Current Roster- Flaws, Strengths, Best Case, Worst Case
There's been a lot of talk about this team, what it needs, who can play at this level, etc. I thought I'd go through the roster and try to project.
DDJ- The only guy who could create a shot. A good and willing passer, protects the ball, makes his foul shots. He's been bad from 3, just OK from 2 and at times can stop the ball. To me he is what he is, which can be really good if he's in a 3rd option type role. He needs a situation where he takes more spot up shots and fewer step backs. Step backs should be reserved for late in the shot clock if he has the ball and when he's really feeling it. His ability to be better really comes down to what we put around him. I love him as a piece, but he can't be your only creator.
Davenport- 35% from three given the degree of difficulty is more impressive than many give him credit for. He doesn't turn it over and makes his free throws. He can't create for others and honestly that's never going to be a part of his game. I thought his rebounding improved a lot, but still needs to get better. Right now his best role is a heat check, small ball 4 off the bench. As a starter he'll never be a 3. To be effective as our starting 4 he needs to get stronger and improve his quickness. Really good 4s scored over top of him too often. He has to be better at pushing them away from the basket. On offense, he needs to find a move when teams overplay his 3. He's never going to be a creator, but he needs to be able to create something for himself when teams overplay. He's another guy like DDJ that would benefit greatly on offense from a couple creators. If he can be the screener with a true wing creator he'll get shots off the pop. He'll also get shots if teams have to help off him.
Saunders- Is strengths are speed and a much improved shooter. The shooting development this year was encouraging. UC desperately needs him to 1. be more sound on defense, 2. cut down on turnovers and 3. be stronger at the rim. He could get a step on his man but nobody was scared he was finishing over or through the help defense when he did.
Lahkin - His per rebounding rates are exceptional and he made 57% of his 2 point shots. Honestly, he is a guy who should develop IF he can stay healthy. I thought he showed really good defensive instincts, but pretty terrible defensive understanding. The later is probably easier to fix with development. His steal rate was the best on the team. His block rate was fine. On offense double teams or even showing doubles and backing off really messed with him. He was thinking to much instead of reacting. Hopefully another offseason will improve his understanding of the game on both ends. If he is reacting instead of thinking, he's got the skills and instincts to be a guy.
MAW- He's a role player that plays way too big a role on this team. I think his 3 point shot would improve if his role lessened (like it was his freshman year), but is never going to be great. He needs to get stronger at the rim. His ideal role is a bench guy, who you bring in for ball handling and free throw shooting if you have a late lead. I don't think he has much upside beyond that.
Ody Oguama- Strong rebounding rates. Showed some offensive skill. He had bad defensive understanding and bad defensive instincts. That's two areas where he needs drastic improvement. I thought his defensive understanding improved during the season but his instincts are still bad. He jumps at the wrong time, he takes bad angles, he does a bad job staying vertical. He's got some talent and skill, but committed 6 fouls per 40. He needs to cut that number to around 4. Also improving from the line would help.
John Newman- Definitely can be am effective starter. He's not a great passer, so he's not really a wing creator, but he does most things relatively well. He needs to do a better job getting to the rim and needs to improve his foul shooting. He's athletic enough that he needs to put more pressure on the defense. If there is an angle he should be able to attack.
Jarrett Hensley - Probably the biggest unknown from my perspective. He showed flashes late with his athleticism. I thought his rebounding was better and he seemed to have a better understanding of what he was doing. He needs to improve his ball handling a ton. He needs to improve his shooting. He played the 3 a lot this year, but I really don't see him as an effective 3. I just don't think he's quick enough and doesn't give you any creation for others. Maybe he'll show that next year. He's got the body and the athleticism, but I don't think he's shown much beyond that.
AJ McGinnis - Only shot 27% from 3, but on 15 shots that means very little. You could see he has a pure shot. He seems reasonably athletic as well. He needs to great stronger and improve on defense. We saw so little I have a hard time knowing if he can develop and play at this level.
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Current Roster- Flaws, Strengths, Best Case, Worst Case
