were better than our 2 seniors on this team and that team finished 108 in kenpom adjusted defense. People around here aren't used to having this kind of roster. The key is keep the young guys growing and keep them here for the future.

Hope you're right, but I don't think there is a lack of talent on this team, and this is not the 2009 Big East. It's also pretty frustrating if we are back to where we were in Cronin's 3rd season.

It's frustrating but it's reality. Our junior and senior classes just aren't good. We are dependent on freshman and sophomores and while I think we have talented guys there they aren't there yet. I like what I've seen from them.

Of course this is dependent on keeping them here and putting together a class for next year.

Bolded, this is what worries me at this point--keeping them here. I like the nucleus of young players but if an Eason decides to take his show elsewhere it blows a big hole in any building plan.

Admittedly, I don't follow every basketball recruiting move closely but is there any indication right now that Brannen is in the hunt for the missing pieces to mount a turnaround come November?

(01-11-2021 08:19 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 07:00 PM)levydl Wrote:  After last year, fans were saying that it will be nice to move on from Jarron because he didn't really fit with what Brannen wanted to do. I guess Keith is up next.

Different situations IMO. Cumberland was always meant to be the centerpiece of a teams offense. I don't remember people saying that moving on from Jarron would be nice; but that Jarron being the centerpiece and not being a great athlete meant we had to run less than we thought Brannen wanted to.

KW is supposed to be a complimentary piece but on a decent team with no centerpieces he's completely miscast as the "go to" player. He needs to play with a creator because as other have mentioned when you put the ball in his hands and ask him to create if he can't get to the rim he will either turn it over or take a high degree of difficulty two point shot. I think less of KW would allow him to concentrate on his strengths; 25-30 min vs the 30+ he's been getting when he doesn't put himself in foul trouble with out of control drives and playing defense with his hands.

Also let's not kid ourselves, being glad jarron was gone was always a bad take. I wish we'd gotten to see him at 100% last year. I feel like we were robbed not getting the best possible version of senior jarron.

Keith has one huge strength....his athleticism. He's a below average shooter, passer and ball handler. Honestly he could make it work but he combines it with bad shot selection. He should take open shots, shots around the rim and only contested shots late in the shot clock. If he did this he is so quick and athletic and good around the basket he'd be a huge asset. Too often he tries to create and just take really bad, contested shots or turns it over. He was just dreadful in the stretch where wsu pulled away.

(01-11-2021 08:24 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Brannen said all November and December that Williams is the best player on the team and one of the best in the AAC. Something has happened. It’s a short list so it’s probably just easier to list the players who take a step forward under Brannen than the ones that don’t.

What's he going to say? Williams is a senior uc absolutely needed to be that if uc was going to be any good this year. I've never been very confident Williams could be any of those things.

Btw tre Scott is a great example of a player who made a huge leap under Brannen. I think we're seeing Harvey get there. I think davenport has shown great development.

I have lots of things I could suggest that he say. But it’s early so I’ll be nice.

(01-11-2021 08:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 08:24 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Brannen said all November and December that Williams is the best player on the team and one of the best in the AAC. Something has happened. It’s a short list so it’s probably just easier to list the players who take a step forward under Brannen than the ones that don’t.

What's he going to say? Williams is a senior uc absolutely needed to be that if uc was going to be any good this year. I've never been very confident Williams could be any of those things.

Btw tre Scott is a great example of a player who made a huge leap under Brannen. I think we're seeing Harvey get there. I think davenport has shown great development.

Bolded, all true.

Archie Miller is in his fourth season @ Indiana and hasn't been to the NCAA yet. I dare say expectations there are higher than here and he's had at least a couple of elite recruits during his tenure. Rebuilding is no easy task in high major college basketball. As frustrating as these losses are, there are hopeful signs with the young players--they will all improve. Stay the course, fill some holes and let's see where we are in January 2022.

I want to see UC get around 9 or 10 more league wins, make a conference tournament run, and build with the young guys. If Brannen can’t do those things I am ready move on. Basically I am looking for growth.

Transfer portal at UC could spin like a turnstile come March.

It appears that this team has no strong hand on the rudder during games. Starting to suspect it may not outside of games.

(01-11-2021 08:31 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 08:19 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(01-10-2021 07:00 PM)levydl Wrote:  After last year, fans were saying that it will be nice to move on from Jarron because he didn't really fit with what Brannen wanted to do. I guess Keith is up next.

Different situations IMO. Cumberland was always meant to be the centerpiece of a teams offense. I don't remember people saying that moving on from Jarron would be nice; but that Jarron being the centerpiece and not being a great athlete meant we had to run less than we thought Brannen wanted to.

KW is supposed to be a complimentary piece but on a decent team with no centerpieces he's completely miscast as the "go to" player. He needs to play with a creator because as other have mentioned when you put the ball in his hands and ask him to create if he can't get to the rim he will either turn it over or take a high degree of difficulty two point shot. I think less of KW would allow him to concentrate on his strengths; 25-30 min vs the 30+ he's been getting when he doesn't put himself in foul trouble with out of control drives and playing defense with his hands.

Also let's not kid ourselves, being glad jarron was gone was always a bad take. I wish we'd gotten to see him at 100% last year. I feel like we were robbed not getting the best possible version of senior jarron.

Quote:Keith has one huge strength....his athleticism. He's a below average shooter, passer and ball handler.

Honestly he could make it work but he combines it with bad shot selection. He should take open shots, shots around the rim and only contested shots late in the shot clock. If he did this he is so quick and athletic and good around the basket he'd be a huge asset. Too often he tries to create and just take really bad, contested shots or turns it over. He was just dreadful in the stretch where wsu pulled away.

Honestly, the more i think about it, the more i think Keith should be our primary post option. Allow him to operate near the basket without having to overdribble or rely on his handle to get there. His athleticism allows him to shoot over shorter defenders and dribble around larger ones. He might also be able to force officials to make a call, which, quite frankly, is what he's doing already. i know this is not Brannen's style but if Keith is effective enough, team's will have to double and that can lead to kick out treys.

Barring that, Keith should be a screener on pick and roll with DD.

Whatever the case may be, Keith needs to play more aggressively without the ball.

(01-11-2021 08:55 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Transfer portal at UC could spin like a turnstile come March.

It appears that this team has no strong hand on the rudder during games. Starting to suspect it may not outside of games.

Every program is going to see that this spring. If you keep the staff. Eason and Harvey are the two guys that have to stay.

(01-11-2021 09:14 AM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 08:55 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Transfer portal at UC could spin like a turnstile come March.

It appears that this team has no strong hand on the rudder during games. Starting to suspect it may not outside of games.

Every program is going to see that this spring. If you keep the staff. Eason and Harvey are the two guys that have to stay.

i would add Davenport to that list.

(01-11-2021 08:31 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Keith has one huge strength....his athleticism. He's a below average shooter, passer and ball handler. Honestly he could make it work but he combines it with bad shot selection. He should take open shots, shots around the rim and only contested shots late in the shot clock. If he did this he is so quick and athletic and good around the basket he'd be a huge asset. Too often he tries to create and just take really bad, contested shots or turns it over. He was just dreadful in the stretch where wsu pulled away.

(01-11-2021 08:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  What's he going to say? Williams is a senior uc absolutely needed to be that if uc was going to be any good this year. I've never been very confident Williams could be any of those things.

Btw tre Scott is a great example of a player who made a huge leap under Brannen. I think we're seeing Harvey get there. I think davenport has shown great development.

You're absolutely correct on Brannen. Coaches are always going to talk up their players publicly and especially their seniors. I haven't seen him recruit any nonskilled athletic wings so I highly doubt that he loves KW's game.

And the first part is right. KW is a huge part of the problem. Whether correct or not teams look to their seniors for on court leadership in tight situations. The deviation for KW is just way too wide to be that guy. He can be the best player on the court or the worst player on the court; you just cant rely on those types.

When guys start playing for their own film for their next stop you’ll know the ship is more than just listing to port.

(01-11-2021 09:19 AM)eroc Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 09:14 AM)UCBearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 08:55 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Transfer portal at UC could spin like a turnstile come March.

It appears that this team has no strong hand on the rudder during games. Starting to suspect it may not outside of games.

Every program is going to see that this spring. If you keep the staff. Eason and Harvey are the two guys that have to stay.

i would add Davenport to that list.

I don't think we need to worry about JD