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Since I have been very hard on EG, deservedly so a lot of the time IMO (but that's another story), I decided to shine a spotlight on his recent play..

In the 5 games since the debacle at Charlotte where he shot 4-13 and scored 10 points, EG has been averaging:

13.8 PPG
47.9% shooting overall
42.3% from three
66.7% from the line
4 rebounds per game
6.8 assists per game
1.2 blocks per game
1.8 steals per game
2.8 turnovers per game.
2.43 A:T ratio

These stats are including a 3-10 and 0-5 performance from the field and from three, respectively, against SMU.

He's been very good during our recent winning streak, Especially considering his three point percentage had dropped to SUB-20% on the season recently. I've always said, as have others, if he would simply cut down on the "dumb stuff," he could be a really good player. He is a the type of player that didn't have to do anything new, or better, on the court necessarily, just cut out the head scratching craziness. He's obviously done that lately. He has been composed, limited his shot attempts, mostly taken good shots, played under control, been decisive, and has actually looked like a point guard. Hats off to EG. I can't remember the last time he's jumped in the air with no idea what to do with the ball. We are a different team when he is playing like this.

(02-14-2024 03:21 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  Since I have been very hard on EG, deservedly so a lot of the time IMO (but that's another story), I decided to shine a spotlight on his recent play..

In the 5 games since the debacle at Charlotte where he shot 4-13 and scored 10 points, EG has been averaging:

13.8 PPG
47.9% shooting overall
42.3% from three
66.7% from the line
4 rebounds per game
6.8 assists per game
1.2 blocks per game
1.8 steals per game
2.8 turnovers per game.
2.43 A:T ratio

These stats are including a 3-10 and 0-5 performance from the field and from three, respectively, against SMU.

He's been very good during our recent winning streak, Especially considering his three point percentage had dropped to SUB-20% on the season recently. I've always said, as have others, if he would simply cut down on the "dumb stuff," he would be a really good player. He is a the type of player that didn't have to do anything better on the court necessarily, just cut out the head scratching craziness. He's obviously done that lately. He has been composed, limited his shot attempts, mostly taken good shots, played under control, and has actually looked like a point guard. Hats off to EG. We are a different team when he is playing like this.

Agree 100 percent. He has been great recently.

He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

(02-14-2024 03:44 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

The thing is, Gaines has a decent looking shot. I'd be curious how often he has to shoot a 3 with time running down on shot clock due to no one coming for the ball. Not saying he doesn't shoot some ill advised shots at times but something to consider. Most of the time he has to create his own shot. Not to mention his ball handling duties and defense. We ask him to do a lot.

(02-14-2024 04:06 PM)randy22263 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 03:44 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

The thing is, Gaines has a decent looking shot. I'd be curious how often he has to shoot a 3 with time running down on shot clock due to no one coming for the ball. Not saying he doesn't shoot some ill advised shots at times but something to consider. Most of the time he has to create his own shot. Not to mention his ball handling duties and defense. We ask him to do a lot.

Yeah the only thing kind of weird about his set shot is that he doesn't jump very much, and shoots it almost like he's taking a free throw.

I feel he’s been pretty good all year, but the past month or so, it seems he’s taken that final step of not taking ill advised shots (or at least not nearly as many). If you had told me in November EG won’t be back for 24-25, my response probably would’ve been, “meh”. But now, I really would hate to lose him. His basketball IQ, and play as a result, has increased a ton this year. Kudos to AK, I’m sure he had something to do with that.

Agreed…but I’ll add that at Tulsa, I can think of a couple REALLY tough fadeaway shots fairly early in the shot clock. He looked like an all star, bc they went in. But I thought…man, had that clanked out, it looks like a moronic shot

Things sure look better when shots are falling

(02-14-2024 04:40 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  Agreed…but I’ll add that at Tulsa, I can think of a couple REALLY tough fadeaway shots fairly early in the shot clock. He looked like an all star, bc they went in. But I thought…man, had that clanked out, it looks like a moronic shot

Things sure look better when shots are falling

He definitely took a couple “what’s he thinking?” type shots against Tulsa, but I wasn’t too upset, cause I feel like the rest of the guards weren’t able to hit water if they fell out of a boat that game.

(02-14-2024 04:06 PM)randy22263 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 03:44 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

The thing is, Gaines has a decent looking shot. I'd be curious how often he has to shoot a 3 with time running down on shot clock due to no one coming for the ball. Not saying he doesn't shoot some ill advised shots at times but something to consider. Most of the time he has to create his own shot. Not to mention his ball handling duties and defense. We ask him to do a lot.

Not often. This team isn’t typically struggling to get any shot off before the clock expires. I’m not saying it never happened, but most of his ill advised shots were poor decisions rather than desperation.

(02-14-2024 04:38 PM)Frank Grimes Wrote:  I feel he’s been pretty good all year, but the past month or so, it seems he’s taken that final step of not taking ill advised shots (or at least not nearly as many). If you had told me in November EG won’t be back for 24-25, my response probably would’ve been, “meh”. But now, I really would hate to lose him. His basketball IQ, and play as a result, has increased a ton this year. Kudos to AK, I’m sure he had something to do with that.

Agreed. But I really don’t see it as a possibility at this point. EG doesn’t love UAB the way Jelly and Jemison did/do, and he isn’t getting any younger with his pro aspirations. I hope I’m wrong, but I just can’t see any world where he comes back now.

After winning the national championship in April he will likely have accomplished everything he came to do at UAB. But back to back would be really cool!

just looked it up...

EG is currently 38th in assists with 5.3 avg.

#1 is a guard at Minn who averages 7.6/game. HOLY F

Keep trending upward. Keep head on straight. Gonna need him down the stretch.

Would like to see us use the 2-2-1 full court trap more often than we have recently.

(02-14-2024 05:19 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 04:38 PM)Frank Grimes Wrote:  I feel he’s been pretty good all year, but the past month or so, it seems he’s taken that final step of not taking ill advised shots (or at least not nearly as many). If you had told me in November EG won’t be back for 24-25, my response probably would’ve been, “meh”. But now, I really would hate to lose him. His basketball IQ, and play as a result, has increased a ton this year. Kudos to AK, I’m sure he had something to do with that.

Agreed. But I really don’t see it as a possibility at this point. EG doesn’t love UAB the way Jelly and Jemison did/do, and he isn’t getting any younger with his pro aspirations. I hope I’m wrong, but I just can’t see any world where he comes back now.

He needs 20 pounds on him to have any pro aspirations. He needs another year of college ball. I agree he probably leaves but he isn't ready for pro ball. Certainly not the NBA.

EG has a lot of things about him that scouts like. But we all know the holes in his game and they do too. The book on EG reads like a BT thread.

He needs another couple of years of development for sure, especially to put on weight and strength. He's a good ball hawk on defense in the passing lanes but can't keep any physical guard out of the lane. That's killer for his chances to stick at the the next level. Whether that body work is another year in college, in a minor league or a combination of the two, a think there will be NBA teams keeping an eye on him. But they're going to want to see the evidence of the work.

The pass Gaines made to Yax in the lane for the dunk to tie North Texas was an absolute chef’s kiss.

I think we would all agree that despite his flaws, his decision making and maturity are night and day compared to last season. Especially here lately. [/align]

(02-14-2024 05:17 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 04:06 PM)randy22263 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 03:44 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

The thing is, Gaines has a decent looking shot. I'd be curious how often he has to shoot a 3 with time running down on shot clock due to no one coming for the ball. Not saying he doesn't shoot some ill advised shots at times but something to consider. Most of the time he has to create his own shot. Not to mention his ball handling duties and defense. We ask him to do a lot.

Not often. This team isn’t typically struggling to get any shot off before the clock expires. I’m not saying it never happened, but most of his ill advised shots were poor decisions rather than desperation.

That's why his game lately is praiseworthy, he's made progress. As often as I've said harsh things about EG, he's played better and deserves his props. As everyone else has said, when he limits the WTF he's a solid player.

(02-14-2024 04:06 PM)randy22263 Wrote:  

(02-14-2024 03:44 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  He's shooting 56.25% from three if you take out the 0/5 game against SMU

The thing is, Gaines has a decent looking shot. I'd be curious how often he has to shoot a 3 with time running down on shot clock due to no one coming for the ball. Not saying he doesn't shoot some ill advised shots at times but something to consider. Most of the time he has to create his own shot. Not to mention his ball handling duties and defense. We ask him to do a lot.

Rhythm shooter

(02-14-2024 04:38 PM)Frank Grimes Wrote:  I feel he’s been pretty good all year, but the past month or so, it seems he’s taken that final step of not taking ill advised shots (or at least not nearly as many). If you had told me in November EG won’t be back for 24-25, my response probably would’ve been, “meh”. But now, I really would hate to lose him. His basketball IQ, and play as a result, has increased a ton this year. Kudos to AK, I’m sure he had something to do with that.

My thoughts exactly. If we get this version of EG back next year (plus another offseason of getting better) that would be really beneficial.