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I've been pretty hard on Davenport the last couple of years, but I'll give credit when it is due. He had a good game today. Rebounded pretty well, made the extra pass, and most importantly played within the offense. I hope it continues.

Since the start of Maui Lahkin is averaging 14.5 PPG while Shooting 72% from the field.

(12-17-2022 04:05 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  I've been pretty hard on Davenport the last couple of years, but I'll give credit when it is due. He had a good game today. Rebounded pretty well, made the extra pass, and most importantly played within the offense. I hope it continues.

I agree that he played well-ish today. Just wish that in the half court offense, when he wouldn't just stand essentially in one spot. No rotation to the other side of the floor or to to the top of the key. His energy, when he moves and rebounds is great, just hope he can translate that into working to get open for his shot.

He stands on the left top of the key like a statue. Sometimes he lopes down the right, runs under the basket...and stands on the left top of the key.

I can't wait for graduation.

(12-17-2022 08:34 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  He stands on the left top of the key like a statue. Sometimes he lopes down the right, runs under the basket...and stands on the left top of the key.

I can't wait for graduation.

He had a couple of nice drives and pull out inside 10 ft for the bucket. Haven't seen much of that from him...usually just chucking up 3's. Hopefully he does more of that. But the defensive liability is almost too much to overcome regardless of his O.

Must have been a win. Under 3 pages again

Good to see the team won and likely played well, though not sure if anyone really knows since we played LaSalle.

Was the game televised (ESPN+ maybe)?

After watching the bowl game for a half I gave all the time to UC on TV that I was willing to spend for the weekend. Skipped watching another mid 200's or lower opponent scrimmage We seem to have the bodybag tuneup game thing down pat.

For the record UC beat La Salle by more than Villanova, Georgetown, Wake Forest, and Temple did this year.

Unfortunately none of those teams are any good this year lol

(12-17-2022 08:34 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  He stands on the left top of the key like a statue. Sometimes he lopes down the right, runs under the basket...and stands on the left top of the key.

I can't wait for graduation.

His first defensive possession was a masterclass, let me tell you.

(12-17-2022 04:05 PM)RuckleSt Wrote:  I've been pretty hard on Davenport the last couple of years, but I'll give credit when it is due. He had a good game today. Rebounded pretty well, made the extra pass, and most importantly played within the offense. I hope it continues.

I agree. There is a role for him on this team and if Wes can convince him to be satisfied with limited minutes, it's a master stroke. JD brings energy and enthusiasm; has shown a willingness to take the charge on defense and has (mostly) stopped slinging up out of control shots from the perimeter.

Is the team playing better? Absolutely. LaSalle isn't Kansas either but compared with scoring 11 points the entire second half against NKU, UC is now punishing inferior competition and individual players are showing real improvement along the way. Beating all the dregs of the AAC will be an accomplishment after the way this season began; stealing some wins from the middle of the pack will help too.

Finally, I never imagined Lahkin could be this effective. Skillings is showing flashes of brilliance. Wes is creating order after witnessing early season chaos.

We look better than we did at the end of last season

(12-19-2022 11:16 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  We look better than we did at the end of last season

Meh. Hard to tell. We haven’t beaten anyone worth a dammm yet

(12-19-2022 11:18 AM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 11:16 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  We look better than we did at the end of last season

Meh. Hard to tell. We haven’t beaten anyone worth a dammm yet

I'm going to have to agree with Cataclysmo, considering we were losing to teams that weren't worth a damn at the end of last year.

We look better but it's hard to honestly evaluate with the procession of mid 200's to 300 type overmatched teams we have seen with the exception of X at 5th Third. 1st world problems...who is on the schedule is on the schedule.

Last year I felt like our conference opponents figured out the scouting report on us early on in the New Year so we will see how January develops.

I think we look better and that contract extension may prove to be timely. I believe Wes has been treading the line between "massaging" the roster post Brannen and imposing his will on the team. The last several games looks more the latter and it may be our turning point in the rebuild. Circle the Houston game on our court Sunday, January 8th.

(12-19-2022 08:16 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I think we look better and that contract extension may prove to be timely. I believe Wes has been treading the line between "massaging" the roster post Brannen and imposing his will on the team. The last several games looks more the latter and it may be our turning point in the rebuild. Circle the Houston game on our court Sunday, January 8th.

As long as we don't get humiliated, I'll be happy.

We're going to lose that game, but I'm hoping we are at least competitive.

(12-19-2022 08:16 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I think we look better and that contract extension may prove to be timely. I believe Wes has been treading the line between "massaging" the roster post Brannen and imposing his will on the team. The last several games looks more the latter and it may be our turning point in the rebuild. Circle the Houston game on our court Sunday, January 8th.

Not at all sure what this means... You can't judge if a team that on it's best day is a Top 50-75 team has turned a corner based on the outcome against a team that by all measures should be a Big Dance 1 seed. To my old eyes, this UC team is playing harder and better than any of the last 2 or 3 squads... but still have regular and maddening lapses that can come on either end of the floor. The talent level seems higher and better utilized with player development and growth showing more consistently. Right now, that's all I'm hoping for.

(12-19-2022 08:16 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I think we look better and that contract extension may prove to be timely. I believe Wes has been treading the line between "massaging" the roster post Brannen and imposing his will on the team. The last several games looks more the latter and it may be our turning point in the rebuild. Circle the Houston game on our court Sunday, January 8th.

I'm more interested in how they look against Tulane, at Temple and at Wichita State.

(12-20-2022 12:00 PM)Cal1362 Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 08:16 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I think we look better and that contract extension may prove to be timely. I believe Wes has been treading the line between "massaging" the roster post Brannen and imposing his will on the team. The last several games looks more the latter and it may be our turning point in the rebuild. Circle the Houston game on our court Sunday, January 8th.

Not at all sure what this means... You can't judge if a team that on it's best day is a Top 50-75 team has turned a corner based on the outcome against a team that by all measures should be a Big Dance 1 seed. To my old eyes, this UC team is playing harder and better than any of the last 2 or 3 squads... but still have regular and maddening lapses that can come on either end of the floor. The talent level seems higher and better utilized with player development and growth showing more consistently. Right now, that's all I'm hoping for.

Yeah...every game provides insight imo. I hate how soft our schedule is but I don't think it's naive to appreciate good play against bad competition. Everything has a context. Anyone remember the year we started 15-0 and then lost 3 of the first 4 games in conference? Mick's first tournament team.